About

Hi, I’m Teresa.

I love cooking and experimenting in the kitchen and over the years I have tried thousands of recipes. One of my goals with this blog is to try to get all the recipes from my cookbook online here. But when you have 600-800 recipes that you’ve used over the years it’s quite an involved process. I also love trying new recipes. I cook a lot….for family, for friends, for families in need of a meal at our church.

So I am constantly cooking, experimenting and trying new recipes. Part of that process is changing and transforming dull recipes into ones that shine. It also means creating recipes from scratch based on what you have on hand at the time. That’s a whole lot of fun. I would never classify myself as a gourmet cook or professional chef, even though I have done some catering over the years. I’m more of a down-home, southern-style kind of a cook. That doesn’t mean that I don’t experiment with dreamy desserts (because I do), but there are certain combinations and styles of cooking that I really love to cook.

As I’ve gotten more into healthy cooking over the last few years, my palate has increased and expanded and I’m enjoying a wide variety of foods, spices and seasonings. I hope to share all of those, plus my old-fashioned recipes with you in this blog. Enjoy.

Here’s my blog logo.

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I love old kitchen stoves. Here’s one John found at a country store on the east coast in January 2017.

Old Kitchen Stove | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

I love old timey recipes and this stove reminds of my grandma’s wood stove when we were growing up. Even though she had an electric stove in the 60s, she preferred using the one she had to put wood in to keep the heat going. She had used it so long it was easier for here than a gas or electric stove.

Here are some pictures from our family album.

 

About Me | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

This is me on a trip near Apache Lake outside Phoenix, Arizona, in April, 2011. 

About Me | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

This is me on a bike trip through the Grand Canyon in June 2011. 

About Me - Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - DSC_4033

This is a picture of John and me taken in May 2014 at a local park where we live. We had just celebrated 36 years of marriage the month before.

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This is a picture of us on a pontoon boat near Breckenridge, Colorado, with my sister and her family in Summer of 2006. My hair is shorter here. John won’t let me cut it any more. He was not happy when I was talked into getting it cut really short in 2005. Our running joke is I’m going to be a 90-year-old hag with gray hair down to my ankles!

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Here’s a picture of John and me taken in our former home over the Christmas holidays in 2009.

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This was the following month at the birth of our granddaughter, Eliana, January 2010.

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This is Poppy with Eliana at our son’s home in Pennsylvania, January 2010.

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This is a picture of Eliana on her first birthday in her home in Pennsylvania, January 2011.

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These are our two boys, Jared and Jordan. The angle of the camera makes Jordan look several inches shorter than Jared, but actually they are about the same height. This was taken at Mimi Pownall’s home in Black Mountain, North Carolina. They had not seen the Pownalls since they were very young children. July 2012.

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This is Jared and John at Texas Motorcross Speedway, August 2012.

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This is Jordan and John after completing a 7k run at White Rock Lake, near Dallas, 2011.

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This picture is Jordan completing a marathon at White Rock Lake in Dallas, 2011.

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This is me after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, May 4, 2012 with a Master of Divinity degree. Dr. David Mills, my evangelism professor, is on the left. (Instead of wearing the traditional hat regalia, Southwestern professors wear cowboy hats instead).

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This is a shot of me (on the right) with our pastor’s wife, Bev Simmons when we worked Frontier Days in July 2010. On Thursdays everyone wears pink in honor of the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation during Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

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Jordan, my younger son, is married to Candice.

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Here’s another picture.

Family Album 008

Here’s a picture of Jordan and Candice with Eliana before Canaan came along. Summer 2010.

Family Album 001

This is a picture of my grandbabies, Eliana and Canaan.  Summer 2013.

Family Album 002

Here’s one more. Summer 2013.

 

And now to blog stuff and why I’m writing this blog……..

Hospitality Ministry Pictures 029

Here’s a picture of my cookbook. Over 300 pages with an average of 2 or 3 recipes per page. I learned the hard way to put each page in plastic sheet protectors to protect pages from spills and foods getting all over them. 

 

The Recipes Tab:

So, I’m going to start with what I have pictures for and then slowly, methodically go through each section and begin making many of my favorite recipes again, take more pictures and post them so others can enjoy them, too. Where I know the origins of a recipe (or a picture) I will reference them. However,  some of these recipes are old and I really can’t remember what magazine I got the original recipe from. Also, most of the recipes came from  individuals and I didn’t cross-examine them to discover where they obtained the recipe! So in the interest of full disclosure I will do the best I can and give credit where I know it.

Hospitality Ministry - Recipe Pix 2 069

Here’s a meal I prepared for company in late June 2012. Clockwise from left: Strawberry Twinkie Dessert, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots and Cheese, Fried Zucchini, Greek Salad, Watermelon, My Favorite Lasagna, Butternut squash Bake, and Broccoli Bread. You can see the poor quality of the pictures I posted when I first began my blog. 🙁 I’ve been systematically going through all my older recipes and remaking them and taking new pictures so you can have a better appreciation for what each recipe is supposed to look like. I’ve remade all these recipes so they have new photos (circa 2014).

One of the things I love and enjoy most is preparing meals for others. Whether they are guests in our home or whether I am taking a meal because of sickness, a new baby, moving or bereavement I love blessing other people with food. I’m not sure why it gives me so much joy except that it is so easy for me to throw something together on the spur of the moment (even better if I have 24-hours notice) and it can really be a comfort to a family going through stressful times.

For some this would be a real chore, but I have so many recipes rumbling around in my head that I know in the spur of a moment whether I have the ingredients on hand or not to make something. It also helps to have made so many of these recipes multiple times that I know them by heart. I don’t get flustered in the kitchen trying to get things coordinated and timed perfectly like I did when we first got married and I didn’t know squat about cooking. Cooking meals and having a ministry of hospitality isn’t easy for everybody, but thankfully, God has made it easy for me.

While cooking and hospitality can be spiritual gifts from God they can also be learned skills. In my case, I’ve had to learn how to be hospitable. My parents rarely had people over for dinner and except for family reunions we never ate with other people. My husband, on the other hand, grew up in a household where his parents entertained all the time — both family and friends. I learned first hand from my mother-in-law what it was like to show hospitality to others. She did it with grace and aplomb and she worked full-time until retirement (sometimes 60-70 hours per week) back in the days of “Leave it to Beaver” when everyone seemed to be a stay-at-home mom, and still managed to be hospitable to others.

So, shortly after we married, John wanted us to start having company over. It was with great trepidation that I started out. There were very few things that I could cook in those days. I think the desserts I made in those days were limited to a few pie recipes given to me by my mom: strawberry cream pie, apple, custard, and pumpkin pies which I made very infrequently. And even though the pie crust was homemade (I’m not sure there were pre-made pie shells in those days), I assure you my pie crusts were nothing to rave about.  My casserole repertoire was limited to the traditional Campbell’s Green Bean Casserole. I didn’t even know how to make mashed potatoes much less gravy. I had a meat loaf recipe that was really good that a friend gave me and I still use, and a few recipes that I had experimented with from the  Fannie Farmer cookbook that my sister gave me when I moved into my first apartment and that’s about it!

The first couple of years we were married my husband cooked all the meat because I didn’t know how to do it. Whenever we went to potlucks or someone’s for dinner I always asked for recipes and slowly but surely I started trying these recipes and learned how to cook.  My mother-in-law was the inspiration for a hospitality ministry, but my husband was the one who gave me confidence to try cooking to begin with  (I am not a risk-taker!). One more person was important in my journey of cooking and hospitality. Bonnie Rodriguez was the one who mentored me spiritually in those early days of becoming a Christian, but she also mentored me with regard to hospitality and a love–not fear–of cooking because she tried out lots of recipes on us. Many of these are in my cookbook today.

Bonnie and Ray became our friends almost from the first day we joined First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida in the late 70s. They had moved to Florida for Ray’s job with GE and they were away from all their family so their church family became their family. Fortunately, we were some of the ones they lavished their love upon as they had us over to their home for lots of wonderful meals. I watched Bonnie prepare delicious food almost effortlessly, never becoming rattled, and she showed us the importance of hospitality being about relationships rather than the food itself. I still remember her Hawaiian Chicken, Glorified Pork Chops, Chicken Salad Casserole, Apricot Jello Salad and Pink Salad (a fluffy cherry salad) and and a number of casseroles with biscuit toppings and  continue to make those and other recipes I gleaned from her. Gradually I gained confidence in cooking and began experimenting so that in a few years I became a pretty decent cook. Then we started entertaining and having company over on a regular basis.

My hospitality ministry branched out to bringing meals to others after two occurrences. First, after the birth of our first child, Debbie Rambaum, a neighbor across the street, brought us a meal the day we brought our son home from the hospital. Beef Stroganoff, noodles, corn, salad and some of Debbie’s delicious chocolate chip cookies. Yummy! We were so touched by that act of kindness. We did not know the Rambaums all that well at the time so it was really special. The second incident occurred when we moved to New England in January 1990 in the dead of winter with snow on the ground and two small children in tow. We were moving all of our worldly goods into a new home – we had to go up and down 3 flights of stairs to unload boxes since we had 2 stories and a basement and we were exhausted. Then, who showed up but the  wonderful, bubbly, effervescent, Marge Currin, the wife of the executive director of the Baptist Convention of New England. She brought us a delicious, hot, home-cooked meal of Calico Baked Beans, Tossed Green Salad, and a Lemon Poundcake. We never expected such a thoughtful or generous gesture, but we were so grateful and appreciative of her kindness in thinking about us and meeting a need for food that day.

It was shortly after that when I realized the potential of taking meals to people in situations when they would be really needed or appreciated. As the years went by I began looking for opportunities to take meals to people. I would be talking with folks, find out what they were going through at the time, and ask if they could use a meal. Very few have ever turned me down. Usually people are pleasantly, even shockingly surprised you want to do this for them. Especially if you don’t know them really well. This is just one tiny way God has chosen to bless us and allow us to bless others through the years. We are grateful for the opportunities to serve others in this way.

The Gluten Free Living Tab:

In August 2009 I decided to make some major changes to my diet and exercise regime. I lost about 50 pounds by eliminating most of the sugar, breads, and unhealthy eating habits I grew up with. I’m going to share tips on healthy eating and what I’ve found to be successful in this section. I’ve also created a page and whole section of gluten free recipes. While I don’t cook exclusively gluten free, I do try to prepare clean eating recipes a lot. So there is a large selection of clean eating, paleo, vegan and gluten free recipes among all the other things I share. I currently (September 2014) have over 300 gluten free recipes posted on this blog. There’s everything from soups to desserts, side dishes to salads, and main dishes to appetizers that fall into gluten free categories. Some are healthy AND gluten free. Others are gluten free but not necessarily healthy!

In an effort to keep my blog basically about food and recipes, I’ve deleted the posts dealing with awards, crafts, thriftshopping, biking and exercise. While I at one time had posts catering to those areas, I’ve chosen to make this blog about food and cooking.

Teresa Ambra - 3 - Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen - DSC_4067.jpg

Here I am, circa May 2014. The hair keeps evolving, but I’m pretty much the same as I was 30 or 40 years ago. 🙂

 

UPDATE ABOUT CAN’T STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN:

In September 2013, I realized my pictures were loading too slowly and many of the pictures needed updating, resizing and photo editing.  I also needed to add a recipe card to each post. I have been systematically going through all (almost 900) recipes trying to do that. I appreciate your patience because it takes me about 1 1/2 to 2 hours to do each post! I worked on this project approximately 40 hours per week for 15 months before finally finishing in December 2014. All the posts that I’ve completed look much more attractive, download in about 5-7 seconds, and have a recipe card with an easy print-friendly option. I’ve done this to help my blog become more user-friendly and eye-appealing to those who follow it. I hope you enjoy looking through the archives and find recipes that will please your family.

163 Comments

  • Rose

    January 19, 2024 at 9:30 pm

    Love the hair, but See no new recipes or comments. Going to try the grape jelly thumprints! Be blessed…

    1. Teresa Ambra

      January 21, 2024 at 7:03 pm

      Hi, Rose. All my recipes are on the home page, not the “about” page.

  • John Hales

    October 7, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    I would very much appreciate if you could send me new recipes as they come out please.

    1. Teresa

      October 11, 2021 at 7:15 am

      Hi, John, I have a sign up on the front page of my blog. All you have to do is type in your email address! Enjoy.

  • Mary Ann

    December 1, 2019 at 12:47 am

    You have been blessed with a beautiful family.
    I love how you can’t stay out of the kitchen, and share practical homey recipes!

    1. Teresa

      December 2, 2019 at 8:32 am

      Thanks, Mary Ann. We are a blessed family. No doubt. Thanks for stopping. Have a blessed Christmas season.

  • Kentuckylady717

    November 5, 2018 at 6:02 pm

    Loving your blog, just found it due to searching You Tube and looking at one of Phyllis Stokes recipes, A tornado cake, from you I think….it looks delicious and want to try it…..
    You have a lot of great looking recipes on here too…
    Thanks for sharing….

    1. Teresa

      November 6, 2018 at 5:48 pm

      Hi, there. It’s called Texas Tornado Cake – a great vintage recipe from the 60s or 70s. It’s terrific.

  • Janet

    April 7, 2018 at 10:52 pm

    “This is Jared and John at Texas Motorcross Speedway, August 2012.”

    When I saw this picture, I thought of Jay Neal. He founded BSB Manufacturing in Wellington, KS. Their family are good Christians & Jay was raised in the Baptist Church in Caldwell, KS. Anyway, Jay’s company makes parts and items for racing cars, planes, and have even filled some government orders. He travels to various racetracks with his samples and various items for race drivers. I’m sure he has a web site, but I don’t know what it is. I’m sure someone could do a web search and find it. I enjoyed reading your blog, but will not subscribe as I cannot handle too much e-mail. I will drop in to read other posts you make as often as I can. keep up your good work, and God Bless You and yours.

    1. Teresa

      April 9, 2018 at 6:31 am

      Thanks so much, Janet.

  • Rhonda Sittig

    March 17, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Teresa– just pinned your chocolate chip brownie recipe to make for my Monday night Bible study ladies. Looks simple and so yummy! Fun to get back to your blog! Your recipes are all so straight forward and practical!! love it. And great to read through your “About”. So many lovely family pictures– your grand-kids are adorable! Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for all you send out…

    1. Teresa

      March 17, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks Rhonda. So glad you’re going to make this tasty recipe for your Bible Study. Hope everyone enjoys them.

  • Linda Farley-Fisher

    November 25, 2017 at 8:47 am

    Hi Teresa,

    I loved the cookies you made for us, I feel blessed that we are neighbors. I am always searching for new recipes and I love your blog. I have subscribed to your website and look forward to new fresh recipes! Linda Farley-Fisher (Williamsburg Lane).

    1. Teresa

      November 25, 2017 at 10:04 pm

      Hi, Linda. So glad you enjoyed the cookies. I have over 1,300 recipes currently on my blog – a little bit of everything. Enjoy. 🙂

  • Carol Colley

    October 23, 2017 at 9:01 am

    Hi Teresa, We got to met your husband ,John, at our church last night. I am the pastors wife, Carol , my husband is Edward. He told us about your blog and I couldn’t wait to check it out! Several of the ladies at South Gate Baptist will be using this blog, I am sure. I am so pleased to see good recipes and love the step by step instructions. Tell John thanks for the info!!!

    1. Teresa

      October 23, 2017 at 12:03 pm

      You’re so welcome, Carol. So glad you are enjoying the blog. If you have any specific questions or are hunting for any particular recipe, please let me know and I can provide suggestions. I have 1,300 recipes posted so it’s quite a few to look through (unless of course, you have hours to do so!). Enjoy.

  • Kristine Boyer

    January 2, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Teresa,

    Very nice blog. Wonderful easy to follow recipes. I like the step by step pictures too. I especially enjoyed pictures of you and your lovely family.
    Keep up the nice work.

  • Kristine Boyer

    January 2, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Teresa,

    Very nice blog. Wonderful easy to follow recipes. I like the step by step pictures too. I especially enjoyed pictures of you and your lovely family.
    Keep up the nice work.

    1. Teresa

      January 2, 2015 at 5:25 pm

      Thanks, Kristine, I home you enjoy making and eating some of the recipes, too.

  • Niranjana

    November 26, 2014 at 3:03 am

    Hi Teresa, I came to this site when I was reading another blog. Good blog indeed. And in the future I am going to try the vegan recipes by you. Please visit my blog when possible- Superduperkitchen.wordpress. com… Thank you 🙂

    1. Teresa

      November 26, 2014 at 8:13 am

      Thanks. I have a lot of gluten free recipes as well.

  • Rhonda Sittig

    September 28, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    Hi Teresa– fun to pour over your “about” page– loved all the pics of your family! And so so many recipes– you are prolific!! It’s a treasure.

  • Terri

    April 14, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    What a great blog and testimony! I’m impressed and so glad I found you!
    Blessings!

    1. Teresa

      April 16, 2014 at 10:45 am

      Thank you, Terri. I’m glad you found the blog too! My blog is rather eclectic. I have old family recipes, desserts, and a lot of healthy gluten free stuff. You can’t really categorize my blog as any one particular type of food either. So there’s a little of something for everyone. Thanks for subscribing, too.

  • emma

    February 25, 2014 at 12:20 am

    Hi Teresa,

    I’m so glad I found your great blog –
    love looking at pictures of your home area – so different from London.
    But your type of cooking is one that I really relate to – fresh & healthy!
    Thanks for a wealth of ideas and inspiration.
    Emma 🙂

    1. Teresa

      February 25, 2014 at 10:14 am

      Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the blog. I’m systematically going through all the recipes from more recent to the oldest ones and resizing pictures and adding an easy recipe plug in for a better printer option so the blog will be faster and easier to use. Let me know what you think.

  • facebook

    October 18, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just
    wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do
    you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any support is
    very much appreciated.

    1. Teresa

      October 19, 2013 at 8:20 am

      askimet is the best one out there.

  • Green Apple Bread? Yes Please! | God does reassemble shattered pieces

    August 29, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    […] follow Teresa’s Blog and she has been posting some amazing bread recipes!  I just drool…. Check them […]

  • Anonymous

    July 23, 2013 at 7:19 pm

    I really enjoy reading your blog. You have such creative and beautiful recipes! That’s why I’ve nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award. If you would like to participate, see my post for details: http://cupcakeartist.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/kreativ-blogger-award/

    Congratulations!

    1. Cupcake Artist

      July 23, 2013 at 7:20 pm

      Whoops sorry, didn’t post my name!

  • Christine Ernharth

    March 6, 2013 at 5:02 pm

    I wanted to let you know I nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogging Award! If you wish to accept the award you can follow the steps on my post here: http://misschriscreations.com/2013/03/06/super-sweet-trip-to-vegas/

    -Christine

  • Petite Gourmande Anglaise

    March 6, 2013 at 6:31 am

    Hello Teresa! I have nominated you for a Super Sweet Bloggers Award because of all the amazing sweet treats you post on your blog. http://petitegourmandeanglaise.com/2013/03/06/super-sweet-bloggers-award/

    1. Teresa

      March 6, 2013 at 8:59 am

      You are so very kind! I have to admit baking sweet treats are the most fun for me! Thanks again for your good wishes.

  • thebestdressup

    March 3, 2013 at 7:03 pm

    ciao! luvFAB blig.
    thebestdressup

    1. Teresa

      March 4, 2013 at 8:40 am

      Thanks!

  • Patty

    March 2, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    Hi Theresa! Found you – good luck on your new page. 😀

    1. Teresa

      March 2, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      Thank you so much. It’s a lot more work than I thought it would be – and basically I’m starting at the beginning!

  • Pocketful of Motherhood

    February 15, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Thanks for stopping by my blog Teresa! I look forward to reading more of your great blog!

  • Edibles&Travels

    February 10, 2013 at 4:07 am

    This blog is beautiful! Maybe check out mine and hopefully you like it too! 🙂

    1. Teresa

      February 10, 2013 at 1:56 pm

      I will!

  • Judy Smith

    January 31, 2013 at 6:19 am

    Hi Teresa, thank you for stopping by my site! Yours is beautiful and I could browse recipes here for a very long time. Beautiful pics, beautiful family! Keep enjoying life, as if anybody had to remind you!

    1. Teresa

      January 31, 2013 at 3:01 pm

      Thanks so much for your kind words of inspiration.

  • d1nx

    January 28, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    Enjoyed finding out about you and the pictures of you and your family are stunning. Good luck with putting all your recipes up – a huge job, but your dishes and recipes look amazing! I wil definitely be back. Have a great week. Hugs from South Africa.

    1. Teresa

      January 29, 2013 at 11:52 am

      thank you. Hope you enjoy them.

  • Athina

    January 28, 2013 at 11:48 am

    Hey Teresa! I know you have already been nominated for this (like a thousand times before!) but after all that “Cookie-Extravaganza” amazing posts I couldn’t resist passing it on one more time! Just add me up to your looong list of admirers 🙂

    1. Teresa

      January 29, 2013 at 11:55 am

      You are so sweet. Thanks.

  • The Weekend Baker

    January 25, 2013 at 9:08 am

    Hi Teresa. Thanks for stopping by my blog. i think your blog is pretty awesome as our your family pics. The grandkids are absolutely gorgeous and I’m very impressed that you get around to doing so much with them around. Btw, I love the picture of you with the short hair and can completely empathise. 🙂
    Look forward to exploring more of your blog and trying out the recipes.
    Take care!

    1. Teresa

      January 25, 2013 at 11:01 am

      Thanks. Hope you enjoy the recipes. This year is devoted to gluten free living but I will be posting lots of family recipes that are not necessarily healthy, just delicious!

  • The unspeakable-me award! (part 1) | Kicking Back the Pebbles

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  • Alison

    January 18, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Teresa, I had to renominate you for the “Sisterhood of the World Bloggers” Award. I couldn’t not! Your blog is just so wonderful!! You already know the rules, but here is my link to them.
    http://happydomesticity.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/sisterhood-of-the-world-bloggers-award/

    1. Teresa

      January 18, 2013 at 8:14 pm

      Thanks, I love the blogs you passed the award on to. I signed up to follow several of them.

      1. Alison

        January 18, 2013 at 11:18 pm

        That is great!! They are really great blogs!

  • Grammy’s Grub

    January 16, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    Good Evening. Below please find my nomination for your blog on SISTERHOOD OF THE WORLD BLOGGERS AWARDS.
    Participation is optional but please check out https://grammysgrub.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/a-wednesday-morning-surprise/. Thanks and love your blog.

    1. Teresa

      January 16, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      Thank you so much. This is so sweet of you!

  • jenyjohn

    January 15, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    Hello Teresa, Happy New Year, I really like your blog and nominated you for The Super Sweet Blogging Award.
    As always participation is an optional, please feel free to check
    http://jenyjohn.wordpress.com/2013/01/16/a-great-beginning-with-an-award/

  • A Great Beginning with an Award. « Cooks and Facts

    January 15, 2013 at 9:29 pm

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  • mydearbakes

    January 11, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Hi there !

    We would like to award you with mydearbakes’ I’m a Baking Enthusiast” Award! You can check out more details here! :https://mydearbakes.wordpress.com/2013/01/11/mydearbakes-im-a-baking-enthusiast-award/

    =)

  • daisyandthefox

    January 9, 2013 at 4:57 am

    I have nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award – congratulations! 🙂
    http://daisyandthefox.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/celebrating-the-new-year-with-blog-awards/

    Happy New Year!

    Daisy and the Fox

    1. Teresa

      January 9, 2013 at 9:21 am

      Thank you so much! It is very kind of you to do so. I appreciate it so much.

      1. daisyandthefox

        January 9, 2013 at 6:26 pm

        no worries at all! congratulations – you deserve it! 🙂

        1. Teresa

          January 9, 2013 at 8:27 pm

          Thanks again.

  • Fae’s Twist & Tango

    January 4, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    Congratulations Teresa, You are almost there!!!
    You have received a ☆ for Blog of the Year 2012 award!
    Other than adding another ☆ to your current badge, I do not expect any action to be taken, or for you to generate a post (unless you wish to pass it on). Just enjoy the additional star. Your blog has been awarded at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/blog-of-the-year-2012-5th-star/
    Enjoy! 😀 Fae.

    1. Teresa

      January 5, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      Thank you so much for your continued support of my blog. You are fabulous!

      1. Fae’s Twist & Tango

        January 5, 2013 at 11:48 pm

        Congratulations, Teresa! I hope this star makes your badge complete with 6 stars!
        http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2013/01/05/blog-of-the-year-2012-6th-and-final-star/
        Enjoy! 😀 ))) Fae.

        1. Teresa

          January 6, 2013 at 4:53 pm

          Fae, You’re incredible!

  • cme5125

    January 4, 2013 at 11:18 am

    Thanks for checking out my blog and taking a look at my Baked Zucchini Fries! Hopefully you find this recipe easy to recreate for yourself too! I am addicted to Panera Bread’s Creamy Tomato Soup, so your Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup is definitely something I will be trying out in the near future.

    -Christine

    1. Teresa

      January 4, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      I loved that recipe. It was so amazing and the smell as it cooked in the crockpot all day was heavenly!

  • Blog of the Year 2012 Award… 3rd Star! « Fae's Twist & Tango

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  • terry1954

    December 28, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    just discovered your blog through Danny and I know I am going to love visiting here

    1. Teresa

      December 31, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      I’m so glad! Danny has a great blog. Hope you enjoy checking out the recipes.

      1. terry1954

        December 31, 2012 at 5:25 pm

        I am sure I will!! Have a Wonderful New Year

  • liveblissful

    December 26, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    1. Teresa

      December 26, 2012 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks so much!

  • Fae’s Twist & Tango

    December 26, 2012 at 12:21 am

    Happy Holidays ♪

    Dear ★ Teresa ★ ,
    I have nominated your generous blog with one more ☆ to add to your Blog of The Year 2012 Award!
    Congratulations, and thank you for your continuous support of passing on the nominations!
    Information/rules on the award is at:
    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/25/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-2nd-star/

    Enjoy!!! 😀 Fae.

    1. Teresa

      December 26, 2012 at 7:57 am

      Thank you so much, Fae. You are so kind and always an encouragement to me.

      Sent from my iPhone

      1. Fae’s Twist & Tango

        December 31, 2012 at 2:29 am

        Congratulations Teresa, you have received another ☆ for your Blog of the Year 2012 award!
        Other than adding another ☆ to your current badge, I do not expect any action to be taken, or
        for you to generate a post (unless you wish to pass it on). Just enjoy the additional star.
        Your blog has been awarded at:
        http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-3rd-star/
        Happy New Year !!! 😀 Fae.

  • Blog of the Year 2012 Award… 2nd Star! « Fae's Twist & Tango

    December 25, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    […]   of    Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen  (Teresa’s adventures sharing and trying new […]

  • lovinghomemade

    December 13, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Hi Teresa, have finally passed on the Sunshine Blog nominations – thanks so much and sorry for taking so long! http://lovinghomemade.com/2012/12/13/sunshine-blog-award-nomination/

  • theprojectboard

    December 2, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I nominated your blog for a Sunshine Award. If you’re interested, you can read more on my post: http://theprojectboard.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/the-sunshine-award/

    1. Teresa

      December 4, 2012 at 10:18 am

      Thank you so much for your kindness. I really appreciate it.

  • liveblissful

    November 26, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Hi Teresa, I’m still lovin your blog and have nominated you for the Inspiring Blog Award!
    http://liveblissful.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/new-awards/

    1. Teresa

      November 27, 2012 at 6:54 pm

      You are so very kind. Thank you so much!

  • mmmarzipan

    November 21, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    Hi Teresa! Just stopping by to let you know that I have nominated you for a Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. See http://missmarzipan.com/2012/11/22/3-award-nominations-200-follows-today-aka-very-grateful-and-surprised/ if you’d like to accept. If not, no worries- you have a nice shout-out on my blog in any case 🙂 All the best x

    1. Teresa

      November 21, 2012 at 7:34 pm

      Thank you so much for this honor. It may take me a bit to respond. I am in the middle of Christmas cookie baking on a massive scale and my house is in an uproar. Need to finish that first then I’ll be able to do this. Thanks again. I appreciate your nomination.

  • Diane Marie Haller

    November 16, 2012 at 3:57 pm

    Greetings!

    I migrated my blog from wordpress.com to wordpress.org a few days ago. It was a necessary move, due to space and flexibility. I have contacted tech support about moving the “follow” account over, but have not yet heard back. So, if you would still like to receive notifications from “My Life as Robin’s Wife”, please visit me at http://mylifeasrobinswife.com and click “Follow” in the lower right hand corner.

    Please let me know if you have any questions!

    Blessings to you!
    Diane “aka Robin’s Wife” 🙂

  • KickingBackthePebbles

    November 13, 2012 at 8:10 am

    Hi Teresa!
    I have nominated you {even though you’ve been nominated before as I later found out} for the Beautiful Blogger Award! You can check it out here:
    http://kickingbackthepebbles.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/rookie-got-nominated/
    Feel free to not participate along if you are not in the mood (I understand how small things like that, can take up valuable time in a hectic working day) but I really wanted my readers to be able to find their way to your inspiring blog 🙂
    Take care, Athina

    1. Teresa

      November 13, 2012 at 9:46 pm

      Thank you so much Athina for nominating me. I really appreciate this sweet and generous gesture.

  • Gallivanta

    November 11, 2012 at 7:55 pm

    Thanks for liking my post on Home baking and Remembrance. I see on your blog that you are thinking ahead to Thanksgiving. I have fond memories of Thanksgiving meals with American friends.

    1. Teresa

      November 11, 2012 at 11:20 pm

      Yeah, it’s a really big deal here. Great time to be with family and friends.

  • liveblissful

    November 11, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Hi Teresa, I really enjoy your blog and have nominated you for the Sunshine Award
    http://liveblissful.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/sunshine-award-got-nominated-again/

    1. Teresa

      November 11, 2012 at 11:20 pm

      That is so sweet. I appreciate your vote of confidence in me.

  • Zoi

    November 9, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Hi Teresa, thanks for visiting my blog, I am glad you liked the honey and walnut cookies!! Your blog is simply amazing, I just started writing in mine and I find yours to be a great inspiration 🙂

    1. Teresa

      November 9, 2012 at 6:34 pm

      You are so sweet to say so. I’m grateful you feel inspired. I’ve only been blogging since summer so I’m pretty new at this too!

      I hope you enjoy the recipes and try out a few of them. Please let me know what you think of any you try.

  • ohlidia

    November 7, 2012 at 9:49 pm

    Thanks for visiting… it has allowed me to discover your site! Great recipes!!

    1. Teresa

      November 7, 2012 at 11:16 pm

      Thanks so much. I hope you enjoy looking through them!

  • Gallivanta

    November 4, 2012 at 11:28 pm

    I think the ministry of hospitality is such a wonderful concept. I love it when people bring me food and I love taking food, especially baking to others.

    1. Teresa

      November 5, 2012 at 10:19 am

      I couldn’t agree more!

  • mmmarzipan

    November 4, 2012 at 6:00 am

    What a great blog! Mind if I follow you? 🙂 All the best

    1. Teresa

      November 4, 2012 at 6:19 pm

      By all means! I’m gratified you find it so. I’ve put a lot of work into it!

  • Delicious Pot

    November 2, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Yuo’ve got a fab blog here…. lovely family! 🙂

    1. Teresa

      November 2, 2012 at 3:06 pm

      Thank you so much for such kind comments.

  • Francesca

    October 31, 2012 at 11:49 am

    Thank you for stopping by our blog and liking my quiche post. Greatly appreciated! Your grandchildren look adorable.
    Francesca

    1. Teresa

      October 31, 2012 at 2:42 pm

      Thanks, a proud grandma agrees with you!

  • Schmine

    October 30, 2012 at 11:50 am

    Thanks for liking our Pizza recipe. http://schmine.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/prosciutto-mushroom-pizza/. I love your blog and I’m really glad to have found it.

    1. Teresa

      October 30, 2012 at 1:24 pm

      Thank you so much. Please check it out and make comments. If you make something from my posts I’d really appreciate your review.

  • Correna

    October 22, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Amazing blog!!!! That will be an accomplishment to get all your recipes on this blog. I am so looking forward to exploring your recipes, as I have just found your site. I have tons of recipes too that I have made and have books of copied recipes as well. I started a blog but have very few recipes put on yet, but will be working on it more too. Love this site, Have a great day and thank you so much for sharing!! God bless you.

    1. Teresa

      October 23, 2012 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks for your kind words. Yes, getting all the recipes online is quite an endeavor. It will probably take me a couple of years to do it!

      Thanks for following my blog. I hope you will let me know what you think of the ones you try.

  • vinicooksveg

    October 21, 2012 at 10:47 pm

    Hi Teresa! Your blog is so beautiful and great pictures! They all look so yummy! would love to read your future posts!

    1. Teresa

      October 22, 2012 at 9:34 am

      Thanks. I’m glad you like the pictures. I take a lot of them for each recipe. You should see how many I leave off of each post! Probably more than I actually post!

      as a heads up I will be making a lot of vegan soups over the next month – but not only vegan – no grains, sugars or sweeteners either. I’m also going to be making several kinds of brownies. Hopefully, you’ll find something you like to make.

  • hilal achmar

    October 2, 2012 at 2:58 am

    I love your blogs, posts and your pic. A life full of harmony and delicious cuisine. I will try your recipe. The main meals, desserts etc. Thank you for sharing Teresa, hopefully we still get a delicious recipe from you …. 🙂

    1. Teresa

      October 2, 2012 at 10:55 am

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts. But if there is any harmony in my life it is because of Jesus. Thanks again for your comments.

  • Fae’s Twist & Tango

    October 1, 2012 at 12:58 am

    Dear Teresa,
    I have nominated you/your informative/creative blog for the Liebster Blog Award! Congratulations!
    Pick up your badge and information/rules on how to pass the torch at:

    http://faestwistandtango.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/liebster-blog-award/

    😀 Fae.

  • Liebster Blog Award « Fae's Twist & Tango

    October 1, 2012 at 12:40 am

    […]    of    Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen     (Teresa’s adventures sharing and trying new […]

  • Triss Mattis

    September 21, 2012 at 10:48 am

    Happy Birthday, Teresa! Love, xoxo, (your sister) Triss

    1. Teresa

      September 21, 2012 at 11:08 am

      I’m so glad you got on and looked around my food blog. Let me know what you think. If you find any more of mom’s recipes let me know.

      P.S. I would like that recipe you used to make for us with chicken and tomatoes over rice that your college roommate used to make and you made for us a couple of times. It was really good. I would like to make it again and post it up.

      1. Triss Mattis

        September 22, 2012 at 7:33 am

        Teresa, I am just so totally wowed! Your blog site is just unbelievable. Got me wanting to try to cook again. I loved the family pix.

        1. Teresa

          September 22, 2012 at 1:48 pm

          I’m glad you enjoyed it. Share it with your co-workers and friends.

  • Cauldrons and Cupcakes

    September 20, 2012 at 10:27 pm

    Hi Teresa, what a beautiful blog. SO pleased I found you. Bless xx

    1. Teresa

      September 21, 2012 at 11:03 am

      Thanks. Hope you enjoy the recipes.

  • Paula {Salt, Pepper and a Dollop of Cream}

    September 20, 2012 at 3:41 am

    Hi Teresa, Thank you for stopping by my blog; I’m delighted you liked my post on death by butter! I have leftovers that I can’t even look at knowing how much butter there is in there!! Thank you for sharing your cookbook. My goodness, you have a tome to share! You have a new fan here and I look forward to following your posts into the future. xx Paula

    1. Teresa

      September 20, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks, I hope you enjoy it!

  • stories4tots

    September 12, 2012 at 3:57 am

    Hi Teresa! Thank you for dropping by my site. I love your site — just looking at those pictures make me so hungry!!! I also like your ministry and would like to adapt it sometime soon. You got it right: food does bring people together and aids in building relationships. Will try some of your recipes as soon as I get a new oven; my oven decided to suddenly ‘retire.’

    1. Teresa

      September 12, 2012 at 9:34 am

      LOL! When we moved into this house we had a really dinky 24″ oven that you could hardly fit a roaster pan in! Yikes. For someone like me who likes to cook I knew that would not work very long! Gratefully we now have two ovens!

  • There for a reason’s Rachel

    September 11, 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Hi Theresa, thanks so much for visiting my little blog. It’s still new and finding it’s identity. Goodness your blog is amazing, you definitely have a calling. Imagine having that many recipes. I have maybe a dozen of my own, including the ones that are still in trial stage! I love your idea of putting them all in a binder. I imagine that was extremely time consuming!

    1. Teresa

      September 11, 2012 at 2:39 pm

      Well I started when I was young and every time I went to a potluck or something like that and ate something I liked, I badgered the cook for the recipe. So half of my recipes are probably from friends. The other half is from digging through cookbooks, recipes in magazines or online, or from the backs of boxes and packaged goods that feature recipes. I’ve tried so many of these and they are fabulous.

      Thanks for your kind words. I do love to cook, entertain, and I really enjoy watching people eat my food. Especially children who are picky and can finally be encouraged to try something and realize it’s not so bad tasting after all!

  • theDutchCook

    September 10, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    Wow, what a a very energetic person you are. I have to agree with you that the best place in the house is the kitchen. It offers a place to talk, to cook and to share food for the body and soul., Wish good luck with your blog.
    Best wishes .
    theDutchCook.wordpress.com

    1. Teresa

      September 11, 2012 at 10:40 am

      Thanks! I enjoyed looking at yours the other day, too.

  • babso2you

    September 8, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    Thank you for coming back to visit my blog again, and for signing up to follow my blog! I hope that you find it entertaining!

    Lovely family photos! Beautiful!

    1. Teresa

      September 8, 2012 at 11:40 pm

      Yeah, you had lots of cool stuff. After I like more than a couple of things on someone’s site I usually like to follow!

      1. babso2you

        September 9, 2012 at 9:11 am

        Thanks again! Glad that you like it!

  • The Muddy Kitchen

    September 2, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Thanks for stopping by! I wish I could have been at your house for that food party! In my mind, I could have also brought my kids. Anything with “Twinkie” and “Dessert” in the title and they would have never left!

    xjennifer

    1. Teresa

      September 2, 2012 at 1:35 pm

      Hey you should try it sometime. That dessert only has 3 ingredients – it is SO easy. I love to cook. Getting ready to have another feast with company in a few minutes. Gotta go!

  • ohiocook

    August 30, 2012 at 5:05 pm

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and the “Like” of my post!

  • thehesaidshesaidexperience

    August 30, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Thanks for visiting The He Said She Said Experience and liking our post about Edible’s Incredible.

    Kari: It looks like you have some great recipes. I can’t wait to check them out!

    1. Teresa

      September 12, 2012 at 12:15 pm

      It doesn’t look like I ever responded to this. I am so sorry. I love looking at great looking recipes too. If you ever try anything, please let me know and give me feedback as to what you would do differently to improve the recipe. Thanks.

  • virgie2012

    August 29, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    Hi, Teresa. Thanks for dropping by and liking my post. It was such a big encouragement to me as a newbie. Do drop by again. Your recipes all look delicious. Will definitely try some of them. And expect me to be your regular visitor. 🙂

    1. Teresa

      August 29, 2012 at 8:21 pm

      As I said on your website I have never heard of earth gems before as a vegetable. How did the recipe taste? Did you like it?

      1. virgie2012

        August 30, 2012 at 5:05 pm

        They’re originally from South America, considered to be the “jewel of the Incas”. They’re considered as a gourmet item as they are only grown in a specific place here in New Zealand. I actually like them. The taste is a cross between new potatoes and beetroot. My 13 year old son, however, consider it too earthy for his liking. But i loved the salad.

  • espirational

    August 29, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    I have a personal cookbook and I also learned about page protectors the hard way.

    1. Teresa

      August 29, 2012 at 3:35 pm

      yep!

  • cordelectatio

    August 26, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Thank you for visiting and liking my blog. I want to return and read your exercise posts.

    1. Teresa

      August 26, 2012 at 9:42 pm

      I hope you find them helpful. I have some good nutrition stuff, too.

  • Carrie

    August 26, 2012 at 6:03 am

    Hi Teresa, thanks for stopping by my blog. You have a lovely famlily…those grandbabies are adorable! I look forward to exploring your blog 🙂

    1. Teresa

      August 26, 2012 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks. Grandkids are the greatest! You don’t have the weight on your shoulders you carry when you have kids and you are their sole support for about 22 years until they can get going on their own! Thanks again for checking out my blog, too.

  • omel07

    August 25, 2012 at 6:08 am

    Hello! Thanks for stopping by and liking my post. I really appreciate it. 🙂

    I like your blog. I’m a total food-lover and would love to try one of your recipes. 🙂

    1. Teresa

      August 25, 2012 at 2:32 pm

      Hey, please try a few of them and let me know how they turn out. Are you looking for anything in particular? Perhaps I can direct you to one?

      1. omel07

        August 26, 2012 at 2:29 am

        I’ll notify you the minute I try one. So far, I haven’t decided what to try. No worries. I’m sure I’ll find something I like. I appreciate the gesture. 🙂

  • Candy

    August 21, 2012 at 2:17 am

    You have great recipes, just what I like 🙂

    1. Teresa

      August 21, 2012 at 10:47 am

      thanks, I hope you enjoy some of them. Try them out and let me know which ones are your favorites and how they turn out.

  • annashortcakes

    August 20, 2012 at 8:36 am

    Love the blog! It is so hard to be newly married, broke and inexperienced at hospitality. I can cook anything but being a hostess is still a struggle. One of those things that get better with age I hope!

    1. Teresa

      August 20, 2012 at 7:09 pm

      Start simple. You may want to look at my post “Cooking for the Culinary Challenged” and also the link to an article I wrote about getting started in hospitality on another blog (there is a link). I’m pretty sure I give all types of hints.

      It seems like anyone who can make country fried steak with gravy must be a superb cook! Tell me what areas you struggle with as a hostess and maybe I can offer some recommendations.

      1. annashortcakes

        August 20, 2012 at 7:52 pm

        Mainly how to hostess with very little. AKA 4 chairs in my kitchen, no card table, minimal furniture. How to have a comfortable home when there really is just enough for the hubby and I. We are actually looking to buy new furniture within the next six months but we have been on the bare minimum for the past 3 years. If it is warm outside, I can totally manage a nice BBQ. Winter months make it most challenging.

        1. Teresa

          August 20, 2012 at 9:16 pm

          Well, if you have the bare minimum you can do what we used to do. Either have one couple over (no kids) at a time, or make something easier like finger foods and allow people to sit on your sofa and on the floor with pillows or TV trays. Sometimes you can pick these up at thrift stores for very minimal costs.

          If you let your company know ahead of time that they will need to sit on the family room floor, most really won’t care–especially if they are younger. We have plenty of seats to sit in our home, and a lot of the younger folks still prefer to sit on the floor — sometimes with pillows and sometimes not!

          Quite frankly, I’d sit on your living room floor any day for dinner if I got an opportunity to have some of your chicken fried steak and okra! I bet you’d find many others will do the same!

          1. annashortcakes

            August 24, 2012 at 11:02 am

            good ideas! thanks!

  • kimthedietitian

    August 12, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    Thanks for visiting my blog, Teresa. Your food looks delicious – especially the desserts!

    1. Teresa

      August 13, 2012 at 6:41 pm

      Thanks. I wish I had time to make more!

      Sent from my iPhone

  • babso2you

    August 11, 2012 at 9:10 am

    Thank you for the like on my post Dijon Chicken! Please stop by again!

  • karenworth

    August 2, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Hey, I not only have a food blog, but I am a Christian and write about my Savior.
    Check out my ohter blog http://wp.me/p1fSw4-k3

    1. Teresa

      August 3, 2012 at 1:19 pm

      Great stuff.

  • Sara Ann

    July 28, 2012 at 5:56 pm

    Hey! I nominated you for the “One Lovely Blog Award”, so you can check it out here if you want to participate! 🙂 http://actlikealadyeatlikeaman.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/one-lovely-blog-award/

    1. Teresa

      July 28, 2012 at 10:02 pm

      Really sweet, thanks.

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