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Planning A Toddler Birthday Party

With about a month until Dylan turns three, it is time for me to put on my party planning hat and dream up the details of a special day for him. He has been very interested in trucks and construction vehicles lately, so I am sure that our theme will be something along those lines. Having already planned two birthday parties, I have learned that a few simple guidelines are helpful for parents of young children who are planning a birthday bash. My first tip for planning a party for a young child is to keep it small. Of course … Continue reading →

Football Playoff Party Fun

The NFL Playoffs continue this Sunday as the road to the Super Bowl heats up. Of course, no place is hotter right now than Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Packers are looking to win back-to-back Super Bowls. I happen to live near legendary Lambeau Field–a.k.a. Party Central–and while I don’t have tickets to the big game versus the New York Giants, I will be partying it up along with the rest of the state’s residents. Only our pre-Super Bowl shindigs will be taking place in the comfort of our homes. If you are planning to host a NFL Playoff party … Continue reading →

Healthy Valentine’s Day Party for Kids

The words “healthy” and “Valentine’s Day party” don’t typically go hand in hand. No doubt, hosting a healthy Valentine’s Day party for kids can be a challenge given that the holiday is basically a day set aside to gorge on chocolate. While it’s fine to serve up a few sweet treats (everything in moderation), healthy parties focus on offering nutritious dishes to kids without compromising the Love Day theme. An equally sweet alternative to mountains of Valentine’s Day candy and cupcakes is fruit. Consider setting up an entire table featuring red fruits. Apples, strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, and watermelon are … Continue reading →

Easy Potluck Party Recipes

My family will be attending a retirement party potluck later this week. My young daughter is hoping that there will be plenty of desserts there since we were selected to bring an appetizer. I assured her that there would be more dessert options at the party than her little stomach could possibly hold. She was thrilled. That’s the beauty of potlucks—-variety. Still, I always get nervous preparing dishes to pass because I’m afraid that someone might not like what I’ve made… save for the two recipes I’ve listed below. The Sunburst Taco Dip and Easy Pasta Bake are two of … Continue reading →

School’s Out Party Foods

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks. When the school bell rang today, thousands of students in my neck of the woods grabbed their backpacks and ran like heck straight into summer vacation. Whether your child has already been released from his educational “prison” or is very close to wrapping up the school year, there’s no time like the present to celebrate the start of summer vacation. The following sweet treats are ideal to serve your summer lovin’ students as they close the books on another school year: DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups vegetable … Continue reading →

Simple Party Snacks

Whether you are celebrating a graduation, birthday or anniversary, the following simple recipes will help you get the party started without breaking the bank: FETA ARTICHOKE DIP Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped 8 ounces Feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced 1 chopped Roma tomato 2 chopped green onions Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix first 6 ingredients together. Place mixture in a pie pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and top with tomatoes and green onions. Serve warm … Continue reading →

Graduation Party Snacks

Get ready for the pomp and circumstance, the caps and gowns, tassels, diplomas and cheesy grins. Students around the world are gathering to mark a major milestone this weekend—-graduation! Whether your child is graduating from kindergarten or high school, you’ll likely be commemorating the event with some type of celebration that involves food. For those of you who are leaving the hard labor to caterers or restaurant staff, consider the following simple snacks that can turn an ordinary commencement reception into an affair to remember: BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALSA Ingredients: 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed) 1 can … Continue reading →

What to do with Leftover Super Bowl Snacks

Sunday’s Super Bowl was one for the history books. It’s not every year that viewers are treated to a nail biter that’s actually worth watching, but this year’s match-up between Arizona and Pittsburgh delivered. Ironically, the action of the field kept some from devouring my friend’s Super Bowl spread. Last night she called complaining about major leftovers. My suggestion: Put the snacks to good use in recipes that can be served as part of weeknight meals. You can use up leftover chicken to make a spicy Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip and boring baked potatoes can transformed into Kicked Up Potato … Continue reading →

Simple Super Bowl Sides

A week from now millions will gather around their big screen and fill their faces while cheering on the combatants of Super Bowl XLIII – the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. The big game kicks off on February 1st and if you don’t already know what you will be serving up to your super hungry Super Bowl guests, you might consider the following super simple recipes: FETA AND ARTICHOKE DIP Ingredients: 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, chopped 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1 … Continue reading →

Super Simple Cheese Snacks for Your Holiday Party

These aren’t your typical boring cheese and cracker snacks. Rather, the following super simple recipes (super simple because most can be made in three steps or less) are both eye and palate pleasing. The main ingredient is fresh cheese. If you live in a smaller town you might consider shopping at a specialty cheese store to get the fresh Brie needed for the following snacks. However, if you reside in a larger city you can get all the ingredients at Whole Foods or your favorite major grocery chain. JARLSBERG CHEESE SPREAD Ingredients: 2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, shredded 1 to 2 … Continue reading →