News and Recipes Blog

When I was growing up we always had cedar trees for our Christmas tree. It had the large colored lights and lots of stringy, clingy tinsel. After it was decorated, I remember my mom would vacuum the rug and inevitably strings of random tinsel would get caught in the rollers. But what I remember most is the fragrant smell of the tree! When it was my turn to check the water and fill the tree stand, I crawled under the tree and precariously poured in the water with a metal pitcher. I don't know why I did it but for some reason...

We have had so many hot days here lately that when we had 3 or 4 nights where it cooled off enough to open the windows, I was in hog heaven! When the chilly night air slips in and the curtains billow just a bit, I can tell that fall is not too far away! My thoughts start to turn to chilly days, football, final days of grass cutting for awhile and holiday baking. The meals get hardier and the desserts get richer. When I go home for Thanksgiving (600 miles away!) I take desserts that travel well, like Pecan pie or my Grandma Beach's...

You can make a glorious trifle in the big trifle bowl you have. It garners great oohs and ahhs to see the fruit and pudding layers and the soaked cake through the glass. But when you are having a more intimate get-together, it is even more special for the guests to get their own little trifle. You can make them in champagne glasses or even ice tea glasses. In this month's episode of What's InSTORE Fridays, I use mini trifle bowls. So cute! A general recipe for mine is below using store bought ingredients, but you should really use fresh in-season...

Southern Pecan Spread • 1 small onion chopped • 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley • 1 lb. grated sharp Cheddar • 1 cup mayonnaise • ¾ cup chopped pecans • 1 jar pineapple (orange) preserves • 1 large pineapple • Crackers In a food processor or blender, process the onion and parsley until well blended. Add the Cheddar gradually and process thoroughly, stopping to scrape down sides. Add mayonnaise and chopped pecans and process until well mixed. Wrap in Saran wrap and refrigerate. Cut a pineapple in half and scoop out. Throw a splash of lemon juice in pineapple shell and...

Sometimes I just want it easy. Well, let's face it, most of the time I want it easy. In my What's InSTORE Fridays segment this week, I show you 2 easy appetizers that are so good.  The first is the meatballs with Slathering sauce. I must have made a thousand meatballs in my life, but when I want quick and easy, I buy a small bag of meatballs, heat them up on the stove and pour a bottle of Slathering Sauce over them. So good! So easy! The Slathering Sauce is produced in Charleston, SC and I sell the Original and the Bold and...