Posts by Maureen

About Maureen


Too Much Trash!

Considering its size and dense population, Chicago is a shockingly clean city.  Everyone who visits always says, “Chicago is like a clean version of New York.”  However, on Sunday mornings after a weekend’s worth of festivities the corner garbage cans are overflowing.  I suppose I should be grateful that the trash is properly disposed of […]


Strawberries and Cream Shortbread Tart

Our friends Casey and Michele invited us over to their house for dinner last night.  It was a glorious summer evening in Chicago – street fest right outside the front door with live music, warm weather and clear skies, amazing food and great friends. Michele made grilled corn-on-the-cob, garlic bread, peel-n-eat shrimp, grilled artichokes and […]


International Kindness Day!

Today was International Kindness Project Day, a day to honor and remember special people who passed away much too soon. This special event was sponsored by the MISS Foundation, an international organization that provides support to families grieving the loss of a child.   I became acquainted with MISS when my friend and fellow Homemade […]


A Baby Doll for Boys and Girls

My sister Meghan and I were chatting on the phone today (as we tend to do several times every day), and she mentioned that she wants to get a baby doll for her adorable son Trey. He is almost two years old and growing into an inquisitive and thoughtful little fellow.  Just the right time […]


Sour Cream Coffee Cake That is Oh-So Sweet!

A few years ago I created Sister Kitch’n, a simple recipe blog for the ladies of my family.  My mom, sisters, aunts, cousins and grandmothers are all invited to post their favorite recipes, new or old.  The recipes vary – all meals and cuisines are welcome, and it doesn’t matter where a recipe originates as […]


Raw Milk…Cooked!

About a year and a half ago I wrote a post about my interest in raw milk.  All the milk sold in American grocery stores is pasteurized at either 161 degrees for 15 seconds or 145 degrees for 30 minutes.  Pasteurization kills any dangerous bacteria potentially lurking around, but this process also “destroys enzymes, diminishes […]


Chill Out

Its hot. Its also July. So, will everyone quit the complaining?  I waited ALL winter for this kind of weather, and I L-O-V-E it!  Honestly, if it was hovering close to 85 degrees every day you’d never hear a negative peep outta me. I’m a summer girl trapped in the northern hemisphere, and its likely […]


Linguine with Zucchini, Tomatoes and Basil

One of my favorite new cookbooks is Heidi Swanson’s “Super Natural Every Day.”  She has so many simple and straightforward recipes, and I really appreciate her fresh approach to cooking.  Tonight I was inspired by her Summer Linguine recipe that calls for barely more than pasta, zucchini and garlic.  It looks like a satisfying meal […]


International Kindness Project Day from the MISS Foundation

Thought I would share this press release about Kindness Project Day with the Homemade Mothering community.  The event is sponsored by the MISS Foundation, an international organization that provides support to families grieving the loss of a child.   I became acquainted with MISS when my friend and fellow Homemade Mother Jeanne lost her sweet […]


Catching Up With An Old Friend Over Breakfast Strata

My dear college friend Molly came over for breakfast on Sunday.  She lives in eastern Pennsylvania, so our visits together are few and far between.  She was in town for less than a day before heading home to her three little ones, so I feel so lucky that she chose to spend some of her […]