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Janet's Notebook

Pick Strawberries For Easy, Delicious Seasonal Treats

Summer brings strawberries, and strawberries bring endless dessert options ranging from fluffy, light and refreshing to devilishly decadent. It's been tough, but I've been sampling them all.Ever tried sweet strawberry salsa? Now's your chance! Natalie Miller of Huber Heights, Ohio...

Janet's Notebook

Heat Things Up for Your Memorial Day Cookout!

It may not technically be summer yet, but that doesn't mean we can't make it feel like it is!Though we often find ourselves dodging raindrops and donning our best warm sweaters for Memorial Day, things can really heat up when...

Janet's Notebook

Gooey Caramel Confection Takes the Cake in Crock Pot Contest

We love casseroles. We love stews. Ok, we pretty much love everything that comes out of a Crock Pot.What we didn't know was how stunningly delicious a slow-cooked DESSERT could be!"I just love baking pies, cookies and cakes," says Emily...

Janet's Notebook

Mom Made It Best: Recipes To Live By

"What meal do you remember most from your Mom?" That simple question came up at dinner with friends the other night, and without hesitation every single one of my friends had a dish that immediately came to mind! The comfort...

Janet's Notebook

Start The Day The RIght Way… With A Special Brunch!

Looking to pay tribute to the wonderful women in your life? Well, how about starting with brunch. I've yet to meet anyone, especially a woman, who doesn't just love it! There's something so very special about the warmth and togetherness...

Janet's Notebook

Decadent Desserts, Big Smiles At Blue Ribbon Showcase Event

"Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!"There's a whole lot of truth in that old saying! Stress was melting off in waves as a wonderful group of home cooks gathered for the latest Just A Pinch Blue Ribbon...

Janet's Notebook

Lighten Things Up With Healthier Springtime Sweets

Spring is here! We were all pastels and florals at the recent Just A Pinch Blue Ribbon Showcase event. (More on that Decadent Dessert celebration in an upcoming Notebook!) There were so many great discussions that sprung up during the...

Janet's Notebook

Chocolate Is Sweet On Peanut Butter… Pass It On!

I'm a genuinely honest person. I can't fib with a straight face and would just never even think about trying to be sneaky.... well, except when it comes to peanut butter and chocolate! The Hamburglar may have been overcome by...

Janet's Notebook

Sugar and Spice and Everything… Rice!

It was said in a whisper, a tone somewhere between a secret and a confession."I can't even make rice..."Staring, us ladies sat for a moment unsure of what to say. And then it began, a rush of exhales and a...

Janet's Notebook

Saluting Spring With Festive Easter Bread Creations

Spring sure has come quickly this year! And while there may still be a bit of a bite in the air, flowers sure aren't being held back; Delicate green shoots are popping up throughout our garden. As we shake off...

Janet's Notebook

Contest Winning Layers of Love Torte Combines Sweetness and Sentiment

Ever wonder what gratitude looks like? Well, check out this happy mug! I've been blessed in so many ways over the years. Most recently I had to step back and take a moment to soak in all the amazing desserts...

Janet's Notebook

Go Green This St. Paddy’s Day With Colorful Dinner Ideas

It's more important than ever to go green in the kitchen. Why? Because it's St. Patrick's Day, of course! This time of year we love to embrace new and traditional Irish recipes alike, but darn it if all of those...

Janet's Notebook

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup Feeds Heart & Soul

The only things going around faster than the sniffles this time of year, are steaming bowls of homemade chicken soup! As Chief Soup Ladeler for my family, it pays to have a few go-to recipes on hand at all times....

Janet's Notebook

Creative Fish Recipes Serve Up Unique Meal Ideas

Surprise, surprise... we had an absolute ball observing meatless Mondays in January! Coming from a long line of red meat and potatoes women, it was an adventure into the unknown for my family and I to devote one day a...

Janet's Notebook

Homemade Cheesecakes Impress, Delight

Whether you're a cheesecake purist or a cheesecake innovator, there's no denying the silken creamy comfort that comes with every bite. One of the first things I learned to make as a newlywed was homemade cheesecake. For so few ingredients...

Janet's Notebook

Celebrating A Love of Chocolate

It's time again for our annual Chocolate Edition! Thanks to the fun of Valentine's Day, the Test Kitchen has converted into a veritable bakery, wholly devoted to all things cocoa. We've been drizzling and glazing and downright dunking as we...

Janet's Notebook

Cheery Cherries Add Color, Sweetness To Valentine’s Day

What's red, fruity, and perfect for Valentine's Day? Why, cherries of course! Strawberries may get most of the recipe love this time of year, but we're diversifying our repertoire and filling up our Valentine dance card with some super sweet...

Janet's Notebook

Score Big With Winning Game Day Snacks!

Who's going to win the big game this year? You are! After all, the key to a winning party is in the company you invite and the snacks you serve! I'll leave the invite list up to you, I sure...

Janet's Notebook

Convenience and Comfort Combine in Creamy Casseroles!

Canned soup is my friend. Like any ingredient - expensive or not - it is what you make of it. And let me tell you, there are some really tasty, economical casserole recipes out there that elevate the humble can...

Janet's Notebook

Unraveling the Delicious Mysteries of Buttermilk

Have you ever thought of buttermilk as being mysterious? Does its mere mention make you shake in your oven mitts, the James Bond theme song playing in your head? Oh wait, maybe it's just me.For years, this humble ingredient has...