Lavender-Lime Soda | The Welcome Home Diner

Welcome to the TLC Book Tours stop for The Welcome Home Diner, the latest food-centric novel by author (and food blogger) Peggy Lampman! This is a novel for all of you foodies out there—it'll make your mouth water from page one with a melange of Polish and Southern-inspired food descriptions, as well as homegrown and locally sourced ingredients and creative recipe ideas.

Peach Iced Tea | The Innkeeper's Sister

Welcome to the TLC Book Tours stop for The Innkeeper's Sister by Linda Goodnight! This is book 3 in Goodnight's Honeyridge Novels series, but the first (and only so far) one that I've read. I actually didn't even realize it was a part of a series until I'd finished it, which means it definitely works as a stand-alone book. When I went to look back at the descriptions for the first 2 books, they are connected by location (Honey Ridge, Tennessee), but focus on different main characters. Those characters also play a part in this book, so I'm looking forward to going back and reading their stories.

Ginger Peach Milk Tea (Bubble Tea) | #Nyanuary

This month, the Fandom Foodies are exploring a fun theme that is all about kitty cats! Katharina from Pretty Cake Machine challenged us to come up with recipes inspired by cats in fiction or fandoms, inspired by (or made for) real-life cats, or even food shaped like a cat. The possibilities are endless and there are already so many creative recipes linked up that you can check out here!

I have a long list of cats in fiction that I love, so although I've made homemade cat treats in the past and have been toying with creating a new recipe, I decided to grab onto one of my fiction favorites today—the trouble-making duo of Si and Am from Lady and the Tramp.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Growing up in the Midwest, I've drunk my fair share of hot cocoa. I mean, there's nothing like coming in from a hard day of trudging up a snowy hill (after the fun sliding down part) over and over again, or building a snow fort, or having a snowball fight, to a mug of steaming chocolate. It's a winter time staple!

But the thing is, ours always came from a round, lined cardboard canister of Swiss Miss. Well no, sometimes we had the boxes with individual packets. And I won't lie, I always liked the kind with the crunchy, dehydrated marshmallows. Or, if somebody didn't get to the bag, we'd pile on soft mini marshmallows—and that was good, too.

Cactus Pineapple Smoothie (for Nick) | Fear the Walking Dead

Welcome to the September edition of In the kitchen with Zombie Fiction! My intentions were to share a recipe inspired by Fear the Walking Dead with you last weekend to go along with the mid-season premiere, but time just kicked my butt and I never made anything. However, I'm kind of glad that I didn't, because watching that episode (S2:E8 "Grotesque") made me change my mind about what I was making and inspired today's recipe.

If you're not familiar with this spin-off of The Walking Dead. It's a prequel that takes us back to the beginning of the zombie outbreak, with different characters, set in a different part of the US. Our crew started out in Los Angeles, but have made their way into Mexico and were split up in several different directions at the mid-season finale.

Blueberry Lavender Shrub Syrup (Drinking Vinegar)

In case you haven't guessed, I'm on a bit of a shrub kick. I can't seem to get enough of the these amazing drinking vinegars once the weather gets hot and sticky. When poured over ice and topped off with some sparkling water, I'm hard pressed to find anything more refreshing (aside from plain ice water). So, when I found out that this month's Progressive Eats theme was "summer bounty", my brain immediately started scanning the fruit, berries, and herbs that I'd been stocking up on this past week.

Refreshing Apple Shrub Syrup

It's heating up outside, and this apple shrub syrup, or drinking vinegar, infused with mint and fennel is a refreshing way to beat that heat. To enjoy, combine 1 part shrub syrup with 3 to 4 parts sparkling water and serve over ice. Shrub syrups are also a fun and creative way to bring a signature cocktail to life—it is wedding season, after all!

A way of preserving fruit after the harvest in Colonial times, sweet and tangy drinking vinegars are a fantastic way to enjoy the pure spirit of your favorite fruit any time of the year. Fresh herbs and whole spices will add another layer of flavor to your syrups, as will experimenting with different types of vinegar.

Bandersnatch Drool inspired by Alice in Wonderland

I'm about to say something that will make you question the fact that I was ever a child. I've never read Alice in Wonderland. I don't know why. I grew up with the animated Disney version. I love the latest Tim Burton-directed one. And I'm excited for it's follow-up, Alice Through the Looking Glass, that hits theaters tomorrow. I think I even own the book...though I couldn't tell you where it is (why no, I do not own too many books).

But when my friend Kimberly over at Coffee and Casseroles asked me if I wanted to do a Mad Hatter-style post in honor of the new movie release, I decided to grab the book from the library and at least do some skimming first. I actually picked up a few versions: the regular old book, a beautifully illustrated color book, and The Annotated Alice, which was my favorite with its introduction, drawings and many notes. So, I guess I should say that I've read bits and pieces of it...now.

Cherry Pie Milkshake inspired by The Outsiders | #FridayPieDay

I'm stepping outside of the box today and sharing a derivative of pie for this month's edition of FridayPieDay. I originally made this with the intention of sharing for a "favorite '80's movie-inspired" post I did earlier this month with Kimberly from Coffee and Casseroles, but I watched a couple and wound up sharing something inspired by License to Drive instead. Fortunately that means I can share this Cherry Pie Milkshake that was inspired by one of my favorite '80's movies (and books), The Outsiders, with you today!

If by some chance you're not familiar with The Outsiders, it's a story set in Oklahoma in the mid '60's—a time when "class wars" were a pretty big problem. It revolves around a lovable (and super cute*) group of "Greasers" from the north (poor) side of town and the "Socs" [pronounced: soh-shis] from the south (rich) side of town.

Chocolate and Vanilla Egg Creams inspired by The Decent Proposal

What would you do if a private benefactor offered to give you $500,000 if, after 1  year's time, you've spent 2 hours a week for the entire year meeting and getting to know a person (of their choosing) that you'd never met before? That is the situation in which Richard and Elizabeth find themselves, two entirely different people with no obvious connection, in The Decent Proposal.

Richard is a handsome 29-year old producer dealing with the fact that the business he started with a buddy several years ago just isn't making any money. He's considering getting a job...anywhere...just to pay his bills.

Frozen Mexican Hot Chocolate with Liquefied Prom Queen Brains inspired by iZombie

I've been wanting to do an iZombie-inspired post for quite some time now, and with tonight being the 2-hour season two finale, I figured there was no time like the present. If you're not familiar with iZombie, you might be thinking "oh no, not another zombie show". But it's so different from all of the others out there right now, that I recommend not dismissing it before you've watched a couple of episodes (because then you hopefully won't want to).

iZombie airs on The CW and is based on the DC Comics' Vertigo imprint I, Zombie that was created in 2010. I've ever read the comics, but the title sequence and some scene openers throughout each show are in "comic form". Our lead character, Liv is scratched at a party in the first episode and wakes up a zombie. In this show you can recognize zombies by their white hair and skin—initially, as some choose to die their hair and visit a tanning bed.

25 Drinks for your Thanksgiving Table

Although there's absolutely nothing wrong with serving milk, juice, cider, wine, or even water as the beverage options at your Thanksgiving table, sometimes it's fun to mix things up. Literally. Today I'm sharing 25 fall-inspired drink ideas for sipping alongside your turkey, stuffing, and pie. While the majority of them are cocktails, I've also included some non-alcoholic ideas for kids and adults who aren't imbibing.

Why not add a little pizzazz to your Thanksgiving spread this year with a custom drink? I think it would make a fun holiday tradition to set out some fruit, spice, herb, alcohol, juice, and sparkling water options and ask your friends and family to create their own inspired drink, as well. I hope the fantastic drinks below will inspire you!

"Great Pumpkin" White Hot Chocolate + DIY Linus's Blanket Mug Cozy inspired by The Peanuts Movie

Guess what movie hits theaters today? The Peanuts Movie! Call me old school, but Charlie Brown and the gang just make me happy. In honor of its release, I've teamed up with 10 other "Blockbuster Bloggers" to bring you some movie-inspired food and crafts. This month, each of us picked a different Peanuts character to focus on, and I chose my personal favorite, Linus.

Linus is Charlie Brown's best friend and Lucy's younger brother. He's wise beyond his years and can't function properly without his beloved security blanket. Aside from the blanket, when I think of Linus, I think of The Great Pumpkin. While everybody else dons costumes and heads out trick-or-treating, Linus sets up camp in the pumpkin patch, waiting to welcome the Great Pumpkin. He believes that the most "sincere" pumpkin patch is where the Great Pumpkin will stop and bring gifts.

Although Linus has his trusty blanket, I can't help but think how cold he must be waiting in a pumpkin patch on a dark, autumn evening. So, I decided that he needed a mug of a tasty hot beverage to help keep him warm. This white hot chocolate is infused with pumpkin, orange, and a hint of spice.

Linus photo courtesty of The Peanuts Movie website

Oh, and the mug gets a little blanket of its own in the form of a homemade cozy (koozie) modeled after Linus's blanket.

What you'll need to make your own Linus's Blanket Mug Cozy:

• Soft, light blue "blanket-type" fabric (1 yard will make a TON of cozies, so you decide how much you need)
• measuring tape
• fabric scissors
• safety pins
• needle
• thread
• button (1 per cozy)

1. Use the measuring tape to measure around your mug, between the handle. Add an extra inch to the length and the height, and cut a piece of fabric that size.
2. Fold a 1/2 inch of fabric in on each edge ("show" side down), using safety pins to secure the folds.
3. Sew each edge, holding the pinned fabric securely between your thumb and fingers to keep it straight. You can remove the pins from each edge as you finish them (this helps to keep the thread from getting caught on them as you work).
4. Wrap your sewn fabric around the mug, eyeballing where you'd like to place the button and button hole. You could make a mark with a fabric pen if you need to, but I just place a finger on the spot.
5. Sew a button on the spot you eyeballed, then wrap it around again to eyeball the spot for the buttonhole. Fold the fabric over on that spot and snip a very small hole (smaller than the button) in the fabric.
6. Secure the soft, fuzzy cozy around your mug.

Now that you have a soft cozy on your mug, fill it with this "Great Pumpkin" White Hot Chocolate. It will warm your bones while you sit outside awaiting the great pumpkin!

"Great Pumpkin" White Hot Chocolate

Rich white hot chocolate infused with pumpkin to celebrate the season.

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Keywords: beverage pumpkin white chocolate orange vegetarian soy-free Halloween Thanksgiving American winter fall

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 3 cups whole or 2% milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• peel of one orange, cut into a long strip (or 2 or 3- w/ no pith attached)
• 8 ounces good white chocolate, chopped (or good white chocolate chips)
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 3/4 teaspoon pure almond extract
• freshly grated nutmeg
• tiny pinch of fine sea salt

Instructions

Combine milk, cream, and strips of orange peel in a medium-sized sauce pot over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil, stirring from time to time. Gradually whisk in the white chocolate until it is entirely melted, then whisk in the pumpkin puree until smooth and steamy.

Turn off the heat and whisk in almond extract, a few fresh grates of nutmeg, and the tiny pinch of sea salt. Lift out the orange peel and discard.

Ladle into mugs and garnish with another fresh grate of nutmeg and some finely grated orange zest, if you wish.

I hope you'll check out these other fun recipes and crafts inspired by The Peanuts Movie and its characters:

• Charlie Brown Marshmallow Pops from Bread Booze Bacon
• Little Red-Haired Girl Chocolate Popcorn from Celebrating Family
• Printable Snoopy Dog House from Liz on Call
• Woodstock Banana Pudding Filled Chocolate Cupcakes from Big Bear's Wife
• Lucy Bento Lunch Box from East Valley Mom Guide
• "Great Pumpkin" White Hot Chocolate + DIY Linus's Blanket Mug Cozy from All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
• Peppermint Patty Stuffed Chocolate Cookies from Around My Family Table
• Pipe Cleaner Glasses Craft from Popsiculture
• Dust Storm Salted Toffee Muddy Buddies from Lady Behind The Curtain
• Mud Pie Brownies from Sugar and Soul
• Schroeder's Piano Key Cookies from Love Bakes Good Cakes

Blended Coconut Oil Coffee inspired by Thrill Me

Last month I was part of an excerpt tour for the latest release in the Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery titled Thrill Me. I featured Thrill Me Excerpt 5, in which our two main characters, Maya and Del interact alone for the first time in the ten years since their first-love relationship "ended". This encounter started in a local coffee shop called Brew-haha, which winds up being a supporting character in its own right throughout the book, supplying caffeine and a gathering spot for locals and tourists to the small town of Fool's Gold. Today I'm back with my review of this romance novel to go along with that excerpt.

If you spend any amount of time here, you probably know that I'm a big reader. But...and I've mentioned this before...romance has never really been my genre of choice. So if may come as a bit of a shock that this is a romance novel. It's actually book 20 in a series that I'd never heard of before. And guess what? I liked it. It was fun. Plus, I love the stereotype of being a desperate housewife who escapes reality for a while by throwing a little romance paperback in my beach bag (which I totally did, by the way).

How to Make Basic Simple Syrup (and a bunch of variations)

Simple syrup is used to sweeten everything from coffee and tea to lemonade to cocktails. It's such a simple thing to make, and very handy to always have on hand. Today I wanted to share the basic recipe for making simple syrup with you, plus a couple of variations, using more or less sugar or a different sweetener all together.

Basic simple syrup is made using equal parts sugar and water, but sometimes you'll see a recipe that calls for a heavy (or rich) simple syrup, and from time to time, one that calls for a light simple syrup. Making either is only a matter of adjusting the sugar to water ratio.

While it doesn't get much simpler than dissolving sugar in water, sometimes you're looking for a little something different. Why not try using honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar? Plus, if you're looking to try some flavored simple syrups, I've got some suggestions for those, as well.

Strawberry Atole + Strawberry Atole Paletas | #SheMadeEllaHace

Did you know that May is National Strawberry Month? That only seems natural since this is the month that the sweetest, juiciest strawberries are grown in my neck of the woods. As a nod to this delicious month, my friend Leslie from La Cocina de Leslie and I are sharing strawberry recipes for our May edition of she made, ella hace!

If you know me, you know the first place my mind went was to popsicles, followed very closely by a cocktail. Since Leslie and I usually lean towards a Mexican-inspired twist during our time together in the kitchen, I decided to make an early morning pot of atole de fresa, or strawberry atole.

If you've never tried atole before, it's a warm drink that's thickened lightly with masa. It can be made in pretty much any flavor you can imagine, but it's that earthy corn undertone that makes it so recognizable...and loved.

Sunshine Smoothie

Do you need a recipe to make a smoothie? Probably not. Am I going to give you one anyway? You betcha!

Most of my smoothies are the result of needing to use up some fruits, veggies, yogurt, tofu...you get my drift...that might otherwise go bad. No real measuring, just piling everything into the blender and adjusting until I have a good consistency. My guess is that a lot of people probably do the same. Every once in a while, I come across a perfect combination, and promptly scold myself for not measuring what I put in.

What I'm trying to say is that it amazes me when people create brilliant smoothie recipes. On purpose.

Soda Chanh (Vietnamese Lime Soda)

I'm sure that every household has at least a few must-haves sitting in their fridge at all times. Among a few other things, in my house, limeade is one of those things. We love lemonade, too—but it's limeade in some form or another that takes the cake. I try to make different forms to liven things up a bit, but for the most part, limeade is limeade. Freshly squeezed lime juice, sweetener, and water.

Whether it's a fizzy version like Neebu ka Sharbat (Indian Sparkling Fresh Limeade) or a flat one like Fresh Limeade with Chia Seeds, they all go quickly. This Vietnamese Lime Soda (or Soda Chanh) has sparkles and mint, which makes it extra refreshing. When researching it a little, it seems that some people use mint, some don't...some people rim the glass in salt, some don't. I chose to include both. You know, to add a little variety to our limeade routine.

As written, this recipe is particularly tart. We liked it, but if you want it a little sweeter, then simply make (and add) more simple syrup, or stir in some superfine sugar, honey, agave, what-have-you. I enjoyed the salted rim, but the kids said they'd rather have it without. In her book, Steamy Kitchen's Healthy Asian Favorites, Jaden Hair says that Gin makes a nice addition if you want to booze it up (my words, of course). I didn't try it...meant to, but I turned around and it was gone. But I squeezed an extra cup of juice to make another batch. This time, adult-style.

Homemade Ginger Beer inspired by Rachel's Ginger Beer in Seattle

Name that beverage: spicy, nasal-clearing, and able to cleanse your palate in a single sip. Yes, that would be Ginger Beer. On my recent trip to Seattle to attend IFBC, I was making a note of Pike Place Market locations that I wanted to visit. I asked my friend Alyssa from Everyday Maven, who I finally got to meet in real life (and is local to the area), told me a few of her favorite places. One of those places being Rachel's Ginger Beer.

Now, before visiting Pike Place Market, I didn't realize that it was not simply a market, but an actual historic district covering nine acres just east of the Seattle waterfront. From 1st Avenue to Western Avenue, and from Pike Street to Virginia Street, it offers not only a varied shopping and eating experience, but also views of the Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound! I'm not going to lie—I found myself daydreaming of living in the area...taking lazy day walks with the family that would find us home hours later, bags and trolleys bursting with freshly caught seafood, handmade pasta in all sorts of intriguing flavors, locally picked produce, some artisan-crafted soaps and lotions, and a bright bouquet of flowers.

We would have stopped for bowls of sustaining chowder, browsed the jewelery beaded painstakingly by hand, and picked up a few Milagros for our Day of the Dead altar. Surely we'd have carried around plastic cups, each filled with a different flavor of that ginger beer that Alyssa told me about. Because I'd be happy drinking a cup of Rachel's Ginger Beer every day.

Cardamom Ice Cream Root Beer Floats

A little over a week ago, I visited Seattle for the first time. I was there to attend IFBC (International Food Bloggers Conference), but also to see this city that's been on my list of "must visit" places since I fell for a little band named Pearl Jam so many years ago. I packed a lot of good stuff into two and a half days. There's so much I want to share, but it takes me time to process and sort. I'll be dividing my experience up into bits and pieces and sharing them with you over the next few weeks (or so), starting today with an unassuming little root beer float.

It was actually the burger that I was after. That morning, Bea and I had visited the Space Needle. Being the good friend that I am, I forced her to go to the top. She insisted that she'd rather just sit underneath, sipping from a bottle of something wrapped in a paper bag. She informed me that she did not like heights. So I informed her right back that I didn't either, but there was not a chance in hell that I was going to leave Seattle without viewing it from above—tourist trap or not (for the record, it's so much more than that). Let's just say she thanked me for being so...persistent.

But I digress. The Space Needle is a story for another day. My point being that while we bought a ticket for it, we decided to take advantage of the discount you receive when buying a ticket to the Chihuley Garden and Glass at the same time. The plan was to come back once it started to get dark, though. So we hopped back on the Monorail after walking around the Pike Place Market district for a while on Saturday evening. Our plan was to check out the museum (not technically a museum, but that's what I'm calling it) and hightail it back to the hotel in plenty of time to spend time at the Taste of Seattle and Gourmet Fair that closed out that night of the conference.