This classic Thai Chicken Fettuccine Recipe (it’s been around for a long time) is a twist on chicken fettuccine alfredo, but is instead a cold salad made with a Thai peanut sauce. And this is a repost from 4 years ago; I thought you’d enjoy a littlle bit of “summer” on the beautifully set table (below).

Thai Chicken Fettuccine Salad

I adapted it from Tastefully Oregon, a cookbook I’ve had in my kitchen for years. YUM!

You may have tried my Easy Pad Thai recipe, which is also delightful or this Trader Joe’s Macaroni Salad Recipe or Layered Bacon Pea Salad Recipe (my personal favorite). (more…)

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There’s nothing quite like welcoming guests with the soft, romantic beauty of fresh peonies. Whether you’re hosting a spring brunch, a backyard dinner, or a simple gathering with friends, these full, fragrant blooms instantly elevate the mood. But to enjoy them at their peak, knowing how to cut and preserve peonies makes all the difference. With just a few simple steps, you can harvest your flowers at the perfect moment, keep them vibrant for days, and create arrangements that feel effortless yet unforgettable. Here’s how to make your peonies last beautifully for entertaining.

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If you’re looking for a yummy way how to fry eggs, wow the family and start the morning off right with this recipe! With a small amount of Parmesan cheese, fry the egss in pepper rings to perfection! Try to find green peppers that are shaped like a shamrock.

Friends, if I were a songwriter, I’d write about sweet camellias. I mean, is there a springtime flower that is sweeter? And also one of my favorite breakfasts, Fried Eggs in Green Pepper Rings!

Fried Eggs in Green Pepper

Slice the pepper rings, get your grill nice and hot, add the eggs.

Don’t forget the Parmesan cheese for a nice crusty topping. So good!

Make fun memories with your family!

Back to camellias. This post was written a few years ago when my neighbor, Mary, allowed me to cut a few blossoms to enjoy in the springtime. I set the table outside and we had friends over for a warm, early spring dinner!

Today in central Oregon would not be one of those days, where the temps are warm, the sky is blue, and the camellias are in fresh bloom! We woke up to 4 inches of snow today! (more…)

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Friends, I’m truly missing our beautiful crocosmia bulbs, that I know are blooming in our front and back yards at home right now. So when I went to my new favorite store in Bend, Newport Avenue Market, and saw 2 bunches of these beauties, I just had to have a pop of red on our fireplace!

They are very pretty in flower arrangements, and a perfect reminder of my friend Jeannie, who transferred several bunches (dirt and all) from her yard to our yard, many years ago.

I love how certain blooms bring back different memories! (more…)

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Decorating for spring is what I love. You can freshen up rooms with potted spring flowers, green boughs, and branches. My sweet (step) mom, Ginny made me the prettiest banner, Happy Easter. I love it, so festive and a reminder of bunnies, eggs, chicks and ducks – the symbols of rebirth!

Our yard is popping with blossoms right now, which we are so enjoying. They’re breathtakingly beautiful right now. A few trees still have barren branches, but most have budding flowers.

When I bring branches indoors, like these quince branches, I smash the bottom of a branch with a hammer. This helps them absorb the water, when you place them in a vase or vessel. (more…)

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Friends, I visited with a couple of my favorite friends in town yesterday after I had Jury Duty, and this little text message exchange later that day warmed my heart. I’m always inspired when I walk away from my visits with these ladies …

You see, we had this sweet little conversation about doing what you love in life. Never stop living or loving or blessing others! (more…)

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Just in time for that potluck or appetizer party you’re headed to, enjoy this Tomato Feta Pesto Tortilla Bites recipe today!

“No late summer flower garden is complete without crocosmia’s vibrant wands of scarlet, red, orange, and yellow. They offer a late pop of color when many gardens are languishing in the dog days. Their narrow, bladed foliage provides vertical accents much like gladiola leaves. The tubular blossoms beckon hummingbirds, and the seedpods that persist into fall also attract feathered visitors. Plant crocosmia bulbs in well-drained soil in fall or spring. – BHG“

Beautiful crocosmia.

Friends, I’m so in love with our beautiful crocosmia bulbs, blooming in our front and back yards right now. Not only do they give our garden a pop of red, they tie in nicely with our red front door, plus they seem to bloom forever! They are very pretty in flower arrangements. (more…)

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Sitting down for dinner with my family makes me happy! I often sit down, with a sigh of relief … and know the rest of the evening is going to be pure relaxation, fun, with laughter, talking, catching up. Even though we have clean up, dishes, and getting ready for bed … I savor the moment of good food, the people around me, the comfort of our home, my health, and a new tomorrow. (more…)

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Table flowers are so easy to style, especially if you’re using a branch or two, and keep the choice of blossoms simple! With our almost 70 degree weather in our backyard last week, I couldn’t help myself. I set the table outside for a small early dinner party, and used our neighbor’s camellia blooms for my inspiration!

So lovely, sweet, stunningly beautiful this time of year. It is a little early for blooms, but with our Oregon burst of sunny days, everything is popping up early this year.

I served an easy Naan bread that I bought from Costco, that I turned into a delicious Roasted Rosemary Flatbread! Delicious!

Set the table.

Target’s $2.99 reversible place mats were perfect for the outdoors. (more…)

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Last week we hosted a couples dinner party. We ate al fresco, and on this gorgeous southern Oregon evening, with the warm air and fresh early scent of summer in the air, we celebrated our friend, Judy’s, 50th birthday.

Most of my readers know my style of entertaining is to choose part of the menu that works for me (usually the host always makes the entree, but there’s no biblical rule about this), and then fill in the other slots with what the guests will bring. I love delegation! I feel I can entertain more when I don’t have to do it all – both in cooking and in the cost.

1. Make it classy and casual.

I chose a classy theme with peonies from the yard, but I kept the table very simple for this party with no chargers or tablecloth. It was summery, fresh, and I loved the color combination of purples and Le Creuset Caribbean blue!

TIP: Use cloth napkins already ironed and look for flowers in the yard that will match. Mix and math color combinations that might be a bit different. It’s okay!

2. Invite the number of guests that fit the space.

We invited 4 couples, making an even number of 10 around the table. That’s the max my table can hold outside, without adding an extra extra what? (which I don’t mind doing for larger parties). Knowing my limit is good, because it’s easy to think of “this person” and “that person” I’d also want to invite. 

TIP: Don’t wander from your guest list.

3. Keep the party manageable. (more…)

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