Top Posts of 2013: Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Well, this is IT! 2013 has come to an end.....and oh what a year it has been! One year ago, I had been blogging for just 3 months.....and I was just starting to figure things out. Of course, I still have a long way to go, but what a difference a year makes! 2013 has been a great year for me - I have discovered my voice as a blogger, developed some amazing relationships, and found my niche in the great big blogging world! I am so grateful to all of YOU, my readers, for your fabulous support.....and I can't wait to see what 2014 holds.

But before we move forward, let's take a moment to look back at my TOP POSTS of 2013! Ready for the countdown? Here goes! (Feel free to pin what you like....and then check out what else I have in store for you!!)

Saturday Night Fever #14

Welcome back to another night of Saturday Night Fever! I'm so glad you decided to join us tonight....and I'm so excited to introduce you to our newest co-host: Pamela from Brooklyn Farm Girl! Welcome, Pamela!! I can't wait to see what you bring to tonight's party....(hopefully some yummy ideas for New Year's Eve!)

Last Week's Most Clicked Link Was: 

Crock Pot Crab Dip

Deliciously creamy dip made with 2 different kinds of cheese, imitation crab, and a splash of white wine.

It's simple, it's delicious, and best of all.....it's made in a crock pot! So you can enjoy the party!

If there's one thing that's true about me, it's that I LOVE hosting! And not just in theory. I love having people over to my house, I love thinking about menus and drink options and party decor, I love it when people stay and linger long into the night. It has taken me well into adulthood to realize that hosting is not something most people necessarily enjoy. In fact, I would venture to say that most of my friends and family would prefer NOT to host whenever possible! Which works out well for me!

Baubles & Bows Necklace

A fun, festive necklace made from garland and ribbon....a little something to make for yourself after Christmas....
and perfect for New Year's Eve!

Well.....for better or for worse.....Christmas is over! After months of thinking about it and weeks of preparing for it, the day has come and gone. And now it's on to New Year's! To be honest, this is the first New Year's Eve in a while that we actually have plans...but plans or no plans, there's still always something about the night that seems to call for a little bling! Am I right???

Bailey's Mocha Cheesecake Cups

No-Bake cheesecake cups flavored with Bailey's Irish Cream and a coffee liqueur infused chocolate graham cracker crust.

The perfect dessert for a special occasion....or just because!

Good morning, friends! Well....Christmas is officially 2 days away....are you ready?? I am happy to report that I met my goal of being done with Christmas shopping by Friday. It is now Monday and I have yet to remember something (or someone!) I forgot to shop for. That's a good sign. So now it's on to wrapping and cleaning and making food to take places.....and, if possible, making some space among our overflowing piles of toys for all the new things the kids will bring home. Whew.....so much to think about before Christmas!

Saturday Night Fever #13: A Recipe Link Party!

Hey everyone.....it's Saturday night! And that can only mean one thing - time for Saturday Night Fever!! Today was our first official day of Christmas break...yours too? I hope it was a good one! We spent ours making cookies and celebrating my mom's birthday. And now the final countdown begins! Can't wait to see what you bring to tonight's party.....the last party before Christmas!
 

Last Week's Most Clicked Link Was:

Turtle Thumbprint Macaroons

Coconut macaroons topped with Rolos, pecans, and salted caramel sauce. 

Almond Joy meets Turtle...and it's love at first bite!

Having three girls, I've always known that I need to be prepared for LOTS of drama. After all, I was one of three girls, myself....and if there's one thing I remember about growing up with sisters, it's drama!! (Thank goodness for our younger brother's influence, or who knows what would have become of us!) But what I'm NOT prepared for? How early all the drama has started!! And I'm not just talking about day to day family drama....I'm talking about real drama - school and friends and bus rides and mean looks and mean girls....I hear it all!

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Snickers Fudge

Creamy white chocolate peanut butter fudge topped with Snickers bars. 

Simply delicious.....and deliciously simple to make!

Way back when I was in high school, long before I was a blogger or a baker or a mother or even an adult, I worked at a group home for adults with disabilities. I was responsible for an insane amount of important stuff, from giving meds to giving baths to getting people dressed and fed and driving them, in a giant van, in their wheelchairs, wherever they needed to go. When I think back on it, it seems almost impossible that I actually spent nearly two years there. Don't get me wrong - I loved it - but I was only in high school! (Not your typical senior year job!)

Peppermint Mocha Magic Bars

7-Layer Magic Bars, all decked out from top to bottom in the delicious flavors of chocolate and peppermint, with just a hint of mocha to top it all off. Pure peppermint mocha deliciousness.

Last night was Greta's kindergarten Christmas concert....and I gotta say....I didn't love it...! I mean - of course I loved seeing her up on stage in her cute little Christmas dress, and I loved seeing her singing and doing all the little hand motions, and I even loved seeing her act goofy with the little boy next to her. But all of that was no match for the fact that we were running late and got to the school minutes before the concert started.....only to find that the entire gym was PACKED with kindergarten and first grade families....meaning we had to stand behind all the other people who had also gotten there late....and two songs later, they were done! DONE!!

Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodle cookie cups stuffed with miniature peanut butter cups and topped with festive red & green m&m's.

A fun and delicious combination....perfect for Christmas!

I have decided that I MUST be done with all Christmas shopping by the time the kids get home from school Friday. Since that will be just 5 days before Christmas (!) I definitely don't think I'm expecting too much of myself! I've been shopping steadily since sometime in November, but my problem is I'm way too much of a browser. Instead of going with a specific list written down on paper, I start collecting things, slowly, as I see them. Which means I overbuy in some areas, underbuy in other areas, and forget about some areas altogether!

Peppermint Mocha Dipped Spoons

Melt-able chocolate mocha dipped spoons with crushed candy canes -
perfect for stirring into coffee, hot chocolate, or steamed milk. Mmmmmmmmmmm.

I have a confession to make. The other day I fed my kids coffee. NOT on purpose.....but I definitely fed them coffee! Here's how it happened. We were watching our neighbor, Patrick, after school. I had promised the kids all kinds of fun.....namely, making and decorating Christmas cookies! After they got a little of their crazy after-school energy out, we got to work! And they helped me with everything from rolling the dough to cutting out shapes to mixing the frosting and decorating the cookies. Every last one of them!

Saturday Night Fever

Welcome back to another week of Saturday Night Fever! We're so happy you are joining us tonight! Are you having a good weekend? If yours is anything like mine, it's crazy BUSY!! I have decided that it's time to finish up all my Christmas shopping....so I've spent the past two days sorting, stacking, shopping, and even starting to wrap some presents. And tomorrow....we are hosting a family get together! So now it's on to cleaning, cooking, and getting in the spirit for our first holiday party of the year. But first.....it's time for a little Saturday Night Fever!!
 

Holiday Sugar Cookie Brittle

Crunchy, crispy sugar cookie brittle decorated with red and green m&m's. A festive and delicious holiday treat!

You may have noticed that ALL of my recipes lately have been desserts!! And there's a reason for that! With all the baking and treat making that December brings.....the LAST thing I feel like doing is making food, too! Sure, I might make the old standbys, like tacos and tuna melts and build your own paninis....but if it requires any level of creativity, forget it! My creative efforts are all focused on holiday treats! Even I know my limits.

Chocolate Toffee Pretzels

3-Ingredient Chocolate Toffee Pretzels - quick, easy, and completely addicting!

There's something about having it all together that is really appealing....you know? Being one of those people who always seems to look good, have their hair done, their house clean, their children adorable....? It took me a long time to be okay with the fact that that's just NOT me! I am much more likely to be unshowered with my hair in a ponytail, wearing at least one piece of clothing I wore to bed the night before.....and I've long since given up the battle with my kids! But...I have to admit...I still like to fake it!

White Chocolate Ting-a-Lings

Crunchy peanuts and chow mein noodles, smothered in white chocolate and decorated with festive red, green & white sprinkles. A salty-sweet, crunchy treat!

So I mentioned that I had some friends over for Christmas treat making this past weekend.....but did I mention that we made 17 different kinds of treats between the four of us?!? Depending on who you are and how much you like being in the kitchen, that probably sounds either amazing.....OR absolutely dreadful! But between breakfast and lunch together and Christmas tunes and good conversation, the day ended up feeling like a lot of fun.....despite the fact that it was a lot of work!

Gingerbread Buckeyes

Gingerbread Buckeyes combine traditional creamy buckeye filling with crunchy gingerbread cookies for an irresistibly delicious holiday treat!

Only 15 days until Christmas.....one of the most wonderful days of the year!! Are you excited? Are you anxious? Are you ready?? I've been making a concerted effort this year NOT to freak out about Christmas prep or Christmas shopping or what I am or am not doing to make the most of the season (am I being creative enough? thoughtful enough? making it feel special enough for the kids?) Instead, I am trying to focus on doing the little things we always do at this time of year - decorating the tree, putting up the stockings, welcoming Cubby the elf, making Christmas treats, decorating sugar cookies, looking at Christmas lights, reading Christmas stories, snuggling on the couch under a warm blanket.....

Awesome Christmas Gift Idea: KIC Mount

The KIC Mount is a magnetic iPad cover that allows you to mount your iPad to a variety of surfaces while working!
An AWESOME gift idea for anyone on your list!

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be sharing this AWESOME last minute gift idea with you today! I don't know about you....but I still have SO MUCH Christmas shopping to do! I do the same thing every year - I start out strong and spend November feeling like I'm ahead of the game.....and then December comes, and I realize how many people I still have to buy for! Time to kick it into high gear!!

Mint Cocoa Krispie Treats

Cocoa Krispie treats loaded with ooey gooey peppermint marshmallow and topped with pepperminty chocolate....a mint chocolate lover's dream!

Hello, Friends! Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed your weekend as much as I did. Funny....I went into it feeling less than thrilled with our plans....but by the end of it, it turned out to be one of the best weekends I've had in a while! It's amazing how some good time with good friends can completely change the way you feel. And when it comes to good friends, I'm one of the luckiest girls I know!

Saturday Night Fever

Happy Saturday, Everyone! So glad you are joining us on this COLD COLD night! How's the weather where you are? It is a measly 14 degrees here tonight....perfect weather for snuggling on a blanket and having some fun on Pinterest!
Can't wait to see what new deliciousness you bring to the party!

3 Holiday Coffee Creamers

3 delicious holiday flavors - eggnog, gingerbread, and vanilla mint - 

the perfect way to add some holiday cheer to your favorite coffee or hot cocoa! 

Whew.....it's Friday! And I have nothing planned for tonight but relaxing on the couch and probably going to bed early, while Jorden visits an old childhood friend who is in town from Washington, D.C. It's funny....just yesterday I had breakfast with one of my old childhood friends who I haven't seen in over a year! 'Tis the season, I guess....for reconnecting with old friends!

Christmas Cards from Cardstore!

Today is the eve of St. Nick.....and excitement levels could not be higher around here! Ever since our elf, Cubby, came back from the North Pole on December 1st, the girls have been buzzing with anticipation! They've been asking me endless questions about how many days till St. Nick....how many days till Christmas....how many days till Christmas break. And then, just yesterday, they started taking the questions deeper. Who is St. Nick? How is he related to Santa Claus? Why does he bring us presents? And....uh-oh! I didn't actually know any of the answers......!

All I know is that, ever since I was a little girl, St. Nick has come every December 5th and filled our stockings full of nuts and candy and fruit and little presents. But that's all I really know! Because, it turns out, St. Nick is not really an American tradition. It's an old German tradition that somehow made its way to Wisconsin. And the truth is....I'm probably not the only one who celebrates it but doesn't really understand it!

It got me thinking.....about all the different ways Christmas is celebrated around the world! Have you (or your kids) ever wondered? Well, Cardstore has come up with a really fun and interactive way for you to find out! Curious?? Click on the graphic below and scroll through.....it will only take a minute and I PROMISE you'll learn something new! (Then be sure to stop back here for the best part!)

Eggnog Dip

All the flavors of eggnog in a deliciously creamy dip! 

Perfect for dipping pretzels, cinnamon sugar chips, candy canes, or just a spoon....why not!?

I get a lot of questions about what I do with all the sweet treats I am constantly making....and rightfully so! Most of the time, the things I make for the blog do not have a real destination. I am not making them for a party or a gift (although I will often re-make them for "real life") and so the finished product ends up finding a home on my counter, in my fridge, and eventually.....in my mouth! Unless, of course, I can move it along before that happens.

Eggnog Monkey Bread

Nutmeg-spiced monkey bread with a rich and creamy eggnog drizzle. 

Christmas breakfast has never been more delicious!

I don't know about you....but for me, eggnog is an essential part of the Christmas season. I love having a glass while I'm decorating the tree....or making cookies....or watching Christmas movies. And usually one glass turns into more than one, because I keep going back for little sips and half-pours until I've definitely had two full glasses. Or maybe (definitely) more. It's just so good! And creamy! And addictive! So when we put our tree up this past weekend, I knew that some eggnog would be in order. And along with eggnog, I knew that some eggnog treats would be in order. After all, what's Christmas without eggnog??

Holiday Brandy Slush

Delicious brandy slush mixed with ginger ale and fresh cranberries....a beautiful, bubbly, and festive holiday beverage!

Happy Monday-after-Thanksgiving! Have you recovered yet?? Just as I suspected, our Thanksgiving week was busier than ever! And no, we have not fully recovered. We did get our fall decor taken down and our Christmas decor up (hooray!) and we did clean our fridge out of some of the leftovers from the week. But....somehow, in the midst of the holiday week, Ellia caught a little flu bug and has been down for the count ever since! Poor girl. The good news? She did still have LOTS of fun with her cousins who were here visiting.

Saturday Night Fever

Welcome back to Saturday Night Fever! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends and ate way too much turkey...! Our week has been jam-packed but so much fun. I must say, I am happy we have the weekend to recover before we start the final push to Christmas! I was loving all the delicious holiday treat recipes you shared here last week and can't wait to see what you bring tonight! On to the party!

Mint Oreo Cheesecake Bars

Delicious mint chocolate chip cheesecake bars with a crunchy Oreo crust.

Cheesecake you can eat with your fingers!

Happy Black Friday! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and ate LOTS of turkey! I know I did!! Are you doing any Black Friday shopping this year? Are you finding any good deals? I am staying as far away from the stores and the crowds as possible....heading to Discovery World with the kids and relatives who are visiting from out of town....and I could not feel better about my decision! There is something about shopping on the busiest day of the year that is completely unappealing to me. Not to mention the lack of sleep that is just entirely out of the question right now!!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

"God has two dwellings; one in heaven and the other in a meek and thankful heart."   -Isaak Walton

                                

From our Lemon Tree Dwelling to yours...may your day be filled with good food, 
good company, and much to be thankful for!

God has two dwellings; one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart.
Izaak Walton
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_thankful.html#JeqFZl22SuHkvwRB.99

Candy Cane Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies get a winter makeover with white chocolate, vanilla frosting, Andes Peppermint Candies, and crushed candy canes. Pure peppermint perfection!

I'm not sure what it is, but I've been on a HUGE peppermint kick lately! I've been dreaming up all kinds of minty concoctions and waiting (impatiently) to share them with you! (I didn't want to overwhelm you with too much mint before Thanksgiving!) But now that we're just one day away from Turkey Day, I figured I'd throw caution to the wind and share one of my FAVORITES - these amazingly delicious Candy Cane Muddy Buddies!

White Chocolate Gingerbread Crescent Rolls

Flaky crescent rolls filled with gooey white chocolate, cream cheese, and crushed gingersnaps and topped with a white chocolate gingersnap drizzle. A perfect holiday breakfast treat!

Well....today is officially our last day of school for the week! Am I looking forward to the extra time with my kiddos? Hmmmmmm. That depends. If they are somehow able to stifle the urge to whine and beg for 5 movies, 3 play dates, 18 treats, something to do, and a sleepover....DAILY....then yes. So, in other words, not really. See, if there is one thing that is true about my kids, it's that they're persistent. And if there's one thing that's true about me, especially during pregnancy, it's that my patience level is low. REALLY low. So I need to brace myself - the next 5 days could be dicey.

Cherry Pecan Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce

Classic bread pudding made with pecans and cherries and topped with a creamy salted caramel sauce. 

This past weekend was an exciting one around here....because Ellia scored her VERY FIRST goal in soccer! Woo hoo! She's been playing for a year and a half, and has come close to scoring so many times....but this weekend she finally did it! And she could not have been more EXCITED. The only problem? I completely missed it!! And not because I was talking instead of paying attention to the game (who would do that?!?) but because I wasn't even at the game! I was at home with Nora, because the game fell right smack dab in the middle of her nap time.

Saturday Night Fever!

Happy Saturday, Everyone! Hope you are having a GREAT weekend! Ours is cold.....but sunny....so I really can't complain. A little bit of sunlight makes a big difference. Can you believe Thanksgiving is this week?? I'm looking forward to extra time with my hubby and kiddos...and, of course, LOTS of great food!! Speaking of that, I can't wait to see all the delicious recipes you've been working on! As always, everything you share here tonight will be pinned to our Saturday Night Fever Party Board on Pinterest and shared on other forms of social media as well! Thanks so much for joining us!

Candied Acorn Squash

Tender Acorn Squash baked with brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnuts.

A delectable side dish....perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas!

Well....I said I was going to post a Thanksgiving dessert today, and clearly this is not it! I blame the weather. It has been so dark and dreary here, and it's hard to get a good shot of delicious food when it's dark and dreary! So I will wait, until the time is right....which is hopefully sometime this weekend. Because I'm getting tired of the gray skies and the lack of sunshine. It really gets to you after a while! And since the days are already short to begin with, dark and dreary days feel particularly unfair!

12 Delicious Thanksgiving Desserts

These 12 Delicious Thanksgiving Desserts from Saturday Night Fever will have you all set for the holidays!

I couldn't help but notice, as I looked through all the delicious dishes you brought to last week's Saturday Night Fever party, how many of you posted mouthwatering dessert recipes! And, as I drooled over my screen, I couldn't help but think about the fact that I have yet to post ONE Thanksgiving dessert recipe...! My first (and possibly only) one is on its way for tomorrow, but I thought I'd keep you satisfied by showing off some of the amazing talent shared at the party!

Cherry, Pecan & Goat Cheese Salad

Fresh greens topped with dried cherries, pecans, goat cheese, green onions, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
My go-to salad for the holidays!

Having three kids is fascinating, to say the least. And the fact that they are all girls is even more fascinating! In some ways, they are all pretty typical little girls. They love drawing and painting and dressing up and playing baby and having dance parties.....and emotions run high, nearly all the time. But in other ways, I am sometimes amazed at how much they remind me of little boys! They love running and chasing and wrestling and potty talk....especially potty talk.....and, given the chance to play firefighter or police officer, they'll take it every time!

Pumpkin Ginger Streusel Bread

The BEST pumpkin bread with a DELICIOUSLY sweet and crunchy ginger streusel topping.
A mouthwatering addition to any holiday menu!

If there is one thing that's true about me, it's that when I find something I like, I want it as much as possible. Within reason, of course. Like sushi. I LOVE ordering sushi on a Friday or Saturday night....and if it were up to me, we'd have it EVERY Friday or Saturday night! It's so good! Also on the list....coffee, Bruegger's bagel sandwiches, Thai carryout, a glass of wine, and my latest favorite, dried mango from Trader Joe's. Pregnancy does weird things to you.

Butternut Squash Ravioli

Cheese Ravioli topped with butternut squash, fresh sage, chopped walnuts, browned butter, and Parmesan cheese.....simply delectable as a main dish or side dish......and just in time for Thanksgiving!

Happy Monday, everyone! Is your November flying by as quickly as mine is? I really can't believe it's already the 18th, and Thanksgiving is just 10 days away, and Christmas is just over a month from now. I am resisting the urge to feel stressed by it.....after all, this is the GOOD STUFF! If I'm going to stress myself out about some of the most special time I have with my family and friends, I'm going to miss out on it! So....at least for now....I'm refusing to let it feel like too much.

Saturday Night Fever

 Hey, Everyone! It's the weekend!! Hope you are having a good one. I'm so excited tonight to be joining in a new weekly recipe link party, Saturday Night Fever, with two amazing co-hosts: Andi from The Weary Chef and Jen from Yummy Healthy Easy! I can't wait to see all the delicious recipes you've been working on! Everything you share here tonight will be pinned to our Saturday Night Fever Party Board on Pinterest and shared on other forms of social media as well!

Last Week's Most Clicked Link Was:

These tasty No-Bake Energy Bites from My Own Little Mess

Homemade Rum Caramels

These soft and chewy Homemade Rum Caramels are the real deal! Everything you would want in a caramel, with a delicious hint of rum flavoring. So good....they're like magic!

Well....it's Friday! Which means we made it to the end of the week. Normally that doesn't feel like such a big accomplishment, but on weeks when Jorden is out of town, it most definitely is! It's not that I really mind him being gone (I'm used to holding down the fort by now) it's just that by the end of each day, I'm tired. And by the end of the week, I'm exhausted! And with no one to take over any of the kid duties, I end up crabby. Mostly with my kids....which is never a good feeling.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Moist, juicy, flavorful chicken that literally shreds itself! This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is the best I've ever tasted....no barbecue sauce needed!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not much of a football fan....or a sports fan, in general. It probably stems from the fact that I didn't really play sports as a kid, and because of that, I have very little understanding of the rules or intricacies of the game. Any game, really...but football, especially. And yet, I LOVE having people over to watch the games! For the food (naturally)....!

No-Bake Mint Oreo Fudge

Rich, creamy peppermint fudge filled and sprinkled with chocolatey Oreo cookies.

Quite possibly your new favorite holiday treat....and best of all, it's no bake!

In case you haven't noticed, I'm kind of into no-bake treats. Okay....I'm sure you've noticed....since this is somewhere around the 30th no-bake recipe I'm sharing! I hope you don't mind. There's just so much to love about no-bake baking! Not totally convinced? Let me share with you all the reasons why no-baking is definitely the way to go....at least half the time.

Almond Joy Biscotti

Rich biscotti stuffed with chocolate, coconut, and almonds and drizzled with more of the same! A double dose of delicious.....perfect for holiday gifting and dunking!

There is, quite possibly, nothing I love more in the morning than a steaming cup of coffee on my lips. It feels like such a treat....such a reason to get out of bed....aside from my three kiddos, of course. I take mine fresh ground and strong, with a little cream and sugar, and while I would prefer sharing a cup with someone else, that doesn't stop me from enjoying it on my own most mornings.

Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin

 Juicy pork tenderloin on a bed of sweet potatoes, apples, and bacon...all drizzled with a sweet and savory maple Dijon sauce and topped with fresh sage. Purely delicious!

Happy Friday, Everyone! I am so excited for today!! You won't believe what I have in store for you. Not only am I sharing a delicious Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin recipe, but I'm participating in a Virtual Progressive Dinner with ten other AMAZING bloggers! And....I'm giving away a $200 gift card for Target, Amazon, or World Market (your choice)! 

Orange Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Not your basic cranberry sauce....these cranberries combine the sweetness of oranges with a sweet and savory combination of spices for a Thanksgiving side dish that will please a crowd!

As much as I hate to admit this (don't judge) one of the hardest things for me about being pregnant is not being able to have a drink. Don't get me wrong - I am mostly a social drinker who loves a good glass of wine - and I can certainly make it through nine months without one.....but that doesn't mean it feels easy! Especially on special occasions, like my birthday (which was just last week) or Thanksgiving (which is just a few weeks away), or Christmas (which will be here before we know it!)

Thursday's Treasures

Hi, everyone! Welcome back to another week of Thursday's Treasures!
I have some great features for you tonight....all delicious recipes to help you get ready for Thanksgiving! But first, I wanted to let you know that this will be the LAST week of Thursday's Treasures. Sorry to those of you who just started linking up with me. I will be sure to let you know what the future holds!

And now.....let's take a look at the delicious features from last week:

3 Simple Ways to Decorate with Sage

Gather some fresh sage and try these simple ideas for holiday decorating.

Ready in seconds...and the perfect way to dress up your holiday table!

I don't know about you, but I LOVE Thanksgiving. I love the food, and the time spent with family, I love the smells and the crispness in the air. But most of all, I love the simplicity of it. I love the fact that all you have to do to get ready for it is make plenty of delicious food! And I love the fact that decorating for it is just as simple.

Cranberry Corn Muffins w/Sweet Orange Honey Butter

Classic corn muffins stuffed with cranberries and topped with sweet orange honey butter. 

A sweet little something different for your Thanksgiving dinner.

I'm pretty sure we are heading toward the busiest Thanksgiving we've ever had. Back to back family celebrations, which we do every year, plus visits from 3 very important out of town guests - my husband's Grandma Roz from Michigan, his cousin Craig's family, also from Michigan, and my aunt and uncle from Kentucky. I am looking forward to it, for sure.....the kids will have a blast seeing their great grandma and cousins and swimming in the hotel pools....but I also know it's going to be a full and crazy week!

{No-Bake} Chocolate Orange Meltaways

A rich Oreo crust topped with melt-in-your-mouth orange cream filling, topped with semisweet chocolate chips and drizzled with melted chocolate. Chocolate and orange - together, and just in time for the holidays.

Happy November! (Can you believe it....November??) I hope you all had a fun Halloween. Ours included a school party, a jack-o-lantern pizza for dinner, trick or treating, candy, more candy, and lots of rain. Let's start with the school party. It was a success! I volunteered, along with another mom, to plan the whole thing. Which doesn't sound like a big deal....right? Unless you're stubborn, like me, and instead of looking for cute ideas on Pinterest you decide you need to come up with all the cute ideas, yourself. So you spend hours at Michael's looking for inspiration in the craft supplies and days hemming and hawing over the different ideas swimming around in your head. And when you finally decide on something, you realize you need to make yet another trip to Michael's for the supplies you actually need....and then you need to make the sample crafts and put the games together....so when the party is over and it was a success, you breathe a huge sigh of relief. I know. Welcome to my world.

Thursday's Treasures

Welcome back to another week of Thursday's Treasures! Can you believe that tomorrow is Halloween?? We are hoping the rain lets up just long enough for some trick-or-treating so our little bumble bee, Incredible, and ladybug can have their Halloween fun! And then....it's on to Thanksgiving!

Thanks to everyone who joined us for last week's party....and now....here are the features!! 

Be sure to stop by and show them some love!

Shrimp Pasta Primavera

This simple dish comes together quickly and easily, yet feels like a fancy restaurant dish! Use your family's favorite noodles and vegetables for a delicious meal no one can resist!

It's been a while since I've posted dinner recipes around here....and now, two in a row! There's a reason for that, and it has everything to do with the tiny little being that's growing inside me. See....for the longest time, the LAST thing I felt like doing was making dinner for my family! Especially something that would be blog-worthy. So, for weeks, we lived on breakfast for dinner, Trader Joe's frozen meals, sandwiches, cans of soup, or whatever Jorden felt like picking up on his way home. It was a sad reality, but true. (Sorry, family!)

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

Creamy risotto with shitake and cremini mushrooms, Vidalia onions, Fontina cheese, and dried sage.....a huge explosion of flavor, and ready in just 30 minutes!

Have you ever been to one of those restaurants where everything you taste is over the top incredible? Where one dish is better than the next...and there's nothing you wouldn't order over and over again? They're not easy to find, but when you find one, you know it. And it's the ONLY place you want to go...especially when you're going out to celebrate! Well...this past weekend was my birthday weekend, and we went to our favorite restaurant ever. It's a tapas place called La Merenda.....and it's to die for.

White Chocolate Candy Corn Buckeyes

White Chocolate Candy Corn Buckeyes - everything you love about the original, but with a fun Halloween twist! A perfectly salty-sweet treat you won't be able to resist!

I am happy to report that we are officially less than one week away from Halloween....and the girls all have costumes! Woo hoo! Before you get too excited, I should probably say that they're nothing special. Or creative. I didn't come up with them or make them...I didn't spend hours on Pinterest looking up ideas and, in fact, we spent hardly any time at all picking them out. But it doesn't matter. Because everyone is happy! And that makes me VERY happy.