Welcome to Michele’s “The Spice of Life” articles on cooking and baking adventures, childhood memories as well as living life through its turns and twists. Come join her as she brightens your day through her great sense of humor, and openness in her journeys through life.
I like to watch Food Network as time allows, but mostly I listen to Food Network as I hover around the house. All the holiday food shows and competitions making Christmas baked goods, candy and confections piqued my interest. So, to my recipe drawer, I went. I know you probably have a recipe box, drawer, … Continue reading Christmas Baked Goods, Candy, and Confections: Part 1
I can't think of a better season to display a wide variety of pies and desserts than Thanksgiving and Christmas. As a child, I remember the pie and other fabulous holiday desserts were always on the enclosed front porch with the brandy slush and soda. We knew that the dessert table was not visited until … Continue reading Pie And Other Fabulous Holiday Desserts
Oh man! Did someone just say delicious hot fudge? I love to make and eat hot fudge. My Grandma Grace Westra had a quick and simple 5 ingredient recipe for making a delicious hot fudge. This hot fudge became a staple at our holiday dessert table. If we have people bring dessert, we let my … Continue reading Delicious Hot Fudge
With the cold and flu season upon us. I thought it would be fun to find some amazing cold and flu remedies from yesteryear. So grab a pen and some paper (cause we are old school and proud of it!) and get ready to copy these dandies down. I remember when my mom and dad … Continue reading Remedies From Yesteryear
"Grieving is a Gift" may not settle well with you. One doesn't realize how much effort grieving takes until life hands you a situation with which you experience grief. Grief and grieving aren't just for death. You can experience grief in the loss of a job, friendship, a move, divorce, a child marrying... the list … Continue reading Grieving is a Gift
Where the DMU ( Dutch Mothers Underground) got their start no one knows for sure. But it is thought to have been birthed at a 3 pm tea time in either Grand Rapids, Michigan or Orange City, Iowa. Some much frazzled Dutch mothers banded together to put a stop to “the nonsense” going around the … Continue reading The Dutch Mothers Underground
The summer Veterinary Technician Internship was the highlight of each student's training. I had finished my first year of studies and was eager to embark on a summer of learning my trade. A summer filled with critters galore and I was to be in the center of it all. Pure heaven! Developing my skills as … Continue reading The Summer Veterinary Technician Internship
The recent warm weather has been encouraging to local farmers, but discouraging to hunting enthusiasts. Even my hunting dog senses something isn't quite right. Deer, Duck, Goose or Pheasant, hunters are chomping at the bit waiting for fall. Generally speaking, my Chocolate Labrador Retriever Tucker, is wise to natures cycles. It doesn't take many cold … Continue reading Hunters are Chomping at the Bit Waiting For Fall
Fishing rods, baseball caps, and stuffed bears. This might sound to you like I am making a list at a thrift store or local Good Will, but I am not. These three items were the key ingredients for some hilarious, good, clean fun. It was a crisp fall evening and I could feel some mischief … Continue reading Fishing Rods, Hats, and Stuffed Bears
Michele and I are amazed at how fast this first year of blogging has flown by. We hope that you have been enjoying the ride with us