Lemon Bar Muddy Buddies

 White Chocolate & Lemon Curd Muddy Buddies are the perfect summer treat....and taste just like real Lemon Bars!

One of the things I love most about food is that there's always a story to go along with it. Food is full of memories....and every now and then we have a memory that takes us back to a time loooooong ago. Whenever I make muddy buddies, or eat them, or even smell them.....it brings me right back to middle school. Sleepovers. Staying up as late as we possibly could, munching on junk food, making random phone calls and trying on each other's clothes. Ahhh, those were the days.

Birthday Cake Caramel Corn

 White caramel corn with rainbow sprinkles - a fun, delicious birthday treat, and a great alternative to birthday cake!

It's that time of year again....BIRTHDAY SEASON!! Around here, we spend most of the summer celebrating our kids' birthdays (I used to work in a school, so summer birthdays were a must....) Starting next weekend, we celebrate Nora's birthday on the 8th, Ellia's birthday on the 30th, and Greta's birthday on August 14th! Which means lots of presents, lots of balloons, and lots and lots of treats!

Cookie Butter Morning Buns

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls stuffed with Cookie Butter and brown sugar and topped with a cinnamon-brown sugar mixture....baked to perfection, and the perfect way to start your day!

I didn't really plan on making these. No....they were more the result of circumstances this past Sunday morning which led me to care about nothing more than satisfying my kids. Let me explain. Last Thursday, Jorden went to visit a childhood friend in Washington, D.C. He was gone for the entire weekend, and although we are no strangers to him being gone for a few days at a time (he occasionally travels for work) there was something about knowing he was gone "on pleasure" that was different than knowing he's gone "on business".

Designs By Katie Bug {A Giveaway!}

 I want to give you a new pair of earrings from a great little etsy shop called Designs By Katie Bug!

One of the greatest things about blogging is the fact that you are constantly introduced to such wonderfully  talented, creative people! Since I started blogging last October, I have learned SO MUCH from other people and have been SO INSPIRED by the amazing crafts, recipes, and diy tutorials shared by other amazing bloggers! It seems that every time I turn around, I discover something or someone new.....and even though I have come to expect it, every now and then I am still completely surprised!!

Happy Memorial Day

Simple Slipknot Napkin Rings

These simple slipknot napkin rings are made from a single piece of rope and add the perfect nautical touch to your summer napkins! Use them for your Memorial Day or 4th of July party and bring a touch of the sea to your table!

Truth be told, I'm probably just about the least nautical person I know. I've been on a boat maybe a dozen times in my life, and let's just say not all of those experiences have left me wanting more! I am thinking, in particular, of the time 3 or 4 summers ago when I took the ferry from Wisconsin to Michigan for a trip with Jorden's family. We had two kids at the time and I was looking forward to a fun boat ride with them....

Loaded Egg & Cheese Sandwich

This egg and cheese sandwich is loaded with all the stuff dads love - avocados, bacon, peppers, onion, and, yes, sriracha mayo! Make it for Father's Day and it will become his new favorite....and yours too!

Can you believe that Father's Day is just three weeks away? I am completely unprepared....and after the sweet things Jorden and the girls did for me on Mother's Day, I feel like the pressure is on! (I am actually secretly glad that Mother's Day comes first, because that way I know exactly how much effort I need to put into making Father's Day special.... Fortunately or unfortunately, this year the energy output will need to be high!) That's what I get for having a great Mother's Day!

Berrylicious Summer Salad

This sweet and savory berry salad combines all the delicious flavors of summer together in one bowl....the perfect side dish for your next party, picnic, or Memorial Day celebration!

I will never forget the time, several years ago, when Jorden told me I really needed to cut back on all the fruit I was buying. Too expensive! he said. And I just laughed at him. Because I am CRAZY about fruit....and it's insanely good for you....and if there's anything I'm going to cut back on, it's not going to be fruit! (Sorry, Jorden.)

A Little Birdie Told Me.....Cafe Press

Full disclosure: CafePress.com provided me with a gift card for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. To see the full line of Cafe Press products, visit CafePress.com.

I have to admit....I am really not much of a t-shirt gal. But when a little birdie told me about this cute little birdie t-shirt from Cafe Press, I had to reconsider! You may remember seeing this shirt here a while back, along with a bunch of other cute finds from Cafe Press. What I didn't tell you was that I literally spent an entire afternoon that day perusing their website because there was SO MUCH cute stuff! After much back and forth (I wanted to make sure I found the cutest of cute for all of you!) I finally narrowed it down to my top 8. And, while I really did love the mustache clutch and Keep Calm coffee mug, there was something about this t-shirt that I just had to have.

Red, White, & Basil Dip {And a Tribute to my Grandpa}

Tomatoes, feta cheese, basil, and Greek dressing - a quick, easy, and delicious summer dip, straight from the garden...and just in time for your Memorial Day celebrations!

Do you remember back in February when I shared my grandma's Banana Cake recipe? And I told you about my grandpa's love of sharing all his stories and memorabilia, including my grandma's old journals? Well, what I didn't tell you is that, aside from stories about my grandma, 90% of the stories my grandpa tells are about his time in the Army. My grandpa is a WWII veteran, and although he served some 70 years ago, when he tells his stories you'd think it was just yesterday.

Red, White & Blue Sugar Cookie Cups

Sugar cookie cups with a hint of coconut, topped with cream cheese frosting, shredded coconut, and strawberries....the perfect little bite-sized dessert for Memorial Day, 4th of July, or your next summer picnic!

A few years back, when we were in the process of selling our first home and looking for a new one, one of my top criteria was that our new home was in a walkable community. I loved the idea of being able to walk with the kids to parks, restaurants, and coffee shops....and I loved the idea of my kids growing up in a community where people were always out and about!

BBQ Chicken Mini Pizzas

Mini BBQ Chicken Pizzas - made in muffin tins - a new twist on pizza, and sure to be a hit!

So what's a mom to do when her kids decide they are sick of pizza....!? Yes, really. Pizza. My favorite go-to dinner, movie night menu, sleepover food, take-out option.... My kids have recently gone from being excited about it to DONE with it. I guess maybe this would fit into the "too much of a good thing..." category.

{Nautical-Inspired} Bead & Twine Vases

Nautical-inspired twine wrapped vases....with a bright, fun twist!

Growing up as the third girl in a family of four kids, I always felt the need to stand out. To be different. Not in a rebellious way, but because I wanted (needed) to be my own person. Which led to a lifetime of decisions like french horn instead of flute, cello instead of violin, babysitting instead of corn detassling. And, later in life, choosing to be friends with the "alternative" crowd....which was funny, because when it came to being different, I stood out like a sore thumb in that crowd! But, hey, at least I stood apart from my sisters.......!

Birthday Cake Oreo Blondies

Decadent blondies topped with cream cheese and Birthday Cake Oreos....your new favorite birthday treat!

When you have a big family like mine, it is easy to feel like you are ALWAYS celebrating birthdays! Because you kind of ARE..... Between both sets of parents, siblings, spouses, and all our kids, there are only 3 months out of the year when we AREN'T celebrating a family birthday! For the longest time, we used to buy gifts for everyone.....well, we stopped doing that a while ago with Jorden's family, and this year my family finally wised up, too! As my sister said, "At some point, when you are buying someone their 18th workout outfit, it's time to just be done." And so we are!

Strawberry Shortcake Pops

Strawberry Shortcake Pops- the quintessential summer dessert....on a stick!

One of my favorite summer memories is going strawberry picking with my family. Despite the early morning and the hot sun and the hours of squatting as we made our way through rows and rows of strawberries.....it always felt totally worth it. Probably because the strawberries were so fresh and juicy and flavorful. Probably because I tended to eat as many as I put in the basket. Probably because I loved having our kitchen table and counter tops filled with baskets upon baskets of strawberries that I knew would be turned into strawberry pies, strawberry jam, and strawberry shortcake. Strawberry picking meant that, for two weeks out of the summer, we were in strawberry heaven.

{DIY} Breakfast in Bed

A DIY chalkboard serving tray and twine-wrapped bud vase....everything you need 

for an extra-special breakfast in bed!

The longer I'm a mom, the more I realize that Mother's Day really is all about the simple things. A handmade card, an extra hug, a painted trivet, the flowers they picked from the yard. Since my two oldest kiddos are both in school now, it is fun to hear them talking about the "secret" presents they've been working on or their "secret" plans for me on Mother's Day. Truth be told, the only things I really want are the simple things....

Giveaway Updates!

Happy Friday, everyone! I am happy to announce that the winner of the Hummingbird's View giveaway has been selected....and her name is Jennay Rector! Jennay won by "liking" Wine & Glue on Facebook. Congratulations, Jennay... and thanks to all who entered!

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I also wanted to remind you that there's still time to enter the $250 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway going on now!

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I'll be back with more later! Hope your morning is smooth sailing!

Bagels & Lox Breakfast Strata

This overnight Bagels & Lox Strata with Dill-Caper Hollandaise Sauce brings all the best of breakfast together on one plate!

The first time I had bagels & lox was when Jorden and I were dating and we went to visit his grandma in Detroit. His grandma is 91 years old, still lives on her own, still drives her own car, still swims at the Y, and still takes classes at the local university. She is feisty, opinionated, and sharp as a whip......and she doesn't take no for an answer. So whatever she fed me that weekend, I knew that my only option was to eat it....and to like it!

Cinnamon Biscotti Dunkers

Homemade biscotti with a hint of cinnamon and a cinnamon glaze dipping sauce - just what you need to get you through....!

So you didn't really think I'd leave you hanging, did you? I had to come back and share the recipe for the delicious biscotti I had with my coffee this morning! Not only is this biscotti delicious....it's also very fitting for Mother's Day because it is my mother-in-law's recipe!

My Mother's Day Gift from Staples

Full disclosure: Staples.com provided me with this Keurig OfficePRO Coffee Brewer for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. To see the full line of Keurig brewers and K-cups, visit Staples.

Did I tell you that Staples got me a Mother's Day gift? Pretty sweet, huh? It arrived in the mail about a week ago....and I can safely say it is my new favorite gadget! My coffee is reaaally important to me...so I couldn't think of a better gift than this. And, although I shied away from learning how to use it for a few days, it actually couldn't be easier! So easy, in fact, that I'm beginning to think coffee in bed on Mother's Day might be a real possibility....!

Peach Melba Sangria

The classic combination of peaches and raspberries....brought together in a delicious sangria that is just right for breakfast, happy hour, or any hour! The perfect addition to your Mother's Day menu!

When I was in high school, I worked at a little frozen custard shop called Murf's Frozen Custard & Jumbo Burgers. I scooped cones, made sundaes, blended shakes, packed pints, and added all the toppings to our special "flavors of the day". It was my first job, and I loved it! I met tons of new people, made a little money, and loved having my friends come visit me at work. The downsides (a white pants/purple shirt/purple Murf's hat uniform, going home smelling like burger grease...) were nothing compared to the fun I had there!

$250 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Happy Monday! I'm so excited to have another giveaway for all of you...a $250 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate my dear friend Lisa's birthday! Yayyyy!! And Mother's Day week, no less...which I think is incredibly fitting! See - Lisa and I aren't just friends with one another...we're moms with one another. (Stay at home moms!) Which means we support one another, encourage one another, and rely on one another as moms. We know and love one another's kids, and at the same time, understand exactly what the other means when we say we'd like to sell our kids to the highest bidder....(Don't worry...neither of us have sold our kids yet!) I couldn't be happier to be celebrating her birthday with her this week....and with 23 other bloggers, no less! So here's to you, Lisa! This Mother's Day week, this Birthday Week.... I hope your birthday is as fabulous as a $250 Amazon gift card!!

Check out this amazing group of bloggers who are joining me in saying, "Happy Birthday, Lisa!!"

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Cheesecake Sopadillas

What do you get when you cross a Quesadilla with Sopapilla Cheesecake? Cheesecake Sopadillas! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo...perfect for anytime...and so quick and easy, there's no excuse NOT to!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! I hope you are having a fun day! I had great plans of celebrating today with a generous helping of guacamole and a margarita or two....but as life goes, there's no time for that. Instead, we are spending today recovering from my sister's baby shower, shopping for a birthday present, taking the kids to a party, helping my dad move dirt and plant new grass seed (Jorden, not me....) and getting together with Lisa tonight for a blog re-design. Woo hoo!!

Mini Pepper Poppers {Preview}

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you are all looking forward to a great weekend. I will be busy at my sister's baby shower tomorrow (yay!!!) and hopefully enjoying some Cinco de Mayo festivities on Sunday....! Speaking of Cinco de Mayo, I have had so much fun sharing some recipes with you this week, and I am back today with one more (not so spicy) one: Sweet Mini Pepper Poppers!

The full post and recipe can be found over at Or So She Says....but I can definitely tell you these are the perfect Cinco de Mayo recipe for anyone who is looking for lots of flavor without lots of heat. I hope you will come on over and check it out!



Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling...
I hope you feel right at home!
-Cathy

Spiced Krispy Treats

The sweetness of Rice Krispie Treats with the spiciness of cayenne pepper - an unexpectedly delicious combo....and just in time for Cinco de Mayo!

I will never forget the time when I was pregnant with my first child and dealing with cravings/wanting to eat everything in sight. And I asked Jorden to go pick up a turtle sundae for me one night (because I HAD to have a turtle sundae)....and he looked at me and said, "Don't you think an apple would be a healthier option for both you and Baby?"