Down Home at Dee’s

Well-Read Wednesday – Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder – Part 3

April 23, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

Welcome back to Well-Read Wednesday, where I explore recipes from our favorite culinary mysteries! Today, I’m diving into another delightful recipe from Joanne Fluke’s “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder,” featuring Hannah Swensen, my favorite small-town baker-turned-sleuth. These Black and Whites are wonderfully decadent treats that transform magically during baking. Starting as a rich, deeply chocolaty dough, they emerge from the oven as tender cookies with a striking appearance. Each one features a delicate, crackled surface dusted with powdered sugar, creating an…

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Well-Read Wednesday – Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder – Part 2

April 16, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

Welcome back to Well-Read Wednesday, where we explore recipes from our favorite culinary mysteries! Today, we’re diving into another delightful recipe from Joanne Fluke’s “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder,” featuring Hannah Swensen, our favorite small-town baker-turned-sleuth. These Regency Ginger Crisps are a perfect blend of history and flavor, bringing a touch of Jane Austen’s era to our modern kitchens. The combination of ginger, molasses, and brown sugar creates a complex flavor profile, while the sugar coating adds a delightful crunch. Last…

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Well-Read Wednesday – Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder – Part 1

April 9, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

The Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke combines two of my favorite activities—reading and baking. And the Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder the first book in the Hannah Swensen series delivers with several wonderful recipes including Chocolate Chip Crunch Cookies! Book Summery Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota, finds herself entangled in a murder investigation when her milk delivery man is found dead behind her shop. Armed with her quick wit, intuitive nature, and an…

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Easy DIY Painted Dollar Tree Serving Bowls

April 3, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

Looking for an affordable way to spruce up your Easter table? These painted Dollar Tree serving bowls are the perfect solution! With just a few basic supplies and creative inspiration, you can transform simple plastic bowls into stunning decorative pieces that look boutique-worthy. Let’s Do This! Steps Using a round sponge brush, apply your chosen chalk or acrylic paint to the bowl’s exterior. Let dry completely. Apply a second coat and allow to dry completely. Apply a coat of white…

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Spring Decoupage Bunny: A Charming DIY Craft Project

March 27, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

Create an adorable decoration with this easy-to-follow Spring decoupage bunny craft project. Perfect for Easter or seasonal home decor, this charming bunny will bring a touch of whimsy to any space. Let’s Do This! Steps Paint bunny with chalk paint. Let completely dry. Paint a layer of Mod Podge on bunny. Let completely dry. Separate napkin and press out folds. Cut napkin to a size just a little larger than the bunny. Cover with parchment paper and use heat press…

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Solo Dining Success: Instant Pot Baked Ziti for One

March 25, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

Craving the comfort of baked ziti but cooking for just yourself? This scaled-down version of Instant Pot Baked Ziti recipe is perfect for solo diners who still want a delicious, home-cooked meal without a week’s worth of leftovers. Let’s Do This! Ingredients Steps Sauté ground beef in Instant Pot, seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally for 5 minutes, then drain fat. Pour in water and deglaze bottom of pot, scraping up any browned bits. Turn Instant Pot off. Add…

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Quick Instant Pot Taco Casserole for Two

February 11, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

Looking for an easy and delicious meal to whip up for a cozy dinner for two? Look no further than this mouthwatering Instant Pot Taco Casserole! This recipe brings together the best of Tex-Mex flavors, all in the convenience of your Instant Pot. Follow these simple steps and enjoy a delightful meal with your loved one. Let’s Do This! Step 1: Prepare the Meat Mixture Press the Sauté button. Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes. Drain fat….

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Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup for One: Comfort in a Bowl

January 28, 2025 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

There’s something incredibly comforting about a bowl of hot, creamy soup, especially when it tastes like your favorite cheeseburger. This single-serving crockpot recipe is perfect for solo dining, combining all the flavors you love in a cheeseburger into a warm, satisfying soup. Why You’ll Love This Recipe Let’s Do This! Steps Brown the ground beef and onion in a small skillet, drain excess fat Add ground beef mixture and all vegetables to your small crockpot. Pour in beef broth and…

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My Photography Journey: A Year with My Camera

December 23, 2024 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

A Year With My Camera is a free online photography course taught by Emma Davies. It’s a year long photography journey. I started the class previously with my trusty Nikon D40, but after reaching Lesson 6, it started becoming temperamental. I decided to upgrade to a newer model, a Nikon D7000, and now I’m starting fresh from Lesson 1 to learn both photography and my “new” camera. My Photography Journey I’m super excited to begin the class again on December…

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Celebrate National Guacamole Day with Homemade Guacamole

September 16, 2024 downhomeatdees Comments 0 Comment

A Festive and Flavorful Celebration September 16th marks a day of creamy delight and vibrant flavors as we celebrate National Guacamole Day. This beloved avocado-based dip, with its origins deeply rooted in Mexican cuisine, has become a staple in homes and restaurants across the globe. What better way to honor this day than by making your very own homemade guacamole? The History of Guacamole Guacamole traces its origins back to the Aztecs in Mexico, who first crafted this delightful dip…

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