FROM SCRATCH CLUB

The start of a new year is a great time to take inventory of the year gone by, and make plans for the year to come.  Some make resolutions, some just reflect. I personally gave up resolutions years ago, after a stint of countless, “This year I WILL exercise…. and eat less cake”. Instead, I now […]

The holidays are upon us, and many people are in the midst of exchanging presents with friends and family.  If you have kids on the list of those you are giving to, consider this fun {and delicious} way to decorate and label your gifts. Gingerbread Cookie  Gift Tags Gingerbread cookies make a sturdy base in […]

Thanksgiving Day is behind us, and it seems we are in a mad dash towards the December holidays. My neighbors have begun putting up their holiday lights, cars are zipping through town with Christmas trees tied down on top, and Santa is stopping for pictures at every mall.  It would appear that we should begin […]

Growing up in New Hampshire, I was fortunate to experience the beauty of the autumn leaves year after year. The changing colors, decorating the sky and then blanketing the ground, still amaze me with their brilliance, even all these years later.  Although I do not live in NH any longer, as I moved to New […]

Editor’s Note: I’m really excited to announce that Becky will be changing her focus here on FSC. No longer gluten-free, Becky will now focus on her true calling in the kitchen, cooking with her children. Each month Becky will share a family-friendly recipe with tips for including children in the cooking or baking process (see […]

If I am being honest I will tell you that dinner is my least favorite meal to make {and eat}.  And by least favorite, what I am nicely trying to say is “I hate making dinner“.  There, I have said it. What I would rather make {and eat} is muffins or pie or cookies or […]

BLUEBERRY PICKING SEASON I have a deep love for blueberries and celebrate each year when the first berries have ripened on the bush.  Some people have a hard time resisting chocolate brownies or sweets, and I can commiserate with them.  But, for me, the real struggle is blueberries. Laugh if you must, I understand it […]

I had the amazing opportunity to pick sour cherries last week at Liz’s {FSC contributor} childhood house.  Her parents have a large sour cherry tree, full to the brim with red cherries that are just waiting for eager hands to pluck them down. My kids and I met up with Liz on Thursday, then picked […]

{It’s strawberry picking season and I couldn’t be happier} My favorite thing about the summer months is picking fruit: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, peaches… It is the thought of summer days, picking fruit, that gets me through the winter months. Each dreary winter day is one step closer to having a fresh, ripe berry […]

Memorial Day Weekend is upon us, marking the official start to grilling and backyard parties.  What better way is there to celebrate the festivities than with a meal hot off the BBQ or campfire? As soon as my children see that a fire has been lit in our fire pit they instantly cheer {and beg} […]

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and now is a good time to start thinking about what to make for the “moms” in your life. Whether this person is your own mother or grandmother, or a neighbor, friend or coworker…..there are ladies in our lives that need to be celebrated! For those with food restrictions […]

As the weather has turned warmer, and more Spring-like, my family has been spending more and more time outdoors. We take walks after dinner, race down the giant slides at the playground, and delight in the smells from our neighbor’s grill. A few evenings we have even smelt wood burning from fire pits and campfires […]

Warmer days have started to descend on us, here in the Capital Region of NY, and everyone is cheering, hoping Spring is here to stay. The happiest of those in my house are my children.  They have been playing outside constantly, soaking up the fresh air and the sunny skies.  I wanted an easy, delicious […]

Some say that the kitchen is the heart of the house; the warm gathering spot where good food and laughter is shared.  Unfortunately, this warm, lovely place can sometimes turn into a battle ground when attempting to cook with your kids.  Flour goes flying, tears start pouring and mom/dad feel like shouting. I know that […]

Valentine’s Day is a holiday of love, but also of CANDY! While you might immediately imagine a red, heart-shaped box of chocolates when thinking of Valentine’s Day, there is another candy that has also been capturing hearts. A favorite amongst school-aged children, the Conversation Heart has had a steady fan base over the years.  I […]