Hi there! Welcome to Practically Homemade. I’m June, the recipe developer and photographer behind this blog full of super easy and totally delicious food.
Here you will find simple recipes for everyday families inspired by years of being a restaurant owner, high school culinary teacher and mom of 4.
Whether you are looking for cake mix Texas Sheet Cake Cookies or a 30 minute Chicken and Dumplings, I pride myself in giving you everything you need for total success.
A Little About Me
I grew up in the kitchen. In fact, I decorated my first cake when I was 9 years old and in high school I lived for home economics class.
After college I settled back in my hometown, became a mom and reignited my love of all things food. Not only was I feeding my growing family but I discovered just how much I loved baking.
After years of making cakes for friends and family from my kitchen, I went on to purchase a local deli and bakery that I worked at as a teenager before becoming the town’s high school culinary teacher.
It was during that time of being a working mom, restaurant owner and food teacher that I really defined my style of cooking/baking. With little time but a deep love of great food, I found shortcuts and easy ways of making recipes without sacrificing flavor.
In fall of 2017 is when Practically Homemade was born but it wasn’t until June of 2021 with lots of support from my husband Darby, that I stepped away from 8 years of teaching to make food blogging my full time job.
What you’ll find on Practically Homemade
- Reliable Recipes. Each and every recipe is made and photographed by me in my kitchen until it is just right and ready to share.
- Simple Sweet Treats. From cake mix cookies, bundt cakes, no bake cheesecakes and more, there is so much to love.
- Recipes for Everyone. Every recipe is simple enough for a first time cook/baker but also awesome enough for someone who is in the kitchen all of the time.
More about June & the Blog
The great news is that almost any recipe on Practically Homemade would be perfect. Each of the recipes on this site is simple to make with great instructions, easy to find ingredients and lots of tips.
I am lucky enough to have a few people who made a big impact on my love of the kitchen. First of all, my mom, who always had a meal on the table every night and made it look effortless.
Secondly, my high school home economics teacher. Not only was she an excellent teacher but she also became my mentor when I went on to teach.
Lastly, my grandmothers. Grandma Anna Mae and Grandma Pearl were both people who cooked from their hearts and always had an extra seat at the table.
While I don’t have any gluten free recipes on my site, a gluten free cake mix can be substituted for any cake mix recipe with great results!
My best advice is two parts. First, read the recipe and then read it again. Be sure that you have all of the ingredients and that they are exactly how you need them {for example: softened}. Second, have fun!! Don’t stress out and have a good time.
My Work
I have been featured at Parade, Food Network, Food Gawker, Yummly, The Pioneer Woman and I do a bi-weekly recipe column for my local newspaper, Lake County Examiner.
I have also created recipes for brands and taken photos for company’s like Carol’s Cookies.
I love working with brands that align with my values. If you are interested in working with me, please email me at june@practicallyhomemade.com.
June’s Favorite Recipes
I hope you will spend time going through this site like you would the pages of a cherished cookbook.
I would love to connect with you. You can email me at june@practicallyhomemade.com or find me at any of the social media channels below.