It's a special celebration today, the fifth anniversary of Seasonal Sundays, this weekly collection of recipes and life ideas in and out of the kitchen. I thought for a long while about how to mark the occasion, could I serve everyone a beet salad? share a slice of bread warm from the oven? Ha, no such possibility. So instead, I spent a couple of weeks identifying my most personal recipes, that ones my husband, family and friends know as "mine". Even my favorite five-year old knows that her "Auntie Al" is famous for special foods, her personal favorite are Easy Easy Magical Jello Bites, preferably in rainbow colors. 😍 Here you go!

Okay, people, hear me out because I aim to make a good case for onion dip made from scratch, ditching those packets of salty onion soup mix, nixing those heavy tubs of overly thick onion dip. Why? Forget being "as good as" those processed-food versions. Instead, know that it's better than what you can buy, a real taste revelation, like a forgotten treat from another time . Intrigued? Make a quick batch asap using ingredients you probably already have on hand, then put it out with some chips before dinner or on a platter for a watch party or tailgate event. "What is this?" everyone will ask, reaching for another potato chip. Be gone, mass-produced onion dips! DIY Onion Dip, Retro Perfect & Made from Scratch. Some Times Called "French" Onion Dip or "California" Onion Dip But Neither French Nor Californian. A Vintage, Easy Tried-and-True Recipe. Extra Welcome When "Supper's a Little Skimpy". A New Addition to The Homemade P

Clean out the fridge, people, because this week's "Seasonal Seven" recipe collection isn't so much about "dinner" as about prepping foods with "meal potential". It's an easy way to "cook ahead" and "make the next meal easier" with just a little special somethin-somethin.

Grab your phone, all, because we've got "plans" to make, because summer is fleeting and late-summer produce won't last forever. This week's "Seasonal Seven" collection features recipes that are at once casual but special, extra-good for an easy-going gathering with a couple of friends or just an intentional meal for two. I hope you'll find one or two destined as "keepers" in your own recipe repertoire.