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Weekend Waffles | Coconut Lemon Oatmeal Waffles

January 30, 2015 • 5 Comments

As much as we aspire to adhere to them, some traditions don’t stick.

Like “Pizza Fridays,” for example. I grew up having pizza every Friday (or sometimes Saturday). I love pizza. And I love Fridays. But for some reason my husband and I have never been able to stick to a we-eat-pizza-every-Friday-night plan. I think about our favorite pizza places all the time, but we usually end up trying another new ethnic restaurant or something more adventurous.

I don’t know what makes traditions stick — or how we can make room for one but not the other — but I do know that once a tradition is set, it creates a sense of anticipation, comfort and pleasure. (What’s your tradition? Leave a comment in the section below.)

For my husband and I, that tradition is “Weekend Waffles.” Every weekend I make enough batter for us to enjoy them on both Saturday and Sunday. It’s fun because:Read More

Reese's Peanut Butter Pie

January 20, 2015 • Leave a Comment

I believe special occasions are best celebrated with smiles, laughter and baked goods (preferably something sweet).

Some of the best memories I have in life were formed over scoops of ice cream, a perfectly formed pastry or decadent slice of cake. Sweet things are even better when they are shared. They make life a little brighter, and they enhance whatever situation we are in.

So when it was announced that someone was leaving the Spyder Trap team that I have the pleasure of working with, you bet I jumped on the opportunity to make something. You could call it a celebration pie, or an “excuse to make something totally over the top” pie, but whatever the motive I think this Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie hits the spot.Read More

Potato, Spinach + Artichoke Soup

November 25, 2014 • Leave a Comment

The last month and a half has been a whirlwind here at the Gaskill household. Amid the newlywed duties of exchanging wedding presents, unpacking from the honeymoon, writing thank you cards and building a strong marriage, I also have taken a new job opportunity.

You are now looking at one of the content strategists for Spyder Trap, a digital marketing agency in downtown Minneapolis. It’s an exciting company, full of passionate and talented people, and I am so happy to be a part of it.

That being said, however, because my commute is much longer than it used to be, my husband and I more than ever before need an arsenal of quick dinner recipes that we can refer to in case traffic gets the best of me. The hubby is such a trooper — he even helps me out with dinner prep now! Read More

Toasted Coconut Muffins

November 3, 2014 • Leave a Comment

On our honeymoon (Oct. 13-21), the owner of the villa we were staying in on Jost Van Dyke welcomed us with two bottles of Cruzan Rum, the rum of the Virgin Islands. Though the hubby and I enjoy wine and beer, we aren’t the straight-up liquor type. To be honest, I can’t stomach it. Unless, however, it is in a mixed drink or delicious baked dessert.

Seeing that we had plenty leftover after the honeymoon, I brought the different flavors home to use in some new baking recipes I’ve been wanting to try. This is the first round of rum-laced desserts in the Gaskill household. These muffins are so light, they could almost pass as a cupcake if you were to put a buttercream icing on top. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have. I just made them yesterday and we’ve finished off half of the batch!Read More

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Barbecue Ranch Salads

September 8, 2014 • 1 Comment

We all have favorite meals and snacks that we crave from time to time.

For me, it can be something as simple as a fig, honey and goat cheese crostini, or something more hearty like Chicken Saag from my favorite Indian place down the road. For my fiance, it’s Chicken Barbecue Ranch Salads from the Cheesecake Factory. Read More