Olivia Hartwell

The Easiest Supper You’ll Ever Make This casserole is my go-to on a busy weeknight. You just dump everything in a dish. Then you walk away. No boiling the pasta first. No fancy steps. I love how simple it is. It gives me time to set the table. Or just sit for a minute.…

A Lesson from My Lunchbox I used to make these for my grandson, Leo. He called them “puffy eggs.” He would eat three right from the pan. I still laugh at that. They are perfect for busy days. You can make a batch on Sunday. Then you have a quick breakfast or snack all…

My Easy-Peasy Chicken Dinner I want to share my favorite slow cooker recipe with you. It is called Crack Chicken. The name is funny, I know. It just means everyone is crazy for it. My grandkids ask for it every time they visit. You just put a few things in the pot in the…

A Sweet Start Let me tell you about my first time making these. I was so nervous. I thought they would be too hard for me. But they were so simple. My grandson watched me mix everything. His eyes got so wide when he saw the Oreos. It matters because cooking should be fun,…

A Sweet Memory from the Oven My grandson once told me roasted carrots taste like candy. I still laugh at that. But he was right. The maple syrup and heat make them sweet and tender. Roasting vegetables changes them. It turns simple carrots into something special. This matters because cooking should be a little…

A Sweet Start Let’s make some pink brownies. They are so cheerful. I love how simple they are to put together. You just mix a box of strawberry cake mix with eggs and oil. It makes a soft, pink dough. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? It reminds me of summer. A Little Story for…

My First Taste of Sunshine Cake I first tried this cake at a church potluck. A lovely woman named Maria brought it. It was the most beautiful cake I had ever seen. I took one bite and my eyes went wide. It was so moist and sweet. I knew I had to get the…

The Story Behind the Sweet and Savory My grandson Leo loves this dish. He calls it Hawaiian chicken. I first made it for his birthday party. The whole pan was gone in minutes. I still laugh at that. This recipe matters because it brings people together. It turns a simple dinner into a small…

A Cozy Soup for a Rainy Day I first made this soup on a gray, drizzly afternoon. The wind was howling outside my kitchen window. I wanted something warm and happy to eat. This soup fixed my mood right away. It fills your whole house with a wonderful smell. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It…

A Happy Kitchen Accident I first made these by mistake. I was baking two different desserts at once. My pecan pie filling ended up on my brownie pan. I decided to just bake it anyway. Oh, what a wonderful surprise it was! The two layers became one perfect treat. I still laugh at that…