A Story of Preservation

I watched the arm come out of the window of the car in front of me and normally someone would say, “it was all a blur after that”, but not for me.

Time actually changed. The world slowed and I remember every move, every breath, every feeling as I watched what appeared to be a metal ball hurled out the window straight at me.

I didn’t want to duck as somehow I knew the importance of holding steady and keeping my focus but somehow, no sooner had that thought come, another told me to bend slightly to the right with my upper body.

Not a Scratch

The impact was ear shattering.

The glass was a furious storm of destruction. Later I’d find that the glass, which we occasionally still find even after a complete detailing, had gone through my coat and sweater. I literally had to pick it off of my skin. How?! How is that even possible?

Yet I had not a scratch.

I crossed a lane of traffic on the freeway, grateful that there was a shoulder and pulled to a stop.

The car rocked as if we were in a wind tunnel as car after car rocketed past us, totally unaware of what we’d just survived.

And that’s when the windshield began to sag in towards the dash.

The sounds of glass fracturing and shattering as new cracks chased each other across the windshield like a playground of children finally being released from the confounds of a classroom to the freedom of recess.

A quiet voice from the backseat, “Mom, what happened? I’m scared!”

Not the First Time

That wasn’t the first time my life has been spared.

In fact, with 3 children, countless other stories and a future ahead of me, this is one of many stories I could and will tell.

And I guess that’s why I waited to share it.

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Crisp buttery blueberry waffles are a spectacular breakfast treat that will have you coming back for just one more bite until they are gone.

Sometimes I snack on a plain blueberry waffle, occasionally we drizzle them with maple syrup, but most often in our home Blueberry Waffles are topped with my grandmother’s waffle sauce.

Blueberry Waffles with Waffle Sauce have become one of the breakfasts that I crave the most often.

We’ve been pouring my grandmother’s waffle sauce over blueberry pancakes for years, but I never thought to try making blueberry waffles until a couple of months ago.

Oh my goodness, these waffles are amazing. Bursting blueberries along with all those crispy waffle pockets to hold that sweet vanilla sauce? Yes, please!

I’ve made this blueberry waffles recipe so many times now, they have a reserved place in my freezer alongside the Ham and Cheese Waffles that we all love so much.

For more blueberry baking ideas, check out the Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake, Blueberry Coconut Banana Bread, Blueberry Breakfast Cake, and Blueberry Cookies. I adore blueberries in just about any form, and each of these recipes is sure to be a hit!

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This creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder is filled with carrots, onions, celery, garlic, wine, and a hint of bacon. With thyme and dill added as well, this is a memorably rich and flavorful chowder. If you enjoy smoked salmon, you will love this chowder.

Smoked Salmon Chowder

My husband’s trips to Alaska always result in a freezer full of fish, especially smoked salmon. Its smoked salty goodness is perfect for snacking, lox, and making some of our favorite dishes like this chowder.

It’s been a few years since he was there though, so I’m thinking it’s about time to plan another visit. Pretty sure he won’t mind taking that trip in the interest of more recipe work. This smoked salmon soup is reason enough for me.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since my sisters and I met in Seattle for a getaway weekend. It was rainy and drizzling almost the entire time and we still had a fabulous three days.

The food I remember most clearly of all was the clam chowder that we ate after spending the morning at Pike Place Market.

This salmon chowder reminds me of that day and as a result, I find myself grinning every time I make it. It’s definitely time for another sister trip.

When I saw my friend Larry share this recipe, I immediately printed it to try. (And I made it just a few days later too!)

The chowder was a hit from the very first bite and we’ve made it numerous times over the years since then. The recipe below has been lightly adapted from and with thanks to Boundary Bay Brewery via Big Dude’s Ramblings.

The flavors in this chowder come from white wine, smoked salmon, and dill. They pair together so very well. For the white wine in this chowder, I’ve found that chardonnay goes best with the rich creamy base.

Not a fan of seafood? I recommend trying this Baked Potato Soup for a creamy rich soup that is guaranteed to make everyone smile. Either one of these soups is a memorable first course or a full meal by itself depending o

Fluffy mashed sweet potatoes top a saucy mixture of seasoned ground beef and vegetables to make this Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie.

Can you Make Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, you can! Traditionally, a shepherd’s pie is topped with mashed potatoes. However, in this recipe, savory sweet potatoes create a welcome depth of flavor in this dish.

While we’re talking about traditional shepherds pie, let’s go ahead and note that classic shepherds pies are made with ground lamb vs the more popular beef today. For my everyday cooking though, ground beef is simply more accessible.

The beef here is seasoned with Italian seasonings and a splash of balsamic vinegar. In addition to that, a bit of green chile is in the mix as well. While you can certainly skip the chile, it works nicely to enhance the flavors without bringing much heat at all.

Most people call this type of dish a shepherd’s pie regardless of the meat inside it. Technically, when made with beef, this is a Rancher Pie or a Cottage Pie. (Though many believe that a cottage pie should be made with layered slices of potatoes vs the mashed potatoes that are more common.)

In other words, you’ll never please everyone. So, call it whatever you like, but rest assured it will be devoured just about as soon as it hits the table.

Mouthwatering is not the word I typically use to describe a shepherd pie or a cottage pie. This is man food, right? Truth be told I have never been a big fan of dishes featuring ground beef as a main component.

I have come to love the simple flavor and the way I can add a few easy ingredients to create a delicious and filling meal for my hungry crew. Filling them up in a budget-friendly way is not an easy feat! Ground beef has become my best friend in the process.

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Broiled Tilapia with a lemon garlic marinade is quite frankly the easiest and some of the best fish I have ever made.

Broiled Tilapia

The garlicky lemon marinade was absolutely perfect for the tilapia. I can imagine using this marinade again and again with all kinds of different meats.

I was inspired to try broiling tilapia after I saw this recipe over at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I’m so glad I tried the broiler because it turned out perfectly. This recipe is a keeper for sure.

How To Broil Tilapia

Tilapia is finished cooking when it flakes apart with a fork and is opaque or white all the way through. Remember that fish will keep cooking once you remove it from the oven, so be sure to remove it a minute or two early.

For those of us in the midwest, Tilapia is a great way to change up meal time and enjoy seafood in a rather budget-friendly way. Tilapia is a freshwater farm-raised fish that is high in protein and considered low in saturated fat.

I have found it to be super simple to prepare and it tastes fantastic with a simple marinade and cooks in less than 10 minutes, sometimes less than 5 minutes. Fast and flavorful, I think we can all agree on the awesomeness of that combination.

How Long to Broil Tilapia

Broiling has become my favorite way to prepare fish. It takes just minutes and (as long as I watch it closely!) it almost always turns out well. If the broiler intimidates you, did you know that you can broil with the oven door open? You may need to add a minute, but it still works beautifully.

Depending on the size of your Tilapia filets broiling for this recipe takes very little time. I have found the sweet spot to be about 4-7 minutes depending on the size and thickness of the filets.