I received a question from a reader…

“I was wondering if you had any great, easy food/dinner ideas for friends that are in mourning, recovering from surgery, ill, or that just need a night off from the kitchen. I am looking for a yummy easy salad, main course, and dessert, and preferably something that can be frozen (main dish) in case the recipient isn’t able to eat the food right away. Also, it needs to be able to travel in the car well. Nothing fancy, just a good, comfort dish. Thanks!”

On my lastest podcast episode I answer her question, but it took me 40 minutes just to talk about my passion for casseroles, so I decided to break it up into installments.  This first episode includes five of top my favorite casserole recipes and ideas for prepared food from restaurants you can take (if you are not a cook).  I will try to work on a downloadable file for all the recipes that you can access.  Until then, sit down with a pen and paper (or your laptop) and listen to episode nine.

For the next several episodes I will share side dishes, dessert and breakfast ideas so stay tuned.

On the topic of gardening, I share the secret to longlasting, colorful mounds of pansies in your garden to enjoy from fall to late spring.  You should see my pansies and daffodils right now.  Soon I will have bright red poppies stunning my front lawn.

I’ll get photos of my garden and share them on Instagram and Facebook.

Have a beautiful Monday and be sure to head over for a listen to my podcast here, on Soundcloud and where most podcasts are heard.