I loooove the flavor of hot wings, but I hate the bones and veins of chicken wings. I'm weird about certain textures; I just can't do it.

I stumbled upon this recipe for Buffalo Potato Wedges in, you guessed it, Everyday with Rachael Ray. It combines two of my favorites--hot sauce and potatoes. When I invited people over for some playoff football action, I made these babies and everyone loved them. Some even asked for the recipe. To me, that makes it a success.

They're a nice, unexpected twist on the regular hot wing...and who doesn't like potatoes? If you're at a loss when it comes to your Super Bowl spread, this would make a nice addition to your table. Though I might suggest going out and getting all your football goodies now, before we get snowed in with this latest blast from Mother Nature...

I made a quick and delicious soup on Sunday. I think the recipe hales from a Taste of Home magazine...I think. I clipped this recipe out of a magazine back when we had our Taste of Home Cooking Show, so I'm almost certain that's where it came from.

Anyway, I clipped out the recipe and stuck it on the fridge with a magnet. After months of glimpsing at it whenever I opened the fridge, I decided to make it. It's a good soup in a pinch and I already had most of the ingredients. That's always a plus!

I like it because the recipe is open to interpretation. I went with diced tomatoes with garlic and onion for an extra dash of flavor. I also opted for frozen, heat and eat tortellini to save a little money. You can really make it however you want to.

I'm a reader and I love books. My friends know this about me so they often recommend new books for me to add to my growing home library. The latest suggestion comes from my very good friend Beth. She's a voracious reader like me and never fails to direct me to a good read.

Beth recently devoured a book called In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan. At first glance, it looks to be an interesting read. Author Michael Pollan explores the way we Americans view food, what we eat and how we eat it. I haven't read the book yet, but I plan to, so I'll stop telling you about it and let the author tell you about it.

Every once in a while I get hooked on something; such is the case currently. These days I'm infatuated with Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products. They make a slew of products to fulfill a number of needs (from laundry detergent to baby oil) but what I care about most are the kitchen products (i.e. dish soap, countertop spray, etc.)

Right about now you're thinking: "What's the big deal? It's just dish soap." Okay, I see your point. I am someone who hates doing dishes; it's a necessary evil. However, I don't want my home to resemble anything from my latest TV show obsession, Hoarders, so I stay on top of my dishes. Mrs. Meyer's creates what they call "aromatherapeutic household cleaners." For me, it makes the chore of scrubbing pots and pans a pleasant experience, at least for my nose.

My personal favorite scent is basil, with geranium coming in a close second. Other garden-inspired aromas include lavender, lemon verbena and baby blossom. They also carry scent-free items. It doesn't hurt that whenever possible, the people at Mrs. Meyer's use natural ingredients. These eco-friendly and biodegradable products are safe to use around pets, kids and mothers-to-be.

Photo by James Baigrie for Everyday with Rachael Ray

In a few weeks, I'll be heading up to Vermont for a ski trip. To be clear, I don't ski. I'm more of a snow tuber. "Ski trip" is Andrea-speak for sit in the lodge with my journal and a good book while I watch the snow fall down outside. While everyone is out there zipping down the slopes, I will be enjoying some much needed quiet time.

I've been researching the little town we're headed to and I can't wait to check out the little shops and restaurants. I also intend to bring home some authentic, New England maple syrup.

All of my non-skiing aside, I'm not going to be anti-social. I can't wait to see so many familiar faces. As the resident non-skiier, I plan on welcoming everyone back to the house with Hot Maine Mudslides and chocolate biscotti. This recipe comes from an old issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray. I've made it several times to much success--and I've given away little packages of the biscotti in gift baskets too.

It's been a long week. Between working late, a night class and the general busy-ness of the workweek, I have to admit that my dinners were somewhat lacking. I've been more of a scavenger than anything else.

But tonight, all that changes thanks to a little invention called the slow cooker.

Well, we did it. We went to the Farm Show. It was a harried experience; at times marred with stress and annoyance, and at times filled with fun and good eats.

While others shelled out $10 to park in some far away lot and then ride the school bus shuttle to the Expo Center, we parked just up the street at the Budget Bakery Holsum. The Boy Scouts were running a fundraiser there at just $7 to park. Zach being an Eagle Scout, we had to park there. We know where our priorities lie. I don't know if this was just a weekend thing--I wouldn't park there unless you see proper signage and the little scouts directing you in. Otherwise, you might return to a towed vehicle.

The Farm Show Building was...packed. I guess that was to be expected. It was Sunday of the opening weekend. Any poor soul who has zero time Monday thru Friday (myself included) is forced to go during those coveted workweek margins known as weekends. At times, I felt a little bit like the cattle, crammed into the hallways and stairwells, moving one inch at a time. Thank goodness there wasn't a fire. It was better when you made it to wider thoroughfares. You could actually dodge those sprawling families with strollers the size of small SUVs.

In an attempt to meet with our friends, we got very very lost. Zach managed to step in animal crap within the first 10 minutes. It did not start out on a high note. We finally gave in and dropped $3.00 for a program with a map. Admittance is free, but the little costs here and there can add up.

The 2010 Farm Show butter sculpture carved from 1,000 pounds of Land o'Lakes butter, depicting a dairy farm family enjoying breakfast. From the Farm Show website.

Let's see... We've just had some snow and it's bitterly cold outside. It must be Farm Show week!

The 94th Farm Show kicks off tomorrow at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The Pennsylvania Farm Show happens to be the largest indoor agricultural event in the country. This year they expect over 400,000 people to pass through their doors to check out the famous 1,000-pound butter sculpture, the 6,000 animals and over 10,000 exhibits. However, many return year after year for another reason. Three words: Farm Show Food.

The New Year has come and we've all (hopefully) taken down those flashy string lights. Not long after we've vacuumed up the pine needles and tinsel, our TV's become inundated with ridiculous diet commercials. I'm not sure which is worse: the cheesiness of the commercials themselves or the "Yeah Right!" diet plans.

You either love or hate sauerkraut. I happen to be someone who simply adores it so New Year's Day is a good time for me. Sauerkraut is a topping of choice for me. I especially love it on hot dogs, though I don't eat it very often.

There are those among us who turn up their noses at the pungent odor of kraut. For those sauerkraut haters in my family, we make two roasts--one cooked in the kraut and another prepared nowhere near it.

It's assumed every year that we will get together and eat this smelly stuff. For the most part we understand that eating it is supposed to bring about good luck in the New Year. But why? I did a little research and this is what I learned.