Category Archives: Cooking

The Great Marshmallow Roast: Celebrating National Toasted Marshmallow Day

Posted on by | 2 Comments

The Toasted Marshmallow

Every year on August 30th, we celebrate one of life’s stickiest pleasures—National Toasted Marshmallow Day. It’s the perfect excuse to gather around a campfire, skewer a fluffy marshmallow, and test your patience (or your fire safety skills).

11,800+ Marshmallow Fire Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty ...

Stock Photo

There are two main schools of thought when it comes to marshmallow roasting. The first is the Golden-Brown Purist. These folks carefully hold their marshmallow above the flame, rotating it slowly like it’s a sugar rotisserie chicken. The result? A perfectly even golden crust with a soft, gooey center. These people probably iron their socks and alphabetize their spice racks.

20+ Golden Brown Toasted Marshmallow Stock Photos, Pictures ...

Stock photo

Then we have the Marshmallow Arsonists. You know who you are. You jam the marshmallow directly into the fire, watch it erupt into a sugar torch, panic, and then wave it around like you’re signaling planes to land. By the time the flames go out, you’ve created a charred husk filled with molten sugar lava. And yet, it still tastes amazing.

3,100+ Marshmallow Burning Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty ...

Stock photo

Of course, the toasted marshmallow rarely travels solo. When paired with chocolate and graham crackers, it transforms into the legendary s’more. This humble creation is proof that life is better when it’s gooey, messy, and slightly over the top. One bite, and suddenly “just one more” becomes a campfire chant.

4,500+ Smores Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images ...

stock photo

But even eaten plain, a toasted marshmallow carries nostalgia. It’s childhood summers, crackling fires, sticky fingers, and maybe even a singed eyebrow or two. It’s the kind of simple pleasure that makes you laugh while trying not to burn your tongue.

So, however you roast—whether you’re a patient spinner or a marshmallow pyromaniac—today’s the day to celebrate. Grab a stick, light a fire, and toast to sweet, sticky chaos. Wet wipes optional, but highly recommended.

Snoopy

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I’m part of the Amazon Associates program, which means I may earn from qualifying purchases. Order Here 

A Whirl Through August 28

Posted on by

Sips, Style, and Sentiment: A Whirl Through August 28

I was muddling around wondering what to write about today, August 28. Then I saw it—National Red Wine Day. Naturally, Neil Diamond’s “Red Red Wine” popped into my head (though technically, that’s UB40’s version). But beyond the occasional glass with dinner or a cozy wine-and-cheese evening, I’m no connoisseur. I do enjoy cooking with wine—there’s something magical about a silky wine sauce draped over chicken or fish.

How To Make A Light White Wine Cream Sauce | Shelly Lighting

Internet

White Wine Sauce for Pasta – Perfect for Seafood and Chicken and Pasta Dishes

  • Olive Oil – High quality extra virgin olive oil adds a hint of flavor.
  • Minced Garlic – You can freshly mince, but I just use minced garlic purchased in the produce aisle of the grocery store. You’ll never notice the difference and it’s one of my favorite shortcuts.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a little heat to this simple sauce.
  • Salt – I like to use salt from a grinder for thick flakes, but table salt works well, too.
  • Pepper – Fresh ground black pepper adds beautiful thick flakes and a subtle spicy flavor.
  • Butter – The base for this delicious sauce. Salted or unsalted, your choice.
  • White Wine – Use your favorite crisp white wine or white cooking wine.

Directions

Sauté – In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic, red pepper and sauté until golden (about a minute).

Make Sauce – Add salt and pepper, wine and butter.

Simmer – Stir two minutes, remove from heat and toss with pasta, chicken breasts, shrimp, or scallops.

I once attended a wine tasting and couldn’t quite get past the whole “sip then spit” routine. So… moving on.

Bow Ties

How do you feel about bow ties? Unless they’re paired with a tuxedo, I’m not a huge fan. But if you are, today’s your day to celebrate that natty little accessory. Bow Tie Day is all about embracing quirky charm and dapper flair. If that doesn’t tie up your attention, maybe Radio Commercial Day will strike a nostalgic chord.

Bow Tie Photos, Download The BEST Free Bow Tie Stock Photos ...

Internet

Radio Commercial Day

Does anyone still listen to the radio? I mean, really listen? Back in the day, radio commercials—those catchy little “jingles”—were everywhere. Some were so memorable they stuck in your head for decades. They were the soundtrack of morning commutes and weekend errands, a kind of audio wallpaper that shaped our daily lives.

165+ Thousand Old Radios Royalty-Free Images, Stock Photos & Pictures | Shutterstock

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day

This one hits me right in the heart. Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day honors the pets we’ve loved and lost. The Rainbow Bridge is a comforting idea—a place where our furry companions wait for us, whole and happy, until we meet again. But honestly, I cry buckets every time I say goodbye to one of mine. Saying they’ve “crossed the Rainbow Bridge” is a sweet thought, but it doesn’t always ease the ache.
Most people have heard of the Rainbow Bridge, but have you ever read the full poem? It paints a vivid picture of reunion and unconditional love. The part that always gets me:
“Your face is kissed again and again and again, and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.”
That line alone is enough to unravel me.

Little Joe, Smokey & Rocky- Gone but not forgotten

Closing Thoughts

August 28 may seem like a random patchwork of observances—wine, bow ties, radio jingles, and remembrance—but maybe that’s the beauty of it. Life isn’t neatly categorized. It’s a swirl of flavors, fashion, nostalgia, and love. Whether you’re raising a glass, tying a bow, humming an old tune, or holding space for a beloved pet, today invites us to pause and feel. And maybe, just maybe, that’s worth celebrating.

 

Best 100+ Wine Pictures [4K] | Download Free Images on Unsplash

Stock photo

National Waffle Day

Posted on by

National Waffle Day: Let’s Talk Syrup, Grids, and Golden Crispy Joy

I kid you not—this is the very first item on today’s list of National Days and Observances. Numero uno. Right there, top of the stack: National Waffle Day.

Why? Because on this day, the first U.S. patent for a waffle iron was issued. And honestly, that’s reason enough to celebrate. Waffles are more than breakfast—they’re edible architecture. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and perfectly designed to cradle syrup, berries, whipped cream, or whatever your heart desires.

Now, let’s take a quick peek at the other contenders:

  • National Peach Pie Day: Tempting, but we already gave peaches their moment this week.
  • National Maryland Day: A nod to the 7th state to join the Union. Respect, but not breakfast.
  • Pluto Demoted Day: Poor Pluto. Still spinning out there, doing its thing, even if it’s no longer a planet. I doubt it cares.
  • Feast of Saint Bartholomew: A solemn observance, not quite waffle-adjacent.
  • International Strange Music Day: Intriguing, but I’m not sure what qualifies as “strange.” Kazoo symphonies?
  • National Knife Day: Sounds like the setup for a murder mystery. Hard pass.
  • Kobe Bryant Day: A heartfelt tribute to a legend. Beautiful, but heavy.

So, back to waffles. One of my favorite breakfast foods—hands down. Whether you like them Belgian-style, buttermilk, or sweet potato-infused, today’s the day to fire up the iron and celebrate those golden grids. Bonus points if you drizzle maple syrup in slow motion like it’s a food commercial.

Waffles deserve their spotlight. And today, they’ve got it.

looking at two buttermilk waffles, topped with butter and syrup

Stock Photo

 

 

🏪 Waffle House: Southern Comfort on a Plate

Comedians love to poke fun at Waffle House, but Southerners? They swear by it. Why? Because it’s dependable.

“People may disappoint us in life, but Waffle House is literally there for us—open 24/7 and on virtually every interstate stop in the South.”

Whether you need a sunrise pick-me-up or a 2 a.m. soul-soothing meal, Waffle House is always open. It’s a South and Midwest chain that serves classic Southern breakfast fare. I’ve had the pleasure of dining in them in both Florida and Georgia. I’ll skip the grits, but the waffles? Absolutely worth the name.

20+ Waffle House Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

Stock Photo

🏨 Hampton by Hilton: Waffles in the Spotlight

Even hotel chains know the power of a good waffle. Hampton by Hilton features waffles prominently in its advertising, and their breakfast buffet includes “baked-by-guests” Belgian-style waffles.
Those ads always make me hungry. But they also raise a question: what exactly is a Belgian waffle?

Hampton by Hilton Ad

🧇 Belgian Waffles vs. Regular Waffles: A Tale of Two Textures

Not all waffles are created equal—and no, Eggo waffles don’t count (sorry, freezer fans).

Let’s break it down:

🇧🇪 Belgian Waffles

  • Batter: Made with yeast-leavened dough or whipped egg whites folded in for that signature fluff.
  • Texture: Crispy on the outside, light and airy on the inside—like biting into a cloud with crunch.
  • Appearance: Big, bold, and beautiful. Deep pockets thanks to a specialized waffle iron.
  • Leavening: Yeast or whipped egg whites give it lift, not baking powder.
Belgian Waffle Images – Browse 113,433 Stock Photos, Vectors ...

Adobe Stock Photo

🇺🇸 Regular (American) Waffles

  • Batter: Denser, pancake-like, often enriched with buttermilk for a richer flavor.
  • Texture: More cake-like and compact.
  • Appearance: Thinner with shallower pockets—still tasty, just less dramatic.
  • Leavening: Baking powder does the heavy lifting here.

Belgian waffles are the red carpet version of breakfast—ready to be dressed up with berries, whipped cream, or syrup waterfalls. American waffles? More like your cozy flannel pajamas: familiar, comforting, and always welcome.

185,800+ Waffles Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

American Waffles Stock Photo

 

Waffle Recipes

Homemade Belgian Waffle Recipe

This Homemade Belgian Waffle Recipe is easy and makes delicious, authentic, Belgian waffles!  These waffles are perfectly crisp and golden on the outside while being light and fluffy on the inside!
CourseBreakfast
CuisineAmerican
Prep Time15 minutes 
Cook Time 20minutes 
Total Time35 minutes 
Servings 8
Author Nichole

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your waffle iron, spray with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
  • In a medium bowl beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • In a separate medium bowl mix together the egg yolks, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the egg yolk mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well.
  • Fold in the egg whites.
  • Pour the batter onto your hot waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer’s directions**
  • Serve immediately with butter, syrup, powdered sugar or any other favorite toppings.

American Waffles

Tender and Easy Buttermilk Waffles

These buttermilk waffles are crisp on the outside and tender in the middle. I love the results this gives while not having to separate the eggs and take time to whip egg whites! These will also reheat in the toaster for a quick workday breakfast.

Submitted by Diana Perry
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
  • ⅓ cup melted butter
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

  2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl until evenly combined.

  3. Whisk buttermilk and melted butter together in a separate bowl; whisk in eggs.

  4. Stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture until just combined and batter is slightly lumpy; stir in vanilla extract.

  5. Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer’s instructions.

  6. To cook each waffle, pour enough batter into the preheated waffle iron to reach 1/2 inch from the edge. Cook according to manufacturer’s instructions.

185,800+ Waffles Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free ...

Stock photo

Whether stacked high with berries or simply kissed with syrup, waffles remind us that joy can be golden, crispy, and served with a side of comfort. Waffles may not solve life’s big problems, but they sure make breakfast feel like a hug from the inside.”

The Joy of Cooking (and Why the Right Tools Matter)

Posted on by

The Joy of Cooking (and Why the Right Tools Matter)

When I was a kid, there was always a big red cookbook in the house—The Joy of Cooking. My grandmother cooked at a resort on Lake George, NY. My mom wasn’t a professional, but she was a fantastic cook.

Me? I wanted nothing to do with the kitchen. Good food just seemed to appear like magic, so why would I bother learning?

The Big Surprise

That changed the day I moved out on my own. Suddenly, food didn’t just appear—and I quickly learned that The Joy of Cooking wasn’t just in a book. It was in the process: combining ingredients, watching them turn into something delicious, and sharing it with people you love.

And here’s the secret I wish I’d learned sooner: having the right tools makes everything easier—whether you’re cooking, sewing, or painting.

Why Tools Matter

  • A paring knife instead of a steak knife? Game changer.

  • A lid that actually fits the pot? Total revelation.

  • The right baking pan? It can make or break your brownies.

Sure, you can make popovers in a muffin tin, but they won’t be those light, airy, high-rising beauties. And yes, brownies baked in the wrong size pan will still taste good—but maybe not “bring to the potluck” good.

My Stir Fry Upgrade

One of my favorite quick meals is stir fry. For years, I made it in a cast iron skillet, and it was fine. Then one Christmas, my sister gave me a wok. Wowza! Total game-changer.

Here’s my tip: before you start, prep everything. Stir fry moves fast, and you don’t want to be chopping garlic while your chicken is burning. Switching to a wok not only sped up my cooking—it made every bite taste better.

 

Chicken and asparagus stir fry in a savory brown sauce.

 

Recipe: Chicken & Asparagus Lemon Stir Fry

Serves: 4
Time: About 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (such as canola)
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed & cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 6 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, chopped
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Black pepper, to taste (I like coarse-ground)

Directions

  1. Season chicken lightly with salt. In one bowl, mix chicken broth + soy sauce. In another, whisk cornstarch + water until smooth.
  2. Heat a large nonstick wok over medium-high. Add 1 tsp oil + asparagus. Cook 3–4 min until tender-crisp. Add garlic + ginger, cook 1 min. Remove and set aside.
  3. Increase heat to high. Add 1 tsp oil + half the chicken; cook 4 min per side until browned. Remove and repeat with remaining chicken + oil.
  4. Add soy sauce mixture to wok; boil 1½ minutes. Stir in lemon juice + cornstarch mix until slightly thickened.
  5. Return chicken + asparagus to wok; toss well. Serve hot.

Where to Find a Good Wok

Easy Clean Wok- available through Welcoming Haven.com

 

You can find woks in the kitchen section at Welcoming Haven. If theirs don’t fit your needs, check my affiliate link to Amazon for a wider selection.

And if you try this recipe—tag me or drop a comment. I’d love to know how it turned out!

 

Green Gold: Celebrating National Avocado Day

Posted on by

National Avocado Day

Move over diamonds—avocados are everyone’s favorite precious stone. July 31st is National Avocado Day, a tribute to that creamy, dreamy fruit that turns toast into a love language and guacamole into a cultural experience. Whether you’re slicing it for a salad or sculpting it into sushi, the avocado has earned its place as a culinary icon and aesthetic muse.

 

May include: A cartoon avocado character wearing a sombrero and playing a guitar. The avocado is green with a smiling face and large eyes. The sombrero is brown and orange with red zigzag patterns. The guitar is light brown with strings. The text https://www.digitalgraphicsshop.etsy.com is visible at the bottom.

ole

But this isn’t just a celebration of taste. It’s a day to reflect on how something so simple can be utterly transformative. The avocado’s velvety texture and rich color have even inspired minimalist art, botanical skincare, and home décor that nods to nature’s elegance.

5 Ways to Celebrate the Day (Beyond Toast):

🕯️ Create an avocado-themed tablescape with soft green linens and candles shaped like the fruit.

  • 📸 Design a flatlay featuring avocados paired with gold cutlery, eucalyptus leaves, and your favorite cat silhouette art.
  • 🪴 Plant an avocado pit and name it something fabulous—Guacarina, perhaps?
  • 🧴 Pamper yourself with avocado-infused skincare for that glow-up ritual.
  • ✍️ Write a poem, short story, or even a product tagline inspired by the lushness of an avocado.

National Avocado Day isn’t just for foodies—it’s for romantics, aesthetes, and dreamers. It’s the kind of fruit that reminds us to savor the moment, layer things with care, and find richness in the everyday.

So here’s to the avocado—nature’s buttery jewel. May your day be ripe with delight.

Easy Guacamole

A bowl of easy guacamole, topped with black pepper and served with blue corn tortilla chips

allrecipes

Ingredients

  • 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 ripe tomato, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients
  2. Mash avocado in a medium serving bowl
  3. Stir in onion, tomato, and garlic
  4. Season with lime juice and salt and pepper to taste
  5. Cover and chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend

 

Sponsored Ad - Avocado Vase Avocado Seed Starter Vases Trees Live Plants Growing kit Glass 2pc

Avocado Starter Vase

Amazon Affiliate