Planting apple seeds at home is simpler than many expect. The seeds inside any ripe apple will sprout after a period of cold to break their dormancy, and those seedlings can grow into healthy, fruiting apple trees. With a little patience and basic care, you can raise seedlings that become part of a backyard orchard. … Read more

This Skillet Chicken Spaghetti is true comfort food—simple, quick, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for a filling weeknight meal. I’ve said it before: skillet meals are some of my favorite go-to dinners. They’re quick, versatile, and often only require one pan, which makes cleanup easy. If you search “skillet” on my site, you’ll find plenty of … Read more

This strawberry freezer jam is one of the simplest ways to preserve fresh strawberries at their peak. No canning, no special equipment, and no long stove time — just fresh berries, pectin, and a little patience. This easy freezer jam is ideal when strawberries are abundant—perfect for a flat from the farm stand or farmers … Read more

This Greek lamb is tender, succulent, and wonderfully aromatic. Also known as kleftiko, it’s roasted with potatoes and vegetables in parchment paper. Start by marinating the lamb overnight so the flavors penetrate the meat, then roast slowly for several hours to develop a deep, savory taste. Hearty, comforting, and delicious. Traditional Mediterranean dishes are comfort … Read more

Now that I’m home full-time, I can go grocery shopping whenever I want. I usually choose weekday mornings because stores are less crowded, or right after Madeline’s Gymboree Play & Learn class so we can grab lunch in the deli at Whole Foods. During the week I often visit three different grocery stores to find … Read more

The Star of the Party I was catering an appetizer-themed party last Saturday and wanted a fresh idea. As a brand ambassador for Chateau Foods I keep potato dumplings in my freezer, so I experimented with turning them into a bite-sized version of French onion soup. After a couple of trials I developed these French … Read more

Radio Gorgeous Interview: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Many of you have asked about my radio podcast — here it is. I loved recording this episode. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy: Clare Morfin on Gorgeous Food & Drink with Nicki Bannerman. Award-winning blogger Clare Morfin discusses with Nicki how she transformed from a passionate food lover into … Read more

Why I Love This Birthday Cake Ice Cream Recipe I love cake, and what birthday would be complete without both cake and ice cream? Combining the two felt inevitable. When I broke the flavors down, I realized a great birthday cake should taste buttery and vanilla-forward, with a sweet frosting finish. This ice cream captures … Read more

Want to declutter but unsure where to begin? Try this simple 30-Day Declutter Challenge—30 focused tasks you can complete in 20 minutes or less. Over the next month, these short, manageable assignments will help you reduce clutter, create more space, and simplify daily routines. By the end of the challenge you’ll have a clearer sense … Read more