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November 18, 2021
it's okay to take a minute

...or twenty, or sixty, or even fourteen hundred and forty.

I had a long list of things I was going to do today, but my body pretty much told me I needed to ditch most of it. My neck tension is at an all-time high, which is saying a lot. So, I'm sticking to laundry, taxiing kids, and making dinner as my musts today. Anything else accomplished will be a bonus.

I took about 30 minutes this morning and just sat in silence with my sugar-free salted caramel mocha I made for myself. Taking deep breaths and willing the tension away. It helped a lot. I can almost move my chin to be parallel with my shoulder.

The last couple weeks have been chaotic with fun events, sick kids, intense business stress, a favorite house guest, an inordinate amount of forms to fill out for various things, taking over social media and other responsibilities for Trailer's Unlimited (our business), trying (and failing) to make a decent pie crust video, and being a maid to my sick kids and hard working husband. Nothing each-shattering, just normal life stuff. But some weeks the load feels a lot heavier than others.

You might notice "working on my book" was nowhere in that last paragraph. I did manage to complete most of a blog post to put out tomorrow.

It's not just me. Reports from friends are similar.

Save yourself from martyrdom (it's a thankless path). Sit. Put on a hot neck wrap. Breathe. Repeat. 🧡

This photo is a favorite I took on a trip to the Oregon coast. I just loved that someone took the time to stack all those rocks. A very zen endeavor.

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April 15, 2023
Cookbook preview

If I had to ballpark a timeline, I’d say I should have my book, Living Legacy: Stories of a Restaurant Family ready for purchase by the end of May. 🤞 I was really hoping to have it finished in time for Mother’s Day but everything is taking longer than I anticipated. I’m self-publishing and I uploaded the pdf’s for the interior and cover today. Now I’ll wait to see if there are any issues with the files (fingers crossed I fixed them already!) and to receive a printed copy I can look over before I release it to the public.

It’s been a huge learning curve, but I’ve enjoyed (almost) every frustrating minute because now I know how to write and design a cookbook. I’m not sure what my next one will feature but it will definitely have some lighter recipes after fixing and eating all of the rich restaurant food, delicious as it was. I’m excited to get back into more recipe development of my own!

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November 18, 2022
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November 15, 2022
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When I got back from a trip this week, my garden had exploded and all my arugula bolted. So I made this: https://auntiechatter.com/recipes/sides-salads-and-soups/salads/arugula-salad-corn-avocado-tomato/

We had it with grilled chicken and polenta that I remembered I had in the freezer. The polenta soaked up the dressing and it was so yummy!

Molly, I hope you’re well!💗

August 15, 2023
Cookbook Launch!!!

Hi all. I'm excited to announce my cookbook, Living Legacy: Stories of a Restaurant Family, is available now at https://witandthyme.com.

Thanks for your patience and support through my writing and cooking journey 🧡 I'm really proud of how it turned out and can't wait for everyone to try the
recipes!

July 18, 2023
Back online!

AuntieChatter.com is back! 😅 ⁠
Thanks for your patience while the site was down. I am now in complete control of my domain (if not at home, at least on the internet 😂), so there should be no recurrence. Hot tip: If you sell a business, make sure your other domain names don't go along with it 🙃. ⁠

I'm greatly relieved to have it back since it's plastered on all of the Living Legacy cookbooks that are currently printing. That would have been super fun to deal with. ⁠

I'll get to work on a new post soon. Meanwhile, visit auntiechatter.com to find new and old favorite recipes! ⁠

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October 10, 2022
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Spice Mixes
Seasoned Salt, Italian Seasoning, Southwest Seasoning

I use one of these three mixes almost every time I cook! 

I think you will find it's a little more budget-friendly to take individual herbs and spices and combine them into a custom mix than it is to purchase premade mixes. They make great homemade gifts too. I used little jars of the Seasoned Salt as party favors for my niece's bridal shower a couple of years ago and, several months later, received requests for the recipe as the jars were empty and the people wanted more. I love it when that happens. 

Enjoy!

Seasoned Salt

Great for chicken, fish, salad dressings/dips, soups, eggs, etc.

1/4 cup kosher salt or sea salt

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon white pepper

1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried  thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Combine all of the ingredients and store the mix in a small mason jar or similar container.

 

Italian Seasoning

Works well in pasta sauces, soups, salad dressing, and garlic oil, as well as on pizza and garlic bread

3 tablespoons dried basil

3 tablespoons dried oregano

3 tablespoons dried parsley

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Combine all of the ingredients and store the mix in a small mason jar or similar container. If you have a mortar & pestle, grind the celery seed, fennel seed, and red pepper flakes first to release the flavors.

 

Southwest Seasoning

Use in tacos, chili, tortilla soup, dressings/dips, burritos, enchiladas, etc.

1/4 cup dried ground ancho chiles

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

2 tablespoons granulated garlic

2 tablespoons dried Mexican Oregano

1 tablespoon dried cilantro

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all of the ingredients and store the mix in a small mason jar or similar container.

 

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