Happy Friday, friends! 💚
Whoopsie daisy… I completely forgot to send you an email last Friday.
In my defense, I was still at my Mastermind retreat and flying home that evening. My fellow Coloradan and I had big plans to get work done on our long flight back from North Carolina… but we ended up on the plane they must have dusted off from the hangar. No internet. Tiny overhead bins. No outlets.
First world problems, I know. So instead we watched movies and I worked on recipe notes… and somehow forgot to write you.
This week, I’ve heard from more of you for copycat recipe requests. I love it. I’m already working some into future plans. It takes a few months to build and test recipes, but I’m hoping you’ll start seeing some of those favorites show up soon.
Meanwhile, quite a few requests were actually recipes I’ve already made. Don’t forget you can browse the Copycat Recipes on the blog or use that little 🔎magnifying glass in the top corner to search for a specific restaurant or dish.
Buckle up, grab a cup of something warm, like this Hot Chocolate for two (my hubby’s fave chilly day fave); let’s jump in! Use the table of contents below to help you navigate!
⏰ PSA: Daylight Savings Is Coming
While I do love the longer evenings, these time changes wreak havoc on my body. I know I’m not alone there.
So don’t forget to turn your clocks forward Saturday night so you don’t show up late to church Sunday morning.
And if Congress ever wants to fix this whole thing… I suspect most of the country would happily agree.
Retreat Recap
Once a year, our Mastermind group gathers for a retreat. We’ve been together for 7 years! These are my people! We met in Lake Norman (outside of Charlotte), NC, check out my quick recap reel.
Yes, there’s plenty of laughter and good food, but we also get serious about the business side. This year, we met with our ad company to talk about ways to improve our sites and keep serving readers well. Plus, candid conversations over the ins and outs, I learned so so much from these women!
These retreats always remind me why I started blogging in the first place. Being around people who truly understand the work, the challenges, and the joys of it all is incredibly energizing. And creating scrumptious recipes for you, of course!
We prayed together, shared ideas, encouraged one another… and yes, pushed each other a little outside our comfort zones. (Hello video.)
These women are gold! Here are a few images from our time together. Be sure to check out their blogs, too!
From left to right in the first photo
- Nikki – Soulfully Made
- Jennie – The Diary of a Real Housewife
- Eliza – Bensa Bacon Lovers & Happy Simple Living
- Sheila – Life Love and Good Food
- Kathleen – Grits & Gouda
What I’m Making for Dinner Tonight
Are you a PFF (Pizza Friday Family)? My husband starts our Fridays talking about pizza and how excited he is for pizza night. Sometimes I need to recipe test and have to break the news that there won’t be pizza. To say he’s disappointed is an understatement! 😄
But this week I’m bringing it back, and he’ll be thrilled. Because bread, sauce, cheese… toppings. Am I right? One of my favorite things is how easy it is to whip up homemade pizza dough using my No-Rise 10-Minute Pizza Dough recipe. Lately I’ve been adding a little garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the dough for an extra bit of oomph.
And don’t feel restricted to just making pizza, try calzones, pepperoni bread, stromboli, breadsticks and garlic knots! It’s a super forgiving and versatile recipe.
What I’ve made this week
We had a random chilly day earlier this week in our otherwise crazy, dry, spring-like winter. It felt like the perfect excuse to make a batch of my Red Beans and Rice.
It’s a favorite of my boys and hubby. Beans and I have a bit of a love-hate relationship, if I’m being honest. It’s more of a texture thing than anything.
But this time I added some chicken thighs that I brined in water, salt, liquid smoke, garlic, and paprika, then tucked them in during the last four hours of slow cooking. And that made me very happy.
What I’m Reading
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Just Finishing: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
A quiet, soul-warming story set in a small town, where a man named Theo buys portraits of local residents and plans to gift them back, one by one. But before he gives anything, he listens. Really listens. And as he learns their stories, he finds ways to help, offering kindness in the exact way each person needs.
It’s the kind of thoughtful, soul-stirring story that lingers with you long after you close the book. Which I hope to finish this week!
Our church group book club is reading Imagine Heaven by John Burke. I am enjoying it, it’s thought provoking. We watched The Case for Heaven recently, and Lee Strobel, the author, interviews the author of Imagine Heaven in the documentary. The movie is very good, by the way.
Up Next: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon – this is for my book club, several in our group have already read it, and have cautioned about a tough theme that runs through the book. Historical fiction during the Revolutionary War: the deciding factor for me, while it is a harder read, it’s also very good and historically accurate.
I love feel-good movies, books, and shows. Do you have favorites? Comment below or email me! I’d love to hear!
Readers Raves & Reviews
There is nothing I love more than seeing what’s happening in your kitchens.
- Soul Food: Eliza shared about my new Soul Food post: “Love your new meal plans and Sunday Food for the Soul! Thank you for giving me something new to look forward to each week. (Can’t wait for those well-tested lemon meringue cupcakes, too!)”
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich: Mandy said, “My husband LOVED this recipe!! He said it’s the best thing I’ve cooked in a long time (I don’t cook often, lol).
- Homemade Hamburgers: Jan raved, “Was very impressed. Nice and soft burgers. A great tip on indenting the burgers. This recipe is a keeper.”
- Easy Yeast Rolls: Christina said, “Absolutely wonderful! Exactly the recipe I was looking for! My husband can’t get enough of these and I’m now making my third batch in a week! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!
Don’t be shy… tell me what’s cooking in your kitchen. 💚
Rate the Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love it when you try my recipes, rate them, and share your thoughts! It really helps others and boosts the recipe’s visibility. I so appreciate you!
Soul Food 💚 (has moved to Sundays)
Sneak Peek into Sunday’s Soul Food
Do You Have a “Yes” Face?
I once heard a story about President Theodore Roosevelt that has stayed with me for years.
While crossing a river on horseback with a group of riders out West, a man stood waiting at the riverbank. One by one the riders passed him by. No one stopped.
When Roosevelt approached, the man finally asked, “Would you mind giving me a ride across?”
Roosevelt happily pulled him up behind the saddle and carried him across the river.
On the other side Roosevelt asked why he hadn’t asked the others.
The man simply replied,
“They didn’t have yes faces. You did.”
That little story has stuck with me for a long time… and lately it has me asking a question I can’t quite shake.
Do I have a yes face?
For the rest of the story, be sure to watch for the Sunday Meal Plan Email and Soul Food post (posted early Sunday mornings here)
Just a quick reminder that I read and respond to every email, and I’m truly thankful for every one of you who comes back week after week! Your support means the world to me. Thank you for taking the time to read and click through to a few recipes—I’m incredibly grateful!
Please come back and rate and comment on a post if you try it.
Coming soon…Braised Cabbage Wedges, Cinnamon Buns made with Crescent Rolls, Lemon Meringue Cupcakes, Ham and Hashbrown Casserole, Lemon Raspberry Cookies, and more!
Visit our Updated Amazon Shop
nancy jeffords
I listened to the audio version of Theo of Golden and absolutely loved it. The narration was so exceptionally good, I’m happy I listened. Maybe I will also read it some day. One of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
Oh, I bet it was excellent being spoken especially, if it was good narrator‘s.