One of the first gardens I planted was filled with every black flower I could find. This was somewhat of a fad during the Victorian era, which I find intriguing. Can you imagine elegant women in long, floofy dresses tending gardens? That might be as difficult as imagining ME working in flowerbeds. But I tried.
Desserts
Vanilla Bean Pudding Mix
Long ago and far away I had large glass jars with dry mixes for everything – waffles, soups, muffins, hot cocoa, pudding, etc. Days spent at the farm with little kids under foot were made simpler that way, and edible gifts were created in pretty canning jars with the “help” of said kids.
Grandma Sally’s Soft Gluten Free Ginger Cookies
That title may be a mouthful, but you will not be happy until your mouth is filled with these tender, tasty ginger cookies! My Grandma Sally was probably the strongest-willed, most stubborn, and frugal woman on the planet. Immigrating alone from Sweden to Minneapolis in the late-1920’s and then raising 3 boys through the Great … Read more Grandma Sally’s Soft Gluten Free Ginger Cookies
Bailey’s Fudge
Yup! This is totally happening right now! This year may have been unpredictable, challenging, and downright weird, but Bailey’s released their own chocolate chips! I hear angels singing! My favorite dessert cocktail is the “iron butterfly”, which is vodka, Kalua, and Bailey’s. If I were to choose a favorite milkshake, it would be a “mudslide”, … Read more Bailey’s Fudge
Power Balls – Energy on the Go
I like to daydream about winning the lottery — how I would choose to spend and give away the money, and how winning wouldn’t change who I am. But alas, I’ve never purchased a lottery ticket in my life. And record Power Ball winnings pale in comparison to these little gems!
Gluten Free Coffee Cake
Saturday. Sleeping late. Brunch. Family. Relaxing. Traditions. I’m all over that! At the end of a crazy, stressful week, there just isn’t anything better than a calm morning with delicious treats.
Spring Lemon Bars – Gluten Free
Springtime in Minnesota is a very fickle season. Sunny and 60 one day. Snow and shivering the next day. It’s just the way life is in this beautiful and proud state. Part of the rollercoaster that we call “April” is a challenging dinner menu. Cosy up by the fire with a bowl of chili? Or … Read more Spring Lemon Bars – Gluten Free
Peanut Butter Cookies – Flourless
Peanut butter. Served on celery with raisins – bumps on a log. Served on bread with jelly – PBJ. Served on banana with chocolate chips – Carlotta pretending to be healthy. Peanut butter served AS A COOKIE – I’m in heaven! I started experimenting with gluten free cookie recipes in the weeks leading up to … Read more Peanut Butter Cookies – Flourless
Mjuk Pepparkaka Swedish Gingerbread Gluten Free
Gingerbread is one of those smells that melts my heart. It brings up images of Laura Ingalls, Norman Rockwell, and Hallmark movies. All fall and winter my simmer pot is filled with cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. It fragrances the air without chemicals (read the label of your air freshener!) and adds humidity to combat dryness … Read more Mjuk Pepparkaka Swedish Gingerbread Gluten Free
Homemade Swedish Filmjölk
One thing I desperately miss about Sweden is being able to walk out of the grocery store with a carton of filmjölk in my hands. Filmjölk is similar to kefir, but has a little more zip and zing. It is basically cultured milk — beneficial bacteria is added to milk which makes it taste tangy, … Read more Homemade Swedish Filmjölk
