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Janet's Notebook

Meat Free and Magnificent

We all know I am a huge fan of eating meat. There is nothing more satisfying to me than a steak off the grill or a nice juicy hamburger. Oh, who am I kidding. I haven't met a meat dish...

Janet's Notebook

The Flavors of Fall

Fall has officially arrived. Is it me, or does the air just smell a little different this time of year? So crisp and clean, it makes me want to take a deep breath and soak in everything that fall has...

Janet's Notebook

Taco Night Delight

The time comes every year when we can't wait for the kiddos to head back-to-school. Then it happens - school activities. It's almost like a mental block goes up each summer, where you forget how hectic school days can be....

Janet's Notebook

Friends, Family, Football … and Food!

Fall is arriving. And with it the foliage begins to turn, along with a slight nip in the evening air. And for my family and friends ... it's football time! The sport is big business in my part of the...

Janet's Notebook

Tantalize Your Taste Buds with Tomatoes

SMKUGVC56E82I've said it before and I will say it again - I LOVE tomatoes. When they are ripe and juicy, you can eat them as a snack (I may be known to do this from time to time...). On their...

Janet's Notebook

Get Your Grill On!

That time of the year is here again. While it doesn't technically end until September 21st, we all know that Labor Day is really the end of Summer. The date of Labor Day may change each year (it's always the...

Janet's Notebook

Enjoying the Last Tastes of Summer

I’ve always loved summer. As a child, my perfect afternoon was swimming with friends and playing tag with the neighborhood kids. Now that I’m older, my summer afternoons have slowed down a bit. It’s about enjoying a glass of sweet...

Janet's Notebook

Back to School: Brighten Up Your Lunch Boxes with Surprising, Kid-Friendly Recipes

Shhhh.... don't tell the kiddos, but it's nearly back to school time again! I can hardly believe it myself. It seems just like yesterday that I finally got all the summer clothes ironed and hung up. (Oh dear, I think...

Janet's Notebook

Pie for Dinner: The Art of the Quiche

Have you ever stared into your fridge wondering what to make for dinner? Do you sometimes find yourself distracted and in a bit of a rush? Are your kids, shall we say, "picky"? Not us. Ok, I hope you're laughing,...

Janet's Notebook

Introducing…. The Best Buttercream Icing Ever!

Growing up we had a family friend named Catherine who moonlighted as a special occasion cake decorator. And when I say moonlighted, I mean just that: she would spend many late nights putting the finishing touches on wedding cakes, cupcake...

Janet's Notebook

Cool Off With Fresh Summer Drink Ideas

There's a charming spot right off our little downtown square where they make liquid gold. They call it Almond Punch, but I swear it's priceless. Cool and cravable, it's the go-to for every lunching lady who steps across the threshold....

Janet's Notebook

Stay Cool With Easy No-Bake Desserts

Just because it’s warm outside doesn’t mean your kitchen has to be! There are so many tasty dessert recipes that don’t require you to touch your stove much less turn on your oven.Ever tried dessert from a Crock Pot? Cindy...

Janet's Notebook

Recipes Win Over Fans In Great Onion Debate

"Leave out the onions and I'm in!" "Onions are a must for me and salad would not be complete without them, especially the red ones." It's an age old debate, to add onions or not to add onions! We got...

Janet's Notebook

The Secret Is In The Sauce…

Ever wonder what makes your favorite restaurant food so darn delectable? Or what the special sauce is to their culinary magic? Well, turns out a lot of times it's just that... the sauce! "My husband and I had jerk chicken...

Janet's Notebook

Enjoy Fresh Watermelon in Fresh, New Ways

"When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat." -Mark TwainUndeniably, there's something about biting into sweet, supple melon that just makes a lady want to throw on a sundress, grab a parasol and frolic in the fresh...

Janet's Notebook

Go Crazy for Coleslaw!

Ice cream aside, nothing cools down a steamy barbecue like creamy, crunchy coleslaw. Slaw has long been a favorite of this cookout loving gal, and I've eaten my way through many fabulous recipes. No matter how many variations I try,...

Janet's Notebook

Dads Make Their Mark In The Kitchen, On Our Memories

Many of us grew up with our moms leading the way in the kitchen. Shopping, cooking, dishes... they were all mom's territory. Thinking back, though, my dad was the silent partner in the deal. His tastes helped form our menus...

Janet's Notebook

Ice Cream Memories Still Just As Sweet

"I'd be so excited that my order would come out as a song!" That's how a dear friend of mine described her signature order at her favorite childhood ice cream parlor. "Chocolate Raspberry Truffle in a cup... Pleeeease," she sing-songed...

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...