Well… helooooo there old friend. It’s been a while. And, yes… you may have gotten some updates from a totally different site. This site is no longer The Village Cook, – it’s now got a new name, new domain and shiny new look. Of course, all the original recipes are still here, too….
Category: daily thoughts
summertime… and the living is_________
It’s  summer!!! Okay, well… it’s been summer. Heck, it’s almost always summer (at least weather-wise) where I live. We have three seasons; warm, hot and Africa sauna hot. But…. summertime around here means I don’t have *as much* to do daily, and life takes on a relaxed vibe. Of course there’s always “life…
family update
We started 2021 with four new additions to our family. Yes, FOUR. (No, they aren’t all puppies. ) Two puppies and a toddler, and a blue and gold Macaw rescue. We decided to take in a stray pup that we had found , after nobody came forth to claim it at the shelter;…
before and after …and in-between
I am so bad, y’all… I used to write here every single day… it was my outlet. Then, life happened literally. New babies every few months for four years straight took a toll on my priorities here with this little blog. And, this “little” blog has seen me through a lot, good and…
overcooked and underfed
I have a story for y’all. It’s a story about being tired, and waking up. You see, I got stuck. I got stuck in a pattern of catching up, which made me fall behind. Not making sense? Let me explain… When I first began this blog, things like Instagram and Pinterest didn’t exist….
cozy casseroles and happy endings
Who doesn’t love a warm hearty casserole? It’s like a hug from grandma after a rough day…. Casseroles are up there on my favorite comfort food lists. Right next to tacos and sushi. Have you ever wondered why salads aren’t comfort food? What exactly makes food comforting? Hmmmm. Anyway… just a odd little…
Enlarging our tent
Remember my posts about enlarging our tent? No, we don’t actually live in a tent. It’s an expression of expansion. Although, tent living is fine with me as long as there is mosquito repellent… and food. And fire to cook the food. A soap to clean up. And toilet paper. Got it? Okay,…
vanilla chia pudding
Who remembers ChiaPets? Terra cotta animals that you soak, spread chia seeds on, and they “sprout hair”making a small green topiary for you to enjoy on your windowsill. Who knew they were good for you? Well, they are. And, this creamy breakfast “pudding” is just the treat you need for Monday. Mondays are…
this joyful season …or not
Before I begin, I’m aware that this season is not joyful for everyone. For some, this season ignites pain and stress, resurfaces old memories and bitterness, sadness or despair. For me, I have my winter wounds as well, for it was on December 15 that my daughter and I found my father, which…
The boulder I live under
You know the expression: “You must live under a rock!” Well, my friends… I’m pretty sure I live under a boulder. And, it’s gotten even larger having two toddlers and a baby.My boulder is filled with homeschooling, diapers, bottles, toddlers, chicken nuggets and laundry. Seriously: If it’s not on Peppa Pig, I probably…
enlarging our tent, part 3 another adoption!
Do y’all remember when we first decided to become foster parents? Do ya’ll  remember our waiting on our first placement? And this happened? Now…. Last November we said yes once more to another NICU baby; this time : a preemie, and circumstances at birth required her to be resuscitated.. to put it bluntly,…
brownie batter dip & back to (home)school
It’s back to school season, which; for me is like a second “New Years”.  For a ton of reasons, I just love school supplies. The smell of new crayons and fresh pencils… they just give off that”fresh start” feeling.  It  also reminds me  that cooler weather is just around the corner, along with…
when the cup overflows
Monday, at 5:52pm I found out there was a need for a home for a newborn baby girl. And, Â at 8:31pm, she was in my arms. Foster care has a way of keeping you on your toes. So, Â as I was preparing a meal of chicken divan, jasmine rice and corn, God was…
enlarging our tent part 2; an adoption story
Happy New Year! I know, we are already 15 days into the new year, but fifteen days is still pretty “new” so I’ll wish you the best for the next 350 days. I have kicked off this year with some pretty major life changes. We finally adopted our little girl that we have…
happy taco tuesday!
Happy Taco Tuesday! Who-ever thought of food theme days, thank you. It helps us figure out dinner ideas when we are to tired to think. And, I know it’s been awhile since I have posted. Things have been happening, and y’all are way overdo for some updates. So: grab your beverage of choice…
festivals and fair days
Our local fair comes into town every January. When I was a kid, my mom would tell the school that my sister and I had a dental appointment, and pull us out early. In our lunch boxes on “fair day” she would place a tiny note, with a happy face and a ferris…
#reclaiminghappiness
 There are days where it is a battle to maintain an outlook beyond what I can see. There are days when the glimmer of hope in the future is nothing but an ember smoldering on a candle on a birthday cake. A tiny orange hued speck representing the past years, slowly fading…
NEW look
Recently, I have gotten a shiny new look here, and over at The Domestic Mama, I hope you enjoy.You may also see that I have changes the name from “The Domestic Mama & The Village Cook” to “The Domestic Kitchen”. But, don’t worry, it’s just the name that’s changing! Comments are welcome 🙂
It broke my heart to write this post
I wrote this post on my other blog, The Domestic Mama. It broke my heart to write. You can read it here: Breakfast With Dad
homemade chocolates and control freaks
I admit it. I am a control freak. Not to the point where it’s my-way-or-the-highway, but to the point where if my husband asks me where the ketchup is; I just go get it. Or, how to do something… I just do it. Then he says, “You could have just told me.” There…
