Thanksgiving is just about here and if you’re like me, you’re already planning what special meal you will be preparing. This year (for me and my husband), I will be making my delicious turkey breast in the crock pot with gravy! As you know, sometimes the white meat of the turkey can turn out dry, and who wants to take a chance when serving this special meal to your family and guests? Cooking it in the crock pot is easy and the meat is predictably juicy. Another plus in using the crock pot is that it will free up the oven and stove top space to make your other favorite Thanksgiving dishes such as stuffing, sweet potatoes, and of course, green bean casserole! It’s so perfect that I may never cook a turkey breast any other way. Enjoy and have a happy Thanksgiving!

When I visited the south of France a few years ago, our friends Brigitte and Mabrouk invited us to have brunch at their home. Their home is gorgeous and sits on a hill, overlooking the Mediterranean. We sat around the pool drinking Mimosas while savoring not only the view, but also the wonderful hors d’oeuvres Brigitte had prepared. The “cheese puffs” were particularly delicious, and we ate as many as possible, struggling to remain polite when faced with such a delicious treat. They were made from cream puff pastry dough with the addition of a wonderful French Gruyere cheese and a pinch of cayenne pepper and nutmeg, just for a little surprise. These treats bake up light and tasty and will be delicious for any occasion!

I love to treat myself to a piping hot bowl of savory chili on a windy fall day. My secret ingredient is taco seasoning mix instead of chili powder. I use elbow macaroni instead of spaghetti noodles because it’s easier to eat and a lot less mess. I serve it with sour cream, cheese, corn chips and a splash of hot sauce for a little southwestern spice. Whatever you decide to eat with your chili, I hope you’ll enjoy this hearty, comforting recipe.

October is my favorite month here in Kentuckiana and Halloween is always a fun time to get creative. These spooky skeleton brownies rising from the grave are the perfect haunted delicious treat. Boo!

This is a great recipe to make when you have leftover ham. It can be made from scraps or a chunk of ham. This recipe uses fully cooked deli ham, but you can use ham that has been baked for a family dinner or any type of left-over cooked ham that needs to be used. Freezing leftover ham is always an option, but this recipe will give your ham an extended life for lunches and snacks.

In a small German town called Bensheim there is a restaurant called the Blauer Aff (Blue Monkey). Our friends are locals and they took us there for a very special dinner. The restaurant is delightful and I highly recommend it, if you’re ever in the area. They served me a thick and hearty pumpkin soup garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds floating on top with a side of warm, fresh bread. It was divine! I’ve tried to recreate it here for you and I hope you enjoy.

Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and warm gooey pastry crust served with a side of ice cream or whipped cream - delicious! My best friend’s mother introduced me to this wonderful recipe and I’m delighted to share it with you.

This is one of my favorite and easy recipes for the fall season or, for that matter, anytime that you want some moist and delicious cake. Cupcake or muffin size is just the perfect bite of spice and no guilt attached.

If you’re looking for a light and tangy dessert, look no further! This delicious treat has been a family favorite for many years and I’m thrilled to share it with you.

A taste of Rome! So often we think of pasta and tomato sauce when we think of Italian cuisine, but this dish is from the heart of Italy - a true Roman classic.

Mabel was a family friend and her coffee cake was a favorite of ours. This is my take on a mid-century classic recipe.

It’s the time of year when fresh vegetables are in abundance, and summer squash and zucchini seem to be most prolific. Not everyone enjoys squash the way I do, but even if you don’t love squash, you must try this great recipe. It’s guaranteed to be a squash hit!

I’ve made this slaw for many occasions, and it always gets rave reviews. It’s easy to make, but requires some chopping of the ingredients. As my granddaughter declared, it’s the best slaw she ever tasted!

It’s always the right season for this ice cream sandwich cake. It’s versatile because you can use your favorite ingredients between the layers of ice cream sandwiches, frost it with whipped topping, freeze it, slice it and Voila; you have a beautiful, delicious dessert made with only a few minutes of preparation.

If you love sweet pickles, this recipe kicks things up a notch with a splash of heat.

My mother used to make this delicious cake for me and my brothers, especially in the summer. It's the perfect treat for a warm summer day.