Are you a slow cooker fan? I’ve just gotten hooked on mine in the last couple of years. Originally, I thought I’d be using it mostly in the Winter to make soups and stews to enjoy when the weather is cold. Then, I realized how handy it is when the weather is warm. I can […]
Books
Bobby and Mandee Children’s Books
It can be stressful for parents to try to keep our kids safe while allowing them the freedom to experience the wonderful things that life has to offer. Of course, we don’t want them to be paralyzed with fear. It’s important to give them the tools to deal with things like bullying and dangerous strangers. […]
The Gifted by Damian Wassel & Nathan Gooden
The Gifted is a beautiful and tragic post-apocalyptic fantasy. Words aren’t necessary in this graphic novel. The images alone convey the message clearly. There are some words that convey emotion and action (chomp, grr, wimper, howl, snap…), but it’s the images that tell the story. Those limited words accentuate what we’ve learned from the images. […]
Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes Cookbook
I used to think that all potatoes were basically the same. It didn’t matter to me that they were different shapes, sizes or colors. Then I discovered Idaho grown Dutch Yellow Potatoes (DYP) from Melissa’s Produce. One bite and I knew that these were not the same. However they are prepared, the creamy texture and buttery flavor stand […]
Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook and Chiles
Are you ready for Hatch Chile season? These flavorful chiles from New Mexico are only available for a short time each year. You can use them when they are fresh and they can be roasted and frozen to use throughout the year. Hatch chiles have a wonderful chile taste and are available mild, medium and […]
Rail USA Museums and Trips Guides
Every January when I was growing up, my grandparents came to visit us and enjoy the California sunshine. My grandma refused to fly in an airplane, so they took the 3 day train trip from Illinois to Los Angeles. I loved going to Union Station to greet them when their train came in. I haven’t […]





