All Posts By DeAnn McBride

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Maple Butter Bits

If you like taffy, this recipe is for you! It is versatile and, depending on the degree that you cook it, can be creamy chewy bits or even a delicious hard-candy treat. Give it a try today for a treat sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch …

Maple Sugar

Is there anything better than sugar? Yes! MAPLE SUGAR! This sweet delight is the perfect addition to a cup of tea or as a substitute for granulated sugar. It’s simple and easy to do and a great way to tiptoe into the art of sugar work.         CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up …

Here, Piggy Piggy!

My grandmother and three of her five siblings lived on land that had belonged to their parents. They each built homes less than a football field apart and pretty much had their own little community. My cousins and I had free reign of the dirt roads between the houses, and we ran from one home to another from dawn till dusk. Now, we were not bad children, but we did get into more than our fair share of mischief. One of my grandmother’s sisters, my Aunt Helen, had a home at the back of my grannie’s place. She had a …

Reading Rainbow

When I was a child, I lived for mornings. I woke up early, scrambled off my bed with my trusty blanket, and tip-toed into the kitchen. A bowl of Cheerios and a glass of orange juice later and I was nestled in front of our TV eagerly awaiting my two favorite shows – Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood and, my ultimate favorite, Reading Rainbow. I can still hear the theme song in my head, “Take a look. It’s in a book. A reading rainbow. Reading rainbooooowwwww!” This show is where my love of storytelling and books began. My favorite episode was Bread …

Merry Christmas

Growing up, Christmas was a big deal for me. School hallways dripped with decorations and letters to Santa. Throughout the town, buildings were aglow with lights and Christmas cheer. Presents nestled under the tree just waiting to be unwrapped. Our family tradition was to visit my dad’s family on Christmas Eve and then go to my Grannie and Pawpaw’s on Christmas day. We thoroughly enjoyed both places but, when it came to my Grannie and Pawpaw’s, the gifts were a little different. We did receive toys and things, but the bulk of it was homemade – crochet slippers and throws, …

Sour Cream Cake

Sour cream cake is a lovely, not too sweet, cake that is perfect for a variety of fillings and toppings. It can easily be adapted to fit any menu or celebration, and it is perfect for those who don’t have stand mixers.

The Deer

I am not a venison eater. My husband and sons are and they hunt responsibly each year. While they aren’t trophy hunters, they do occasionally harvest a deer they are extra proud of and so I end up with antlers displayed on my wall. Though it is not my aesthetic, it is their home too, so I try to compromise since they do harvest ethically and responsibly, which is important to me. When we moved into our new home a few years ago, the one thing I told the men was that they could put their “decor” anywhere but the …

Maple Breakfast Cake

Nothing says breakfast like sweet, warm, maple syrup. Instead of pancakes, try it with another delicious treat…cake! Maple Breakfast Cake is a hearty and sweet delight perfect for cold mornings and hot cups of coffee. Try frosting it with Maple Sugar Frosting     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other goodies on your way out. In 2007 while visiting the various producers I picked up a bunch of recipe pages on …

Maple Sugar Frosting

Mention frosting and most people imagine buttercream piled high on top of cupcakes. However, frosting is not just buttercream and can include a wide variety of confectionery toppings. Maple Sugar Frosting is a sweet, fluffy delight that can be used for cakes, cookies, or even bread. It is simple to make and has a marshmallow-like texture that is fun to make and eat.     CandiAnne’s Note: We were stationed at Fort Drum, NY for 4 1/2 years and maple weekend is a huge thing there. You can visit numerous producers, taste their wares, and grab some syrup or other …