I don’t know about you all but I’m in a bit of a crazy place right now. After a three day trip to Florida for work, I returned to Des Moines, only to turn around and head out to Illinois for a weekend at J.’s apartment. The weekend was lovely and relaxing. I didn’t think about work or the number of things on my to-do list, but now I have six bags of flour, ten bags of powdered sugar, and … Read More

Back in February, when it was cold and bleak, I received an e-mail from my mom with this link attached. It was the website of a company called Outstanding in the Field, a group of chefs and organizers who spend the months of May through October traveling around the country in a bus, setting up large farm-to-table dinners in fields, on beaches, and barns. Immediately, I was drawn in by the pictures of beautiful, simple tables and the idea of … Read More

J. has an aunt, a really awesome aunt to be exact, with four of the cutest kids I’ve ever seen. Last week, while spending some time with J.’s extended family, I had a chance to talk with her about food, nutrition, life, you name it. During this time, one thing was very evident; raising and caring for four children is a lot of work and takes a good chunk of time when done well. But what really blew me away … Read More

E-mails have come in from a few people asking where I got the jars pictured in yesterday’s Light and Fit Berry Sorbet post. I figured I would take this opportunity to put together a little midweek mini-post. These beautiful little jars are actually Ball Jars purchased from the baking isle at Target. I found these jars perfect since they are smaller, only 4-oz., than regular canning jars making them a more manageable size to fill. Oh, and did I mention … Read More

There really is nothing like waking up in the morning knowing the day is completely yours. No responsibilities, tasks to complete, or places to be. Of course being the list maker that I am, a ‘to-do’ list was still made. But today’s list was in my head instead of on paper, a fun list of sorts, and the consequences of not completing the items on my list? None whatsoever.  You really should try it every now and again. After you … Read More

When I first started Espresso + Cream, I vowed to share both successes and failures in the kitchen with all you dear readers. Though it’s much easier to share culinary triumphs and pretend the failures didn’t happen, especially when blogging from the secrecy of my own apartment, I thought I’d let you in on a little mishap that has kept me from posting as soon as I would have liked to. In my mind, Martha Stewart is someone to be … Read More

For the past couple days I’ve had my previous post on what I’m thankful for on my mind. Maybe it’s residual feelings from Thanksgiving, the anticipation of Christmas, or a bit of both. Truth is, Christmas always makes me all nostalgic – especially nights like tonight when welcoming in the first big blizzard of winter. To be able to sit in a warm house, wrapped in a blanket, drinking Reindeer Blend coffee while thinking and writing about food – not … Read More

Today I am writing my apology, to be extended to all you readers for the next three weeks. Though as Christmas approaches I would like nothing more than to be drinking coffee, listening to Christmas music, watching Elf, and baking all types of goodies to share here, I’m sad to report those things will have to wait until December 18th – the highly anticipated, feared, and welcomed day when I graduate from college! Immediately afterward, I plan on getting back … Read More

Alice in Wonderland. I think the Disney character that best personifies me at this point would be Alice in Wonderland, falling, tumbling into a rabbit’s hole and disappearing from the world. Substitute the rabbit’s hole for work, classrooms, and the small nook where my desk and computer live and there you have it, my reasons for disappearing from the known world, as well as the blogging world. Lately, my cooking has been more utilitarian and droll than exciting and adventurous, … Read More

Think about the foods that make you feel like you’re home. What are they? Cookies, lasagna, a favorite pie, or maybe a soup. A few things come to mind when I think about home-cooking. My mom’s meatballs, beef stew with biscuits, and a fresh garden salad with poppyseed-balsamic dressing. But really, for me, it’s all about the Southern cooking. We’re talking grits, pinto beans with ham, cornbread with butter, and rice. My dad’s side of the family comes from the … Read More

To me, the cupcake is a thing of wonder. When done correctly, it resonates of all that is right about desserts. Easier to master than an intricate layer cake, these individual cakes are more forgiving than most cakes ever dreamed of being. And if you mess one up, your entire bunch hasn’t gone to waste.  Cupcakes represent the way I think cooking and entertaining ought to be. Simple, almost childish food served in a special way that makes it fit … Read More

Today marks my last “first day” of classes….ever! I can hardly believe that my last semester of college is here. As a way to celebrate the last weekend of summer, I made a trip up to Minnesota to visit my best friend and have a relaxing weekend of good food, shopping, and catching up before classes. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of many of the great things we ate this weekend! I’m still growing accustomed to the idea of … Read More