Archive for category Holidays

Tasting Party

Bang Bang Shrimp Copycat

Bang Bang Shrimp Copycat
Photo Credit: Clay Smithers

In the spirit of Auld Lang Syne, a group of my friends from the college years reunite  for New Year Year’s Eve every year.  We spend half the year selecting a location, finding a house to rent and then all of December planning the meals.  This year, it took an 8 bedroom condo in Myrtle Beach to house 10 adults and 6 kids.  Three of the regular group weren’t able to attend plus 3 children spent the time with their grandparents, so you can see how this tends to be one big party each year!

Lately, I handle New Year’s Eve dinner.  Last year, we had artisan pizzas with all the leftovers in the mountain cabin.  This year, I knew I had a big kitchen and plenty of time to prep, so I arranged a tasting party.  The first step was to visit the party store.  This irks my husband to no end.  He hates when I visit the party store because it costs a lot for things made of paper and plastic.  I went anyway, rebellious wife that I am!

Read the rest of this entry »

, , , ,

4 Comments

Spoil Mom: She Loves It

Moms.  You love them.  You hate them.  They kiss the boo boos and ruin all the fun.  You think they must be out of touch until you grow and discover that they knew everything all along.  They say they just want you to be around for Mother’s Day to give them a quick kiss and say hi, but I’m a Mom.  We want much more than that.

We want to be lavished with gifts and told how needed we are and how loved we are, especially since we changed the poopy diapers, fought for you to get the good teachers and worried about you every single second since you were conceived.  So, my gift to my readers….here are 3 ways to spoil Mom this Mother’s Day and it won’t even cost you that much time or money.

#1 Can’t afford the spa?  

She doesn’t like other people touching her?  Make her homemade spa gifts to treat herself! There are multiple homemade spa recipes online.  You can put them in a nice jar with a pretty bow and Mom will be thrilled.   Here is one I thought was pretty nice:

Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sweet almond oil (substitute olive oil or sesame oil)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup liquid soap
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
Measure the oil into a medium bowl, then carefully stir in remaining ingredients until mixture is fully blended. Pour into a clean jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Shake gently before using. Enough for four large luxurious baths. Swirl desired amount into the bathtub under running water.  Light some candles and turn on some soft music.

Ingredients

#2 Special Breakfast in Bed

I honestly can’t remember if I have posted this recipe, but this is hands down my favorite breakfast recipe, inspired by a breakfast at First Watch.  Don’t just put it on a tray.  Take the time to do it up nice.  Use the good china.  Put out a cloth napkin.  Put a bud vase with a pretty flower in it.  Lay her card on there too if you have one.

Breakfast Scramble

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • Handful of fresh spinach, washed and dried
  • 3 oz. 1/4″ cut ham, chopped into bite sized pieces
  • Hollandaise Sauce package with required ingredients (Should be butter and milk or water)
  • Handful of shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 croissant, sliced in half

Breakfast Scramble

Start by making the Hollandaise sauce by following the package directions.  Keep it warm on the stove,  stirring occasionally.  Whisk the 3 eggs together with a splash of milk.  Melt butter on medium low in a saute pan.  Scramble the eggs to Mom’s liking and add the ham to the pan to heat.   Place the croissant on a plate and lay the scrambled eggs on top.  Wilt the spinach in the sauce pan until warm and soft with a slight crunch.  Add the spinach to the croissant and egg stack.  Add the ham to the stack.  Top with cheese and a spoonful or two of the sauce.  Serve warm!

Pack the sauce away in a Tupperware container to put over vegetables later and make sure to do all the dishes, clean the counters, and put everything away!  Mom will appreciate that most.

#3 Put together a gift basket just for HER

Ask yourself what Mom likes.  Does she like to read?  Does she enjoy chocolates, fine wines and cheeses?  Does she love a sports team or being with her kids?  Once you answer the question “What does she like?”, you’ll have a theme in your head.  Put together a basket, box, or bag with things that represent that theme and Mom will be happy that you took the time to think about her.

Thanks Mom, for inspiring me to be the person I am today.  Love you!!

, ,

Leave a Comment

Surf and Turf

It's all about organization

Like I’ve said many times before, I’m a working mom. I love my job, but I love my family much more. They are my heart and soul, the reason I get out of bed. (I really love sleep…)

For Valentine’s Day, it’s my chance to really say “I love you very much”. Often, I express myself by writing a letter or by making them something special in the kitchen. My son and daughter are too young to read or understand a love letter yet and they hardly eat anything except chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, pizza, berries, bananas, or pancakes. They got pancakes for dinner and a balloon. And about 100 kisses. They were happy. Well, except Sara, the balloon scared her a bit.

Read the rest of this entry »

, ,

1 Comment

Who Doesn’t Love Pizza?

12 adults.  4 kids.  It’s the last day of a combined family vacation and there are tons of leftovers in the mountain cabin refrigerator.  I had dinner duty.  How do you use up the leftovers, make something even the kids will eat, and feed so many people?  Pizza of course! 

Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , , , ,

1 Comment

The 16 Days of Thanksgiving

Bacon and Herb Roasted Turkey, Stuffed

You’ve heard of the 12 days of Christmas. You know the song. Well, you probably know some of the song…who really remembers each verse? This is the story of the 16 Days of Thanksgiving….what happens when suddenly you realize you’re going to host a party for around 30 people with just a couple of weeks notice. Life doesn’t stop, but the party goes on.

Read the rest of this entry »

, , , , ,

Leave a Comment

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 120 other followers

%d bloggers like this: