Category: Celebrate
Celebrate

Game On!

January 12
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If you follow college ball you know what’s on tonight’s TV schedule!  Though my family isn’t native to the buckeye state, we’ve resided here for many years and are hopeful for an Ohio win!  No matter who you’re rooting for, we’d like to share a cute snack idea for the big game!  The downside to the broadcast is that it’s on a school night…but if you’re a die-hard fan, simply love the game, or just plan to watch the first half–here’s a quick & simple way to make it special!  I recently saw this adorable idea for individual seven-layer-dip cups for a Superbowl party…and it got me thinking!  I love the idea of individual snacks…it helps with portion control, makes clean-up a breeze, and looks darn cute too!  Go ahead and create a special treat–easily customized for your family or guests.  So get ready to snack and cheer…

and may the best team win!

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Celebrate, Holidays

Tis the Season for Gumbo!

December 29
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We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday! This morning we’re sharing a fun gathering…a holiday tradition for my family that would be a fun, casual event for any time of year!  Each Christmas Eve we put on a large pot of Gumbo and open our doors for some of our friends and neighbors who are without family here in town!  This tradition began when we began celebrating the evening with our dear friends and neighbors who were native to the Netherlands!  It was such a lovely way to share the holiday with extended “family” and bring more joy into our home for this special occasion!  Though our friends have since moved back to their homeland we’ve kept the tradition going–adding names to the guest list as we continue to find more friends without family nearby! Lucky for me my parents can travel to be with us for Christmas–and this night of celebrating is a much anticipated event for us all!  A wonderful way to come together and fill the house with good conversation, great food, and the laughter of children!  (And since Sarah’s family is often here too, we have plenty of children running around making spirits bright!)  Putting on a big pot of soup is an easy way to serve up guests and gather friends and family for any occasion!  New Year’s Eve is just a few days away…a soup party may be a fun way to celebrate with families to ring in the New Year!  As a matter of fact, winter is a wonderful time to ladle up some fun…so don’t let the fact that the holidays are almost over stop you from serving up a good time for all!  Check out the fun…

it’s gumbo time!

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Celebrate, Holidays

Pass on Pie…

November 19
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Do you have anyone in your family that would take a pass on pumpkin pie?  You might even find yourself with family or guests that don’t care for any kind of pie…a dilemma in my household!  This year I decided to try something different to accompany that traditional Thanksgiving dessert…a root beer float bar!  I was inspired after finding some fabulous root beers and sodas that were perfect for the season!  A fun treat that’s so easy to do…I had a trial run recently to see just how easy it would be–and so simple it was!  Now I’m prepared to serve up something sweet to all who sit at my table…not just the pie lovers!  Take a look at this dessert alternative and let your guests pass on pie and say…”yes please!” to floats!  Of course there’s no rule that states you can’t have both!  So save room for dessert and…

add a Thanksgiving float!

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Celebrate, Holidays

Crunch, Munch & Nibble!

November 7
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November is often synonymous with food and house guests…family and friends paying a call for the festive feast!  Even prior to the big day it seems that everyone has food in mind…maybe it’s the change of season, large fuzzy sweaters that give permission to put on a pound or two, or maybe it’s just the fact that good food sparks great conversation and celebration!  Nevertheless, if you find yourself with a visiting crowd…make it easy for those calling your house their temporary home to pull up a chair, enjoy wonderful company, and have plenty of munchies and nibbles to sustain ’til the big turkey finale!  This is the easy part…no cooking necessary to keep those nibblers satisfied…healthy or sinful, it’s easy to find wonderful purchased treats to keep on hand while you’re entertaining!  Fill up some containers and leave out a snack bar for all to enjoy whenever the mood strikes them to

crunch, munch & nibble!

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Celebrate, Holidays

Ooey Gooey Hallow-morning!

October 31
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Happy Halloween!  How about letting your family wake to a holiday breakfast treat that could melt the hearts of the most sinister ghouls!  We’d like to share a favorite goodie that is so quick, easy, and right from the store shelf!  Pumpkin rolls from Trader Joe’s are so delightfully yummy and ideal for fall!  A combination of pumpkin pie & cinnamon roll is perfect for the season–but If you can’t make it to a Trader Joe’s…just grab any can of cinnamon rolls to pop in the oven for a scrumptious holiday treat!  I never have a problem baking prepared cinnamon buns…they taste wonderful and let’s face it, most kids prefer the processed alternatives anyway!  And for a once-in-a-while, gooey, goodie these cans of buttery wonder make it easy to whip up, clean up…and still make the kitchen smell fabulously fall-ish!  So welcome your Halloween with this tasty morning treat…

and enjoy some gooey goodness!

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Celebrate, Holidays

When Goblins come Calling…

October 27
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We’re not talking about trick-or-treating just yet…but if you’re planning a gathering of smaller-stature witches & wizards you may want to see what we’ve conjured up for a festive Halloween party!  Whipping up a last minute holiday party doesn’t require witchcraft!  Gather guests and pop in a spooky or not-so-spooky movie…make it special with simple decor, easy treats and fun favors!  Take a peek at these holiday ideas that will have you ready when…

those ghosts & goblins come calling…

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Celebrate, Holidays

October Gathering

October 13
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October is such a fun month for gatherings!  Whether filled with Halloween festivities or just to celebrate the autumn season, October is an ideal time for celebrations!  The crisp, fall air is cool enough to don the fuzzy sweaters but still comfortable enough to enjoy the outdoors…the foliage spattered with the first traces of color and the smell of wood smoke wafting through the air!  We had a beautiful weather opportunity to have just such a celebration…and since it is October–Halloween fun had to be included!  This gathering for adults was an opportunity to get spooky with some holiday cocktails, serve up simple food, and enjoy great conversation around the fire!  Today we’re sharing a long post filled with easy ideas that can pack a party punch!  We hope you can find some inspiration for your next gathering…

let’s start with a cocktail…

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Celebrate

Party…To Go!

August 20
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Who says a party needs to stay in one place?  For something different, try packing up a party and hitting the road!  Recently we did just that for a small group of kids for a birthday celebration…a night at the drive-in theater with a party–to go!  I know packing a party sounds daunting but it really was an easy thing to do…no fancy decorations required…just simple supplies & goodies bags would help create a festive adventure!  Take a peek at how simple a “party-to-go” can be…

loaded up and off we go…

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Celebrate

Frozen Sandwich!

July 21
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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all things frozen!  A refreshing treat that cools us down on a sweaty, steamy day!  We all think of ice cream cones, popcicles and milk shakes…but I often forget about the combination of two most treasured treats…ice cream & cookies…a frozen sandwich!  Ice cream sandwiches are so tasty, super easy to make, and fun to get creative with!  Make them up ahead and just pull them right out of the freezer–good for any time or any event!  As it happens, yesterday was National Ice Cream Day–so it was fitting that a small get together with friends was a perfect time so serve up some frozen treats!

icy cold treats are always welcome in summer!

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Celebrate

Around the Campfire

July 14
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Long summer evenings are the perfect time to gather friends & family and light up a campfire!  Fire containers are so easily available that, if you’ve got a little outdoor space, you can enjoy the glowing embers and smokey aroma right in your own backyard!  Some are built in, some are portable…but the best thing about them is somehow they draw you in and invite you to stay awhile!  And what activity goes hand-in-hand with a campfire?  Roasty, toasty fun!  Recently, some friends of ours offered their backyard to host such an occasion–a S’mores party!  When I arrived I knew we should share this lovely “S’mores bar” display…and was thrilled that I was allowed to snap some photos!  So we hope you’re left with some summertime inspiration for your next gathering…

around a campfire….

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