Life from scratch : family traditions that start with you /

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

From the television host, actress, and mother of three, a fabulous collection of season-by-season recipes, holiday hacks, birthday rituals, and date night ideas for creating wonderful family celebrations and cherished memories.

Television personality Vanessa Lachey is a dedicated mom of three, a supportive wife to singer Nick Lachey, and someone who freely shares her "perfectly imperfect" home and family life. But like many people, Vanessa didn't come from a family whose traditions were passed down from generation to generation. Her mom left when she was nine, and when she began her own family, Vanessa had to rely on her own imagination to create celebrations and milestone markers that would become annual rituals.

In Life from Scratch, Vanessa shares personal stories, ideas, delicious recipes, and parenting tips you can use to make your own celebrations unique and unforgettable. Inside you'll discover the simple gift-giving custom Vanessa shares with her best girlfriends each year; the date-night tradition that she and Nick swear by; and her fool-proof recipe for "authentic" Chicken Adobo she serves to family and friends.

A fun, uplifting yearlong guide that celebrates families that color outside the lines, Life from Scratch will inspire people to make each season, and each special moment, their own.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Introduction (p. 1)
• Part 1 Spring (p. 9)
• Chapter 1 Out with the Old (p. 11)
• Chapter 2 No Heirlooms? No Problem! (p. 23)
• Chapter 3 Easter for All Ages (p. 33)
• Chapter 4 Springtime = "Me Time" (p. 43)
• Chapter 5 Spring Fiesta (p. 47)
• Chapter 6 Mother's Day (p. 51)
• Chapter 7 Springtime Gardens (p. 57)
• Part 2 Summer (p. 61)
• Chapter 8 A Logo for Every Birthday (p. 65)
• Chapter 9 A Little "Me Time" for Father's Day (p. 71)
• Chapter 10 How to Up Your Summer BBQ Game (Even If You're Not Great at the Grill) (p. 71)
• Chapter 11 The Friendship Exchange (p. 83)
• Chapter 12 The Summer Giveback (p. 89)
• Part 3 Fall (p. 93)
• Chapter 13 The Back-to-School Dress Rehearsal (p. 95)
• Chapter 14 Going All Out for Halloween (p. 99)
• Chapter 15 How to Host Thanksgiving and Not Lose Your Sh*t (p. 107)
• Chapter 16 A Little Fall Romance (p. 115)
• Chapter 17 Holiday Cards That Don't Suck! (p. 119)
• Chapter 18 Game Day at the Lacheys' (p. 123)
• Part 4 Winter (p. 127)
• Chapter 19 'Tis the Season (p. 129)
• Chapter 20 New Year's Eve In (p. 139)
• Chapter 21 My Funny Valentine (p. 143)
• Chapter 22 A Silly Saint Patrick's Day (p. 147)
• Part 5 Recipes (p. 153)
• Vanessa's Chicken Adobo (p. 155)
• Spring
• Vanessa's Famous Chicken Pasta Salad (p. 159)
• Easter Daviled Eggs (aka Lacheggs) (p. 160)
• Mexican Fiesta (p. 163)
• Guacamole (p. 165)
• Lachey Layer Dip (p. 167)
• Enchilada Casserole (p. 169)
• Palomas (p. 172)
• Summer
• Pulled Pork (p. 175)
• Citrus Beef Stir-Fry (p. 178)
• Lachey Lobster Rolls (p. 181)
• Nicky's Nectar (p. 185)
• Flank Steak (p. 186)
• Jalapeño Popper Spread (p. 188)
• Minnillo Beans (p. 190)
• Fall
• V's Game-Day Chili (p. 195)
• Cozy Beef Stew (p. 197)
• Grown-Up Mac & Cheese (p. 201)
• Winter
• Lachey Lesagna (p. 206)
• Cheesy Hash Browns (p. 210)
• Monkey Bread (p. 213)
• Brooklyn's Brunch Casserole (p. 214)
• Acknowledgments (p. 219)
• Universal Conversion Chart (p. 221)
• Recipe Notes (p. 222)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Publishers Weekly Review

Actor Lachey shares tips for creating traditions, hosting friends and family, and cooking delicious meals in her heartfelt debut. She encourages parents and hosts to be "perfectly imperfect" and reflects on the importance of family memories in her own life. The advice is broken into four sections, each focused on a season--spring sees Easter cocktails and a template for organizing a potluck; summer has no shortage of pool party ideas, plus a cookout playlist; fall features plans for Halloween and Thanksgiving that will help one pull off a memorable event and not "lose your sh*t" (start prepping in early November); and winter offers suggestions for a New Years Eve at home (get dressed up, even if you're staying in). Along the way, Lachey includes personal anecdotes, crafts, games, and activities, and her recipes (such as Lachey Lobster Rolls, a jalapeño popper spread, and a cozy beef stew) are simple but special enough to stand out at a gathering. Though she can come across as being out of touch ("If you're having a pool party, hire a lifeguard!"), her can-do spirit will nonetheless leave readers ready to host. Parents in search of a how-to for family fun will find inspiration here. (Nov.)