Anyone else in the mood to cook?
After many busy days, we finally have a carefree schedule on the horizon {I'm talking to you Friday, Saturday and Sunday}.
Now, we all know I don't relax well, so carefree to me means being busy at home. Yep, it's time to dust off some long-lingering pins and break-out my apron.
I'm liking each of these:
Pulled Pork and Mango salad to start.
yum.
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Has this winter sucked the life out of you, too? Man, it's been brutal!
My lack of posting is a sure sign that seasonal bleh has set in, but happily there's been one bright spot in this hell-hole of never-ending snow. Food.
When's the last time you stepped outside your food comfort zone and tried something new?
Me? It had been awhile. But two recent outings took me on a mini food adventure. The first included Mica's Chef's Tasting menu {throw caution to the wind!} and my prize from that meal - one goat cheese custard that was heaven on a plate. And then the second outing included veggies and veggies alone at the hotpsot Vedge. A whole restaurant dedicated to vegetables and nothing more. Clever, right?
The food was yum in the tum and I'm so glad we decided to take a leap of faith {with what was a gift} and roll the dice that even the stodgiest of eaters {talking to you Dad :)} might enjoy the experience and, perhaps, even the food.
Don't you love eating out!?!
For fun, retry a flavor or a dish or an herb that's forever been off limits. Give your taste buds a shock!
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Mashed potatoes.
Everyone knows any Thanksgiving Day table is undone without them. Though, this year, I wonder....
My sister and I debated the holiness of the white, fluffy side dish yesterday. Do you mess with potato perfection? Can substitutes be offered? In her opinion, no. Thick, sticky mashers is where it begins and ends. Me? I'm unsure. I've started to think about a change. What if the stuffed baked potato entered the scene. Will diners be miffed? Will eyebrows be raised? Really, when you break it down, the twice-baked potato is just mashed potatoes all dressed up.
The debate rages on.
Who knows which side of the potato fence I'll land. The over-achiever in me considers a suitable answer. Both! :)
Happy planning to all you host and hostesses. Here's to overplanning and overpreparing every. single. time.
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Eme's party is in two weeks. Here's what I"m thinking.
And of course, face painting.
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I had grand plans to serve up new recipes each week this summer. How's it going?
It's not. {enter excuses here}
Well, this weekend a mini get-together gives me the perfect chance to serve up a few new dishes. My pinboard is jam-packed with recipes, so finding seasonal contenders was easy. I'm liking these:
What are you cooking up for summer?
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Jelly! {pbandj's never tasted so good}
Coulis! {strawberry shortcake anyone?}
A family affair, Billy Webb made the jelly, I made the coulis.
yum in the tum.
And this weekend, I'm thinking Frozen Strawberry Margaritas!!
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This would be our sixth annual Ramsey Girl Getaway {first in a suite!} and Canyon Ranchwas quite the hostess. ...with her luxurious accommodations and healthful fare and Aquavana thermal suites {amazing!}. If ever the chance, get there.
If you're after a world class spa experience with a thousand things to do ~ or not do ~ Canyon Ranch is for you. And, while my puffed up foot nixed my plan for "sun up/sun down" exercise, it in no way dampened my experience. It left me with a bit more beach time, an eye on upper body work and a few extra treatments {hellooo, Oxygen facial}. Really there's no better spot to suffer an injury!
thanks Mom!
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Baking magic. That's what this is.
Yeah, yeah it's a three-year-old's birthday party. And yeah, yeah any old Dumbo-style elephant cake would have been fine, but why stop there? It's a party! I crave design! As soon as Baby Bear demanded "elephant cake!" I knew only Patti Paige would do. Do you see the trees?!?! Look at the detail on those elephants!!! And the best part of all? They were d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s. Delicious! The most perfectly baked sugar cookie topped with the delicate crunch of sweet icing. Baking magic.
So, thank you. Patti Paige. For giving young Max his elephant and giving me and the little partygoers such a treat.
See more of Patti Paige and her amazing work on Facebook or Bakedideas.com.
Herd photos by Patti Paige
others by Michael Handwerk Photography
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The details were for him. His favorite things.
Two and three could be my favorite ages. It's such a great phase of development and fun. I want to remember these days forever. Thankfully, I can through the great snapshots Michael Handwerk Photography captured for me on party day. Hostessing is busy, busy and I never had a second to snap a thing. My tip for you: post on Craigslist. The few dollars you'll spend are more than worth it. I'm so grateful he was there.
warning: photo overload :)
While my party at the park wasn't to be, all the party prep paid off and we bounced and planted and bubble chased and laughed... My boy never stopped smiling and we all met bedtime exhausted and content.
Happy Birthday my sweets. I love you so.
Tomorrow meet the herd.
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