Author: stlmaryland

Homemade Lasagna

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment
Jump to Recipe

Last night I pulled the heaviest pan of lasagna out of the oven, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it had to weigh at least five pounds. This isn’t just a dinner, it’s a full-on event — the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell amazing and leaves plenty for the next day. My cousin is the one who hooked me on ZENB pasta, and I instantly fell in love with their Yellow Pea Lasagna Sheets. They bake beautifully, hold up to all the layers, and my kids absolutely love them. Best of all, they’re oven-ready, which means no boiling required. Sadly, ZENB has decided to stop all sales to the United States. Their website says products are still available in some retail stores while supplies last, but it’s only a matter of time before they’re gone. Luckily, I can still find the lasagna sheets at Ocean State Job Lot here in town, though who knows for how long. Even if you can’t get your hands on them, don’t worry — just use any lasagna noodles you have on hand. If you’re using regular noodles, you’ll want to start by cooking them in salted water until they’re just tender, then toss them with a little olive oil so they don’t stick.

The best part about making lasagna is that it’s two dinners in one. I always refrigerate the leftovers overnight, then the next day I cut the lasagna in half. One half goes back in the fridge for quick lunches or second helpings, and the other half I wrap up and freeze for another night. It’s like having a homemade meal ready to go on a busy evening — and that makes all the effort of layering and baking feel even more worth it.

Continue reading →

Review: Great Experience with Stone’s Garage!

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I recently drove 2,700 miles from Tahoe to Maryland with my utility trailer in tow, a long journey that completely wore my trailer tires down to bald spots. When I got to Maryland, I knew I needed a pro to get them replaced safely, and that’s when I called Cody Stone from Stone’s Garage, a Mobile Mechanic here in Elkton Maryland.

Cody came out, mounted my new tires, and made the whole process super easy. He was friendly, personable, and really knew his stuff. The pricing was fair, and he did an excellent job. After that long drive, it was a relief to have my trailer ready to roll safely again. I’d definitely use him again!

If you’re looking for someone reliable, skilled, and easy to work with for your trailer or vehicle needs, I highly recommend Stone’s Garage.

Stone’s Garage
cell: (410) 920-1217
email: stonegarage1999@gmail.com
Facebook

If you need to get tires for your utility trailer, I got mine from Amazon and it was easy to order and more affordable than most of the tire shops. These are the tires I purchased on Amazon: eCustomrim Trailer Tire On Rim ST205/75D15 F78-15 205/75-15 Load Range C 5 Lug Wheel White Spoke: https://amzn.to/46GnktT

Review: Maryland Italian Festival 2025 – Gluten-Free Finds & Family Fun

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

This weekend my kids and I attended the Maryland Italian Festival at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, thanks to SIAB. We went with one goal in mind: to see what gluten-free options the festival had to offer—and to my delight, there were plenty! From pizza and cupcakes to gelato and even grilled lamb, we found so many delicious things to try.

The festival itself is lively and family-friendly, with carnival rides, craft vendors, bocce tournaments, and of course, a huge lineup of food booths. My kids skipped the rides this time and instead browsed the craft stalls before we all made our way to the food area. Here’s what we sampled:

  • Di Pasquale’s Lamb Kabobs – The aroma alone drew us in, and once I confirmed the kabobs were gluten-free, we ordered a generous platter. The lamb was tender, flavorful, and almost steak-like—definitely not gamey. It came out looking like a bouquet of skewers, and every bite was satisfying.
    📍 Brewer Hill Location – 3700 Toone St, Baltimore MD 21224 👉 Di Pasquale’s
  • Nino’s Food Distribution’s Gluten Free Pizza – Based out of Baltimore, Nino’s was serving up 10″ gluten-free pizzas that are also corn-free. My kids tried veggie, pepperoni, and cheese varieties. The crust, made from rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, and olive oil, was soft, chewy, and full of flavor. They loved it so much they’re still talking about it. I’ll definitely be looking into more of Nino’s gluten-free, keto, and cauliflower crust products since they are a Food Distribution company.
    📍 1710 N Elwood, Baltimore MD 21213 👉 Nino’s Foods
  • Love.Crust.Pizza Lemonades – To wash it all down, we grabbed giant 32 oz lemonades. They weren’t overly tangy, with just the right balance of sweetness and fresh lemon flavor. Super refreshing after walking the festival grounds! Love•Crust•Pizza
  • Mangia Baby Cupcakes – Gina Cicatelli from Annapolis was one of the sweetest vendors we met. Her mini gluten-free Vanilla Cannoli cupcakes were bursting with flavor, with a frosting that really did taste like authentic cannoli filling. Perfectly bite-sized, they were a must-try treat.
    📞 202-270-5118 | 👉 Mangia Baby Cupcakes
  • Gotta Lotta Gelata – To finish things off, we stopped at this Pennsville, NJ-based vendor. All their gelato is gluten-free, and we tried Cappuccino, Chocolate, and Mango Sorbet. The cappuccino was light with chocolate chunks, the chocolate was rich and creamy, and the mango sorbet was bright and refreshing.
    📍101 N. Broadway, Pennsville, NJ | 📞 732-800-1747 | 👉 Gotta Lotta Gelata

My oldest son was hoping to join the bocce tournament, but all the slots were filled. Still, between shopping, sampling treats, and filling up on gluten-free eats, we had such a fun and flavorful afternoon.

If you’re near Aberdeen, the festival runs all weekend—open until 10 PM tonight (Saturday) and from 11 AM to 7 PM tomorrow (Sunday, September 28). Tickets are $12 for adults (kids 12 and under are free with a parent), and parking is free on-site or at shuttle lots.

👉 You can buy tickets online at marylanditalianfestival.com or at the gate.

This is definitely a festival worth checking out—whether you’re looking for family fun, cultural entertainment, or just some seriously good food (yes, even gluten-free!).

Getting Back to Canning and Sourdough: My New Kitchen Adventure

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I’ve recently found myself wanting to dive back into two of my favorite kitchen pastimes: canning and sourdough bread making. There’s something so satisfying about creating something from scratch, whether it’s preserving fresh fruits and veggies or crafting a perfect, tangy loaf of sourdough.

To make this journey a little easier—and a lot more fun—I’ve started collecting some gadgets and kits to help me along the way. One of my first purchases was the M11 Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer Kit. It comes with wide and regular mouth mason lids and makes vacuum sealing my jars a breeze. Perfect for keeping my canned goods fresh for longer.

For my sourdough adventures, I grabbed the Gluten Free Sourdough Starter Kit. This is a 100+ year old dehydrated heirloom-style starter that promises to give my bread that authentic, tangy flavor I’ve been craving. To help manage and stir the starter, I got the Skinny Spurtle Teak Wooden Kitchen Utensil—perfectly crafted for sourdough enthusiasts.

And for shaping and proofing my dough, I invested in the Wood Pulp Banneton Bread Proofing Basket Set. This set comes with everything I need: a 9” 2.2LB round banneton basket, proofing bowl, cover, dough whisk, lame, and scraper.

Now that I am no longer living at high altitude, making gluten-free sourdough should be a lot easier at sea level here in Elkton, Maryland. Here’s hoping that having the right tools—and a little lower altitude—helps me achieve the best sourdough bread yet.

Here’s to getting back to the joy of canning and baking, and to a kitchen filled with the warm smells of homemade goodness!

Review: SNAP Pizza – Newark, DE

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

My daughter and I stopped into SNAP Pizza in Newark, Delaware for lunch today to give their restaurant a try. SNAP is a local mini-chain known for its customizable pizzas, with a wide selection of sauces, proteins, and veggies. Their setup feels a lot like a sandwich shop assembly line—you move down the counter choosing exactly what you want, and before you’ve even had a chance to sit, your pizza is baked and ready. The quick turnaround was impressive.

Positives: Fast service, fresh/local ingredients, flavorful sauce, good gluten-free crust option, fully customizable.

Since my family and I avoid gluten, I asked about their crust options. I was told the cauliflower crust contained cornstarch, so I opted for their regular gluten-free crust, which is also vegan. It turned out to be a great choice.

I built my own pizza, starting with a Crème Fraîche base, then added shredded mozzarella, feta cheese, sweet Italian sausage, chopped red onions, and fresh local mushrooms. Once baked, they topped it with fresh basil. The crust was thin and crisp, holding up nicely under the toppings, and the flavors came together perfectly. The Crème Fraîche sauce was light and mild, balancing everything without being overpowering.

My only minor complaint was that the pizza wasn’t sliced all the way through, so I struggled a bit cutting it with the plastic knife provided. That aside, the meal was delicious and very enjoyable.

Final Take:
SNAP Custom Pizza is a great spot if you’re looking for fresh, fast, and fully customizable pizza in Newark. Their gluten-free crust is a tasty option for those with dietary restrictions, and the variety of toppings makes it easy to create exactly what you want. Quick service, quality ingredients, and bold flavor combinations make this little pizza shop worth a visit.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Here’s why:

Negatives: Pizza not sliced properly (which impacted the eating experience), plastic knife not strong enough to compensate.

Snap Custom Pizza & Salads
44 E Main St
Newark, DE 19711
(302) 737-6766
https://www.snapcustompizza.com

The Scary Pork Rib Bone Incident & Why I Now Keep PawMergency on Hand

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

The other day I had one of those heart-stopping moments every pet parent dreads. I looked out into the backyard and saw my dog happily munching away on something. When I rushed over, I realized it was half of a cooked pork rib bone she had somehow found. My stomach dropped.

Cooked bones are dangerous for dogs because they can splinter into sharp pieces and cause serious injuries, like intestinal punctures or blockages. The bone she had was already splintered, and I freaked out. I immediately took it away from her and started thinking fast about what I could do to help.

I mixed some wet food and pumpkin puree in with her Freshpet dog food, hoping to soften her stool so the bone fragments would pass more easily through her system. For the rest of the day, I watched her like a hawk—checking her comfort, her behavior, and (yes) her poop—just to be sure nothing was wrong.

That scare made me realize something: emergencies happen, and sometimes you only have minutes to act. That’s when I decided to order PawMergency, an Activated Charcoal First Aid Kit for Dogs, Cats, and Pets. Activated charcoal can help absorb toxins in certain emergencies, and I wanted to make sure I had something on hand if my fur babies ever got into something dangerous again.

Now, PawMergency lives in my cupboard—ready for the “just in case” moments. I truly hope I’ll never have to use it, but knowing it’s there gives me peace of mind.

If you’d like to have PawMergency on hand too, I found mine on Amazon here: PawMergency Activated Charcoal First Aid Kit.

Because when it comes to our pets, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Bringing Tahoe to Maryland – One Room at a Time

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

Yes, I miss living in Tahoe. How could I not? I spent more than half my life surrounded by the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas, and Tahoe will always hold a special place in my heart. But when it came time to move, Maryland was the right choice. Financially, it was the best decision, and truthfully, I love it here too.

Still, I wanted to keep a little piece of Tahoe with me. That’s why I decided to turn my half bathroom into a Tahoe-themed space. Some of the items hanging on the walls actually came from my home in Tahoe, which makes the theme feel authentic and personal.

The only challenge? The bathroom already had shelves, and I haven’t quite figured out what to put on them yet. If you have any Tahoe-esque ideas, send them my way. I’d love to complete the look!

To really tie the room together, I ordered artwork from Headwaters Studio on Etsy. Their Lake Tahoe Snowboard Wood Art Print immediately caught my eye. I had been browsing posters and prints, but the snowboard spoke to me, and it reminded me of my sons’ love for snowboarding, their one true passion back in Tahoe. The best part is that the piece could be personalized, so I chose the phrase: “Home Sweet, Lake Tahoe.”

Now, every time I walk into that bathroom, I smile. It’s more than just décor;7 it’s a reminder that while life has taken me across the country, Tahoe will always be a part of my home.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele

From the Bay of the West Coast to the Bay of the East Coast: My Journey Across the Country

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

I grew up in the vibrant Bay Area of California, in San Jose, a bustling city with a population of over 839,000 in the 1990s. Life there was full of energy and activity, but I’ve come to realize that I feel far more content in smaller towns.

At 24, I moved to Ocean City, Maryland, a lively beach resort town with a smaller population of just 5,168 at the time, for an internship. Ocean City sits where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Isle of Wight Bay, right at the start of Highway 50. Living there gave me my first taste of East Coast life, and I began to appreciate the charm of small-town living.

After my internship ended, I returned to California, this time to South Lake Tahoe, a resort town perched at 6,250 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along Highway 50 as well, right on the California–Nevada border. In 1998, the population was 23,378. It was there that I got married and welcomed my three children, who were born and raised amidst the snow, lake, mountains, and fresh mountain air.

For 15 years, we lived in Gardnerville, Nevada, a small town with a population of around 5,656, just a 30-minute drive from Tahoe. After my marriage ended, I moved back full-time to South Lake Tahoe because that’s where my heart was at the time. Having lived more than half my life in the Sierra Mountains, I knew I would never feel at home in a large city like San Jose again.

Eventually, Maryland quietly tugged at my heart, drawing me back to the East Coast. At age 52, my children, our animals, and I moved to Elkton, Maryland, a town of 16,064 and right outside the college town – literally just ten minutes from the University of Delaware. My oldest son just started 11th grade, my youngest son started 9th grade, and my daughter is beginning her first semester of college here.

Each place I’ve called home has shaped me in unique ways, teaching resilience, adaptability, and the beauty of embracing change. From coast to coast, from mountains to bays, and from resort towns to college towns, I’ve learned that home isn’t just a place; it’s the journey, the people you love, and the life you build along the way.

Review: Oishii Sushi & Ramen (Newark, DE)

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

My kids and I had the pleasure of visiting Oishii Sushi & Ramen in Newark, DE, and it turned out to be a delightful experience from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was inviting, clean, and comfortable, making it a perfect spot for a casual family meal.

I decided to try the ramen, and I was genuinely impressed. The broth was mild yet packed with flavor, and the gluten-free rice noodles had a fantastic texture that made each bite satisfying. The portion size was generous, leaving me feeling full and content without being overwhelmed. Every component of the dish felt thoughtfully prepared, and the balance of flavors was excellent — the kind of meal that keeps you savoring every bite long after you’ve finished.

Meanwhile, my teenagers decided to try the sushi, and they were absolutely thrilled. They couldn’t stop talking about the wide variety of options available, from classic favorites to more creative rolls. Each piece they tried was fresh and bursting with flavor, and they remarked several times on how delicious everything was. Watching them enjoy their meal so much really added to the overall experience for me as a parent.

What I especially appreciated about Oishii Sushi & Ramen is how well they cater to different tastes. Whether you’re in the mood for a comforting bowl of ramen or want to explore the art of sushi, there’s something for everyone. The quality of the food, the generous portions, and the inviting atmosphere all come together to create a dining experience that’s both satisfying and memorable.

Overall, our visit to Oishii Sushi & Ramen was a true pleasure. Between the hearty ramen and the fresh, flavorful sushi, it’s clear that this restaurant takes pride in its food and in providing a great experience for its guests. If you find yourself in Newark, DE, looking for a place that delivers both quality and variety, I highly recommend stopping by. You won’t leave hungry or disappointed.

Oishii Sushi & Ramen
129 E Main St, Newark, DE 19711
Website: https://www.oishiisushiramende.com
Phone: (302) 366-8882

The Maryland Italian Festival kicks off this Friday, September 26th, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen and runs all weekend long!

/ stlmaryland / Leave a comment

🇮🇹 Thanks to the festival hosts for providing us with tickets — we’ll be there and can’t wait to share our experience. Hope to see everyone out there enjoying the food, music, rides, and family fun! 🎉

🎟️ When and Where

  • Dates: Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 28
  • Times: Friday 5 PM – 10 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 10 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM
  • Location: Ripken Stadium Parking Lot, Aberdeen, Maryland
  • Admission: $12 for adults, children 12 and under are free with a parent
  • Parking: Free on-site and at satellite lots with shuttle service