A simple, easy meal from scratch – caprese pasta, roasted brussel sprouts and breadsticks

The air had been heavy with rain all morning before it finally drenched our home and yard. It didn’t stop the kids from wanting to go out and play, who could blame them? The cool rain held promises of summer holding out just a little bit longer, and so we did just that….summer things. I let the dough rise in the kitchen while I captured mom moments. You know…the moments of a home filled with little ones, a house creaking and groaning under the weight of so many toys, millions of loads of laundry, and kids slamming the front door.  …

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Smart Cinnamon Roll-Ups for Your Scholar

Whether launching kiddos off to school or taking a break from the homeschool table, these cinnamon roll-ups are a smart way to pep up your scholar! Allow your kids to whip-up these super easy, warm and gooey breakfast treats! Click To Tweet     How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!  Psalm 32:1-2 NASB We love hearing from you! What is your favorite school recipe? In Him, Tara Dovenbarger

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Taking Down the Hindrances to Hospitality

As a newlywed, there were many obstacles that should have in all propriety and dignity (said tongue-in-cheek) kept us from hosting people in our home. We lived in a small apartment. We had little in provisions, financially. We didn’t have fancy napkins or table settings. Maybe it is a personality thing, but I plunged in and invited people anyway. We made lasting memories, not because we had a perfect place or perfect food, but because we had welcoming hearts to friends, new and old. Then something happened about five years into marriage. Someone told me that I needed to have certain …

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Italian Fare on a Budget

Here is the last in our series of eating out foods you can make at home.  I started with PF Changs, then moved on to Costa Vida, and today I really wanted to do Olive Garden, but I have only found one unique recipe that I use often. And I have lately seen Olive Garden copycats, so I’m going to share some Italian recipes from another restaurant we enjoy! We are from East Texas near the LA border, and a staple restaurant for us there was Copeland’s.  My very favorite food there is this: Eggplant Pirogue 1 large eggplant (cut 1/2 inch …

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Sweet Pork Burritos

As I shared last month, we are a family of six. And while we enjoy eating out now and again, we really cannot afford it. So if I find something we all love, I try to emulate it. I will search for recipes and try them and tweak them until they taste right to us. So, for this month’s restaurant-style menu FIND, I offer this–it is very much like Costa Vida Sweet Pork Burritos. Shout out and  grateful hat tip to The Travelling Circus (she has a really great site, too!) for giving me a basis for what we do regularly …

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Save Money Eating Restaurant Food at Home

As moms, we often want to have a special night out with our family–and have a night off. But that isn’t always financially feasible, is it? We are a family of six, so eating out can be really pricey.  In fact, we met friends at a fancier hamburger restaurant this past Sunday night, and the bill plus tip was over $100. For hamburgers! This kind of eating HAS to be a rarity in our home, or we will be homeless soon.  So, I thought I’d start a series here on some of our favorite restaurant foods that we make at home.  Today, …

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Christmas Brunch Recipes

Need some new Christmas recipes? These recipes have graced our Christmas brunch table for many years. The kids always insisted I serve these. It wasn’t Christmas without them. Need some new Christmas recipes? Click To Tweet I used to make the sausage and egg casserole; however, I now usually serve these with ham and scrambled eggs. Whether you fix breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, you might want to try these. Well, a couple of them may not be suitable for dinner. If you don’t try them for Christmas, try them sometime. If you don’t, you’ll be missing some yummy dishes. …

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Homemade Laundry Soap

Tired of the high price of laundry soap? Worried of clothing your family in unknown chemicals each day? Our homemade laundry soap recipe will pamper your clothes and ease your budget! Click To Tweet Prepare this all natural laundry detergent alongside your talented kiddos for a fun project!  This batch makes enough for thirty-two loads!      Notes *You can find homemade natural Castile soap or a batch of this detergent at www.taradovenbarger.com. The washing soda and Borax can be found in your grocery store laundry isle (Washing Soda and Borax were each under $4.00). You can also substitute ZOTE, Ivory, or …

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Freezer Foods for Fall

Pin It! A few weeks ago, I was inspired by The Pioneer Woman to make some freezer meals. We are an on-the-go family but really enjoy a home cooked meal much more than eating out. I’m usually pretty good at cooking dinner on the weeknights (thank you Mr. Crock Pot) but often on the weekends we veg out on frozen pizza or order take out. By Sunday night, the only thing that sounds good is food that takes too much effort for me to prepare. Hence the need for homemade freezer meals. With a grocery list in hand and a …

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Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pork

Need a quick-to-fix dish to please your growing family?  Plop out your slow cooker and enjoy this simple “from scratch” teriyaki pork! My friend Sheree* always tells me to, “Double the recipe to eat one and freeze one.”  Her advice keeps my freezer full of meals and dinner on the table with half the effort and mess.   This recipe is big enough to get you started! My family loves it!  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through …

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