Recipes (Photo Index)
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$2 Dinner for our Whole Family: Crock Pot Turkey
Feb9
Over the years, I’ve shared many ways that our family saves money on meats without sacrificing taste or my sons’ need to feed their carnivore selves, but one thing I have never implemented outside Thanksgiving week was to purchase turkey [...]
Apple Almond Salad
Jul1
Summertime is made for salads, and every once in awhile you are introduced to one that is just amazing. Had I seen the ingredients before I tasted it, I would never have thought to try this salad, but when my [...]
Asian Citrus Salad – Homemade Asian Dressing
Jun23
As much as I love salad, I typically stick to my favorite stand byes and don’t venture out with interesting flavors nearly enough. I am so glad that I broke loose with this Asian Citrus Salad. I would never have [...]
Baked Apple Oatmeal: Baked Oatmeal with Apples
Dec2
Attempting to add heartier and healthier meals into our breakfast routine, I have been experimenting with a variety of oatmeal recipes and I have found a winner. I have previously posted a healthier version using only honey as a sweetener, but this time decided to indulge just a tad.
The results sheer bliss, and I guarantee you will get requests for this over and over.
Banana Blueberry Muffins and Banana Pancakes
Oct7
Baking/bulk cooking day is off to a great start. Using up a gazillion over ripe bananas is a challenge, so we started our morning with some delicious banana pancakes. Now, please note that one of the first things my youngest [...]
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Jan11
There’s something about this cold weather that just calls for our oven to be heated up, and baked goods to tantalize our taste buds. Well, my taste buds have been tested with SO many sweets during the holidays that I [...]
Beer Dip
Jan23
Born and raised in Wisconsin, known for their cheese, beer and Packers, I would be remiss to not share this amazing Beer Dip recipe that my sister in law introduced me too. It’s a perfect pairing with pretzels or Frito [...]
Best Cheese Ball Recipes
Nov20
It’s that time of the year when we search for easy appetizers, and in my opinion, there’s nothing better than a good cheese ball recipe. In fact, 99% of the time when I entertain, some form of cheese ball graces [...]
Bulk Baking – marvelous muffins
Feb9
Are you getting tired of the bulk baking thing?Have I talked you into giving it a try yet?What are you waiting for?Well, since my Blissdom pics arent’ up yet (they are now with some thrifty designer outfits), you’ll have to [...]
Bulk Cooking Day
Jan29
Even though the Pantry Challenge was a huge success, I failed miserably by the end of the month in having meals, snacks and creative cooking ideas ready and implemented. Even with adding on the Super Doubles week, where I shopped [...]
Butterhorn Rolls Recipe
Dec9
Every time my extended family gets together, you can bet this delicious Butterhorn roll recipe will be shared. Butterhorns are a fairly simple yeast bread recipe with the added benefit that they have a beautiful presentation, so they make a [...]
Buttermilk Pancakes from Scratch
Mar5
With five children, I need a pancake recipe that is easy on both the budget and my time. This perfect buttermilk pancake recipe from scratch meets both criteria and my kids love it. I can’t double, triple, quadruple the recipe [...]
Celebrate Dad this Father’s Day with a Papa Pizza
Jun16
Family Celebrations play a large part in my family tapestry, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than preparing those special foods that serve as the “icing on the cake” for family traditions. Tomorrow pick and choose as I share my [...]
Cheesey Citrus, Tomato Appetizer – Going Green
Jul2
Enjoy the blend of flavors with this simple summer Tomato Mozzarella appetizer. With a slightly sweet taste from oranges, you can go wrong with this delightful blend.
Cheesy Chicken (3 ingredients)
Jan21
When I first got married, I was continually looking for easy and quick recipes that caused my hubby to think I might possibly know what I was doing in the kitchen. Quite ironically, it’s eighteen years later, and I still [...]
Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Oct26
I sure did know how to whip up Rice Krispie Treats in a microwave.
Many years later, it’s still one of my very favorite treats (especially with peanut butter and chocolate). I’m passing on the tradition by showing my children how to whip up these delicacies in minutes by using our microwave and cereal coupons, of course.
Chocolate Toffee Bars
Dec1
Homemade toffee is synonymous with Christmas baking and homemade gift giving, but in my opinion, candy making is difficult. I don’t do well having to watch that candy thermometer at all. Some brilliant person made a homemade copy cat toffee [...]
Cider-Baked Turkey Breast – Whole Baked Turkey
Dec2
For years, I have recommended my easy recipe for Cider Baked Turkey Breast, but had never converted the recipe to a whole turkey. Being stuck with two eighteen pound turkeys that did not get cooked for Thanksgiving, I realized that today was the day to give it a try.
The results for the whole baked turkey were the same delicious old time harvest flavor that I have received with just a turkey breast.
Crab Salad on Tostadas
Nov12
While at the Unilever Test Kitchen, each Family Dish member was tasked with a different recipe to prepare. Stepping outside of my culinary comfort zone, I agreed to make something with shell fish, which typically, I do not eat. Not [...]
Cream of Rice: Homemade Rice Pudding
Nov13
Rice is one of my weekly “go to” staple items. Whenever my rice cooker steams, you can bet I’ve doubled the amount needed for my recipe, with the sole purpose of having extra rice to freeze for later meals. Typically, [...]
Delicious Dips for any Get Together
Jul14
Our family loves to whip up appetizers – more specifically…yummy dips. I understand that dips are supposed to be saved for those special occasions, but why wait for special occasions when they are so easy? I have mastered healthier, low [...]
Donut Birthday Cake
Nov23
Sometimes as women we put so much pressure on ourselves to be “perfect” – the perfect mom, the perfect employee, the perfect…(fill in your blank). Especially during the holidays, the desire for Martha Stewart decorations, the Food Network’s Holiday Dinner [...]
Easiest Ever Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Recipe
Mar23
I’m calling all my chocolate loving readers. Can you clap delightfully for that picture? Is it mean to make you stare without sharing? I assure you I would love nothing more than to enjoy this incredibly delicious chocolate sandwich cookie [...]
Easiest Ever Homemade Tootsie Rolls (so much better than the “real” thing)
Feb2
I know it’s hard to believe, but I have never liked Tootsie Rolls. Does that aline itself as an American travesty? Is that similar to snubbing All American Apple Pie and Baseball? If it is, then I have found the [...]
Easy Banana Bread – Baking in bulk
Mar23
There are so many things that I love to do with one hour of my time. Some choices benefit me. Some choices benefit my family, and some benefit a whole bunch of people. My choice of an hour benefited all [...]
Easy BBQ Chicken in the Crock Pot
Apr29
A Bulk cooking day is in process at our house. Yes, it can be intimidating, but it’s SO worth the time. Where should you start when you no idea what to do? Easy BBQ Chicken in the Crockpot With five [...]
Easy Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake (with hint of coffee)
Jun5
Creating cakes that look and taste like they came from a bakery is my desire, yet reality sets in and I am drawn to my second choice of finding recipes that can mimic that desire. This easy chocolate recipe takes [...]
Easy Cream Cheese Danish Recipe
Nov30
How is it possible to have three, tiny ingredients taste like you spent all day in the kitchen, and have a group of 30 women ask for the recipe? Often, my desire is to bake from scratch, but too many [...]
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting
Nov14
Cream Cheese frosting is by far my favorite frosting to make. Not only is it delicious, but it’s so easy that my children can whip up homemade frosting in a minute’s notice. There are so many versions, and honestly, I [...]
Easy Crockpot Applesauce Recipe: Homemade Applesauce
Nov2
I don’t have time to make professional applesauce. As much as I would love a perfectly creamy sauce, the extra peeling and straining time it requires isn’t a priority for me. So I make:
The Easiest Ever Homemade Applesauce in a Crockpot
Easy Dumplings with Savory Soups
Mar9
There’s nothing that says warm and cozy more than a roaring fire and a bowl of hot soup. Recently, we’ve had quite a few opportunities for that, haven’t we? I’ve taken advantage of these snuggly days by maximizing on a [...]
Easy Homemade Baking Powder Biscuits: Biscuit Recipe for Kids
Apr11
As a Family Manager, one of my goals is to spend quality time in the kitchen with our kids. In a previous post, I asked my readers when you all learned to cook. It hit me just how emotional of [...]
Easy Homemade Waffles without butter
Jan12
We love homemade waffles in this house, but my “Go to” Malted Belgium Waffle recipe consists of a lot of butter. Trust me, my Belgium Waffle recipe is worth the extra time, but I have been experimenting with an easy [...]
Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer Recipe
Dec19
Growing up in the good ‘ole dairy state of Wisconsin, I assumed I had sampled every version of cheese appetizer known to munchers like myself. Obviously not because this unbelievably delicious make ahead marinated cheese appetizer is TO DIE FOR [...]
Easy meal planning tips – 4 meals in 4 minutes
Sep15
Easy meal planning tips – We all desire something quicker, easier and more effective in the world of meal plans. I spontaneously decided to jump into the world of vlogging today, and I’d love for you to come along and [...]
Easy Oatmeal with Diced Apples
Mar1
Easy Oatmeal with Diced Apples When trying to get away from eating all fifteen boxes of our stockpiled $0.50 cereal in one week, I realize that hot breakfasts need to be served 4-5 times a week to preserve. Since we [...]
Easy Pumpkin Bars
Nov15
Entering my mother in law’s kitchen and viewing a huge jelly roll pan of pumpkin bars gracing her counter top is the first memory I have of holidays in her home. Isn’t it amazing how smells, sights, and a great [...]
Easy Pumpkin Cake Decor in Minutes
Oct27
As the holidays approach, many of us become overwhelmed feeling as if we need to keep up with “Martha.” Even though all her suggestions denote, “It’s a good thing,” it’s never good if it leaves us stressed, discouraged or feeling [...]
Easy Strawberry Pie from Scratch
Jun9
Every single day this week we have been enjoying the fruit of our labor…literally. I love strawberry picking season, but this year, I didn’t pick enough – only three pathetic gallons. We just finished the last of our fresh berries [...]
Easy Veggie Tray – (Adorable Turkey)
Nov23
As much as we all love our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas, it’s always a wonderful option to offer a lighter fare and this adorable Turkey Veggie Tray brings healthy eating and gorgeous presentation together. My sweet friend, Heather, inspired [...]
Easy, One Minute Fruit Cobbler (using Cake Mix)
Jun17
With summertime in full force, fruits of all varieties beckon from those farmer’s market stands. We’ve already gone strawberry picking and cherry picking, yet I am most excited to see raspberries and blackberries start to ripen in my garden. If [...]
Egg and Cheese Puff: 5 Minute Delight
Jan29
In the past year, I have experimented with dozens of egg recipes, egg casseroles, egg crescents, egg omelets, you get the picture. Eggs are not only a great source of protein, but a budget conscious cook’s dream with endless versatility. [...]
Everyday Waffles
Mar10
Our family loves waffles, and the kids want me to buy them all the time. Yet, with the increase in waffle prices, this is something that’s been crossed off my shopping list. The price point is just too high. This [...]
Fruit Smoothie Recipes
Jun2
In our family, summer equals the best in sensational smoothies. Since I love taking advantage of seasonal fruits, marked down produce, and a produce warehouse where you must purchase in bulk, I often have large amounts of fruit that are [...]
Grandma’s Texas Sheet Cake Recipe
Dec5
When one has a large family, recipes that feed a crowd, yet taste delicious, are always on my radar. The Texas Sheet Cake certainly fits that the criteria, and what’s even better is that is bakes in TEN minutes. Yes, [...]
Grilling Corn on the Cob
Aug5
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the wonderful opportunity to experiment with all kinds of fresh produce. One of my favorites summer time treat? Grilling Corn on the Cob. I typically just have the kids husk the corn and [...]
Healty Baked Oatmeal Sweetened with Honey
Aug25
For decades, women have shouted from the rooftops, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. ” Yet, some how in the hustle and bustle of early morning activities, it’s also the hardest for me to implement on a [...]
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (Copy Cat Cinnabon Recipe)
Feb10
We’ve all stepped into the food court and smelled the amazing Cinnabon Rolls from afar. Our mouths start watering instantly. We see them rolling, baking and frosting, but then see the price – sticker shock. Well, with a little extra [...]
Homemade Dumpling Recipe
Jan14
Homemade dumplings are such an easily overlooked comfort food. Nothing says cozy more than a roaring fire and a bowl of simmering soup, but please don’t forget to make this easy homemade dumpling recipe. With only a few minutes of [...]
Homemade Mint Chocolate Pudding
Jul22
Last year, I made homemade pudding for the first time and I was hooked. The problem? I’ve had that post sitting in my blog drafts and never did share just how fun of a culinary discovery it has been. So [...]
Homemade Pizza Crust
Jul15
Our house is full of guests for the week, and I am feeding 20 plus hungry people. Guess what we made this evening? Crusty Pizza Dough 1 package active dry yeast (I buy this in bulk at Sam’s/Cosco…1 Tb=1 package) [...]
How Do I Cook Bacon in the Oven? (Cooking Bacon in Bulk)
Dec15
When I agreed to make brunch for my sons’ football team, I knew I would be going through enormous amounts of food. Since I would be cooking bacon in our hotel condo, creativity was key, so I brainstormed on Skype with the best of them. My friend, Lynn from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures, is a “professional bacon cooker”. They actually grow their own pork, and I knew she would have the answers for me on the best way to cook up bacon in bulk. I wanted to cook it in the oven, and she shared an option of cooking it ahead of time and reheating it.
Cooking bacon in the oven is a wonderful way to avoid the splatter and mess that comes from frying it on the stove. I recommend layering your cookie sheets with parchment paper or tin foil for easy clean up. Unfortunately for us, that was an afterthought.
How to Cook London Broil?
Jan26
London Broil creates a sense of wonder for my food budget. Often, it’s marked down due to a short dated sale, allowing me to prepare a carnivore’s dream for only a few dollars. The problem? For years, I’d grab it, [...]
How to Make a Barbie Cake: A Birthday Delight
Jul21
We have just finished three birthdays in 31 days. Yes, somehow three of our five children gravitated their arrival to the same time of year. I love sharing special birthday traditions, but I must confess, creating masterful birthday cakes has [...]
How to Make Dirt Cake
Sep22
I continue to marvel at how God reveals himself through the minuscule, seemingly “meaningless” things. My daughter happened to mention that she wanted a dirt cake for her birthday months ago. Agreeing wholeheartedly with her, that thought went in one [...]
How to Make Homemade French bread
May2
Making homemade bread seems like a daunting task, but this detailed video of me going on and on will show you how you can literally make homemade French bread with only ten minutes of your time (plus, the extra time [...]
How to Make Pumpkin Puree & Save Money
Oct19
Last week, I shared on my Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Facebook page about my love of all things fall, including my yummy and oh, so easy, Pumpkin Bar Recipe. A few statuses later, after I got everyone excited about quadrupling [...]
How to make Whole Wheat Bread
Jul28
In the midst of my two week travel excursion, I just realized that my one year blogging anniversary has come and gone. I thought it would be fun to re-visit my very first “foodie” post, written when five of you [...]
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes – Freezer Mashed Potatoes
Mar3
Make Ahead Freezer Mashed Potatoes (To put in Fridge or Freezer) Mashed potatoes are one of the easiest comfort foods around. Since potatoes are literally my favorite food in the whole world, I typically mash ten pounds of potatoes ahead [...]
Make your Own Beans – Freezer Cooking (Refried Beans, Crock Pot Beans)
Apr2
My freezer update posts has been derailed because our camera was loaned out for a few days. What is a recipe with out the pictures? Cake without frosting, I tell you. Not worth it! It’s been a busy work day [...]
Malted Belgium Waffles, Feather Pancakes – bulk baking
Feb2
Baking, baking…all this for your taking. While many of you were cozied in with mounds of snow this last week, we took what we could get. Only in NC, would all area school districts cancel for this. Even though I [...]
Mashed Cauliflower: How to Cook Cauliflower
Nov17
When our family gathers together, we have so many different diets and eating preferences represented. Typically, I do not cater specifically to all the varying tastes, but when there’s a recipe liked Mashed Cauliflower that pleases both the low carb, [...]
Melt in Your Mouth Pecan Apple Coffee Cake
Apr21
Welcome to Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods. You are in for a treat today. I can’t believe I am sharing this tried and true secret because it’s one of those recipes that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, [...]
Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Feb4
(It’s time for more bulk baking. Make sure you read after the recipe for my take on freezing this dough.) It’s amazing to browse the cookie aisle and see how many choices we Americans have. It’s crazy… really. But I [...]
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Nov12
Admittedly, there’s one sweet treat combination I can’t pass up, and that’s the amazing mixture of chocolate and peanut butter. From my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats to these amazingly easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, I love [...]
One Minute Smiley Face Pancakes
Apr16
You know how I believe that the little things are the big things? Well, this one little addition to your morning pancakes is sure to make everyone in your house smile. The next time you make pancakes, turn them into [...]
PB & J Noodle Salad ($5 Dinner with an Asian Twist)
May24
Since our family has been on a huge Chinese binge lately, it’s always fun to try something new. Peanut Butter noodles are always popular, but last year I was introduced to a unique twist on a Chinese noodle favorite. Since [...]
Pistachio Pudding; “So Easy, You Can Make it in your Car” Dessert
Sep7
Last week, I shared the importance of having friends with which you can just be yourself. True friends with whom you can share your bedlam and know that it’s ok. In the midst of that post, I told the story [...]
Pizza Casserole with Biscuits (Ten Minute Dinners)
Sep21
(photo) With five children, three of them being teen aged boys, you can imagine the amount of pizza that we go through in this house. Often homemade pizza and easy pizza crust is my go-to meal when I serve large [...]
Popover Recipe: (Give it a try and never go back)
Jan11
It’s a chilly, rainy day today, and nothing seems more inviting than a bowl of simmering soup accompanied by some fresh, out of the oven, popovers. A few months ago, I visited my sweet sister in-love and she introduced me [...]
Portobello Pizza Burgers
Oct28
Trying new recipes pulls us all out of the cooking rut. I was amazed at the delicious taste of this vegetarian alternative to the big, juice burger. Not only are the Portobello Pizza Burgers tasty, but SO incredibly easy. When [...]
Puff Pancake Recipe
Dec13
Saturday morning symbolizes pancakes in our family. Often, I make our delicious Swedish Pancakes or Easy Buttermilk Pancakes, but for a large family, it’s time consuming to stand over the griddle flipping them (especially when you make around fifty.) I’ve [...]
Pumpkin Pie (or any Pie flavor) in a Jar
Dec3
There’s just something about serving food in pretty glass jars that makes me so happy. I bought two cases of brand new canning jars at a yard sale, so this holiday season I will be brainstorming creative ways to use [...]
Quick and Easy Appetizers
Dec1
Appetizers aren’t just for parties any more. Here are some of our family favorites.
Easiest and Tastiest Cheese ball EVER!!
Quick and Easy Quiche Recipe
Feb16
In high school, I can remember the bumper sticker that became popular, “Real Men Eat Quiche.” Well, it’s a good thing I am raising some real men, or they might go awfully hungry. I enjoy cooking up a quick and [...]
Recipes to Use up Squash – Squash Casserole
Jul7
It’s that time of the year when our garden starts to blossom, and we begin to wonder what in the world we were thinking when we planted all that zucchini and yellow squash. Within a month, well meaning church friends [...]
Red, White and Blue Dessert Delights – July 4th Inspiration
Jun29
We are hosting two large groups of people this weekend, with virtually no notice, and the need for some 4th of July dessert ideas inspiration has hit in full force. My teen age sons got home from their work camp [...]
Resurrection Rolls – Making Easter Recipes Meaningful
Mar29
Finding simple, yet meaningful traditions that make an impact on a child’s long term memory can be a challenge, but these Resurrection Rolls fit both prerequisites. Our family celebrates Easter as the Resurrection Sunday of our Lord. If you do [...]
Sausage Crescent Rolls Recipe
Dec11
So many of us are fretting over what to make for holiday breakfast and brunch dishes. Stressing how quick and easy this recipe is should relieve any unneeded pressure you are putting on yourself. This simply easy and delicious sausage [...]
Simple Sesame Chicken at Home
Jun24
This is a quick and easy version of Simple Sesame Chicken without all the extra calories from deep frying. While it will not end up tasting exactly the same as the Chinese restaurant, since the chicken isn’t deep fried, it’s [...]
Sour Cream Banana Cake/Bread
Nov4
With the holidays approaching, we all want the easiest, most delicious, inexpensive, and oh…let’s throw in… the most beautiful recipes, don’t we? That’s not asking for a whole lot, is it? So many of our favorite traditions revolve around food. [...]
Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle
Apr14
For me, the kitchen feels like the heart of our home. One whiff of my coffee brewing in the morning lifts and soothes my spirit. The sight, smell and taste of a particular recipe has the potential for such an [...]
Strawberry Milk Recipe (Great Gift Idea)
Nov14
Margo shares, “My family didn’t have a lot of material things growing up, but we always loved when my mom would buy the Strawberry or chocolate drink mixes and mix it in with our milk for a special treat. Now [...]
Stuffed French Toast Casserole with Fruit
Mar30
Regardless of how many mouths I have to feed, there always seems to be a few pieces of left over bread discarded, while new loaves are dug into with no regards for finishing the last loaf. I never get that. [...]
Swedish Pancakes
May12
Since we have been enjoying our 20 boxes of cereal (that I scored over the last two weeks for $0.25/piece), I thought I better depart from my hot breakfast hiatus and heat up the griddle again. We love pancakes in [...]
Sweet, Sugar Cinnamon Popovers
Jan16
Last week, I shared my simple popover recipe. It’s a wonderful alternative to the traditional dinner roll or bread; a crisp hollow pastry with an eggy interior. I love dipping popovers in my soup or slathering them with butter, but [...]
Taco Salad – Great Meal for Large Groups
Sep29
Whenever I can’t decide what to order at restaurants, I always choose a taco salad. I know, out of all the choices, why would I order something that I prepare all the time at home (and enjoy even better)? I [...]
Thanksgiving Food Tradition – Gratitude Rolls
Nov16
Grateful Rolls – This simple tradition is a fun way for your family to express what they are grateful for during your Thanksgiving dinner. As guests arrive have each person write a few things that they are grateful for on small sheets of paper. We always make our special “butter horn” rolls each Thanksgiving,
Thanksgiving Turkey Cake (Fun for Kids)
Nov22
As adults, we all covet our Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Pie and Dutch Apple Pie, but do the children enjoy those traditional choices as much as we do? I know when our children were young, they would always pass on the [...]
Twiced Baked Potatoes – Double Stuffed Potatoes
Sep16
I do believe I have shared over and over how potatoes are my favorite food. Who could not love those pure gold spuds fried, mashed, cooked, baked, grilled. I’ll even take them sauteed, steamed, or quite possibly frozen. Yes, the [...]
Veggie Cake (Great Twist on the Typical Veggie Platter)
Apr25
As crazy as it may sound to some of us chocolate lovers, there are many times when celebrating without the sweets is a wonderful alternative for special occasions. When my sweet friend, Kristie, shared her amazing Veggie Cake creative inspiration [...]
What’s Your Thanksgiving Menu?
Nov16
As I shared my Easy Pumpkin Bar Recipe yesterday, decades of memories eating them came flooding back. It’s amazing to me how a special recipe will do that, isn’t it? Not so much that the food is award winning, but [...]
Whole Wheat Bread using Evaporated Milk
Oct8
Tackling homemade bread is a topic that sends any reasonable homemaker running for the hills. I mean seriously, why would one spend hours mixing, kneading, rising, shaping, and baking when she can go to the store and purchase a loaf [...]
Yummy Banana Bar Recipe
Feb24
Our family tends to have an overabundance of ripe bananas at all time, so there’s never a week that goes by when easy banana recipes aren’t being baked, discovered, rediscovered or shared. This yummy banana bar recipe is one I’ve [...]
Zucchini Banana Bread
Aug10
This Zucchini Banana Bread is a wonderful choice for my Baking Days. I tripled the recipe because it’s a perfect bread to freeze. For those times you are trying to do too many things at once, I always love a [...]