This classic Minestrone Soup recipe comes straight from my grandma’s cookbook. It’s made with simple vegetables, hearty beans, and a rich, slow-simmered broth. It’s warm, familiar, and deeply nostalgic.

This is a recipe you’d expect from an Italian Nonna! (even though my grandma isn’t Italian). Perfect for cold nights, Sunday dinners, or anytime you’re craving a truly homemade minestrone that’s timeless.

Once a year we would visit my grandma, who became a widow far too early. It always made me sad to know how much she was alone, but gathering around her table brought so much light and joy into her eyes I knew she would be ok. In the winter, she almost always made a Minestrone Soup with pasta or potatoes. The house felt cozier when it was on the stove, and you were engulfed with the smell it as soon as you walked in.

She served it with garlic knots and salad, and we’d dip the bread straight into the soup, letting it soak up the warm broth before taking a bite. It’s usually hard to get kids excited about a bowl full of vegetables and beans, but this soup is different. We always finished it, and most of the time went back for seconds. Even now, Minestrone reminds me of sitting at her kitchen table.

Ingredients for Minestrone Soup

Grandma’s recipes are ALWAYS better! This Minestrone Soup is no exception. Packed with vegetables, beans, and savory seasonings, these ingredients come together to create this classic flavorful soup!

Soup Base

• Olive Oil: Creates the base for sautéing and helps develop flavor from the very first step.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth as the foundation of the soup.
• Carrots: Bring subtle sweetness and color to balance the savory broth.
• Celery: Adds classic aromatic flavor and structure to the soup base.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and layers flavor throughout the cooking process.
• Zucchini: Adds texture and a light, fresh vegetable note.
• Green Beans: Bring freshness and light crunch.
• Garlic: Builds bold, savory flavor once sautéed with the vegetables.

Broth & Seasonings

• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and deepens the broth.
• Dried Oregano: Adds a traditional Italian herb flavor.
• Poultry Seasoning: Brings warmth and subtle complexity to the soup.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and balance.
• Chicken Broth: Forms the rich, savory base of the soup (vegetable broth works too).
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: Add acidity and a slightly smoky tomato flavor.
• Bay Leaves: Infuse the broth with a subtle, aromati

Color drenching is when you paint everything (walls, trim and doors) the same color, but there are some dos and don’ts of color drenching that you should be aware of.

When we first bought our home I was in love with all of the light. There are windows everywhere and although I knew there were a few changes we wanted to make, first and foremost creating an ensuite on the main floor, I didn’t want to do anything that would lose the light.

And then we built a wall. One thing always turns into another and as we stole space for a kitchen pantry we ended up in need of a half bath on the main floor. So we stole hallway space that was unused and created a powder bathroom.

But let’s get back to color drenching.

DO Color Drench Walls with Picture Frame Moulding

Choosing to color drench a room is a bold new trend that actually helps create a curated and sophisticated look. But, flat paint on flat walls can feel heavy.

✅ Do Color Drenching to highlight architectural details. Adding moulding helps to add depth and character to your room that takes things from boring to curated.

✅ Do Luxe Architectural Moulding to save you time, headache, and money. It is not worth the hassle we went through in our other rooms. We searched high and low for moulding and though online makes it look easy, it was out of stock everywhere. Finally I found Luxe and it was the BEST. DECISION. EVER. The moulding arrived completely ready for each wall with peel and stick capabilities. We had it up and completely ready for paint (for a small powder bath) in less than 30 minutes.

DON’T try to Color Drench Open Layouts

❌ It’s far too difficult to know where to start and stop certain colors, so don’t don’t spaces where one room leads into another.

✅ Do choose to do spaces that are single room spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and theaters. Walking into a room you couldn’t previously see is a jaw-dropping moment that creates fun and vibrancy in the home.

Do Add Wallpaper

✅ Color drenching and wallpaper are the peanut butter and jelly of the interior design world. Try adding the wallpaper between moulding, choosing an accent wall, or be bold, and do like we did, the ceiling!

When you need a sweet treat without turning on the oven, these no bake chocolate peanut butter oat cups come to the rescue. They’re chewy, chocolatey, and made with simple pantry staples you probably already have on hand.

Perfect for busy afternoons, after-school snacks, or an easy dessert, these little cups disappear fast around here and for good reason.

Bringing Snack Friday Back

Every Friday we USED TO do “Snack Friday.” We USED TO be fun. We USED TO have the kids bring all of their friends over after school to devour the delicious treats and snacks.

And then they started to grow up more…and we got busy…and I got distracted…and life got really, really, hard as we faced some really, really serious things…and then this year happened. And I realized that at no point did Friday ever say we couldn’t be happy in the mud.

So, we are bringing back snack Friday and the kids and the food and all of you. The easiest way to merge back into the fun house? Peanut Butter Oat Cups are totally no bake and best of all, we make them with whatever we’ve got.

Sometimes it’s in muffin tins or rolled into balls. Sometimes I use dark chocolate and sea salt and other times white chocolate with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. Either way, it’s about gathering people in and this snack is perfect for a quick treat.

Why You’ll Love These Oat Cups

I’ve been making these oat cups since I was a kid so let me tell you all the reasons why you will love them!

• No bake
• Kid-friendly
• No added refined sugar
• Made with pantry staples

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to slow down, stay in, and cook something a little extra special. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two, a cozy family meal, or a sweet brunch to start the day, this collection of Valentine’s Day recipes has everything you need.

From elegant main dishes and classic sides to decadent desserts and festive treats, these recipes are designed to impress without feeling intimidating. Because celebrating love should feel fun and delicious.

Elegant Main Dishes

These main dishes are perfect for creating a restaurant-worthy Valentine’s Day dinner right at home. The restaurants around here are always insane so we celebrate at home and I love it! Think comforting classics, elegant steaks, and rich, slow-cooked favorites that feel truly special.

Cooking filet mignon can feel a little intimidating because no one wants to mess up an expensive steak. But here’s the truth: once you know how to cook filet mignon the right way, it’s actually one of the easiest, most forgiving cuts of beef you can make at home.

No grill required, no fancy chef skills needed, just a simple method that works every single time. Tender, juicy, restaurant-quality filet mignon made right in your own kitchen.

In college there were only a couple of restaurants and quickly Texas Roadhouse became my favorite. A Dallas filet, loaded baked potato, no sour cream and house salad with ranch. It was my go-to and I’ve never forgotten that Dallas filet!

Over the years, I have become such a home body though. Is that normal? Once you become “middle-aged”, hitting the town starts to lose it’s appeal? Is that thing? Well, it’s a thing for me, and going out for Valentine’s Day along with every other human just sounds blah! So I’m cooking a fancy (but so easy) dinner at home again this year. Filet mignon it is! All the fancy restaurants can eat their heart out!

What You Need to Cook Filet Mignon at Home

You only need a few simple ingredients to add flavor to the filets, a good cast iron skillet and a pair of tongs. It really is that easy! Oh, a meat thermometer is very helpful too if you have one!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Filet Mignon: A tender, buttery cut of beef that cooks quickly and stays incredibly juicy.
  • PRO TIP: Look for evenly sized steaks so they cook at the same rate.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the steak and helps create a beautiful crust.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds just enough warmth and bite to balance the richness of the filet without overpowering it.
• Oil: Used to get a hot, even sear. Choose a neutral oil with a higher smoke point so the steak browns beautifully without burning.
• Unsalted Butter: Melted into the pan at the end for basting, adding richness and that classic steakhouse flavor.
• Garlic: Cloves infuse the butter with savory flavor as the steak finishes cooking.
• Fresh Rosemary: A