Olivia Hartwell

My First Tater Tot Casserole I first made this casserole for my grandson’s sleepover. The boys ate the whole pan! I still laugh at that. It was a huge hit. Now it’s my go-to recipe for a hungry crowd. It is so simple to put together. You just layer everything in a dish. The…

A Cozy Kitchen Project This gratin is a perfect project for a chilly day. The oven warms the whole kitchen. It makes the house smell like melted cheese and thyme. I find that so comforting. You will slice sweet potatoes, parsnips, and beets. Keep them in separate bowls. This keeps the colors pretty. Don’t…

A Little Sunshine in a Cookie I love the smell of lemon zest. It reminds me of sunny summer days. These cookies are like a little burst of sunshine. They are sweet, a little tart, and so very soft. Baking them makes my whole kitchen smell happy. Doesn’t that sound nice? What is your…

A Sweet Story to Share I first tried a Magnolia Bakery cupcake years ago. My granddaughter bought one for us to share. We sat on a park bench and took tiny bites. I still laugh at that. We got frosting on our noses. It was the happiest afternoon. That memory is why I love…

A Sweet Summer Memory I first tried this drink on a very hot day. My grandson was with me. He took one sip and his whole face lit up. I still laugh at that. It made me so happy. That is why this matters. A simple drink can create a joyful memory. Do you…

The Secret is in the Shake My grandpa taught me to make fried chicken. He used a big paper bag for the flour. I still laugh at that memory. You put all the dry stuff in a bag. Then you add the chicken. Now for the fun part. Shake it all up until every…

The Heart of the Sauce My kitchen smells like my grandma’s house right now. That is the best smell in the world. It is warm and full of love. This sauce simmers all day long. It fills your whole home with a happy feeling. That slow cooking mixes all the flavors together perfectly. A…

My First Cheese Biscuit Disaster I still laugh at my first try. I was young and in a hurry. I forgot the baking powder. My biscuits came out like little rocks. We had to give them to the dog. He wouldn’t even eat them! That taught me a good lesson. Baking is a little…

A Drink with a Funny Name I first tried this at a little roadside stand. The name made me giggle. “Dirty Strawberry Soda,” it said. I just had to know what made it “dirty.” It turns out, it’s the creamy vanilla swirl. It muddles the clear pink soda. I think the name is silly…

A Better Way to Eat Sushi Have you ever tried to make sushi rolls at home? I have. It was a funny mess. My first roll fell completely apart. I still laugh at that. This bowl is a much easier way. You get all the yummy flavors without the rolling. It is perfect for…