Archive for March, 2007

Tip of the Week – Cultivating Friendships

Fostering Your Women Friendships
As time continues to hurry us along, we often neglect to set aside time to spend with our female friends. This is a BIG mistake! These friendships are essential to our hearts and minds and for our laughter and sanity! Personally, I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a strong circle of... Read more »

Fun Ideas for April Fool’s Day!

April Fool’s Day!
Just when you think that the dreary days of winter will never end, along comes a crazy holiday that can really give you a laugh! And hopefully at someone else’s expense! In the past few years, my husband, who is generally very serious, has really teased me with some well planned April Fool’s... Read more »

Tip of the Week – Pre-Approved Credit Card Letters!

How many of these letters do you receive in the mail each week, if not each DAY? Between those addressed to my husband and those addressed to me, I’d say dozens. Not only are we uninterested in these credit offers, but the disposal of these letters is a serious issue. These pre-approved credit cards are... Read more »

Easter Egg Hunt Brunch Menu

An Easter Egg Hunt Brunch Menu!

Make ahead French Toast Casserole
Fruit Salad
Vegetable Dip served in a cabbage bowl with fresh crudite*
Assorted Mini Bagels – great for kids. Order these in advance from your local bagel shop and ask to have the bagels sliced.
Sides of cream cheese, butter, jam and maple syrup
Baked Ham – do it yourself... Read more »

Fun Easter Treats, Desserts, for Kids

Celebrating Easter with Your Children!
The Easter season provides many wonderful opportunities to spend special time with your children. I have vivid memories as a child, even as a teenager, of dyeing eggs and setting out our empty baskets and the necessary bundle of carrots for the Easter Bunny! On Easter morning, our baskets would... Read more »

Hostess Gifts

Helpful Hints:

Think out of the box and go beyond the usual candle or bottle of wine.
Consider ordering calling cards to accompany your hostess gifts.
If you find a hostess gift you really like, buy and wrap several of them. You’ll save time shopping and won’t be rushing around last minute for each party.
If you know your host well, try... Read more »

Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pecans

Ingredients

1 T. butter
1/2 c. pecan halves
1 T. brown sugar
1 ounce package fresh baby spinach (I also make this salad with a combination of fresh baby spinach and baby greens)
1 large granny smith apple, cored, sliced and then cut into bite-size pieces
1/2 c. crumbled feta cheese
2 T. olive oil
2 T. white vinegar

Directions

Melt butter in small frying... Read more »

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

1-2 head fresh broccoli
1/2 c. red onions, chopped
1/2 lb. bacon
2 1/2 T. vinegar
1 c. Hellmann’s mayonnaise
1/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. grated mozzarella cheese

Directions

Cook bacon (I make it easy and buy the already cooked bacon in the refrigerator section of the market) and crumble into pieces
Chop up top of broccoli into bite size pieces
Mix broccoli, onions,... Read more »

Crackle Barrel’s Hashbrown Casserole

Ingredients

2 lbs. frozen hash browns
1/2 c. melted margarine
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
1/2 c. chopped onions
2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Directions

Mix the above ingredients together and bake in a 11″ x 14″ baking dish for 45 minutes at 350 degrees F. or until brown on top.

Cookie Pizza

Cookie Pizzas
Ingredients:

1 roll (18 oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies. (I think that you could use the chocolate chip cookie dough as an alternative.)
½ c. creamy peanut butter. (You could also use regular icing instead of peanut butter.)
1 ½ c. assorted candies for toppings. (No hard candy.) Try raisins, M&M’s, candy corn, chocolate chips, or mini... Read more »