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  • Paleo espresso chocolate hazelnut energy bites.

    Espresso Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites.

    Are you looking for an afternoon snack or after workout treat that is healthy and super delicious? Try one of the espresso chocolate hazelnut energy bites. They are loaded with goodness, and so, so tasty. I’m fond of any sweet treat that is no bake. I love how quickly they come together and how well…

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  • Several pieces of Reese's peanut butter cup fudge with a peanut butter drizzle on a white plate.

    Drizzled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge

    This drizzled peanut butter cup fudge is so easy to make and absolutely foolproof. If you are looking for me in December, you will likely find me in my kitchen making fudge. I love to eat it. I love to make it, and I love to take pictures of it. Keep reading to learn how to…

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  • Slow Cooker Spiced Wine with Oranges and Cranberries

    Slow Cooker Spiced Wine with Oranges and Cranberries

    This recipe for slow cooker spiced wine with oranges and cranberries is the perfect way to ring in the New Year at our house. It is a great addition to my collection of party-time crock pot recipes. It’s time to bring out the big guns for your New Year’s party.  And by big guns, I…

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  • Cooking the perfect holiday ham is as easy as your secret ingredients for the glaze. This recipe is simple to do and tastes heavenly. thegardeningcook.com #ForTheLoveOfHam

    How to Cook the Perfect Holiday Ham

    Do you want a perfect holiday ham on your table this year?  Read on for some tips to make a very special treat for your family. For years, our family always had turkey at both Thanksgiving and for our Christmas meal. But a few years ago, I switched things up and decided to prepare a…

    Read More How to Cook the Perfect Holiday HamContinue

  • Eggnog muffins - make a great Santa treat

    Eggnog Muffins – A Holiday Favorite

    These eggnog muffins will be sure to become one of our holiday favorite brunch additions in years to come. Christmas morning is always special at our house. We open our Christmas gifts throughout the day, not just in one mad rush. We also stop mid morning for a nice Christmas breakfast or brunch.  I LOVE…

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  • These 9 tips will help you put together the perfect coffee lovers gift basket. Your coffee loving friends will be so pleased to get such a personal gift. thegardeningcook.com #DunkinToTheRescue #ad

    How to Make the Perfect DIY Coffee Lovers Gift Basket & 2 Free Printables

    This coffee lovers gift basket is the perfect personalized Christmas gift to show someone special how much you love them. They are very easy to make by following my tips. Deck the halls with lots of baskets…gift baskets that is! I just love to come up with all kinds of gift baskets to treat my…

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  • drizzled pecan pie cookies

    Pecan Pie Cookies – A Holiday Treat

    Thanksgiving menu planning is in full force right now. These pecan pie cookies are the perfect addition to your holiday dessert table. They have the delicious taste of a traditional pecan pie, in a small size, without all the calories. My husband is a pecan pie fanatic. He loves everything about it.  Except for the…

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  • This festive ice skate swag looks perfect on a front door with an oval glass panel. The skates add a whimsical touch to the burlap bow and gives the whole project a country look. thegardeningcook.com

    Festive Ice Skates Door Swag

    This project for a festive ice skates door swag dresses up my entry for the holidays and has a country feel to it that I love. We changed our front door this summer, and now have an oval glass panel on the front entry.  The shape means that I no longer use round wreaths for…

    Read More Festive Ice Skates Door SwagContinue

  • My Mum's butterscotch pie

    My Mum’s Butterscotch pie with a Torched Meringue Topping

    One of my fondest holiday memories, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, is my mum’s butterscotch pie. Our whole family looks forward to it for the holidays. The pie is rich and creamy, sweet and mum use to make batches of them every year. My mother had to make extras, or there would be none left…

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  • This copycat KFC oven fried chicken has a ton of flavor with all the fat and calories of deep frying. thegardeningcook.com

    Oven Baked Chicken – Healthy Version of Southern Fried!

    This oven baked chicken recipe has a great flavor from a super mix of spices, but I have cut way back on both calories and fat by baking it in the oven instead of deep frying it. It reminds me of my favorite takeaway chicken but is much more healthy. I love all types of…

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  • Turtle  Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake

    Turtle Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake

    This turtle chocolate pumpkin cheesecake will become a family favorite to be shared from season to season. It’s a dessert made in turtle chocolate heaven.  This one appeals to me so much.  I lost both of my parents in less than two years.  Mum’s favorite pie was pumpkin, and dad’s favorite candy was Turtles. When…

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  • Chicken pot pie with cinnamon apples and cranberry and walnut salad

    Cinnamon Apples and Pear Salad – Super Easy Fall Side Dishes

    Looking for side dish to add to your fall lineup? Try these cinnamon apples and a pear salad. They are easy to make, super tasty, and combine will with a pear salad. ‘Tis the season for easy meals in my house. I adore this time of the year, but it’s a busy one for sure….

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  • Italian sausage casserole with drunken noodles

    Mild Italian Sausage with Drunken Noodles

    Tonight our table will feature this mild Italian Sausage with drunken noodles recipe. I’m in the mood for something special,and also want to treat my husband.   He’s very fond of Italian sausages and pasta and loves them whenever I cook them for him.  Keep reading to find out how to make this dish. Let’s…

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  • These pumpkin swirl mini cheesecakes are the perfect size for your Thanksgiving guests. They are a delicious blend of cream cheese, pumpkin puree and seasonal spices. thegardeningcook.com

    Pumpkin Swirl Mini Cheesecakes

    These pumpkin swirl mini cheesecakes are the perfect compromise for him and delicious to boot! They make a great addition to any cheesecake recipe collection. One of my mother’s favorite desserts at Thanksgiving is pumpkin pie. I’ve never been much of a fan of a whole pie, (I usually eat just the filling of the…

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  • This garlic honey Dijon chicken has the most sublime sauce. It is a bit sweet and not too rich. The recipe comes together in about 15 minutes and tastes amazing!

    Honey Garlic Dijon Chicken – Easy Chicken 30 Minute Recipe

    Today is a day when nothing short of a OMG sauce will do, and this honey garlic Dijon chicken has just that.  There are many days when clean eating is my middle name.  But when the fall weather sets in, all that seems to change. Pretty funny how my waist line seems to grow with…

    Read More Honey Garlic Dijon Chicken – Easy Chicken 30 Minute RecipeContinue

  • Just a few projects and my front entry is ready for fall.

    Autumn Makeover for My Front Entry

    This autumn makeover is perfect for Halloween and with a few adjustments in a couple of weeks, it will go right through Thanksgiving. I love everything about autumn. When the temperatures start to fall, I know that good things are right around the corner. Having three fun holidays in a row gives me so many…

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  • spicy szechuan pork stir fry

    Spicy Szechuan Garlic Pepper Pork Stir Fry

    This delicious garlic pepper pork stir fry has all the flavor of your favorite take away pork stir fry.  But made in your kitchen, with love in 25 minutes.  Why go out? Can we say sweet?  Can we say spicy?   What a great combination! I don’t normally care for spicy dishes but when you quiet…

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  • Southern Chciken pot pie with cornbread crust

    Southern Chicken Pot Pie with a Cotton Country Corn Bread Topping

    This Southern country pot pie with a cornbread crust is full of flavor and very easy to put together. Mmmm…mmmmm.  Southern cooking. What is not to like? When I think of Southern food, I think of hearty dishes cooked with a lot of love (and a bit of butter!)  Time to celebrate Southern cooking with…

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  • reading corner makeover

    Reading Corner Makeover – A Place to Relax

    My reading corner makeover gives me the perfect spot to have a cup of tea and relax with my favorite gardening magazine. I have a corner of my family room that is a great place to sit and read, but it is sorely in need of a facelift. It has a really pretty chair but…

    Read More Reading Corner Makeover – A Place to RelaxContinue

  • Tuscan inspired Tomato basil chicken

    Tuscan Inspired Tomato Basil Chicken

    This Tuscan inspired tomato basil chicken with a buttery sauce features a few leaves of the last of my summertime basil, and the delightful aroma of freshly minced garlic. May I introduce you to new favorite way to eat chicken? Oh my, oh yes, that is how I want my chicken, thank you very much!…

    Read More Tuscan Inspired Tomato Basil ChickenContinue

  • 8 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Happy

    8 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Happy

    Keeping your dog happy is one of life’s little pleasures, for me. I mean, how hard is it to do things for someone you love so much? Our family members are huge animal lovers.  We have had so many furry friends that have become a part of our family over the years – count ’em…

    Read More 8 Tips for Keeping Your Dog HappyContinue

  • Apple cake with caramel honey glaze

    Honey Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze – Perfect for Fall

    This honey apple cake is full of the flavors of autumn. Why not serve it as a part of your Thanksgiving dessert table? What do all these have in common: falling leaves, hoodies, carving a pumpkin, corn stalks, decorating, apples?  Of course! It’s fall. My favorite time of the year. And what could make it…

    Read More Honey Apple Cake with Caramel Glaze – Perfect for FallContinue

  • Easy chicken fajitas

    Easy Chicken Fajitas – Recipe for Mealtime in a Hurry

    These easy chicken fajitas are super tasty, super easy to prepare and one of my favorite 30 minute meals. This is such a busy time of the year.  The summer is over, kids are heading back to school and there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to…

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  • Vanilla custard with homemade fruit sauce. Sometimes simple is the best taste!

    Vanilla-Flavored Custard with Homemade Fruit Sauce

    Yum….fresh fruit.  This time of the year, the choices are so wide and the flavor is sublime.  My friend Regina, who used to blog at Molly Mel, has shared with me her favorite way to dress up custard – with a seasonal homemade fruit sauce!  Sometimes, less is more. This recipe shows that to perfection. …

    Read More Vanilla-Flavored Custard with Homemade Fruit SauceContinue

  • DIY Halloween Goodie Bag

    DIY Halloween Goodie Bags

    The kids in the neighborhood will love coming to your house this Halloween if you make these spooky Halloween Goodie bags. I just love this time of the year.  The temps are cooler, the leaves are changing and I know that the holiday season will soon be here. Keep reading to find out how to…

    Read More DIY Halloween Goodie BagsContinue

  • walking your dog

    Need Exercise Motivation? Try Walking Your Dog

    If you are looking for a fun way to incorporate fitness on your life, try walking your dog. I recently developed a new attitude to my health and fitness and have taken it up with a vengeance.   I admit it.  I have been lax for years about getting in some daily exercise.  I have…

    Read More Need Exercise Motivation? Try Walking Your DogContinue

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HI, I'M CAROL!

I love to garden, cook, and make DIY projects.

I come from a long line of gardeners, and have always loved to experiment with food and recipes.

Join me as I cook and garden my way through life.

After all, I am the Gardening Cook!

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  • Home
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      • Bulbs
      • Roses
    • Gardening Tips
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      • Landscaping
    • Herbs
    • Indoor Plants
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      • Botanical Gardens
      • Garden Tours
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    • Wildlife
      • Birds
      • Bugs
      • Butterflies
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