Planning for Cinco De Mayo

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo and here are a few ideas if you plan of celebrating with friends and family to get a jump start on the festivities. Serve your food buffet style and let everyone help themselves.  

Scroll to the bottom of the page for an easy Corona Margarita recipe that everyone will enjoy.  

Easy Mexican salad you can throw together in no time.  Chopped Romaine lettuce, can of drained and rinsed black beans and corn, peeled and diced avocado, crushed tortilla chips, grape tomatoes, and an offering of an easy dressing made of 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, pinch of fresh garlic (if desired) and tablespoons fresh minced cilantro.  Easy method is place all the dressing ingredients in a small jar, put on the lid, shake and serve. 

I like to serve steak fajitas, and always have an offering of flour tortillas and/or corn.  The corn is preferred and used if you are on a Gluten-Free restricted diet. 

Serve up your favorite salsa, Pico de Gallo, sour cream, taco sauce, shredded lettuce and grated cheese, black beans, and guacamole.

Don't forget to serve cut up limes!

~Corona Margarita~

Dampen the rim of the margarita glass and dip it into salt.  Pour the following ingredients into a blender and blend well.  Serve it with a lime wedge garnish.

6 ounces white or blanco tequila

12 ounce Corona

6 ounces frozen limeade concentrate

Ice cubes

Fancy Waffle

Happy September everyone. Fall doesn't officially begin until September 22nd so we're savoring the last days of summer. We are still enjoying the bountiful fruits and vegetables from our farmers as we visit our local farmers markets and supermarkets. For an extra special treat this weekend, top your homemade (or store bought) waffles and pancakes with delicious fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches or nectarines. For whipped cream lovers, dollop some on top of the fruit and it takes your breakfast or brunch to an all new level.

Enjoy your special moments💗

Make Your Own Ice Cream Sandwich Bar

Summer temperatures are pushing thermometers to the limit and we're looking for ways to stay cool. A fun idea is creating a "make your own ice cream sundae bar"? All you need is ice cream, cookies and toppings......does it get any better? It can be as simple or extravagant as you wish.  

We enjoyed chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and ginger snap cookies with toppings of mini chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, toffee bits and crushed peppermint.  I used chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice cream with black cherries, and rolled it in the peppermint.

I love to display foods on my pretty trays

I found I had more ice cream scoops than I thought I had so I had one for each ice cream selection.

~I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for stopping~

Easy Summer Peach Sangria

Summer is officially a week away and outdoor entertaining and dining is finally here. If you are looking for a signature cocktail for your next get together, Sangria is the perfect cocktail. It's both light and refreshing. It's peach season so pick them up at your local Farmer's Market or favorite grocer.  

This recipe serves 4-6 but double or triple for more servings.  

2-3 medium white peaches, sliced and divided

3/4 cup peach brandy

1 bottle of chilled Moscato wine

www.Seagrams.com white peach seltzer water, chilled

Ice

Place the sliced peaches and brandy in a pitcher or dispenser and gently muddle.

Add the Moscato and seltzer water. Stir to mix and pour into0 iced glasses to serve.  Top with a peach slice.  It's that easy!

Enjoy and happy weekend!

(I am taking the week off from my blog next week but returning the week of June 20th. Until then..CHEERS!🍹)

Party Manhattans

It's the time of year we are moving our entertaining outdoors. Birthdays, graduations, Father's Day, Memorial Day....the list goes on.  

Why not set up a "Manhattan" side bar for your next gathering?  I needed a recipe for a big crowd I could make ahead of time and found this easy one on Seriouseats.  Signature cocktails are always a great idea. Instead of taking drink orders, you will enjoy your friends and family. Cheers!🍸

 This recipe will serve 8-10 cocktails and yields 32 ounce18 ounces rye whiskey ( I like Makersmark), 9 ounces sweet vermouth,  18 dashes Hellabitters, 5 ounces filtered or bottled water (not mineral). Using a funnel, pour rye, vermouth, bitters and water into a pitcher.  Chill well and stir before serving. 

Garnishes on the side: Makers Mark Bourbon cocktail cherries and lemon twists (& ice)

Not entertaining and want to treat yourself to a Manhattan this weekend?

2 ounces rye whiskey, 1 ounce sweet vermouth, 2 dashes bitters, 1 dash orange bitters. Add to an iced glass and stir. Garnish with a lemon twist or brandied cherry. (found at liquor or grocery store). Binny's Beverage Depot is at the top of my list for beverages when entertaining. 

A birthday shout out to our Grandson, Ryder. We couldn't be more proud of you and love you all the love in the world! You're AMAZING!

Margarita Time

There is a lot of celebrating going on the next few days at my house. Our son and daughter in laws birthdays, Valentine's Day and Super Bowl watch party.  So it makes perfect sense to have a great tasting and easy cocktail. The original margarita will pair perfectly with my menu of both buffalo and mild chicken wings with blue cheese, buffalo and teriyaki dipping sauces, vegetarian and regular nachos, and burgers. 

Per Serving:

1 ounce Cointreau

2 ounces of your favorite Tequila

1 ounce fresh lime juice

Margarita salt

Rim the top of your glasses with freshly cut lime and dip the rim in margarita salt. Add the above ingredients to a shaker with ice, shake for a few seconds until blended and chilled and pour into your glass.

Enjoy your moments and happiest birthdays to Ryan and Lisa. We love you all the love in the world. 

Birthday wishes to my dear friend Mary too!

When the Family has Outgrown the Dining Table

With Christmas a little over two weeks away, there is a lot of planning going on. Christmas morning brunch in our home requires more seating for our meal than it used to. My dining table will seat six comfortably, ten if needed though we are now a group of fourteen. I came up with a plan to floor seat my grandchildren around our large coffee table. I put my festive holiday pillows in a basket and placed it near the coffee table so they can choose their pillow to use as their seat. I love how the pillow basket looks by the tree and just adds to the festive look of the room.  

I tease my husband the day is coming to extend our dining room wall out further if the family continues to grow, but in the meantime this keeps us together and close as we enjoy our festive brunch and celebrate our blessings.

Tips When Having Family for the Holidays

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are hectic and stressful.  Factor in family and friends arriving to spend time with you.  Here are a few tips to make the holidays run smoothly and relaxed for everyone.  

The Christmas Tree - Find a tree locally and bring your saw to cut your own down or find a tree lot where they are already cut down for you.  Incorporate the help of the family to choose the best tree.  Decorating the tree is a fun activity that includes everyone.  Ask each family member or friend to bring an ornament to share on the tree.  

A fun group activity- gather around the fireplace and make large bowls of popcorn.  Hand out needles and thread and have everyone make popcorn garland to string on the Christmas tree.

Make your own ornaments with the kids - Construction paper, scissors, glue and glitter provide materials for making paper snowflakes or other ornament shapes of your choice. If space allows, set up an art and craft table in an area away from crowds so children can have their own space to create. It's a win for everyone. 

Premade freezer friendly foods -  make up ahead of time minestrone soup, cinnamon coffee cake, egg, and cheese and ham casserole so you can grab and heat for time saving meals. 

Pajama Day - Designate a day for spending the entire day in pajamas for utter relaxation. This one is my favorite!

Treats for your guests - offer your guests slippers, hot chocolate packets, mugs,  chocolates

Outdoor entertainment - one of the best parts of being at the lake house is the great outdoors.  Cold climate like the Midwest provides entertainment of sledding, skiing, ice skating, snowshoe hiking, not to mention snowball fights, making snow angels and taking nature walks together.

Don't forget the ambience - Candles in all shapes and forms!  Votives or tapers, the scents of the holidays are inviting.  Cranberry, pine, holly berry or cinnamon.

Holiday music - After Thanksgiving each year, out comes my Johnny Mathis and Bing Crosby Christmas music.  We are enjoying VINYL again in our home, so we enjoy playing many of our favorites on the turn table. 

Be prepared for emergencies - Always keep on hand jumper cables for car batteries that won't start, shovels, melting salt or sand to deice the walkway, driveway and porch.  

Easy Game Grub

✨Buffalo Chicken Pull Apart Loaf✨

If you're looking for something to serve while watching the games this weekend, or an easy fun dish to take to the neighbors pot luck, I've put together a buffalo chicken pull apart loaf that is sure to impress! 

Six ingredients, parchment paper and a loaf pan are all you need.

1 Rotisserie chicken you can pick up at your local grocery store, 1/2 cup hot sauce, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, 6 tablespoons melted butter, and Pillsbury refrigerated flaky biscuit dough.  Melt the butter and mix together the cheeses, hot sauce and chicken finely shredded.  Place loaf pan you have lined with parchment paper on its side and layer biscuit, chicken mixture, biscuit and chicken mixture until you have reached the top of the pan.  Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 40 minutes uncovered, and cover with foil last 20 minutes.  Cool for a few minutes, pull apart and enjoy with your favorite beverage.  Happy weekend!

Pull it apart, have plenty of napkins and enjoy!

Food Ideas for Football Parties

Why travel to the game when you can "Homegate"? 

A big screen television with a great sound system will make your house the place to be for this weekends games.  

Seating, whether it's rugs, floor pillows, bean bag chairs is important.

Awesome food (this is key!).  Along with your favorite craft beers.  A fun idea is have a beer sampling area.  

Here are some fun ideas I've made in the past that are perfect for game day and most of them you can do ahead of time.

When I'm serving a crowd, I love shortcuts that don't have me in the kitchen for hours.  I toss a ground beef and ground turkey blend into a large bowl, add minced onions, a little garlic salt, salt and pepper and mix with my hands. Pat the mixture into a 13 x 9 pan sprayed lightly with cooking spray and bake in a preheated 350 oven until cooked to your desire. I bake mine for 30-40 minutes. When finished baking, cut into small squares and place them onto "slider buns" topped with a small pickle slice.

Who doesn't love chocolate cupcakes? 

 A Make Your Own Taco Bar.  I like this idea because you can make your taco meat and chop up your toppings the day before, stick in the fridge until you are ready to heat the meat and serve.  Allows you time to enjoy your guests.

Serve up ice cold craft beers, wine or sangria.  Or make up an area for beer sampling trays with the latest seasonals.

Outdoor Twister

Do you remember playing the game Twister when you were younger? Or are you still playing this laugh packed game?  

Now you can play it outside and here's how.

Spray paint rows of circles on the lawn.  No worries about the Twister mat slipping when you use this method.  Either make a spinner or use the spinner from the original Twister game........

Right arm yellow, left leg blue!  So much fun for all ages😄

Our baby grandson is turning one this weekend and he is such a blessing to our family.  His laughter, giggles and never ending smiles are heart melting.  We love you sweet Peanut and wish you a special and happy first birthday with all of our love forever and a day💗

Happy Weekend!

Create an Easy Ice Tea Bar for your Guests

~Easy Entertaining~

When hosting a barbecue for having friends or family, I like to offer this easy iced tea make it yourself bar. The set up is easy, looks inviting and frees your time to enjoy your guests.

I chose 3 of my favorite summer teas, placed 2 teabags of each into separate glass carafes and filled with fresh cold water.  Using the old fashioned style of making "sun" tea, I let the bags sit and do the work for about an hour.  Leave the bags in longer if you like your tea stronger. Remove and toss the tea bags, and refrigerate until you're ready to serve them.  Serve with plenty of ice, sliced lemons, limes, honey, pretty straws placed in a glass, spoons and tall glasses. 

Lipton is always a delicious tea!

Stash tea offers many caffeine free choices.

Barney & Sons Fine Teas is a favorite of mine.  I love this green tea with coconut served hot or iced.

Enjoy the moments🌻

Farmers Market to Your Table

Farmers Market Delights

 Support your local farmer's and benefit from healthy, wholesome produce and beautiful flowers for your home. Our local Farmer's Market just opened for the season and I made my way through pesto stands, freshly made apple cider donuts with your choice of powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar, and picked up fresh and locally grown tomatoes, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, flowers and more.  Did I mention the smoothies and hot brewed coffees?  You can find everything you need for a tasty harvest breakfast at Farmers Markets. Fresh eggs, syrups and potatoes for hash browns plus all the vegetables you need for tasty omelets. If you haven't visited your local Farmers Markets, you don't know what you are missing.  

 Here is a very simple recipe to make homemade tomato sauce for your family and friends using those fresh tomatoes from your market or your own garden. This recipe will make a quart of sauce...modify for your needs....

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped garlic (I use jarred ready to use chopped garlic I can keep in the fridge)
20 medium ripe plum tomatoes, washed, cored and cut into quarters
 Fresh basil (you can use dried)
Small bag of tomato paste (I am a huge fan of Amore Tomato Paste in a tube that you can reseal after you have used the portion you need)
1 tablespoon sugar, teaspoon salt & pepper, chopped onion (optional).

Use a Dutch oven or large pot, cover bottom with olive oil and add chopped garlic and onion.  Brown on low-medium heat until fragrant.  I use my freshly washed hands, take each tomato and squeeze into the pot until all tomatoes are in pot.  Add tomato paste, basil, salt, pepper and sugar and stir occasionally while cooking over low heat for 60-90 minutes.  After the tomatoes have cooked down, I pour into my blender or food processor and blend into smooth sauce for 30-45 seconds.  Use immediately on pasta of your choice or freeze the sauce for use at a later date. Will refrigerate for 3 days.  It's a great way to support the farmers in your area and feed your family a healthy meal.

If you are planning a get together this week,  you can make this sauce ahead of time.  All you need to do is heat it up and add to the pasta of your choice.

Support your local small businesses today!

           

Back Yard Brunch this weekend

Celebrate Summer in the biggest way this weekend by inviting family and friends to brunch in your back yard.  

Here are some easy ideas!

Easy french toast with a side of fruit.

A fresh fruit individual serving for a healthy choice.

Easy Make Ahead Egg Casserole. Cube bread and place on bottom of 13x9 pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Mix 10 eggs, 1/2 cup milk, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar, chopped cooked bacon, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper in a bowl, pour into pan on top of bread, cover, refrigerate overnight and bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until the eggs are cooked. Serve!

Make Your Own Bloody Mary is always a fun idea!

Pre cut and slice limes, celery, cherry tomatoes, pickles and place in pretty bowls.  Don't forget the stuffed olives.  My favorite is Blue Cheese!

I love my Bloody Mary in a mason jar with a lot of ice.

Serve up Hot Biscuit in a pretty basket with a linen napkin for nice presentation.  Offer a nice seletion of jellies, jams, butters, cheeses, deli ham and/or turkey.  Yum! My niece served this to us recently at a get together and it was a huge hit with everyone.