Making sugar cookies with my girls is one of my favorite activities. As small children and even today the three of us has so much fun baking and decorating the cookies. I gave up perfection for quality time spent and memories made with Haly and Lily. That is what is important to me and I hope you too.

The easiest and most perfect bite to make when entertaining friends and family. This simple appetizer will be the hit of your next party.

A perfect bite.

When I start to think about developing an appetizer recipe I go right for what can go on a crostini. The crisp bread is a perfect vehicle to deliver tasty bites of goodness. Crostini’s are easy for guests to manage too. The combinations are endless and I like both savory and sweet. The Fig & Pecan crostini is the perfect combination of both of these flavors. A great fall appetizer to serve at tailgate parties or around the fire with your favorite cocktail.

Infuse your favorite bottle of Pinot Noir wine with bourbon, add fruit for an easy Bourbon Sangria recipe.

Spending time with my Mom in her Kentucky kitchen or having her help me cook when she would visit my family is one of my most fond memories spent together. She loved cooking from the pages of Southern Living Magazine and when I started my own home she gave me a subscription to the magazine that I still enjoy today.

Her potato salad recipe is simple has just a few ingredients, I have added Broadbent Ham bacon to make it extra special, they are a Kentucky company that has the most delicious country ham and bacon. This potato salad is best served with fried chicken or right out of the mixing bowl.

It’s is perfect when entertaining guests too, the recipe is easily doubled.

Fruit breads are perfect all year around and blueberry is my favorite. Bursting with flavor, this recipe makes a perfect addition to your brunch buffet. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or grab a slice for a perfect late night snack with a cold glass of milk.

Iced Tea is a Southern staple so why not add my favorite Kentucky spirit for a perfect cocktail when entertaining friends. The limoncello adds the familiar, fresh, lemon flavor but with a twist.

Invite friends over for a Southern inspired happy hour!

This Bourbon Strawberry Tea cocktail combines the perfect flavors of summer combined with Kentucky bourbon. Looking for the perfect cocktail to serve when entertaining friends, look no further.

A delicous twist on a classic gin cocktail. My version is with bourbon and lime flavored sparkling water. The perfect drink to make when entertaining friends. Enjoy the long, hot summer Southern nights, with your favorite Kentucky bourbon. Cheers.

Buttermilk Ranch dressings brings me back to my childhood table in Kentucky. My recipe calls for dried herbs but you can substitute with fresh herbs from your garden as well. Make sure to use buttermilk, a Southern staple for the extra richness that it imparts to the recipe.

Mediterranean flavors are some of my favorites and at the top of the list is the gyro pita. I can find the sliced meat at Trader Joes but I do not want to have to depend on having it in our freezer when I have a craving my favorite flavors.

Out of that craving the gyro meatball was created and has become a family favorite.

Gin & Tonic with a curious twist.

My husband Steve is a big fan of gin and tonics, especially in the summer. My friend Toni loves gin too and has recently introduced me to some unique flavor profiles that are on the market. You know I am a Kentucky bourbon girl but I am always up for a new cocktail. Recently I have been making cocktails with elderflower liqueur, I love the fruit, herb and spice profiles it add to a drink. What I love most of all is experimenting with flavors, the combination of gin, elderberry and grapefruit is perfect for a refreshing cocktail to enjoy during the hot summer nights. Cheers.

It feels like summer with this Southern inspired cocktail served with your favorite Kentucky Bourbon. A perfect drink to enjoy with friends around your fire pit or when you are entertaining them on your front porch.

When your Bourbon cocktail and can be good for you! Add in Elderberry Syrup for a unique flavor addition to your summertime cocktail. Serve with your favorite Kentucky Bourbon or Vodka. I used Old Forester Bourbon and Castle and Key Vodka.

Dinner is easy tonight.

Creating hearty meals for my family is always the goal even though I can sometimes opt in for cheese and crackers and be happy. This recipe gives my family all they need to for a healthy dinner. I use lean beef, my preference is Laura’s Lean Beef along with high quality rice and fresh vegetables for garnish.

We have some amazing Korean restaurants where I live in Kentucky and am always inspired to take away the flavors and incorporate them into meals I can easily make and this recipe checks all the boxes.

Guinness Beer adds a deep, rich flavor to the perfect stew for St. Patricks Day. The weather here in Kentucky is not warming up so tonight we are celebrating with this Southern Irish girls version of Irish Stew.

What ever kind of BBQ you are serving its fine by me.

There are some foods that are so polarizing and BBQ is certainly one of them.

The states that surround me have stacked a claim that their BBQ is the best. Even in Kentucky, we celebrate Western KY’s finest. I have tried all types of BBQ and for me they are al winners.

There is a holiday for everything these days but one I am really thankful for is Margarita Day.

The traditional Margarita was not going to satisfy my taste buds so I had to add my curious twist. It was bourbon instead of tequila and it was a must that my favorite Red Clay Hot-Hot Honey was added for the sweet and the heat.

A elevated version of a favorite lunch time sandwich .

A tuna salad sandwich and potato chips is one of my favorite go to lunch time meals. This recipe takes a favorite and elevates it with Olive Oil Poached Tuna, tossed with Lemon Caper Aioli. Enjoy.

A classic salad that always has a place on my table.

Salads are a great meal for lunch or dinner. However, I enjoy them when someone else makes them for me. Craving a hearty salad I decided to take on the challenge and tackle this classic salad for myself. More salads at home are in my future. So glad I accepted to challenge.

Why make an ordinary salad when you can have Nicoise Salad with Olive Oil Poached Tuna, I love a good challenge. The results were perfection, a fresh and substantial salad that will not leave you hungry but satiated. This salad can be a hearty lunch or a lighter dinner.