Welcome to 2018, friends!
Have you noticed I may not be the *most* consistent blogger in the world? In fact, I'm pretty terrible at it. I love cooking and baking, and sharing it with all of you... but sometimes being a mom, a wife, and a friend kind of interferes with my writing time.
Isn't it just incredible the way your senses are tied to memories?
The heavenly aroma of this zucchini bread baking in the oven immediately transports me back to my childhood. My Mom used to make it for us, and I loved it then just as much as I do now. It was always been a special treat.
Have you seen Moana yet?
It's a favorite in our house right now. And if I'm being honest, it's just as much for Robert and me as it is for Ellie. (I'm even rocking the soundtrack in my car on a daily basis!) Robert has taken to calling basically every meal we eat a "boat snack," while I love the themes of female empowerment. And I cry pretty much every time Moana restores Te Fiti's heart... That slow motion/wind/lava ash combo is just too much for me! 
We basically skipped winter in Memphis this year.
On one hand, I'm kind of okay with it. I dressed Ellie in a short-sleeved onesie today and I got to marvel at the glory of her many arms rolls. (Chubby babies, y'all... I just can't.) But on the other hand, all of my wonderful plans for sharing my recipes for roast, meatloaf, etc. were pretty much foiled by my unwillingness to turn on the oven. In FEBRUARY.
Real talk, y'all: being a SAHM is no joke.
I thought I was going to be so productive and awesome at keeping my house together now that I'm home full time with Ellie, but I find that most days I just want to snuggle her and not move from the couch. I'm falling behind in almost every chore possible (except laundry because girlfriend goes through basically our entire supply of bibs in about a day and a half... so I have no choice but to keep up!)
And it's ok.
Welcome to 2017! Winter is officially in full swing, which can only mean one thing: soup weather! There's nothing that warms the soul like a comforting bowl of soup, and this creamy tomato is perfect for the post-holiday hangover.
Apparently, showing up late to the party is my new "thing."
I had every intention of sharing these incredible dessert squares with you in time for your holiday parties, but I failed again... Just like with the autumn Pumpkin Muffins. Ugh!
Please forgive me.
Not only has it been FOR-EV-ER since I've posted a recipe, (admit it - you read that in the voice of the kid from The Sandlot!) but I'm also way late to the game with this pumpkin recipe. Not fashionably late, but like, embarrassingly-late-to-your-own-wedding kind of late. But I promise, these muffins are worth the wait.
I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for a good fish taco. There's just something about the mixture of flavors and textures that my tastebuds can't resist! There are a million ways to serve them... fried, grilled, sauced, or salsa-d, but I find that simpler is usually better.
If you know me in real life, you know that my family LOVES green chile peppers. For the past 30+ years, we've ordered chiles from New Mexico by the bushel, shipped them to Tennessee (or Michigan, back in the day) and roasted them ourselves. Our freezers are always fully stocked with fresh green chiles to last the entire year. It's obviously a strange tradition... but I love that it's one we get to share with others. Over the years we've introduced MANY family and friends to the glory of the Big-Jim.