Apple Crisp Muffins

Posted on October 15th, 2013 by Leah Damron

It took me a month or so of agonizing and painful withdrawal, but I am finally over the sad and sorry fact that cherries have gone out of season. I recognize that there are worse things in life to be hooked on (Breaking Bad, anyone?), but I seriously had a four pound per week Hood River Cherry thing going there for a while this summer. Four pounds a week might be a conservative estimate, actually. I was pretty bummed by the onset of fall when the cherries disappeared for good until next July.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | October 15th, 2013

"Rough Around the Edges" Sugar Cookies & Enjoy Sendik's All Week

Posted on September 11th, 2013 by Leah Damron

I’m feeling a little rough around the edges this morning, and I’ll tell you why:  NTYB totaled his car yesterday afternoon.  Like, destroyed it.  And amazingly, he’s fine.  No one else was involved, and he’s extremely lucky to have walked away from the wreckage unscathed.  We’re making arrangements to junk poor Little Blue (the dearly departed Civic), Read more

Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | September 11th, 2013

Iced Chocolate Drop Cookies

Posted on January 22nd, 2013 by Leah Damron

I’ll be the first to admit that I sometimes allow certain household chores to slide a wee bit. Like, once in a while I go a day without making the punk’s beds. And on occasion, I’ve had to re-run a load of laundry because I’ve left it sit in the washer too long. Y’know, harmless stuff like that. I don’t let these trivial little things bother me much. But there’s one thing in particular that drives me absolutely crazy that I never ever let slack, and that’s allowing my cake stand to sit empty for more than an afternoon. Doesn’t happen. This morning after packing the Pickle’s cold lunch, the cake stand was devoid of cookies, and I had to fix that, stat.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | January 22nd, 2013

Enjoy Sendik's All Week

Posted on December 6th, 2012 by Leah Damron

Here are two great kid friendly, mom approved recipe suggestions to help you if you’re fretting over what to make your own Dam’Fam for dinner this week.  The third recipe, Double Chocolate Biscotti, is one of my favorite cookies.  Nearly all of the ingredients are on sale, so this is the perfect time to stock Read more

Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | December 6th, 2012

BANANA CAKE WITH SOUR CREAM FROSTING

Posted on September 11th, 2012 by Leah Damron

I could’ve/should’ve called this post “When good bananas go bad” — because everyone knows that a banana that’s turned on you is a beautiful thing. You can make all manner of heavenly creations out of bad bananas … smoothies and milkshakes, banana bread, and of course this amazing cake.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | September 11th, 2012

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Posted on August 21st, 2012 by Leah Damron

It’s the very first school night of the year at our house; maybe it is at your place, too. Some moms I know are celebrating – the happiest ones seem to be the mothers of grade school kids. My teens and t’ween are kinda low maintenance these days, so I’m bummed to have school and homework back in our lives. But some dads I know aren’t too sad — one of my guy friends said this past weekend, “Why would you be depressed about school starting again? They need to go use their brains so they don’t live off me for the rest of their lives!” That made me laugh. I s’pose that’s one way of looking at things.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | August 21st, 2012

How to be the Perfect Hostess ….

Posted on July 17th, 2012 by Leah Damron

Whether I’ve made this to serve to guests, or I’ve made it because I WAS the guest, this is the most awesome coffee cake I know how to bake. Well actually, I do have one that I think is even awesomer, but it doesn’t have fruit in it (hit me up for it sometime, I’ll spill it in a skinny minute). But in the fruit-filled category, this recipe wins hands down. And yes, you may remember seeing it here before. But when I made it for overnight guests this past weekend and my punks called it “the total bomb” (which in punk speak means, like, really really good), I had to make sure you all knew it was here.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous, News | July 17th, 2012

Banana Snack Cake

Posted on March 13th, 2012 by Leah Damron

I don’t talk about baked goods all that often here because I just don’t really bake all that much. This is because while I love to have a recipe in front of me when I cook, I’m a bit of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kinda girl when it comes to actually following a recipe to the letter. Like, I don’t really measure stuff half the time. This laziness can be quite problematic when it comes to cakes and cookies and biscuits and scones and the actual science of baking. However, every now and then, I feel the crazy need to prove to myself that when push comes to shove, I am able to knuckle down, measure accurately, and create a fabulous cookie or cake or scone or what have you.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | March 13th, 2012

Lighter than a Snowflake: Peppermint Meringues

Posted on December 6th, 2011 by Leah Damron

Oh my heavenly stars…can you even believe I made these with my own two hands (and my KitchenAid mixer)? I don’t mean to blow my own horn but aren’t they puuurty? Why, they might just be the purtiest dang thing I ever did create. And you, my friends can make them too. Don’t say you can’t — yes, you can. Because one: they’re totally easy, and two: can’t is not your middle name.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | December 6th, 2011

Cheddar Parmesan Bread — From Scratch!

Posted on January 6th, 2011 by Leah Damron

You’ve heard me say that I’m not much of a baker and I’m petrified by yeast. Sixteen years ago, I attempted bread from scratch and fell flat on my newlywed face. A total failure. My brand-new husband and I laughed it off as we both nearly broke our teeth on the rock solid brick I presented. And I hung up any further hopes of the irresistible smell of bread baking in my kitchen. Recently however, my next door neighbor Fred – who bakes bread for a hobby when he’s not bringing new babies into the world – has inspired me to give it a go again.

Featured, Fresh, Frugal, Fabulous | January 6th, 2011