About Me - Welcome to my blog!

Hi there, I'm Susan Moncrieff! Welcome to Momcrieff, where I share my love for creating quick, easy, and delicious home-cooked meals. Back in 2011, when I started this blog, I noticed my friends picking up so many meals from the drive-thru. That's when I knew I wanted to share easy recipes that are just as convenient, way more budget-friendly, healthy, and tastier than fast food.

Now, as an empty nester, I still like making many of the recipes I made when the kids were young (but with more veggies and fresh herbs from the garden!)

When I’m not cooking or baking, I’m creating pretty and vibrant flower planters. I enjoy gardening but realize I love ornamental gardening the most. Pretty flower pots adorn my yard and welcome everyone to visit. I actually love growing herbs for their freshness, and ornamental flowers. They tie my love of flavorful food and colorful container gardening together.

When my kids call and ask, “How did you make that squash soup with leeks?” Or “What are the two ingredients for those pumpkin muffins?” I just send them the link.

Fun Facts about Me

I am a first generation Canadian, now also American. Both my parents came from Germany.
There were no shortcuts to cooking and baking when I was growing up. I don't recall ever seeing measuring cups or measuring teaspoons as a kid. I sometimes have to make a recipe a few times because I forget to measure things for you!
I developed an iPhone app. years ago called Spelling Drills. I still regret that I stopped supporting it. This technology stuff is hard, but for some reason I just keep working at it.
My Dad's garden was so big he sold vegetables to the local grocery store. My Mom froze enough vegetables for the whole winter, and then some!
I have inherited my parents' gardening genes. My mother filled every windowsill in the house with houseplant clippings. I'm not there yet, but am seeing signs it's coming!

Gardening

I love being outside in my gardens. Recently, I earned my Master Gardener certification through the University of Wisconsin – Extension. It was a bucket list goal!

Paraphrasing from the Master Gardener mission statement:
We are dedicated to university researched-based horticulture education (of ourselves and others), community service and lifelong learning. Yes, yes, and yes! I'm proud to be part of this group.

The gardening information I share here is based on both science and personal experience. You can trust what I write. I recently wrote this raised garden beds post to help new gardeners get started. My most popular gardening post is about these 35+ Outdoor Planters. I am enjoying the continuing education provided by my local university extension (Wisconsin Horticultural Division Extension) as part of my Master Gardener program. Many programs are free to the public. I encourage you to look up your local horticultural university extension.

raised garden beds in metal fire pit rings

I still make easy recipes! Some of my recipes now involve the food I grow. I’ve enjoyed the cycle of growing, using, and preserving my garden bounty. This Basil - Growing, Using and Preserving this Herb is an example.

Easy Recipes

Easy pantry recipes remain a staple here. On busy days I still reach for trusted favorites like this three ingredient peach cobbler or these 3 ingredient peanut butter cookies.

The recipe that started my food writing journey is this two-ingredient pumpkin muffin recipe. Yup, this two-ingredient recipe started it all!

The best conversations are still around the kitchen table. It’s been interesting watching my kids begin their food creation journeys in their own kitchens. One of my initial goals for this website was to help my kids keep, find and make their favorite recipes.

Stay a while and visit! Below some links to help you look around.