Our Good Life: January 2018

Posted by Terri Steffes / 29 January 2018 /

Exploring St. Louis Neighborhoods~Lafayette Square

From its beginnings as a public parade ground for the Union Army in the 1830s, Lafayette Square is credited for being St. Louis' first suburb.  The city's wealthiest citizens would come to the park to hear music, watch the swans and feel the spray from the fountains.  In fact, due to its popularity,  the neighborhood grew so busy that the influential of St. Louis retreated to St. Louis' newest and upcoming area,  Central West End.<br />
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In the early 1900s, the Square fell into disrepair and these homes were about to be leveled. In the 1970s a concerted effort was made to start drawing people to the area to refurbish Lafayette Square.  The annual homes tour was started (still goes on today) to try and bring awareness to this once beautiful area. The strategy worked, and today Lafayette Square is home to the Painted Ladies, Victorian mansions that outline Lafayette Square Park.  In 2012,  The National Paint Quality Institute identified Lafayette Square as one of the Prettiest Painted Places in America.  </div>
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It was Lafayette Square that we decided to spend on Sunday afternoon.  We parked our car along the square and walked in front of many of the painted ladies.  These grand and stately homes have charming iron fenced gates that grace the sidewalks where dogs and their people, walk.  There are a number of wonderful places to eat, Bailey's Chocolate Bar, 1111 Mississippi, and a fairly new restaurant named Polite Society.  We grabbed coffee at Park Avenue Coffee where they are known for their 70+ flavors of a St. Louis favorite: Gooey Butter Cake.</div>
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Polite Society, a restaurant, bar and gathering place (as stated on their website) have a  that menu changes with the seasons. Our daughter and her husband enjoyed the restaurant and plan to take us with them the next time they go.</div>
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If you are planning a trip to the Saint Louis area, plan to spend an afternoon or a day exploring Lafayette Square.  If you love Victorian homes, follow them on Instagram at @lafayettesquarestl</div>

Exploring St. Louis Neighborhoods~Lafayette Square

From its beginnings as a public parade ground for the Union Army in the 1830s, Lafayette Square is credited for being St. Louis' first s...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 28 January 2018 / snacks

Bacon Pineapple Cheese Spread #SundaySupper

It's that fun time of the year when I get to try some new super bowl snacks! I am excited about this one, as it has a little nostalgia surrounding it.<br />
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I remember eating this Kraft Pineapple Spread with my grandmother, stuffed in celery or just straight on crackers. One day I was walking through my grocery store and I spied a jar on the shelves. I grabbed it right away and knew I would have the perfect chance to use it.  Do you remember that Kraft cheese product that came in the little glass jelly jars?<br />
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This is super simple, and with the addition of bacon, you have a wonderful salty/sweet combination that is sooooo goooood.  Serve this with celery sticks and crackers and you will have a wonderfully nostalgic taste on your table.<br />
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Bacon Pineapple Cheese Spread<br />
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6 slices of bacon, fried crisp, and chopped<br />
1 8 oz block of cream cheese, softened<br />
1 jar Kraft Pineapple Spread<br />
1 cup of shredded cheddar<br />
2 T red onion, chopped<br />
1 T steak sauce<br />
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Mix all ingredients together and spread into a small serving dish.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve with celery sticks and crackers.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DDC5WA/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005DDC5WA&linkCode=as2&tag=our071-20&linkId=4ea7ca39f5b58c22e303c31cdcb71099" target="_blank">Kraft Cheese Spread, Pineapple, 5-Ounce (Pack of 6)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=our071-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B005DDC5WA" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<h2>
Easy Football Food Ideas for Game Day</h2>
<h4>
Super Savory Recipes</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.fantasticalsharing.com/2018/01/air-fryer-hot-wings-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Air Fryer Hot Wings</a> by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thebittersideofsweet.com/2018/01/28/bacon-ranch-skillet-nachos/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bacon Ranch Skillet Nachos</a> by The Bitter Side of Sweet</li>
<li><a href="http://myworldsimplified.com/baked-jalapeno-poppers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baked Jalapeño Poppers</a> by My World Simplified</li>
<li><a href="https://tarasmulticulturaltable.com/baked-mozzarella-sticks-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Baked Mozzarella Sticks</a> by Tara’s Multicultural Table</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/2018/01/beer-battered-mushroom-bites-recipe-and.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Beer Battered Mushroom Bites</a> by Hot Eats and Cool Reads</li>
<li><a href="http://highlandsranchfoodie.com/2018/01/bourbon-beef-and-bean-chili/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bourbon Beef and Bean Chili</a> by Cooking on the Ranch</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/2018/01/buffalo-chicken-egg-rolls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls</a> by The Freshman Cook</li>
<li><a href="http://www.jerseygirlcooks.com/2018/01/buffalo-chicken-flatbread-with-bacon-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Chicken Flatbread wtih Bacon</a> by Jersey Girl Cooks</li>
<li><a href="https://simpleandsavory.com/buffalo-chicken-potato-nachos-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Chicken Potato Nachos</a> by Simple and Savory</li>
<li><a href="https://www.carolinescooking.com/caramelized-onion-gorgonzola-pizza/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caramelized Onion and Gorgonzola Pizza</a> by Caroline’s Cooking</li>
<li><a href="http://www.shockinglydelicious.com/football-shaped-meat-and-cheese-plate/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Football-Shaped Meat and Cheese Plate</a> by Shockingly Delicious</li>
<li><a href="http://wholisticwoman.com/garlic-spinach-dip/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Garlic Spinach Dip</a> by Wholistic Woman</li>
<li><a href="https://ourlifetastesgood.blogspot.com/2012/08/hot-mexican-dip.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot Mexican Dip Recipe</a> by Life Tastes Good</li>
<li><a href="http://www.akitchenhoorsadventures.com/oven-fried-fish-sliders/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oven Fried Fish Sliders</a> by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures</li>
<li><a href="https://wildwildwhisk.com/piglets-in-milk-bun-blankets/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Piglets in Milk Bun Blankets</a> by Wild Wild Whisk</li>
<li><a href="http://hardlyagoddess.com/skinny-buffalo-chicken-dippers-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dippers</a> by Hardly A Goddess</li>
<li><a href="https://sundaysuppermovement.com/slow-cooker-pork-ribs-bourbon-bbq-sauce/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Pork Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce</a> by Sunday Supper Movement</li>
<li><a href="https://www.turnips2tangerines.com/2018/01/spinach-and-artichoke-hummus-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Spinach and Artichoke Hummus with Homemade Pita Chips</a> by Turnips 2 Tangerines</li>
<li><a href="https://gourmeteveryday.net/2018/01/28/super-bowl-snack-ideas-stout-braised-meatballs-with-bacon-jam-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stout Braised Meatballs with Bacon Jam</a> by Gourmet Everyday</li>
<li><a href="http://cookingchatfood.com/spicy-green-onion-dip/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Easy Spicy Green Onion Dip</a> by Cooking Chat</li>
<li><a href="https://bitesofwellness.com/super-simple-salmon-bites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Super Simple Salmon Bites</a> by Bites of Wellness</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Sweet Super Recipes</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.alittlefishinthekitchen.com/2018/01/mexican-bunuelos-cinnamon-and-sugar.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mexican Buñuelos (Cinnamon and Sugar Fritters)</a> by A Little Fish in the Kitchen</li>
<li><a href="http://piesandplots.net/peanut-butter-caramel-stuffed-oatmeal-cookies-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peanut Butter and Caramel Stuffed Oatmeal Cookies</a> by Pies and Plots</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/easy-smores-dessert-dip/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Easy S’mores Dessert Dip</a> by That Skinny Chick Can Bake</li>
<li><a href="https://www.soulfullymade.com/touchdown-turtle-brownie-bites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Touchdown Turtle Brownie Bites</a> by Soulfully Made</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunday Supper Movement" height="100" src="https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8386732081_f232fda104_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><br />
The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our <a href="https://sundaysuppermovement.com/?s=" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday Supper website.</a> Also check out the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Pinterest boards</a> for plenty more ideas and inspiration.

Bacon Pineapple Cheese Spread #SundaySupper

It's that fun time of the year when I get to try some new super bowl snacks! I am excited about this one, as it has a little nostalgia s...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 26 January 2018 /

A Sweetheart of a Porch

Decorate your front porch for Valentine's Day to add some cheer to the gray of winter!  Here is how I used home decor from my favorite online store!<br />
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When my husband and I were first talking about building a house in 2014, we each listed what were our top five non-negotiables and the first one on each of our lists was a big wrap around front porch. Bob likes to sit on the porch, smoke a cigar and talk to neighbors passing by for a walk.  I like to decorate, watch morning sunrises and evening sunsets and enjoy a cocktail looking at the lake.<br />
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I like to decorate the porch for each season or holiday, but I hadn't really done much for Valentine's Day.  I went to <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/party-supplies/home-decor/valentines-day-a1-550044+1229-1.fltr?categoryFromSearch=true&rd=valentine%20home%20decor">my go-to shopping spot </a>to see if they might have a few Valentine Day decor items that I could get to start out my front porch decorating. I was so pleased to see that they had the perfect items:  lumbar pillows in the cutest Valentine style and a bright and sparkly heart wreath for my wall.<br />
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This year I am sticking with the basics but I do believe that it has made a nice impact on the porch. I can't wait to bring out a glass of bubbly on Valentine's Day and enjoy the view!<br />
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A Sweetheart of a Porch

Decorate your front porch for Valentine's Day to add some cheer to the gray of winter! Here is how I used home decor from my favorite o...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 25 January 2018 /

Happiness at Work

The thing about good teachers is that they love their work.  All of the teachers I have the opportunity to work with excel at their work by working long hours, weekends and through their personal plan periods. They simply love what they do.<br />
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A group of teachers I work with at the Regional Professional Development Center, the Teacher's Academy, met at the Lake of the Ozarks to hear guest speaker John Antonetti.  John is a pleasure to listen to, he puts laughter smack in the middle of mind bloggling work, making us think deeply and question our thinking and those of the folks around us in a way that brings new knowledge and better ways of thinking.  Even though I knew we were in for a treat, I wanted to make the day even more special but not over-the-top embarrassing.  That's where Oriental Trading came in to help!<br />
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Before the teachers arrived, I took a <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/tri-color-mardi-gras-leis-a2-13679985.fltr" rel="nofollow">bunch of leis (decorated in Mardi Gras colors)</a> and placed one at each of their seats.  In  the middle I scattered a bunch of Hershey chocolates, too.  There is an increasing body of research suggesting that fun at work leading to <a href="https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/fun-at-work-matters-levity-effect" rel="nofollow">"a significant increase in the level of employee trust, creativity and communication -- leading to lower turnover, higher morale and a stronger bottom line." </a><br />
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What I didn't anticipate was the complete joy that this group of teachers found in the simple act of a Mardi Gras lei.  There were giggles and smiles, and many wore them all day long.  Our speaker even got into the act with us!  I want to consider other opportunities where I can purchase a lei for my friends, colleagues and neighbors!<br />
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Happiness at Work

The thing about good teachers is that they love their work. All of the teachers I have the opportunity to work with excel at their work by ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 21 January 2018 /

Tex Mex Caulirice Bowl #SundaySupper

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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My family has a big love of rice bowls, but also want to watch their carbohydrate intake.  We discovered frozen cauliflower rice, known as caulirice, at our local Trader Joe's.  The "rice" is easy to cook from frozen state, reduces the carbs in our dish and we love the taste!</span></span></h2>
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This Tex Mex version is so easy to make, and if you set it up like a bar, each person can add to it what they want, which is what we do at our house.  Our toppings include seasoned chicken breast, avocado, shredded cheese, restaurant style salsa, chopped onion, cilantro, beans, corn, and sour cream.</div>
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Tex Mex Caulirice Bowls</div>
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1 bag of frozen Trader Joe's Cauliflower Rice</div>
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3 chicken breasts</div>
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1 T taco or southwestern seasoning</div>
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1 T butter</div>
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1 avocado, sliced</div>
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1 c shredded cheese</div>
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1 c restaurant style salsa</div>
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1/2 c chopped onion</div>
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1/4 c cilantro</div>
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1 c black beans</div>
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1 c corn</div>
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1 c sour cream</div>
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Preheat oven to 450. Wash and pat dry the chicken breasts.  Melt the butter in the microwave. Place the chicken breasts in a baking pan, pour the butter over the breasts.  Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken breasts, covering evenly.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until chicken reaches 140.  Remove from oven, rest 10 minutes, check temperature again, make sure breasts come to 160 and that the juices run clear.  Slice the chicken breasts and place into a serving dish.</div>
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Follow the directions on the cauliflower rice.  Divide into four bowls.  Set out the avocado, cheese, salsa, onion, cilantro, black beans, corn and sour cream.</div>
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Top the rice with the chicken and toppings, however you like them!  Serve immediately.</div>
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Healthy Rice Bowls</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.jerseygirlcooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Asian Cauliflower Rice and Shrimp Bowls</a> by Jersey Girl Cooks</li>
<li><a href="http://thewimpyvegetarian.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cauliflower Rice Tabbouleh Bowl with Charred Broccolini + Lemon and Grilled Halloumi</a> by The Wimpy Vegetarian</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicken and Shrimp Egg Roll Bowl</a> by The Freshman Cook</li>
<li><a href="http://www.piesandplots.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicken Fajita Quinoa Bowl</a> by Pies and Plots</li>
<li><a href="http://www.yummysmells.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chickpea Tikka Masala</a> by What Smells So Good?</li>
<li><a href="https://mylifecookbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Greek Cauliflower Rice Bowl (low carb)</a> by My Life Cookbook</li>
<li><a href="http://hardlyagoddess.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Healthy Crockpot Pulled Beef Rice Bowl</a> by Hardly A Goddess</li>
<li><a href="http://www.akitchenhoorsadventures.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kiev Chicken Rice Bowl</a> by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mediterranean Chicken Black Rice Bowl</a> by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings</li>
<li><a href="http://wholisticwoman.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quinoa Breakfast Bowl</a> by Wholistic Woman</li>
<li><a href="https://ourlifetastesgood.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Taco Rice Bowl</a> by Life Tastes Good</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thebittersideofsweet.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Teriyaki Shrimp Rice Bowl with Bok Choy</a> by The Bitter Side of Sweet</li>
<li><a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tex Mex Caulirice Bowl</a> by Our Good Life</li>
<li><a href="https://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thai Vegetable Quinoa Bowl</a> by That Skinny Chick Can Bake</li>
<li><a href="https://sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tuna Rice Bowl with Yum Yum Sauce</a> by Sunday Supper Movement</li>
<li><a href="https://www.carolinescooking.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vegetarian Bibimbap</a> by Caroline’s Cooking</li>
</ul>
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The Sunday Supper Movement is committed to bringing our readers delicious recipes that encourage them to gather and eat together around the family table. Search for your favorite ingredients on our <a href="https://sundaysuppermovement.com/?s=" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday Supper website.</a> Also check out the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Pinterest boards</a> for plenty more ideas and inspiration.

Tex Mex Caulirice Bowl #SundaySupper

My family has a big love of rice bowls, but also want to watch their carbohydrate intake. We discovered frozen cauliflower rice, known as ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 19 January 2018 /

Cabo San Lucas: A Travel Guide

During our recent trip to Cabo San Lucas (2017),  we had the opportunity to experience some wonderful opportunities and we want to share with you our favorites!<br />
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<b>Resort</b><br />
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<a href="https://welkresorts.com/cabo-san-lucas/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA7dHSBRDEARIsAJhAHwiHCvQKRhNCbNlY95nyxLb_brPxAYeOnO9RKhxaZZY7He1CBePiFvcaAhR-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds">Sirena del Mar  </a><br />
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Located on a cliff outside of Cabo, this resort has stunning views of the Sea of Cortez and Del Arco, the rock formation that Cabo is famous for.  We were amazed by stellar sunrises and the sound of the surf crashing against the rock formations in the ocean.  Our food was good, we highly recommend their Mexican selections. We stayed in the one bedroom unit. We had a living area, a full kitchen and a bedroom that faced the Sea of Cortez. Our room was clean.  Maid service is weekly.  Here are some not-to-miss events associated with the resort:<br />
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Romantic dinner-the staff at Sirena del Mar will give you an opportunity to do a private meal facing del Arco and the Sea of Cortez. They completely remove all the chairs and lounges from a small patio and fill the space with flowers, special lighting and candles. The meal was $100 per person, but worth every penny.  The six course meal was exquisite.<br />
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San Jose excursion-our trip to San Jose was so much fun. Our guide told us some of the history of the area and kept us entertained on the short ride there (ours was about 30 minutes, due to traffic.)  We shopped, had authentic tamales, visited the Mission, had a private tequila tasting, visited a blown glass factory and roamed the art fair. It was the perfect amount of time to be gone.<br />
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Tequila tasting-prior to our San Jose trip, we had a tequila tasting at the Resort. For $25 a person, we were able to sample 4 different tequilas, learning about the nuances and differences between the kinds of tequila. I found it to be very helpful when we went to San Jose, where the tequila tasting was more sophisticated.<br />
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We spent a lot of time at the pools and hot tub, choosing a different site to hang out each day.  The swim up bar is a lot of fun and the bartenders are fabulous.<br />
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<b>Restaurants</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/metatecabo" rel="nofollow">Metate Cabo</a>- The ambiance here is true Mexican. Beautiful lighting that winds through fruit trees, the beautiful and colorful Mexican table settings made this a wonderful experience. Our service was a bit lacking at the beginning but then the owner himself came out and explained that due to the holiday, this was a one seating serving and we were waiting on others. There was no worry on our end, as we were enjoying the cocktails, the fabulous bar and people watching. The food was delicious and again, the owner/chef came out to explain what we were eating. We will definitely go back!<br />
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<a href="https://www.theresortatpedregal.com/diningsite/elfarallon" rel="nofollow">El Farallon</a>-You may have heard of El Farallon if you are into the food scene. This restaurant is perched on the side of a cliff, next to a five star resort.  You wind your way through this beautiful resort to get to the restaurant.  We stopped at the resort bar and had absolutely fantastic cocktails. Once our party was together (we had 8) we headed up to the hostess.  She took us to the champagne bar (!) and purchased a bottle of champagne.  After a few minutes, we were escorted to our table, past a display of the fish that was going to be used in our meal later!  The view was incredible, and even though we were there at sunset, the weather was overcast and we didn't get to see it.  Our server explained that since our party was large, we would be served a pre fixe menu that would highlight all the best that El Farallon has to offer.  And it did not disappoint.  The service was impeccable and all that one would hope for at <a href="https://www.foodbeast.com/news/50-breathtaking-restaurant-views/" rel="nofollow">one of the world's most beautiful views!</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.richardsandoval.com/labibliotecacabo/">Biblioteca</a>-Literally the Library of Tequila, this restaurant lives up to its name. A HUGE selection of tequila where we got one of the finest margaritas we have ever tasted.  The menu is full of Mexican dishes with an updated twist.  It was cold the night we visited, and we still chose to sit outside, and the waiter offered Mexican blankets to cover our shoulders and moved a heater close by.  We were able to watch the boats come in. The food was wonderful and we all left with full bellies.<br />
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<b>Excursions</b><br />
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Whale Watching-we hit the jackpot of days to go whale watching.  The whales are in migration in the winter months at Cabo, and it is the highlight of the season to go out and find some whales to watch. Our company was the <a href="https://www.cabo-adventures.com/en/tours/dolphins" rel="nofollow">Cabo Dolphins </a>and I highly recommend them.  The boat is easy to get in and out, it goes very fast which is a lot of fun on its own, and we had the most tremendous whale experience ever. Even the guides were in awe. We watched a humpback whale breech for over an hour!  Typically they will come out of the water once or twice and we saw 15-20 breeches. It was a wonderful sight.  The biologists were informative and we even had a treat of Oreos while on the water!<br />
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Deep sea fishing-The guys went on a deep sea fishing excursion through<a href="http://www.cortezcharters.com/edith" rel="nofollow"> Edith's Sport Fishing.</a>  They didn't catch "the big one" but they came back with a lot of smaller, edible fish that they had cleaned on location.  Fresh fish was on the menu that day!  Our resort has a grill and we were able to grill most of it before we left for home. Friendly service and helpful guides as our guys were somewhat new to fishing.<br />
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We highly recommend all these spots for your upcoming Cabo San Lucas vacation.  Please note that El Farallon is difficult to get it and you must try to book as far out as you can.  The rest are good to try when you get there, or have your concierge book them for you.

Cabo San Lucas: A Travel Guide

During our recent trip to Cabo San Lucas (2017), we had the opportunity to experience some wonderful opportunities and we want to share wit...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 18 January 2018 /

Huxley Comes to St. Louis! #chewyinfluencer

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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion.</span></div>
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We have some news!<br />
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Our daughter, her husband and their dog, Huxley, have moved into Lakeview Resort for the next 12-18 months!  We are so excited to be able to see Huxley on a more regular basis. He and his mom and dad were living in Chicago. While I know he loved the city, he has adapted quite nicely to having his own backyard.  The best part is that Truman and Wilson really enjoy his company. Wilson loves having a bigger dog to play with that can handle his rough housing. Truman is just too little for that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kathleen Virginia Photography</td></tr>
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When it was time to choose some treats this month, I had to consider that we now have to medium sized dogs and one small dog to consider. This three pound bag of <a href="https://www.chewy.com/blue-dog-bakery-more-flavors-assorted/dp/116018" rel="nofollow">Blue Dog Bakery Treats</a> seemed to be a good idea.  I placed my order and wow, it came super fast!  I love Chewy.com's delivery.  See where the photo says DEAL in the upper left hand corner?  This three pound bag is only $6.59 right now and even less with autoship!<br />
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Blue Dog Bakery bakery-fresh More Flavors include their original Peanut Butter & Molasses, Natural Cheese, Grilled Chicken and Bacon & Cheese flavors. They don't use any animal by-products, and they make their treats low fat to keep your dogs healthy. A healthy dog is a happy dog!<br />
Key Benefits<br />
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Premium treats with 100% pure and natural ingredients made with the highest quality ingredients to ensure they are safe, wholesome and downright yummy!<br />
<ul>
<li>Made with natural whole wheat, real eggs and nonfat milk, which make them low fat and easy to digest</li>
<li>Famous Peanut Butter; Molasses, Natural Cheese, Grilled Chicken and Bacon; Cheese recipes – in fun animal shapes perfect for dogs of all sizes</li>
<li>Crunchy texture is great for healthy teeth and gums and fresh breath</li>
<li>No animal by-products, artificial preservative, colors or flavors</li>
</ul>
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They. Loved. Them.  I break them up into smaller pieces for Truman, but Huxley and Wilson can handle the larger sized cookies just fine.  AND, they seem satisfied with just one.  Sometimes they come back and beg for more when we give them the smaller treats.</div>
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I'm super excited to have Huxley (and Ashley and Eric!) spending some quality time together over the next year!  Be sure to stay tuned in on their adventures!</div>

Huxley Comes to St. Louis! #chewyinfluencer

I received this product for free in exchange for my honest opinion. We have some news! Our daughter, her husband and their dog, Huxley,...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 17 January 2018 /

Feast of Sorrow: Cook the Books Club

For newer readers, I am a participant in a foodie book club.  What's that? you might ask?  It is a book club that finds books with food inspiration in them that we read, then we cook something that the book inspired us to do.  My 2017 posts are here:<br />
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<a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/11/jalapeno-infused-vodka-cookthebooksclub.html">The Patriarch</a> by Martin Walker. I made jalapeno infused vodka!<br />
<a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/09/dairy-free-homemade-ice-cream.html">Farmer Boy</a> by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I made dairy free ice cream.<br />
<a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/07/salat-olivier-russian-potato-salad.html">Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food and Loving</a>.  I made Russian Potato Salad.<br />
<a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/02/roasted-chicken-in-paper-bag.html">Dinner with Edward</a> by Isabel Vincent. I made Paper Bag Roasted Chicken<br />
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We get two months to read and cook, then we post our review and our recipe before the end of the two month timeline. It's crazy fun and so inspiring to read other reviews of the same book and then to see how they were inspired.<br />
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December/January book was Feast of Sorrow by Crystal King.  She has many credentials for  her writing, including a Pushcart Prize. She lives in Boston but loves Italy and the food scene there.  Our host for this month is Debra of <a href="http://the%20deadline%20for%20feast%20of%20sorrow%20is%20january%2031%2C%202018./">Eliotseats</a>. <br />
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A synopsis of the book from Amazon: <br />
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Set amongst the scandal, wealth, and upstairs-downstairs politics of a Roman family, Crystal King’s seminal debut features the man who inspired the world’s oldest cookbook and the ambition that led to his destruction. On a blistering day in the twenty-sixth year of Augustus Caesar’s reign, a young chef, Thrasius, is acquired for the exorbitant price of twenty thousand denarii. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius, wealthy beyond measure, obsessed with a taste for fine meals from exotic places, and a singular ambition: to serve as culinary advisor to Caesar, an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome's leading epicure.<br />
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Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success, and with Thrasius’s help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals. Thrasius finds a family in Apicius’s household, his daughter Apicata, his wife Aelia, and her handmaiden, Passia whom Thrasius quickly falls in love with. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal, his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome.<br />
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Cool, huh.  This is why I love historical fiction so much.  Fictional characters set in real events in history and this book is loaded with them.   Crystal King takes Rome's most famous gourmand and the (?) creator of the world's oldest and still used cookbook and tells a story of political intrigue and culinary delights. For me, this works, but if you like character development, you might find the characters fading into the background of all the food scenes.<br />
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So how was I inspired?<br />
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Like everyone else has stated, this book is FULL of food scenes. I am drooling every time I read this. However, these are foods that most of us haven't heard of, with spices and herbs I am unfamiliar with. That's how good this author is at description.  My inspiration is coming with more of the plating ideas than of actual cooking.  As I continued reading, though, I noticed how many times the guests were treated to honey water and honey cakes. Over and over.  I decided I wanted to give a honey cake a try.  I researched ancient recipes for honey cakes and I actually found a few recipes.  I decided to give this one by King Arthur's Flour a try.<br />
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Honey Cake<br />
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1 c sliced almonds (I used ground almonds)<br />
 1 1/4 c King Arthur whole wheat flour<br />
3/4 c King Arthur unbleached all purpose flour<br />
1/2 t baking soda<br />
1/2 r salt<br />
3/4 c softened unsalted butter<br />
1 c honey<br />
4 large eggs<br />
1/4 c sour cream<br />
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Preheat the oven to 325.  Grease a 9" round pan well.  Sprinkle 3/4 c of the almonds in the bottom of the pan, save the remainngi 1/4 c for the batter.<br />
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In a medium bowl, whisk the flours, baking soda and salt together.  In a large bowl, mix the softened butter, honey and eggs.  Stir in the flour and then add sour cream and almonds.<br />
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Scrape the sides and bowl to be sure everything is well incorporated.  Mix for one minute more.  Pour the batter over the almonds in the greased pan.<br />
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Bake for 50-55 minutes, until the edge of the cake pulls away from the edge of the pan.  Remove from the oven and place on a rack to cool for 15 minutes.  Invert the cake onto a serving plate and allow it to cool before serving.<br />
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I served it with a dollop of homemade whipping cream.<br />
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The cake has a dense texture and is rather dry.  We poured a little whole milk onto the cake before eating.  It does have a nice honey taste.<br />
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For making honey water, microwave 4 cups of water until just before boiling.  Remove from microwave and add 4 T honey.  Stir until melted.  Let cool.  Serve cold.<br />
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The simple ingredients, the simple preparation and the overall effectiveness of the ingredients gave these recipes an ancient feeling.  I learned that for preparations like these, quality ingredients are a must.  Use the best honey you can find, and the best flours.<br />
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I ended up loving this book even though at times it was rather graphic. The Romans are a cruel lot, especially the rich it seems.  It was the first of this type of historical fiction that I have read and I know if I get the chance, I will read more!<br />
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UPDATE!  The author read my post and tweeted about it here:  <span style="background-color: #e6ecf0; color: #14171a; font-family: "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">https://twitter.com/crystallyn/status/953620577763422211 </span><br />
<span style="color: #14171a; font-family: Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Can you say:  DAY MADE??  </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #14171a; font-family: Segoe UI, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>

Feast of Sorrow: Cook the Books Club

For newer readers, I am a participant in a foodie book club. What's that? you might ask? It is a book club that finds books with food ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 16 January 2018 / breakfast

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

It's an Oatmeal Food Fight!  Can you see that image in your head?  Pretty messy, huh?  That's the fun of Sarah from <a href="http://www.fantasticalsharing.com/p/fantastical-food-fight.html">Fantastical Food Fight </a>and she has us conjuring up recipes using oatmeal.<br />
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I am a big fan of steel cut oatmeal, the kind with a little "chew" to it.  Do you know which one I mean? It takes a really long time to cook, and because of that, I don't get to make it often. So it became clear to me that I needed to see if I could make steel cut oats in my Instant Pot.  I did a little research on the web to help me out.<br />
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What I found was that, yes! Steel cut oatmeal is being cooked all over the world in the instant pot. I decided to give it a try and help you learn from my mistakes.  Fair warning: although the cook time is 4 minutes, with warm up and steam release, it could be 30 minutes all said and done.  However, no standing by the stove, stirring, and waiting.  <i>*Winner!*</i><br />
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<b>Steel Cut Oats in the Instant Pot</b><br />
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2 c steel cut oats<br />
4 c water<br />
2 T butter, unsalted<br />
1/2 t salt<br />
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Select saute, and melt the butter.  Add the oats and toast in the butter for about 4 minutes. Combine the steel cut oats with the water and salt in the bowl of your Instant Pot and give them a stir. Cover with the lid and make sure you turn the vent at the top to "sealing." <br />
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Press the manual button and then lower the time to 4 minutes on high pressure. This will start automatically.  This is where I love the instant pot.  You just walk away now. No standing over the stove, waiting and stirring.<br />
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When the instant pot beeps, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes.  This is when the timer function really helps.<br />
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Once the 20 minutes have passed, turn the vent to the "venting" position to release any remaining pressure. Carefully remove the lid and stir the oats. They should be nice and thick and delicious.<br />
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Since this makes 6 servings, store the leftovers in serving size containers (for up to a week.)<br />
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Favorite toppings:</div>
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cinnamon, honey and pecans</div>
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sweet potato, cinnamon and maple syrup</div>
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applesauce, cinnamon, and agave syrup</div>
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cranberries, walnuts and 1/4 t vanilla</div>
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chocolate chips, cream, and sugar<br />
peanut butter and sliced bananas<br />
blueberries, almonds and brown sugar<br />
pumpkin pie spice and brown sugar, heavy cream<br />
If you want to serve it in a savory style, <a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2015/07/oat-congee-with-fried-eggs-and-scallions.html">check out this recipe from my files.</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=743199" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up</a></div>
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Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

It's an Oatmeal Food Fight! Can you see that image in your head? Pretty messy, huh? That's the fun of Sarah from Fantastical Food...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 15 January 2018 /

One Word: Kind

You might remember that I <a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2018/01/good-bye-2017-hello-2018.html">announced my One Word: Kind </a>which lead to the formation of a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1475199385922951/">Facebook group</a> for all of us who want to really make a difference with our word this year.  Recently I was contacted by Stacey at <a href="http://www.poofingthepillows.com/2018/01/keeping-it-real-perk-project-and-my.html">Poofing the Pillows</a> to participate in a project called PERK which is Positive*Encouraging*Real*Kindness event. For each word of PERK, there has been a post about that part.  I encourage you to go and see the whole series!<br />
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Today's word is KINDNESS and since I was already working on KIND, I was so happy to be able to share what I have been working on since choosing my word.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1475199385922951/">Facebook group</a> has 11 members and we are sharing thoughts and ideas about our words.  It is very low key but profound in the interaction between members.  If you are working on a word this year, and want to have a supportive group, come join us!<br />
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I have ordered a bracelet with the word KIND on it. I wore a bracelet last year with my word on it and it was a constant reminder of honoring my word.  I found my bracelet at Etsy and you can see it <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/526802379/my-intent-bracelet-whats-your-word-my?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_c-jewelry-bracelets-cuff_bracelets&utm_custom1=041953fd-61d5-4b2b-8761-932635d75497&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkNfSBRCSARIsAL-u3X80tApSJ7sBkrdyj9NGpGEjD8W1JDKrAzIMi05Amgd-KD3XQ37sdo4aAlHjEALw_wcB">here.</a><br />
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My Instagram account is the other place where I am working on the word KIND.  I am putting kindness quotes on my account.  I love looking up quotes.  Here are a couple of the top ones.<br />
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In the works: </div>
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I am working with my local school district to institute a KINDNESS award of sorts... we just want it to be recognition that someone was doing a kind act or deed.  We are tossing around the idea, but still fleshing it out.</div>
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A printable with the most popular kindness quote (July due date)</div>
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A working list of things to do to be kind.  This is proving to be difficult because there are millions of things to do, so it is warping into something else, which I don't know what it will be.  </div>
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Which quote spoke to you?  What is your goal around kindness?</div>
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One Word: Kind

You might remember that I announced my One Word: Kind which lead to the formation of a Facebook group for all of us who want to really make...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 29 January 2018 /

Exploring St. Louis Neighborhoods~Lafayette Square

Posted by Terri Steffes / 28 January 2018 / snacks

Bacon Pineapple Cheese Spread #SundaySupper

Posted by Terri Steffes / 26 January 2018 /

A Sweetheart of a Porch

Posted by Terri Steffes / 25 January 2018 /

Happiness at Work

Posted by Terri Steffes / 21 January 2018 /

Tex Mex Caulirice Bowl #SundaySupper

Posted by Terri Steffes / 19 January 2018 /

Cabo San Lucas: A Travel Guide

Posted by Terri Steffes / 18 January 2018 /

Huxley Comes to St. Louis! #chewyinfluencer

Posted by Terri Steffes / 17 January 2018 /

Feast of Sorrow: Cook the Books Club

Posted by Terri Steffes / 16 January 2018 / breakfast

Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

Posted by Terri Steffes / 15 January 2018 /

One Word: Kind

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Posted by Terri Steffes / 29 January 2018 /

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Posted by Terri Steffes / 16 January 2018 / breakfast

Posted by Terri Steffes / 15 January 2018 /

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