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Squash Haters Beware: You may just like Yellow Squash Prepared this Easy Way

North Carolina, USA

Here's a tale of five summer squash that you may enjoy hearing. We are now in the "BER" months (September through December), which means yellow summer squash will disappear at the farmer's market after North Carolina's first frost. 


Yellow Squash from the farm


My husband hates zucchini and squash, or so he thinks. My grandmother and Dad used to make the best brown-sauteed squash, which you find served in country-cooking restaurants. I've yet to recreate the right seasoning for it, but I will keep trying. Through the years, I have made mediocre versions in my kitchen, and since no one in my house will eat squash except me, I rarely buy it.


For years, I have been a customer of Papa Spud's produce box. I don't use it every week, but it is a terrific way to get NC produce delivered, especially NC-made products from across the state that are harder to find in the Raleigh area. For example, basil pesto from Anders Farm in the Triad region is an item I frequently ask for in my subscription box. I'm fortunate because I live less than two miles from the State Farmer's Market, so getting good produce is not difficult for me.


However, there are sometimes downsides to having a subscription. There are weeks when I forget to pause it for the week or customize the box so it has all my wants and needs when it arrives at my doorstep from my weekly carrier. Both are great perks of this service, especially when used properly. The customer has three days to get this done, from Friday at 12 pm until Monday at 12 pm. If it isn't completed, I'm responsible. 


Last week was one of my forgetful weeks. I received whatever was in abundance that week, along with a few of my preferred staples like chicken tenderloins or farm-fresh tomatoes. When I opened the box, there lay five beautiful yellow summer squashes.


On my menu for that evening, I was going to make a white bean caprese salad from Colu Henry, an NY Times Contributor and author of several cookbooks, so I thought, "I've got to do something with this darn squash." I like Henry's recipes because they are usually made in 30 minutes or less. She didn't have a recipe that I could make right then and there with everything in my pantry.



Cooked Yellow Squash



I quickly googled "How to Cook Squash!" and found this squash recipe from Love and Lemons that was exactly what I needed. It was simple enough, so on a whim....Bam, I cooked squash.


My husband came home from work and saw the squash as I was plating our dinner, and reminded me that he didn't like squash. I said, "I know, but I had squash come today, so I cooked squash."


Villeroy and Bach Dinner Plate with squash, white bean caprese salad and pork chop



Let's say this recipe for sauteed squash turned a squash hater into a person who stated, "This squash is actually good. The fact that I'm eating it says a lot," However, his sudden squash enthusiasm for this particular recipe doesn't mean that he wants squash more often on our dinner table. Luckily for him, yellow squash season is almost over here in North Carolina. It will be gone as soon as we have our first frost.

He's a long way from becoming a squash lover, but this recipe helped him realize squash is not a food enemy.


Yellow summer squash will only be on NC farms until we have our first frost. We'll more than likely have winter squash in place of yellow squash in early October. I found another easy squash recipe in Southern Living that uses a sheet-pan method; I wouldn't mind trying it, but perhaps I should stop while I'm ahead. However, this Greenpan Bakeware Quarter sheet pan I found wandering the internet has me wanting to cook in the oven more often as the temperatures drop. But that's another story for another time.




https://amzn.to/4cyG969 (Greenpan Sheet Pan for Oven)


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5 Easy "End of Summer Recipes" to Transition Into Football Season

North Carolina, USA
Updated September 2026

Before summer is over, I will give you a list of five of my favorite recipes that are perfect for the summer days still left in North Carolina, when it's still a little hot and humid. We're transitioning into football season, but it's still hot. I have already featured these recipes on the blog at some point in my twelve years of owning this website.  

A friend messaged me this week to say she made my spaghetti pie recipe, and it was the dish I took to her 14 years ago when her son was born. Reading that one message took me down my kitchen rabbit hole of finding all the recipes in my archives. 

As my kids have gotten older, meals have become a constant struggle in my home because of our schedules. There are days when I count down until no one depends on me to make nightly dinners. I will regret even making those remarks when those days are gone, but my afternoons were not busy when I started this blog in 2011. The kids played, watched TV, and I prepped dinner. My busy times were from 7 am to 4 pm, whereas the hours between 3 pm and 9 pm are when I'm at my absolute busiest at this stage of life. 

But throughout my 11 years of writing, my goal has always been the same: I like to prepare easy meals with few ingredients. The following collection of recipes is easy and can be used in various ways. 


Easy End of Summer Meals for Weeknight Dinners to Fancy Football Tailgates







This Shrimp scampi recipe can either be made with rice or pasta. And this is more of a Greek shrimp-and-pasta dish than an Italian one. It should not even be called "scampi" but rather "Greek-Style Baked Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta." Whatever you want to call it, it's yummy. You can also use any pasta for this shrimp and feta pasta recipe. 

This Greek-inspired shrimp with tomatoes and feta recipe is easy when you use frozen shrimp. 



This fresh tomato pie recipe has many versions depending on what Southern church cookbook you are reading at the time. Regardless, it's a classic Southern-style tomato pie. It's best when NC tomatoes are in season: August and early September. I've never used canned tomatoes; if you do, it's more of a process to get them ready to use than with fresh tomatoes. You would need to use whole canned tomatoes, drain them, cut them into slices, place them on a paper towel, and salt them with kosher salt. They would need to sit like this for an hour before using them. The Muir Glen Tomatoes brand has a simple tomato pie recipe using diced tomatoes and fontina cheese. Typically, canned tomatoes are tasty, which may be an easy alternative. This will be juicier. 

Southern Tomato Pie using Fresh Garden Tomatoes is a must-try from August to Mid-September. 



This recipe calls for small white corn, called shoepeg, because it's sweeter than most corn, but I've also used this corn salad recipe with sweet yellow corn because it's sometimes easier to find than shoepeg, depending on the grocery. Does it taste better with shoepeg? Probably, but yellow corn works as well. I've had this sweet corn recipe in my collection for years. It's easy to take to a tailgate, but drain the salad before serving. The flavors also pair well with scoopable chips because, in some ways, they are similar to cowboy caviar, which is often served as an appetizer at Southern parties. 

This canned sweet corn salad recipe is great for reunions and tailgates. 


Grover's Feta and Shrimp Pasta Salad

This simple feta pasta salad with shrimp is easy to make. It's best served cold or at room temperature. You can easily switch out the pasta for your choice and omit ingredients; however, the cottage cheese makes this Greek-style salad delicious, so make sure to include it. 

Easy feta and shrimp pasta salad
Greek Salad with Shrimp and Feta 

Easy No-Mayo Pasta Salad

This easy mayo-free side salad assembles quickly and travels well to football tailgate parties. This dish can be served year-round, not just as a summer salad. It would even be great as a side to soups or gyros. 


Pasta Salad without Mayo
Italian pasta salad with no mayo 






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If You Like Pina Coladas....

United States

 If you like Piña Coladas, then try this original Piña Colada recipe. The popular Hilton brand of hotels and resorts earned the distinction of being the first to have a bartender create the now-famous resort cocktail at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in 1954. 


pina colada cocktail served in a pineapple


This history of the Caribe Hilton runs deep. Hilton opened the resort in 1949 and hosted Elizabeth Taylor's first honeymoon when she married her first husband, Conrad Hilton, Jr. Unfortunately, her marriage didn't have the longevity like the Piña Colada cocktail, created by Juan Ramón "Monchito" Marrero in the then Beachcomber bar. In 1978, the piña colada was declared the official drink of Puerto Rico. 


Old Beachcomber Bar in San Juan at Caribe Hilton


Marrero served his specialty creation at the resort for 34 years. 

Caribe Hilton's Original Piña Colada Recipe

Pinterest

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces rum
  • 1 ounce coconut cream
  • 6 ounces fresh pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice
  • (Optional) Pineapple slice
  • (Optional) Maraschino cherry

Directions

  1. Combine the rum, coconut cream, heavy cream, and pineapple juice.
  2. Pour over ice in a 12-ounce glass and garnish with fresh pineapple and a cherry.
  3. Enjoy on repeat all summer long.

A Pina Colada at Poolside




Here are  5 other Hilton resorts where I would love to sip a Piña Colada. 

5. Signia by Hilton WDW Resort at Bonnet Creek 

Fun Fact: July 10 is National Piña Colada Day! 

Can't get to a resort or a beach? If you live in Raleigh, then head to Lola's Beach Bar at Five Points and pretend you are on a tropical getaway. The beachy themed bar will make you feel as if you are a million miles away from the city. 

Lola's Beach Bar serves a beautiful pina colada in a blue and white glass with a pineapple



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The Summer Sun Set You Didn't Know You Needed from Counter Beauty

United States

Every year, I seem to simplify my beauty routine. I've narrowed down my products, and many days, especially in the summer, I wear only sunscreen, a skin tint, mascara, and a lip balm. In my Instagram bio, I joke that I love a good lipstick. It's true. 


After at least 45 years of testing lipsticks, my absolute favorite brand on the market for a lipstick is the Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Blam in the color Bitten-a Warm Berry by Counter. When I want more color, I choose the Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick by Counter in Orchid-Cool Berry. Last year, my daughter's cheer team wore hot pink and black, so I would wear those colors to every cheer competition. This year, her team colors will be neon yellow and black. Hmmm. I will go more neutral this year and perhaps choose Rosewood-Warm Neutral.  



Orange mesh bag with a lip balm, sunscreen, and moisture mist by Counter


For a limited time, Counter is offering a special sun beauty set with a new lip balm color called Plush. 


detailed description of products offered in the Summer Sun Set by Counter


Benefits

  • UVA + UVB Defense
  • Hydrate
  • Refresh

Meet your new warm-weather must-haves: SPF, hydration, and a hint of color—plus a limited-edition mesh tote to carry it all during your summer adventures. While supplies last.

Shell charm on bag not included.

What's In It:

  • Daily Sheer Defense SPF 25
  • Counterglow Hyaluronic Moisture Mist in an exclusive travel size
  • Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm in summer-ready Plush
  • + Limited-edition mesh bag


Orange petite mesh bag filled with summer beach essentials



Travel-size (TSA ready) of 5 Counterglow skincare products by Counter.





  • If you are traveling a lot, you may like the Counterglow Travel Edit. I use the Adaptive Moisture Lotion as my daily moisturizer. It's lightweight and perfect for daytime. I love to shower after my "happy hour" at my neighborhood pool, and use this moisturizer before cooking dinner. It's so fresh and clean, with no greasy feel. I hate the feel of knowing I am wearing lotion or cosmetics. I'm very particular about how my face feels. 

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The Perfect Salad for Summer Lunches ( A no-mayo recipe)

North Carolina, USA


Bib Salad with Summer produce


Last week, I made lunch for a friend. My friend is not Southern, and she does not like mayo, deli meat, or eggs. I'm sure there are other things on her list, but when you don't like mayo, it wipes out a lot of traditional Southern lunch dishes. You know, here in the South, we like our pimento cheese, egg salad, chicken salad, pasta salad, and tuna salad. Check any Southern cookbook, and the first ingredient you find for a classic, Southern luncheon is mayo, preferably Duke's.

So I served a Bibb salad with fresh NC produce and a drizzle of Italian dressing. 

My friend loved it. 

This recipe is so simple, refreshing, and easy. 

I may be making it all summer 


Summer Italian Salad

15 small fresh mushrooms, cut
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 large English cucumber, sliced
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 bunch of green onions, sliced
Butter lettuce mixture
Freshly ground pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup of chilled Italian dressing.

 Combine vegetables in a bowl. Mix with dressing. Serve salad on lettuce-lined plates. Sprinkle with pepper and cheese.









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Easy Heart Healthy Dishes with Pecans

North Carolina, USA
Whether you say pee-can or peh-kahn, this tree-bearing nut is a top agricultural commodity for North Carolina. It ranks in the top 10 in the United States for pecan production, and farmers produce three to five million pecans annually. Georgia is number one in the U.S., and Albany, Georgia, is the Pecan Capital of the U.S., with almost 600,000 pecan trees. Pecan history facts go back to the 16th century. While most of us enjoy pecans during the holidays, the nut is available year-round and makes a great, healthy snack.

Pecans are rich in copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamin E. The tree nut boasts 14 vitamins and minerals in one serving. It also provides a good source of protein. I am constantly searching for recipe ideas on my Pinterest Account, especially my lower-carb board. The nut is certified as a heart-healthy food by the American Heart Association and has been linked to cholesterol reduction.

Most people tend to think about pecans more in the winter, and they're overlooked the rest of the year unless they're in a Planters Nut mix, which you may snack on when you open your pantry. Grocery stores display pecans front and center around Thanksgiving and Christmas for pecan pies and sweet potato casseroles. Still, typically, there is little publicity around them the rest of the year.

Even though I have a great holiday recipe using pecans for a sweet potato soufflé, I thought it would be fun to showcase a few recipes that don't remind us of the holidays. For lunch the other day, I used pecans as a salad topping. I tossed mixed greens, tuna, and avocado together and added some pecans for a little crunch. Have fun using pecans as a salad topping by combining your own ingredients.

Easy Pecan Recipes. Toss them in a Salad.


Here are some other healthy recipes with pecans to add to your dinner rotation. The National Pecan Shellers Association has a fabulous free cookbook on its website, compiled for its 75th Anniversary. There are some great pecan recipes in this free cookbook you can download.


5 Other Recipes With Pecans You Must Try that are Heart-Healthy

Pasta Tossed with Pecans 


Toasted pecans with zucchini, Asiago cheese, basil, and pasta make a simple weeknight meal. This is delicious. You can use any pasta of your choosing. 

Fettucine, Pecans, Zucchini and Shaved Parmesean make for an easy all-in-one meal. Add tofu, chicken, seafood for more protein.

Banana-Pecan Smoothie


Pecans add great flavor to this power-protein smoothie with vanilla yogurt as a base. For even more protein, use vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt.

 Stuffed Eggplant with Pecans, Sundried Tomatoes, and Feta Cheese

stuffed eggplant with sundried tomatoes,pecans feta



I love eggplant and am always looking for new ways to use it. This recipe looks easy, quick, and delicious. Pecans are part of the stuffing for the roasted eggplant.

Paula Deen's Pecan Chicken Salad with Pecans 

You're either a fan of grapes and pecans in your chicken salad or not. Personally, I love the two flavors mixed in for the crunch in place of traditional celery. Paula adds sour cream to this recipe to enhance its uniqueness. Great on a croissant.

 Pecan Crusted Salmon

Pecan crusted salmon



If you do a Google search for pecan-crusted fish, then you can use pecan breading for most any type of fish. I like pecans with salmon. I chose this dish for ease. No need to get out a processor, and using mayonnaise as a base helps the crust stick to the fish when baking. No need for the cucumber dill sauce unless you want to. I skip it because my kids won't eat it. Not a mayo fan? You may like this recipe with Dijon mustard instead. You can also use pecans for all types of fish.


Easy Pecan Recipes you will love and so will your heart. Pecans are heart-healthy, packed with 14 vitamins and minerals and filled with protein. Pecans don't have to be reserved for holiday use. These simple recipes will have you serving pecans all year. April is National Pecan Month.

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Disney Drinks You Must Try

United States

 I recently returned from 11 days at Walt Disney World for the sole purpose of all-star cheerleading.  Yes, eleven days is a long time.  Would I stay 11 days in a row again? Probably not if I can help it, but this stay was unavoidable because my daughter was on a Worlds Team, an International Summit Team, and Junior Coached a Regular Summit team.  But we're not writing to talk about cheer, but rather two mocktails that I had while at resorts that I enjoyed immensely. So much so that I wanted to share them with you. 


"SO MANY WISHES" MOCKTAIL at OUTER RIM BAR in WDW CONTEMPORARY RESORT 


Tea drink Served in Contemporary Resort



During the day, I am constantly seeking out unsweetened tea. The Outer Rim Bar in the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World did not serve unsweetened tea.  At 2 pm, I didn't want a cocktail, so the bartender suggested I look over the mocktails rather than a soda.  I was the only customer in the place, and so glad I took his advice, I ordered the "So Many Wishes" mocktail. I loved it so much, I drank two. As I am at home writing today, I wish I could order it here in Raleigh.  It hit the spot for my unsweetened tea fix, but offered so much more flavor. 


So Many Wishes

Pomegranate Green Tea, Hibiscus, Lemon, and a dash of Star Dust.  Star Dust is edible glitter that gives the drink a shimmer without affecting taste. This drink was so refreshing for a hot Orlando day, and would be awesome this summer. I'm fairly certain the Hibiscus was a tea syrup, which I could make at home if I wanted to try making my own. 









"AGAVE GARDEN" ZERO-PROOF COCKTAIL at RIVER ROOST in WDW PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE 


I spent one night at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside in between cheer comps because I wanted to experience it.  Before dinner at Boatwright's Dining Hall, I stopped in River Roost to have a mocktail while waiting for my friend to have dinner with me. 

Refreshing Drink Served at River Roost at Port Orleans



Agave Garden

Lyre’s Agave Non-Alcoholic Spirit, Cold-pressed Lime Juice, Passion Fruit-Papaya Green Tea, and Cucumber

I don't actively seek out mocktails when I travel, but I don't always want an alcoholic beverage either so it's nice to have choices. The hospitality industry has come a long way in offering non-alcoholic cocktails to its guests. It's a trend here to stay, especially for the health-conscious, and I appreciate it.  For me, it's about the experience of having something in a pretty glass that has a great taste; not drinking alcohol. 


I am excited to learn about the Lyre brand. This summer, I plan to try the gin alternative for some non-alcoholic gin and tonic mocktails. Simple, but a classic drink to sip on while cooking dinner.  I love the taste. 

Lyre's non-alcoholic G&T


I plan to try my own version's at home and while share the results with you on Instagram. 
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Kids Can Make Peppermint Bark In Minutes

Raleigh, NC, USA
I've shared that I am not a baker. But my daughter loves to bake, so more often than not, I have to make something sweet for the holidays. 



candy cane and white and dark chocolate peppermint bark





Peppermint Bark is probably the easiest thing to bake for a non-baker, and Liza can do it unsupervised now. All you need are sheets, candy canes, and white and dark chocolate. I like European chocolates, but any chocolate will do.  


Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe 

homemade peppermint bark with crushed candy canes on top of white and dark chocolate



Easy Peppermint Bark Ingredients

2 large Lindt White Chocolate Bars
2 large Lindt Milk or Dark Chocolate  ( I mixed my chocolates for a unique twist)
25 small candy canes broken

Melt white chocolate in a double boiler. I mix in a bit of butter to help smooth the chocolate. Scoop melted white chocolate onto parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet. If you are using Sheet Pan Silicone liners, then you do not need to use parchment paper. 

Melt dark chocolate in a double broiler. I add a tablespoon of butter for richness and to help the chocolate soften. Spread the dark chocolate mixture over the white chocolate. Mash candy canes. 

My kids love doing this (to get the candy canes as smashed as high-quality retail peppermint bark, then the peppermint needs to be very fine), but you can do this version any way you like, and my kids made chunky. Sprinkle the peppermint on top of the chocolate and press some into the chocolate. Freeze for 30 minutes to an hour. Break into squares. Or let it soften and cut squares neatly.

It is that simple. 


Peppermint Bark in a red, white and green gift box.


 
This is also great to make after the holidays, since all candy is on sale, making the new year a little more festive. 

Originally posted in December 2014 and updated in December 2025. 













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Effortless Ways to Support Raleigh Dog Rescue While Scoring Boutique Finds!

Raleigh, NC, USA

Update: Unfortunately, all Painted Tree Boutiques closed in the Raleigh area in 2026, just a few short months after I wrote this post. You can still support Freedom Ride Rescue by visiting their main website, https://www.freedom-ride.org/



Shopping for gifts under one roof, such as in a mall, can be a blessing for busy people. But busy malls aren't my favorite places to be during the holidays. In contrast, my sixteen-year-old daughter loves the mall.  I prefer local, intimate mom-and-pop shops. 


Tea Towels with saying "Romaine Calm" and "Gotta Pee" with Veggies


A place where some local business owners carefully curated the items in their shop. You get my vibe?  If you have the same shopping style, then you need to browse in the Painted Tree Boutiques in Cary, N.C. 


Gifts at Painted Tree Boutique in Cary, NC



This store's slogan is "the big way to shop small." It's amazing. You really need to set aside several hours if you are walking into this store for the first time. Literally, lunch at my favorite Cary Sushi restaurant, Kashin Japanese Restaurant, and browsing the Painted Tree Boutiques is a full-day agenda. Once you become a frequent shopper and know the vendors, you can pop in quickly (Maybe). 


Freedom Ride Rescue, a non-profit, as an adorable shop at Painted Tree for animal lovers



I popped into Painted Tree last month to take some photos to help Freedom Ride Rescue market its vendor booth, where 100 percent of all proceeds go to the rescue's operating budget. My chiahuahua, Hannah, was rescued from Freedom Ride, and I volunteer at their adoption events when my schedule allows. 


Dog lover holiday mug for the holidays at Freedom Ride Boutique in Painted Tree in Cary, NC



This would be a quick in-and-out type of thing. I was so naive. It took me 30 minutes to find the Freedom Ride booth. By the time I finally decided to ask a worker about its location, I already had my Mom's Christmas gift in my hand. This store is impressive.  


From local artisans to sports to pet lovers, there is something for everyone in this store. The Home Decor shops are my favorite. That's where I got lost browsing. I skipped the fashion boutiques because my daughter was in the car, running, waiting for me. 


Pet lovers can find all sorts of gifts at the Freedom Ride Booth in Painted Tree Boutiques in Cary, NC



Freedom Ride's booth is adorable with so many affordable finds. The rescue also uses the space to showcase dogs looking for homes. "Painted Tree has given Freedom Ride Rescue an entirely new audience!" explained Freedom Ride Founder, Mollie Doll. Our 'Backyard' space is filled with dog-themed items for sale and general info about our rescue!! The booth is managed by Gwenn Glotnis, one of our core volunteers AND a FRR adopter!"


At the Freedom Ride Shop at Painted Tree, shoppers can learn about the Rescue and dogs in need of a home



The Painted Tree Boutiques is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at 240 Crossroads Boulevard in Cary, N.C.


Learn more about Freedom Ride Rescue and how you can volunteer, donate, foster, and/or adopt a new family member.

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