Category Archives: Uncategorized

Recipes, Uncategorized

Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes

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“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed”

~ Maya Angelou

I was raised in a family where cooking for others is an act of giving that is equated with love.  We were always reminded to be grateful for what we receive, and more importantly, who we are blessed to have in our lives and around our table.  At our house Thanksgiving is a holiday meant to Share.Laugh.Eat.Repeat!

I hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving dessert recipes featured here.  They are just a few of my favorites.  They range in the amount of effort required.  I’ve done this intentionally with the knowledge that while we all want beautiful desserts for our celebrations, we have varying amounts of time to spend in the kitchen. You can find more of my harvest recipes in the November 2018 issue of Southwest Metro Magazine in the article titled Empty Nesters Kitchen Lives Fully.  Included are a skillet apple crisp + wine pairing suggestion, a festive cocktail from J.Carver Distillery in Waconia and my tempting recipe for pumpkin bread pudding (this one is also included here).

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Farming and Sustainability, Uncategorized

HAFA Farm Tour: Part 1 in a 2 part series

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“If you ate today, thank a farmer”

~Author Unknown

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I believe that getting to know the farmers who supply our food is imperative.  It heightens our respect for the dedication and hard work that they put into what we consume.  These interactions make the ingredients on our plates even more meaningful.

Two weeks ago I visited the 155 acre Hmong American Farmers Association Farm (HAFA)  in Vermillion Township.  This is an area that is heavily rooted in agriculture.   The farm is located approximately 15 minutes south of St. Paul.

I learned of HAFA and the variety of programs they have been implementing while listening to Pakou Hang (Co-Founder and Executive Director of HAFA) speak on the panel at a Future of Food Tour event.  This was hosted by Kerry Diamond, Editorial Director of Cherry Bombe. The event was held at the Lynhall in June and was part of their ongoing Wisdom Series.  Shortly after the event I reached out to Pakou to hear more about the organization.  Following our discussion I expressed interest in visiting the HAFA Farm.

Continue reading HAFA Farm Tour: Part 1 in a 2 part series →

Empty Nester Adventures, Restaurants & Cafes, Travel, Uncategorized

Empty Nester Adventures in Italy: A Photo Gallery of Our 5 Day Visit to the Amalfi Coast

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“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life” ~Anna Akhmatova

The hills of the Amalfi Coast are steeped in romance and tradition.  As a travel enthusiast I’m extremely grateful to have the had the opportunity to visit many unique and beautiful destinations.  This particular area of Italy holds a special place in my being that keeps calling me back.  I am of Italian descent so maybe that’s why it feels so much like home every time I return.

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Restaurants & Cafes, Uncategorized

Comin’ in Hot: The Newest Food Delivery Business In Minneapolis Launches Today

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The Twin Cities newest food delivery business launches at 9:00 AM today (May 7th) in Minneapolis! ClusterTruck is not an actual food truck, it is a one of a kind delivery-only service that creates from scratch dishes in their downtown kitchen and delivers them fresh and fast. Bonus: The curbside delivery is always FREE!   Continue reading Comin’ in Hot: The Newest Food Delivery Business In Minneapolis Launches Today →

Empty Nester Adventures, Restaurants & Cafes, Travel, Uncategorized

Travel Minnesota: 24 hours in Shakopee

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“Every Hundred Feet The World Changes” ~ Roberto Bolaño

There’s something to be said about taking the scenic route, in both life and travel and the lesson here is, you don’t have to trek very far to find an adventure.  John and I had the opportunity to experience a brief but action packed 24 hours in Shakopee, MN last weekend. This historic city is just across the river from our home in Chanhassen but other than our outings to Canterbury Park, or the occasional trip to Valley Fair when the kids were young, we haven’t had the opportunity to spend much time there. The essence of discovery is something that we embrace so we really looked forward immersing ourselves in this mini-vacation.
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Empty Nester Adventures, Restaurants & Cafes, Uncategorized

Food Month In Review: March 2018

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“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating”

Lucky for those of us living in the Twin Cities; we are provided with seemingly endless opportunities to not only eat, but to do so abundantly well.  I field frequent inquiries from friends and family regarding restaurant recommendations and I love sharing my culinary experiences so I decided to create a new feature.  It will be a brief overview of our culinary adventures from the prior month.

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Uncategorized

Artists in the Kitchen Exhibition

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“Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back” 

There is an ever-present and intense drive amongst artists, restaurateurs/chefs, food writers and influencers to be creators of beauty and nourishers of souls.  The new Artists In The Kitchen Exhibition, happening now at the Textile Center, hits both marks in the most remarkable way.  The exhibit highlights a magnificent display of 50 works by women artists inspired by 50 women chefs and restaurateurs (see the list of participants at the end of the article).  The artists ability to translate unique and powerful culinary experiences through the use of textiles is extraordinary and the outcome is well worth seeing.

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