The Best Classic Potato Salad

Perfect Potato Salad

Nothing says summer like potato salad. It’s a standby at all the summer holidays, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. If you are throwing a picnic or BBQ, people have come to expect it on the table, but that sloppy mess that the grocery store is serving you is not, I repeat, not potato salad. I know it takes time and it is not a pleasant summer past time to be in a hot kitchen when the afternoon breeze is calling you to the shade of your garden.

I mean who wants to be lording over a stockpot full of boiling potatoes in the heat of the day? Not someone without air conditioning that’s who; so when you live in an old Victorian with no ac but the shade from the old growth trees surrounding your home, you learn a few little tricks and tips to make this summer staple a dish that you don’t dread when requested. First stop peeling your potatoes. Just stop. It’s ridiculous. The peel holds any vitamins and minerals you may happen to get after boiling and it adds texture and color to the dish.

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Cracked Pepper & Bacon Deviled Eggs

Bacon Deviled Eggs

I love deviled eggs. And I thought what do I love when I eat eggs? Bacon of course, so they seem to go hand-in-hand. With Easter being this weekend, this is a perfect recipe to serve, or to make after your kids find all those hidden Easter eggs.

I love the eggs standing up. I think they look prettier, and not so regular looking and mixes it up a bit. But it is totally up to you.

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Halloween Trail Mix

Halloween Trail Mix // Erin Skinner from The Speckled Palate for My Cooking Spot

With Halloween just around the corner, I’m thrilled about the overabundance of candy in my grocery store.

And with this overabundance of said goodies, I find myself making all kinds of semi-healthy snacks to keep myself from inhaling the entire trick-or-treat candy stash days before costumed children come knocking on our door.

It’s self-preservation, of sorts.

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Apple Pie Dip with Cinnamon Pie Crust Chips


Apple Pie Dip with Fried Pie Crust Cinnamon Chips

The weather is finally starting to cool in California (and by cool, I mean high 60s, low 70s), but that is good enough for me! I have a theory, starting September 1st is beanie season. I grew up in Vermont, so September is really when it starts to cool down. However, in California, we are still pushing 80-degree weather here, and people kind of look at you like a crazy person when you are wearing a beanie with shorts and a t-shirts. Now that we are in the middle of October, it should be completely acceptable to wear beanies, chunky sweaters and boots.  I am totally ready for a change in wardrobe!

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