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  • 1,000 Island Salad Dressing 

    1,000 Island Salad Dressing 

    Back in the 70s and 80s, “Thousand Island” dressing was all the rage. I recall making it at the restaurant…

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  • Cheesy Ground Beef Dinner

    Cheesy Ground Beef Dinner

    When the kids were little, life seemed busy all the time. Between work, school functions, church, and chores, I was…

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  • Homemade Chicken Nuggets

    Homemade Chicken Nuggets

    Our local convenience store/delicatessen has boneless chicken wings that my husband really enjoys. I bought frozen boneless wings at the…

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  • Fantastic Tempura Batter

    Fantastic Tempura Batter

    Remember the last time you were at your favorite restaurant and ordered the perfect batter fried chicken or fish? My…

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  • Taco Seasoning

    Taco Seasoning

    Taco Tuesday is a real thing around here; it can be on any day, even Wednesday or Thursday, especially when…

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  • Homemade Egg Rolls

    Homemade Egg Rolls

    We really enjoy a good egg roll around here. Unfortunately, the store-bought ones are not as good as they used…

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  • 1 Pound Sandwich Bread with home milled flour

    1 Pound Sandwich Bread with home milled flour

    I have been seeing a lot of information recently regarding the benefits of “home milling” wheat for breads and pastries.…

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  • Instant Onion Soup Mix

    Instant Onion Soup Mix

    This recipe actually changed my “pantry”. I used to buy this boxed version of instant soup mix when I needed…

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  • Vanilla Coffee Creamer

    Vanilla Coffee Creamer

    “Fancy Coffee” is apparently a thing now. When I was younger, there was no such thing as flavored coffee; it…

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  • Breakfast Burrito

    Breakfast Burrito

    Mornings in a busy house can seem overwhelming at times. You are running behind schedule, the kids are not cooperating,…

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  • Classic French Salad Dressing

    Classic French Salad Dressing

    If you know me, you know that I love to dig for answers and history. Asking where and when recipes…

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  • Momma’s Pumpkin Pie

    Momma’s Pumpkin Pie

    At Thanksgiving time, there was one pie that Momma always made, and I looked forward to it every year. Pumpkin…

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  • Never Fail Pie Crust

    Never Fail Pie Crust

    When our kids were little, money was tight, and there wasn’t always room in the budget for treats.  I figured…

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  • Creamy Potato Ham Soup

    Creamy Potato Ham Soup

    Growing up in Arizona, I had no clue what potato soup was. If we had soup, it was usually out…

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  • Instant Pot Roast Beef Dinner

    Instant Pot Roast Beef Dinner

    When I was a kid, we had a big meal every Sunday. My favorite was when Momma would make a…

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  • Taco Ring

    Taco Ring

    Recently my daughter asked me to write some recipes for the “90s meals” that we had when she was a…

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  • Momma O’s Lazy Day Pasta

    Momma O’s Lazy Day Pasta

    I know I am not alone when I say there are days that just nothing sounds good for a meal.…

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  • Buttermilk Pancakes

    Buttermilk Pancakes

    Only recently has my husband started requesting pancakes and waffles. I’m not sure why, as he hasn’t wanted them for…

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  • Pizza Burgers

    Pizza Burgers

    This recipe has been in our family since my husband was a teenager, if not longer. When I got the…

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  • Homemade Pinto Beans

    Homemade Pinto Beans

    Growing up in the southeast part of Arizona, and having a mom from Texas, it was only natural that I…

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  • Homemade Cornbread

    Homemade Cornbread

    I don’t know if cornbread is mostly a “southern” thing or not. Like pinto beans, I grew up eating cornbread.…

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  • Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastry

    Raspberry Cream Cheese Pastry

    My husband spends long hours driving a dump truck. Breaks are infrequent, and he hardly ever stops to eat, so…

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  • Beef Flavored Rice & Pasta Side Dish

    Beef Flavored Rice & Pasta Side Dish

    A popular boxed rice and pasta side dish is promoted in commercials as a treat from the city known by…

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  • Hair Volumizing and Texture Powder 
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    Hair Volumizing and Texture Powder 

    I have had fine, board-straight hair all my life, with the exception of the times when I’ve had a perm.…

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  • Fridge Pickles

    Fridge Pickles

    Here, in the heart of Minnesota, nothing says “Summer” quite like a fresh batch of fridge pickles. I will never…

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  • Croutons

    Croutons

    A friend called me and asked, “Do you need a bunch of leftover bread ends?” She had been at a…

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  • Freezer Apple Pie

    Freezer Apple Pie

    I’ve previously mentioned a woman named Reva Jackson. She owned the truck stop and the “Dairy Burger” in my hometown.…

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  • Oyster Cracker Snack

    Oyster Cracker Snack

    Sometime back, a friend at work brought in a “snack” to share with the team. It was the first time…

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  • Mundle Bread

    Mundle Bread

    Do you have any treasured memories from your childhood involving time spent with your grandmother? I have countless happy memories…

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  • Lumpia

    Lumpia

    This recipe has been a family favorite for many years. My sister-in-law introduced it to me about 35 years ago.…

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  • Chicken Ala King

    Chicken Ala King

    This is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite meals. As a little girl, I often enjoyed this dish during weekends…

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  • Cream Cheese Raspberry Breakfast Braid

    Cream Cheese Raspberry Breakfast Braid

    If you have ever had a kid show up at your door selling something for a fundraiser, you may have…

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  • French Vanilla Coffee Syrup

    French Vanilla Coffee Syrup

    I’m sure almost everyone has noticed these various flavored syrups at their preferred convenience store. The common flavors include caramel,…

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  • Creamy Cucumbers

    Creamy Cucumbers

    I will be the first to admit that I had never heard of “Creamy Cucumbers” before I moved to Minnesota.…

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  • Granola Bars

    Granola Bars

    Every day, my husband goes to work and brings lunch with him. For years, I used to buy chocolate chip…

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  • Beef Marinade

    Beef Marinade

    Few things are as disappointing as eagerly anticipating a delicious, tender, juicy steak, only to be let down by a…

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  • Homemade Beef Jerky

    Homemade Beef Jerky

    Have you checked the price of beef jerky in stores? It’s surprisingly high. We enjoy jerky, but due to its…

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  • Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup 

    Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup 

    It feels like canned condensed cream of chicken soup has been around forever. As a child, I enjoyed eating the…

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  • Twice Baked Potatoes

    Twice Baked Potatoes

    The more recipes I share with you all, the more memories I get to walk through. If you’ve read any…

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  • Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    Chicken Enchilada Casserole

    This recipe is one my mom used to prepare for us during our childhood. It’s one of those creamy comfort…

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  • Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Chocolate Chip Cookies

    I’m not kidding when I say that I take my chocolate chip cookies very seriously. This recipe is from Grandma…

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  • Chicken Fried Steak

    Chicken Fried Steak

    Also known as Country Fried Steak. Where I’m from, we referred to it as chicken fried steak, probably because that’s…

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  • Amazing Banana Nut Muffins

    Amazing Banana Nut Muffins

    I’ve tried making muffins with box mixes, mixes from plastic bags, and homemade recipes from various cookbooks and online sources,…

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  • Macaroni & Cheese

    Macaroni & Cheese

    My dad and my husband absolutely loved that boxed macaroni and cheese, but not me. That powder just doesn’t cut…

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  • Instant Hot Chocolate 

    Instant Hot Chocolate 

    It’s clear that fall has arrived in Central Minnesota. Last night, the temperature plummeted by around 40 degrees in just…

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  • Copy Cat Cafe Vienna Instant Coffee

    Copy Cat Cafe Vienna Instant Coffee

    Have you ever been watching videos and suddenly come across a classic commercial from your childhood that brings back treasured…

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  • Chicken Wild Rice Soup 

    Chicken Wild Rice Soup 

    The weather in Minnesota is lovely at the moment. The sun is shining, but the temperatures are cooler. I enjoy…

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  • Instant Pot Wild Rice 

    Instant Pot Wild Rice 

    I used to feel quite intimidated by the thought of cooking wild rice. It seemed challenging and extremely time-consuming. Admittedly,…

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  • Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

    Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

    I think “comfort food” was defined with biscuits and gravy. I guess because of my southern heritage, I just always…

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  • Cranberry Wild Rice Bread

    Cranberry Wild Rice Bread

    It was a year or two ago when I was first introduced to Cranberry Wild Rice Bread. My best friend…

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  • Grandma O’s Meatloaf

    Grandma O’s Meatloaf

    It seems to me that while anyone can make a meatloaf, not everyone can make a “good meatloaf.” There are…

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  • Chi Tea Latte

    Chi Tea Latte

    My best friend doesn’t drink coffee. Over the years, I’ve pondered how our friendship works, but her other qualities more…

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  • Friendship Tea

    Friendship Tea

    Rated 0 out of 5 stars.No ratings yet As a child, I remember my mom making this instant tea known…

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  • Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (A.K.A. “Clumps”)

    Creamy Chicken and Dumplings (A.K.A. “Clumps”)

    This recipe has been around longer than I have. My mom used to prepare it for me during my childhood.…

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  • No Bake Cheesecake Bites

    No Bake Cheesecake Bites

    mommaosk My family ADORES cheesecake. Whether it’s the traditional baked version or the simple no-bake kind, it doesn’t matter to…

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  • Quick No-Rise Bagels

    Quick No-Rise Bagels

    I adore bagels, in nearly every flavor. My top choice is the “Everything” bagel. It’s well-known that grocery store prices…

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  • Egg Frittata

    Egg Frittata

    Monday mornings often feel more chaotic compared to other mornings. This is likely because it’s the start of the work…

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  • Italian Stromboli

    Italian Stromboli

    This recipe is quite adaptable; it’s perfect for game day or a rainy day. Whenever you crave something warm and…

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  • Apple Crisp

    Apple Crisp

    I’ll be the first to confess that I had never encountered Apple Crisp until I relocated to Minnesota. In my…

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  • Scalloped Potatoes Sauce Pantry Mix

    Scalloped Potatoes Sauce Pantry Mix

    Scalloped potatoes have always been a favorite dish of mine. My mom prepared them only for special occasions. As I…

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  • Bean Tostados

    Bean Tostados

    Rated 0 out of 5 stars.No ratings yet Having grown up in the southeastern corner of Arizona, I was fortunate…

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  • Bacon’s Red Rice Rebellion

    Bacon’s Red Rice Rebellion

    As a child, my mom frequently prepared her version of “Spanish Rice” for me. When I was older, I inquired…

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  • Waffle Fries Hamburger Hot Dish

    Waffle Fries Hamburger Hot Dish

    One afternoon while grocery shopping, I came across a package of Ore Ida Extra Crispy Waffle Fries and thought they…

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  • Cream of Mushroom Soup Pantry Mix – No Salt

    Cream of Mushroom Soup Pantry Mix – No Salt

    I’ve come across numerous imitation and replica recipes for homemade cream of mushroom soup, but when I tried this particular…

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  • Vegetable Bouillon -Reduced Salt

    Vegetable Bouillon -Reduced Salt

    Until now, I never stocked this ingredient. I didn’t realize I needed vegetable bouillon until I was preparing a homemade…

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  • Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta

    Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta

    Having time to prepare meals in advance can transform your weeknight dinners. If you’re like me and work full time,…

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  • Ravioli Lasagna

    Ravioli Lasagna

    Ravioli Lasagna Rated 0 out of 5 stars.No ratings yet Ingredients: Instructions: Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. (If you plan…

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  • Layered Taco Bake

    Layered Taco Bake

    If you’re craving the bold flavors of tacos but want something warm, cheesy, and baked in the oven, a layered…

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  • Pickle Wraps

    Pickle Wraps

    If you’re looking for a quick, quirky little snack that’s equal parts salty, creamy, and crunchy, let me introduce you…

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  • Chicken Casserole with Rice

    Chicken Casserole with Rice

    Some recipes simply exude warmth and comfort, and creamy chicken and rice casserole is a perfect example. It’s a dish…

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  • Salted Caramel Instant Coffee Mix

    Salted Caramel Instant Coffee Mix

    For some, winter is just hitting its stride, while for others, it seems to be endlessly lingering. In any case,…

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  • Fajita Seasoning Mix 

    Fajita Seasoning Mix 

    A coworker requested that I assemble a gift basket for a silent auction, and I needed some seasoning packets for…

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