Hello fellow food lovers and welcome back to my kitchen. Thanksgiving is a time of tradition, family, and, of course, sumptuous food. But who says we can't spin the classics into something new and exciting? Enter the Thanksgiving Pizza: a playful and delicious way to enjoy all your favorite holiday flavors in one incredible dish. This recipe combines the comforting tastes of turkey, cranberries, green beans, sweet potatoes, and onions, all atop a homemade crust that's both crispy and chewy. Let's embark on this culinary adventure! more

We have a special Wednesday Farmers Market this week for your Thanksgiving shopping and holiday gift giving. There will be several vendors set up between 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with gluten free baked goods, fried pies, hot dogs, molasses, apples, fresh pressed apple cider, eggs, honey, jams, syrups, elderberry syrup, a perfume bar, jewelry and more! more

It's Thanksgiving week! I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful feast with family and friends. I thought I'd give you another pumpkin dessert recipe since you can't have too much pumpkin on Thanksgiving. This fudge is an annual treat in our home. We love fudge in general, the best I've ever had was made with goat's milk. When we had goats I was always looking for ways to use up the generous supply of milk and fudge was always a hit.  more

This week, I am answering reader requests for international recipes. Some of these even sound edible. more

Hello fellow food lovers, and welcome back to my kitchen. This time of year we’re all looking for comfort. As the leaves turn golden and the air gets crisp, there's nothing more comforting than a bowl of warm, hearty soup. Today, I'm thrilled to share with you my recipe for a Rustic Chicken and Vegetable Harvest Soup, a perfect symphony of flavors that embodies the essence of fall. more

The countdown is on, menus are being planned and supplies bought, all for the annual feast of Thanksgiving.  For me, it's all about the traditional dishes and the labor of love to feed my family. So many memories from the past, food keeps that connection with room for more to be made. My main menu remains the same each year but I like to play with the desserts and try something new most years while keeping at least one pumpkin pie present.  Since we eat mid-day, I like to have something to snack on while the dinner is being put together. This year, a warm crisp sounded good, full of fall flavors and seasonal spices. This pumpkin Pie Crisp is perfect for brunch or dessert, and better the next day if there is any left.  Served hot or cold, with or without ice cream the flavors blend well making it a perfect fall treat. Crisps aren't as popular as pie but I'm sure this recipe will change some minds. Happy baking! more

We have a new vendor, Melissa Magnotte, owner of Petty Crow Perfume Blending Bar, who has a collection of 50+ high quality pure essential oils used to create your own custom perfume blend. She also has a rack of Gluten Free baked goods including Honey Oat Sandwich Bread, Fruit Hand Pies, Peanut Butter Cookies, No Bake cookies and more, all made in her Gluten Free Kitchen! more

Before I begin with some unusual holiday recipes, let me direct a heartfelt thank-you to a great editor, Abby Hess! Even if I leave her with nothing, she makes my effort look great! Thanks, Abby. You are the greatest! more

Editor’s note: This is the conclusion of a two-part column. Part one was published in the Nov. 1 issue of the Quill. more

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Farmers Market on Dec. 2 at 10 am via the Howell County Rural Fire Department and will greet the young and old alike until 12:30. He will have a treat for all the kiddos from our vendors. Pass the word!! more

Last Sunday we got dressed up and headed to the big city of Springfield with some old and dear friends who wanted to treat us to lunch at a fine dining establishment, somewhere new to us. I won't name names but the chosen restaurant was once known for an elaborate display of hand-craved meats, a generous salad bar, and an equally generous dessert display. Those are fond memories now. What we found was less of everything with a hefty price. Is fine dining not a choice anymore?  more

Hello fellow food lovers, and welcome back to my kitchen. There's nothing quite like the rustic charm and heartwarming flavors of a classic Shepherd's Pie. This staple of British cuisine has traversed oceans and etched its place in the hearts and menus of comfort-food lovers worldwide. Today, I’m going to share with you a very long, very detailed blog-style recipe to create the perfect Shepherd's Pie, complete with all the traditional trimmings and a few gourmet twists. So, roll up your sleeves, and let's create culinary magic! more

Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part column. The continuation will be published in the Nov. 8 issue of the Quill. more

Hello fellow food lovers, and welcome back to my kitchen. When the leaves start to change colors and there's a crispness in the air, you know it's time to bring out those recipes that warm your heart and soul. And what could be more fitting for this season than a bowl of rich, creamy, and utterly delectable sweet potato soup? This isn’t just any soup; it’s a hug in a bowl, a symphony of flavors that celebrates all the best parts of fall. Today, I’m beyond excited to share with you my all-time favorite sweet potato soup recipe that’s guaranteed to become a staple in your autumn culinary repertoire! more

It's November foodies, and the big meal of the year will be here before we are ready, that's every year for me. But, before we get into that menu, I've been hunting up recipes using ground beef more since it's still the most economical.  I tend to get into a food rut so I was looking for casserole dishes that would be filling and give us leftovers.  I do appreciate leftovers.  Autumn and winter cooking tends to be based around soups and stews so this recipe caught my eye as an excuse to give casseroles another chance.  more