A Lovely Lemon Tart

I don't know why I have never made a tart before yesterday. Maybe I was intimidated by my copy of a Martha Stewart Pies and Tarts book that I had in my kitchen, but never used.

But 2014 is the year for me to try new things, in and out of the kitchen. So, I made this lemon tart with a really tasty shortbread crust, and a zippy lemon filling.
And it was easy, who knew, right?

The tart took four medium lemons, so I bought a bag of them, with three left over for tea, and a lemon pound cake I want to make.

Soup Night - Recipes For Creating Community

Does it ever seem to you that in this crazy world of instant connections with others, whether it's through text, email, or computer, we are actually more disconnected that ever?

I recently read an article that said people don't even call each other much anymore, that they prefer texting. And it is pretty said to get a birthday wish from a friend or loved one via text instead of hearing a loving voice on the phone.

So what does all that have to do with soup?

#ad Enjoy Healthy Eating With This Quick and Easy Chicken and Veggie Pizza #cbias

I've always been a big believer in the fact that healthy eating is a part of a smart plan for living well.

Let's face it, what we eat is a big factor in determining our quality of life. This year I'm committed to healthy eating, but also want to find easy and quick ways to put my meals together. I don't want fixing healthy meals to be a burden on my time or my budget.

Tyson Grilled & Ready is the answer I need to put together those yummy dishes. I am a huge chicken lover, and having my chicken already cooked and grilled for me is a fabulous time saver.

I made this easy pizza with a thin whole wheat crust, some of my favorite veggies, and topped it with the Tyson Grilled & Ready Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breasts. I threw on a little low-fat mozzarella cheese, and in the oven it went.

I know some people might not think of pizza as a healthy lunch or dinner, but it can be when you choose the right toppings. When you #JustAddTyson chicken, you are adding a great source of lean protein to your pizza, too.

One-Yard Wonders - Inspiration for the weekend!

The world of sewing is still so new to me and sometimes seems overwhelming, there are patters, lots of types of fabrics, and a great big machine with lots of buttons. But I found a way to make it seem less overwhelming, the book One Yard Wonders is full of seemingly simple ideas that only require one yard of fabric. There is a variety of patterns, ideas, materials, and styles to make and some really beautiful pieces. Here are a few from the book that I love:

Yummy and Fun - Make These Vanilla Sprinkled Donuts

I'm just going to go ahead and say this outright, donuts make me happy.

Pretty much any kind of donuts appeal to me, and they truly can cheer me up when things aren't quite going my way. Of course, I'm not saying one should eat as a solution to their problems, but a donut or two can make me feel a whole lot better.

Ever since I bought my fabulous donut pan, baked donuts are a cinch to whip up in the kitchen, and it barely takes any time at all.