Magic Bars

How many of you remember Magic Cookie Bars from waaaay back when?  In the past – waaaay back when, I made these delicious, gooey bars quite often, but I can’t remember the last time I made them.  That was until I stumbled across the recipe in my Loveless Cafe Desserts Cookbook.

A Better Muffin

In the short time I spent in the kitchen these last few days I whipped up these healthy, fruity, tasty muffins.  They are like a ray of sunshine in The Orange Bee kitchen.  Let me share with you why these are so good for you.

First of all they are loaded with those orange beauties we all call carrots.

Banana Pops and Bees

Late this afternoon the sun came out and the day was warm, windy yet warm.  I took a stroll out to see if the bees were out and about and they were.  Some flying around and many just hanging out on their porches.  I decided to remove all the mouse guards to give them more space for coming and going.  

Rum Cake

This weekend we celebrated my oldest daughter, LuLu’s 26th birthday.  You see the 25 candles + 1 more candle = 26 years.  If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time you’ve no doubt read about the different birthday cake requests I’ve honored for both of my girls as well as my man, Dan. I’ve whipped up Cheesecake, Italian Cream,

In My Kitchen – January

I am determined to get this posted before January turns into February.  By the skin of my teeth I bring you In My Kitchen, hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.  I’ve enjoyed participating over the last couple of months and especially peeking into the kitchens of my fellow bloggers.  If you’ve not checked it out or written your own IMK post I encourage you to do so.

In My Kitchen is this adorable white elephant creamer I stole from Aunt Trenna in the “white elephant” gift exchange on Christmas Eve.  Look how happy he is and he makes me smile every time I pour milk through his little mouth into my daily coffee.  It does not pour through his trunk – my man Dan spent a short time trying to figure out how that was going to work!  That made me laugh too!
In My Kitchen is this colorful tea canister from Teavana filled with Rooibos Chai Mate, my newest addiction.  Just inhaling the sweet yet spicy fragrance makes me feel good all over.  I make a cup to go everyday and sip it on my way to Enjoy!  Yummy!
In My Kitchen are these soups from Cooke Tavern Soups.  We sell these soups at Enjoy.  I have never purchased soup like this but as manager of Enjoy I am given samples to try.  It IS the best way to steer my customers in the right direction.  Yankee Doodle Chicken Noodle is on the menu for this week and Black Bean Chili for Super Bowl Sunday.  Both require the appropriate chicken or beef, a little broth and a good simmering on the stove.  So easy and pretty tasty too.  The best thing about these soups is they are free of sodium, MSG and preservatives!
In My Kitchen are the last two farm fresh, free range chicken eggs, given to me by a honey customer.  A neighbor too, she raises her own chickens, about 30 of them and has a ready supply of the most beautiful eggs, in pastel colors of blue, beige, and cream.  When cracked open these are picture perfect beauties. Golden yolks and delicious flavor.  They’re so good it makes me “think” about getting a few chickens of my own!
I’m looking forward to next month’s IMK just to see how many of us feature chocolate in one form or another.  I’m betting it will be a popular item in all of our kitchens.  Until next time…

Enjoy!

Spicy Honey Cider Syrup

I wish I was not writing about this recipe today.  I’d rather write about a dessert to make you drool, a gorgeous green salad, fresh-baked bread hot out of the oven or make your mouth water with a beautiful standing rib roast all garlicky and peppery .  Instead I’m sharing a home remedy for a stuffy nose and scratchy throat.

Maple-Pecan Sticky Buns

I mentioned in my last post that I was in the mood for some bread baking.  I’d spied this recipe for low-cal Maple-Pecan Sticky Buns in this month’s issue of Southern Living.  Feeling a bit adventurous I tackled this recipe before church on Sunday morning.

Enjoy!

2013 has arrived and brought with it a big change for me.  You may or may not have noticed my absence lately.  I have felt it daily, my absence.  I’ve not blogged once in this new month and I’ve missed it terribly.  I have particularly missed the cooking and eating part of writing a food blog.

2012 – A Look Back

As the end of 2012 fast approaches I find myself reflecting back on events that took place in my life and kitchen.  The biggest event in my life would be Miss T heading off to college, leaving her parents as “empty nesters”.  I enjoyed the beautiful beaches of the BVI’s and USVI’s for the first time.  To my amazement I harvested over 20 gallons of honey from my precious bees. I taught my first cooking class at Central Market.  I watched with great joy as my oldest daughter LuLu, became engaged on Christmas Day in front of 20 family members.  I admit it was the icing on the Christmas cake!

Closed For Christmas

 

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas….

To all my blog friends and followers I wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!

I’m wishing for a white Christmas but my family and I will be traveling to join all of my man Dan’s family in Florida for a sandy, flip-flop wearin’ Christmas.  Word has it we will be participating in the inaugural “Polar Plunge” as well as sharing delicious meals, warm toasts, shots of ice-cold tequila, glasses of bubbly champagne, good-natured games of dominoes and quarters and most importantly Trivial Pursuit, enjoying the laughter of little boys, the twinkle of grandparents eyes, stockings stuffed and gifts galore.  The most wonderful memories are being made in times such as these.  Traditions we pass along to the next generation and memories that take us through another year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Orange Bee kitchen is now closed until next year.