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Add This Delicious Little Pumpkin Cookie to your Fall List of Things to Bake

Now that the election is over, giving thanks to our Veterans, and with Thanksgiving in TWO WEEKS, it’s time to focus on feel good things. This cookie is so delicious and fills your kitchen with mouth watering fall smells of cinnamon and pumpkin. Warning….. if you decide to sample one hot out of the oven, be prepared to have another. These cookies are simple to make and if you like cakey cookies, you’re in for a treat. One tip: when you do go to roll them into the cinnamon sugar, they are a little sticky, so put a little butter on your hands.

CINNAMON PUMPKIN COOKIES

Makes 27 COOKIES

fullsizeoutput_19f8.jpegINGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup pumpkin (we use Libby’s canned pumpkin)
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup cinnamon chips

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with Silpat baking mats or parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.

3. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and mix until combined, about 3 minutes. Slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Stir in the cinnamon chips.

4. In a small bowl, mix together sugar and cinnamon. Shape dough into rounded tablespoons and roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture. Place balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Lightly press down on the cookies with a spatula or the palm of your hand.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to brown around the edges. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for two minutes. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool completely.

Dear Friends,

No matter what you hoped for in this election, we need to focus on just being nice and remain hopeful. Take time to thank our Veterans, share a cookie and share a smile.

Cheers,  Laura

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3 ROCKIN RECIPES TO RALLY FOR A WIN! GAME 7!!

Cleveland fans are amazing. No matter what the weather, they are out there showing support….even for the….Browns. But tonight is an amazing night for baseball fans! First pitch at 8 tonight…73* and even if you aren’t from Cleveland, the enthusiasm is contagious and well worth the visit! 

Here are some delicious dishes for your rally party! These are great do aheads, so your guests can help themselves and you can enjoy the game! Enjoy and GO TRIBE!!

REUBEN STRATA WITH THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING

If you don’t have any leftover corned beef, buy about 1 pound unsliced corned beef from the deli counter at your local grocery store.

Makes 12 servings
COAT:

  • 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter

COVER:

  • 11/4 lb. sliced pumpernickel bread, staled
  • 3 cups diced corned beef
  • 3 cups sauerkraut, well drained
  • 4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
  • 11/2 cups Thousand Island dressing
  • Salt and black pepper

BLEND:

  • 10 eggs
    21/2 cups whole milk
    2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

Coat bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter. Cover bottom of dish with a layer of bread slices. Top with 1 cup each corned beef, sauerkraut, and cheese. Drizzle 1/2 cup dressing over top, then season with salt
and pepper. Repeat layering two more times.
Blend eggs, milk, and Dijon until combined; pour over layers in baking dish. Sprinkle remaining
1 cup cheese over top. Cover strata with plastic wrap and press down. Refrigerate strata at least 1 hour
or up to 24 hours. Remove plastic and preheat oven to 350°.
Bake strata, uncovered, until
puffy and cooked through (160°), about 1 hour. Let strata stand
10 minutes before serving.

SIMPLE ROMAINE SALAD WITH RED WINE VINAIGRETTE

This is quite possibly the most delicious dressing I have ever made! Serving small individual salads makes entertaining easy so you can enjoy your guests and the game! 

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For the Salad

Layer cut up romaine lettuce and top with shaved parmesan

 For the Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp minced shallot
2 1/2 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

This recipe I found on pinterest (and borrowed the beautiful pic) and is soooo easy and delicious. Perfect for a game! (You definitely want to double this recipe!

ORANGE MARMELDE-SIRACHA WINGS

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Ingredients

2 lbs chicken wings & drummettes (separated)
1/4 cup salted butter
2 Tbsp siracha sauce
1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp orange marmalade
optional: sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water. Boil wings for 8 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Drain wings and use a paper towel to dry them completely. Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place wings on foil and bake for 20 minutes. Turn wings over and bake for 15 minutes longer. Meanwhile melt butter in a sauce pan. Add marmalade & siracha sauce. Mix and cook over medium/low for 5 minutes. After wings are finished baking, toss them in the sauce and place back on cookie sheet to broil for 2 – 3 minutes until the sauce on the wings start to crisp up. Garnish with sesame seeds 

Dear Friends,

As always, thanks for swinging by! Even if you aren’t going to rally tonight, I hope you enjoy these simple and delicious recipes. The magic to great entertaining is making it simple but making it look like you put a lot of effort into everything.

Food, family and friendship all go hand in hand so cheers to making time together special.

GO TRIBE!

🍺Laura

 

 

 

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HOW TO PLAN THE ULTIMATE TAILGATE PARTY

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If you want to know what a ‘thing’ tailgating is, just take a walk through the UK Stadium, or the muni lot outside of Cleveland Stadium before a football game. Being raised by parents from Brooklyn, New York, the concept of eating food served from the back of a pick up truck was bizarre yet fascinating. Actually, tailgating is a serious thing.

Googling the ultimate tailgate supplies was amazing and for many people its much more than a thing….its a huge investment in time and dollars. Check out these rare and unusual finds……

Tailgater Dual Tank Backpack Drink Dispenser 210oz $39.95

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Backpacks aren’t just for books!
Backpack beverage dispenser serves up shots, your favorite brew, or most delicious tailgate kool-aid in style
Lightweight nylon, padded shoulder straps, mesh bag for extra cups
Two 24″ in canister hold a whopping 210 ounce capacity; measures 25½”x12”x4”

Deluxe Six-Pack Beer Belt Holster

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Really………

Hiding that six pack around your waist has never been so easy
It even has a hidden zippered pocket on the back keep your money, license, and credit cards safe
Featuring a classic camo appearance
Measures 43”x4½” and adjusts to accommodate waistlines between 28” and 43″

 

The Grill Sergeant BBQ Apron $19.99 and free shipping for Amazon Prime Members

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Get your grill on
Our unique camouflage grilling apron holds everything a real man could want or need for an afternoon of fun.
One size fits all with adjustable strap
Makes a Great Fun Gag Gift
Great for parties

 

Instagate Tailgate In A Box: $19.99 + $6.49 shipping

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#1 game day solution for tailgaters
More than 50 tailgate items in 1 over $50 in value
Includes foldable tailgate grill, 3 bbq tools, minit-lite® charcoal and party supplies
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New and improved value and performance

 

And last, but not least….this is actually a good one….

NFL Wooden Tailgate Toss Cornhole Football Field $74.86 and free shipping for Amazon Prime Members

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Choose your NFL team

Size: 24 x 48″
Two 24″ x 48″ all-wood target boards
Vinyl shield with a Football field design and your teams favorite colors proudly displayed
Foldable legs for easy storage
Eight 16oz bean bags included

Here’s the million dollar question: Tonight is a gigantic nite for Cleveland sports,  having both the Cavs game after the official Ring Ceremony AND hopefully the last World Series game for the Indians, so do we call it a tailgate party, or is that just a football thing? If we had to rename the snack attack for these sports, we could call it “BASE ‘N BASKET BALL SNACK PACK!” Hmmmm.

Here’s an easy and crowd pleasing appetizer:

PIZZA CUPS

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Ingredients

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 jar (14 oz) pizza sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
36 wonton skins

Directions

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 18 muffin cups with cooking spray.
2 In 10-inch skillet, brown beef with pizza seasoning and salt over medium-high heat until beef is browned; drain. Return beef to skillet; stir in pizza sauce.
3 Place 1 wonton skin in each muffin cup. Divide half of ground beef evenly among muffin cups. Top each with about 1 tablespoon cheese. Repeat layers starting with second wonton skin.
4 Bake 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.

PEPPERONI PIZZA FOOTBALL CHEESE BALL

This Pepperoni Pizza Football Cheese Ball is easy to make, delicious, and perfect for a tailgate party!

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Ingredients
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp Italian seasoning
8 oz finely shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 5 oz bags mini pepperoni slices
3 green onions, thinly sliced
½ cup chopped bacon
1 4 oz jar diced pimientos, drained and patted dry

Instructions
Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
Mix in half of the pepperoni slices, green onions, bacon, and pimientos.
Line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Spoon cheese mixture into bowl. Press mixture into bowl so that it takes on the shape of the bowl. Use the ends of the plastic wrap to wrap up the cheeseball firmly. Transfer the wrapped cheese ball to a cutting board and use your hands to shape it into a football.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Remove the cheese ball from the fridge and cover with remaining pepperoni, pressing gently to adhere.
Serve with pretzels, bread sticks, crackers, and veggies.

Dear Friends,

Thanks for popping in! If sports is your thing and you love tailgating, I hope you enjoy these recipes and reading about these unusual supplies to complete your tailgate! 

Cheers to celebrating enjoying all that each season has to offer with friends and family!

Until next time…

🍸Laura

 

 

 

 

 

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SURPRISING DOLLAR STORE TRICKS (AND TREATS) FOR ENTERTAINING

So, you are invited to holiday parties for every holiday, and the worst thing is when you forget to label your dish with your name, or it gets washed off, and you either never get your dish back, or its months, and yes, maybe a year or two. And when the next occasion arises to use that perfect dish,  you  insanely look everywhere. After every cupboard, drawer, and storage bin has been ransacked (that’s an extreme word, but true) you realize that you took an appetizer to Sally’s house, and never got your dish back. SOLUTION: THE DOLLAR STORE.

I know, I know, your mother always told you to watch your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves. However, can you put a price on your favorite pumpkin platter or your divine deviled egg dish? NO. The seasonal serving opportunities await your dollars at the dollar store. By the way, I am not making any money endorsing this retail establishment, although, not a bad idea!

Today, we are going to a fall clambake and my $2.00 purchase created this fun seasonal serving idea for a delicious desert that I call PUMPKIN PIE CHEESECAKE BITES. I have two favorite versions for this dip.

Normally now, I just leave the serving dish with the leftovers at the party, but this one came out so cute, I’m conflicted, so I may bring it home 🎃

PUMPKIN PIE CHEESECAKE BITES

RECIPE 1 (a little sweeter than recipe 2)

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Ingredients

¾ cup International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer
1 3.4 oz package pumpkin spice instant pudding
1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
Graham cracker crumbs for garnish

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl, whisk together the International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer with pumpkin spice instant pudding. Set aside for about 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and sugar.
Add in pudding to cream cheese mixture and beat.
Once well combined, fold in the 2 cups of thawed whipped topping and refrigerate.
When ready to serve, fill bowl with Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake Dip topped with graham cracker crumbs.

If you can’t find pumpkin spice instant pudding (it’s pretty  seasonal), you can use either vanilla or cheesecake instant pudding with a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

PUMPKIN PIE CHEESECAKE BITES

RECIPE 2

INGREDIENTS

1 -15 oz. can pumpkin puree
1 -8 oz. container Cool Whip, thawed
1 package 1.5 oz. Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 

Directions

Cream together all ingredients with an electric mixer until well combined and fluffy. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve. Serve with Vanilla Wafers, Cookies, or Graham Crackers.

img_6499Dear Friends,

Celebrating something every day helps to create the happiness we all deserve to have. For me, its difficult to overlook the inevitable snow, but I love enjoying the beauty of this season and everything that comes with it.

Cheers to you! Laura

 

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THE PERFECT COOKIE

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I have always marveled at those perfectly shaped cookies in the bakery department at the grocery store.  I’m never sure what’s in them or how they got to be so perfect, but I’ve finally found the magic recipe!

Cookies are a personal thing; some like chewy, some like crunchy, but personally, I like them just a little underdone and buttery…Eating a cookie made with fake butter is definitely a waste of calories. Browning the butter is a plus up in the flavor of this cookie.

So, here it is….(drumroll)…

SALTED BROWN BUTTER CINNAMON CRINKLE COOKIES

Makes 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS
10 tablespoons butter, sliced
2½ cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F
  • Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Place the butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and begins to foam.
  • Continue to cook,  until the butter becomes an amber color, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
  • Add the granulated and brown sugar.
  • Pour the cooled butter into the sugars and mix on medium speed to combine.
  • Add in the eggs and vanilla, mixing just until smooth.
  • Slowly add in the flour mixture until just incorporated.
  • Cover the mixing bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Divide the chilled dough into 1- tablespoon sized balls.
  • Roll each ball into the powdered sugar and place onto the prepared pan, about 2- inches apart.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

DID SOMEONE SAY SHOPPING??? Check out these finds!

Silpat 12 Perfect Cookie Baking Sheet $18.62 Free Shipping for Prime Members

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Ice Cream Scoop – 3 Piece Stainless Steel with Trigger Cookie – Melon Scoop Spoon Set Small – Medium – Large $10.95 Free Shipping for Prime Members

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Home Basics Cookie Jar with Metal Top $19.99 & FREE Shipping

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Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping in. Share a cookie and share a smile to brighten someone’s day. Until next time…..

Laura

 

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7 Quick Back to School Breakfast Bites

With school starting, the search for quick, delicious and healthy morning treats goes on! I honestly don’t know how we survived without Pinterest and Google Search to serve all of our daily info needs! Starting the day off right sets the stage for kids of all ages to have a successful day!

They say, whoever they is, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. My Steve used to say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day because you have a big problem if you aren’t home by then. Not funny but he’s definitely right.

Check out these delicious breakfast bites. With a little planning, your family will look forward to stopping at the breakfast table in the morning!

PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST!

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INGREDIENTS
1 EGG
1 tbsp. milk
2 tbsp. fully-cooked breakfast sausage crumbles OR 1 fully-cooked breakfast sausage link or patty, chopped
1 round flatbread (6-inch)
2 tbsp. finely shredded Cheddar cheese
Yields: 1 serving

DIRECTIONS

COAT in 2-cup microwave-safe cereal bowl with cooking spray. ADD egg and milk; BEAT until blended. ADD sausage.

MICROWAVE on HIGH 30 seconds; push cooked edges toward center. MICROWAVE until egg is almost set, about 15 to 45 seconds longer.

CUT egg into 4 or 5 pieces; arrange on flatbread. TOP with cheese. MICROWAVE an additional 10 to 15 seconds to melt cheese. SERVE immediately.

EGG AND SAUSAGE TACO

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INGREDIENTS
1 EGG
1 tbsp. milk
2 tbsp. fully-cooked breakfast sausage crumbles OR 1 fully-cooked breakfast sausage link or patty, chopped
1 thin flatbread OR tortilla, warmed
2 tbsp. finely shredded Cheddar cheese OR Mexican cheese blend
Salsa, OPTIONAL
Yields: 1 serving
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
DIRECTIONS

COAT 2-cup microwave-safe cereal bowl with cooking spray. ADD egg and milk; BEAT until blended. ADD sausage.

MICROWAVE on HIGH 30 seconds; push cooked edges toward center. MICROWAVE until egg is almost set, about 15 to 45 seconds longer.

PLACE on flatbread. TOP with cheese. FOLD and serve with salsa, if desired.

MUFFIN FRITATAS

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INGREDIENTS
6 EGGS
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz.)
3/4 cup chopped zucchini or spinach
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 tbsp. chopped red onion
Yields: 6 servings/12 muffin frittatas

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

HEAT oven to 350°F. BEAT eggs, milk, salt and pepper in medium bowl until well-blended. ADD cheese, zucchini, bell pepper and onion; mix well. SPOON evenly into 12 greased muffin cups, about 1/4 cup each.

BAKE in 350°F oven until just set, 20 to 22 minutes. COOL on wire rack 5 minutes. REMOVE from cups; serve warm.

BACON AND EGG BREAKFAST GRILLED CHEESE

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2 EGGS
2 tbsp. milk OR water
salt and pepper, as desired
3 tsp. butter, room temperature, divided
4 slices whole wheat OR white bread
2 slices Colby-Jack cheese
4 slices fully-cooked bacon
Yields: 2 sandwiches

DIRECTIONS

BEAT eggs, milk, salt and pepper in small bowl until blended.

HEAT 1 tsp. butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. POUR IN egg mixture. As eggs begin to set, GENTLY PULL the eggs across the pan with an inverted turner, forming large soft curds. CONTINUE cooking – pulling, lifting and folding eggs – until thickened and no visible liquid egg remains. Do not stir constantly. REMOVE from pan. CLEAN skillet.

SPREAD remaining 2 tsp. butter evenly on one side of each bread slice. PLACE 2 slices in skillet, buttered side down. TOP evenly with scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon. COVER with remaining bread, buttered side up.

COOK sandwiches over medium heat, turning once, until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes.

BAKED FRENCH TOAST

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INGREDIENTS

1½ c Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt
10, ¾-inch-thick slices challah or brioche
¾ c milk
4 large eggs
2 T light brown sugar
1 t ground cinnamon
1 t vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
Fresh berries
Maple syrup and powdered sugar (optional)

PREPARATION

STEP 1
Arrange bread slices in a 9×13-inch greased baking dish.

STEP 2
Whisk together Chobani, milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Pour over bread, cover pan with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

STEP 3
Bake at 375°F until golden brown, 25-30 minutes. Slice and serve warm with fresh berries and syrup.

CHOBANI YOGERT PARFAIT

INGREDIENTS

Chobani_parfait

1/2 c Chobani Strawberry Greek Yogurt
½ c granola
½ c mixed berries

PREPARATION

STEP 1
In a parfait glass, layer ½ the Chobani, ½ the granola and ½ the berries. Repeat.

BACON EGG and CHEESE MONKEY BREAD

BACON EGG & CHEESSE MONEKY BREAD

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter
6 eggs, beaten
1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Flaky Layers refrigerated original biscuits (8 biscuits)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (6 oz)
1 package (2.52 oz) precooked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup finely sliced green onions (4 medium)

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 12-cup fluted tube cake pan generously with cooking spray; set aside. In 8-inch nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat; tilt pan to coat. Add eggs. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until firm but still moist, stirring frequently.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 3 tablespoons butter uncovered on Medium-High (70%) 30 to 45 seconds or until melted. Add 1 tablespoon of the melted butter to bottom of pan, brushing with pastry brush or tilting pan to coat halfway up sides. Separate dough into 8 biscuits; cut each into sixths. Coat biscuit pieces with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter; place half of them in bottom of pan. Layer with 1/2 cup of the cheese, half of the bacon, the scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup of the cheese and the green onions; add remaining bacon, remaining 1/2 cup cheese and remaining biscuit pieces.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until deep golden brown. Cool 5 minutes; run metal spatula around outer and inside edges of pan to loosen. Turn over onto serving platter to serve.

Thanks for stopping in today! Find something to celebrate and enjoy each and every day! Each day is a gift.

Cheers to you! Laura

GREAT FINDS TO CHECK OUT…….

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7 Great Back to School Tips

As a teacher, I always wished that summer could last just a little longer, actually a lot longer, but as a mom, I couldn’t wait for school to start! Summer had run its course and it was time for someone else to take over! The lazy days of summer aren’t lazy anymore! The days are so packed with baseball, tennis, golf, swim team, lacrosse camps, band camp… to name a few. The few weeks and even days before school can be a great opportunity to wind down and focus on what’s important, and that would be getting ready to be in a school routine that promotes success and happiness for all ages. So, essentially it’s important for both kids and parents to get into this routine together. It’s no longer the 3 Rs, reading, writing and arithmetic, It is the 2 Rs…resting and readiness.

STEP 1: STEP INTO A ROUTINE! Structuring the days before school starts eases the transition and makes mornings bearable! Have a balanced breakfast to start the day and a set dinnertime helps! At dinner, spend some time talking about what was great about summer and what to look forward to in the coming school year. After dinner, take advantage of wind down time to the day, set an earlier bedtime, and have a quiet time an hour or so before bed. Reading a book or magazine as a family limits distractions and sets a great example. 

STEP 2: GET A JUMP ON SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND SCHOOL CLOTHES! The before school sales are a great way to stack up on supplies and save money. Get the supply list from your child’s school and shop it out! This routine gets kids excited about the new year…new clothes and new stuff. When shopping for clothes, keep in mind dress codes. That will prevent problems later. 

STEP 3: GET ORGANIZED! Make it a before bedtime habit to get ready for the next day. Lay out clothes and pack up the back pack! This will save time in the morning and make the mornings run more smoothly. Some kids enjoy making their own lunch for the next day. Fill out necessary papers for the school such as emergency medical authorizations, etc. 

STEP 4: GET READY FOR HOMEWORK! Establish a regular homework time, whether after school, or after dinner, let your child decide, but stick to it. Some kids need a break from school and others may enjoy having a snack and getting the work behind them.

STEP 5: SET UP SCHEDULES AND THE FAMILY CALENDAR! Stay ahead of the game by staying ahead! Display a family calendar where everyone can list their activities and appointments. Each family member can have their own color marker and be responsible to keep it up to date.

STEP 6: DON’T FORGET FAMILY TIME! Whether it’s dinnertime,  homework/reading time, or trips to the ice cream store, take advantage of sharing successes, thoughts and concerns. It’s easy to get caught up in everyday activities and adhering to schedules. Being a parent is being a support system and advocate for your child. Being alert to concerns can prevent them from escalating into problems later. 

STEP 7: MAKE MEALTIME ENJOYABLE! Plan ahead simple and flavorful meals that the kids enjoy can turn every meal into a special one. Healthy, kid friendly menus can be anything from french toast wrapped sausage (pigs in blankets), to a simple build your own taco. Ask your kids to offer some ideas of their own. Ownership is a great key to confidence building!

This is a delicious breakfast muffin that your kids will ask for over and over. It also makes a memorable teacher’s lounge treat for the first week classroom warriors, aka your child’s teachers!

                                           Caramel Banana Upside Down Cake Muffins

IngredientsIMG_5749

1 cup packed brown sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into several pieces
About 2 bananas, sliced in ¼ inch rounds
1½ cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup white granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup mashed overripe bananas
2 large eggs
⅓ cup coconut oil or melted butter
⅓ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions IMG_5750
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease the muffin pan. Melt the butter in the microwave and add the brown sugar.Place 3 pieces of cut up banana in the bottom of each muffin tin. Melt 6 T. of butter in the microwave and mix in brown sugar. Spread the brown sugar mixture evenly on top of the bananas.. 
Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add all the remaining wet ingredients and beat just until combined. Do not over-beat.
Pour the batter over the sliced bananas/brown sugar mixture in each muffin tin..
Bake for 40 min. or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean but moist.
Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before inverting it onto wax or parchment paper.

GENIUS IDEA FROM AMAZON! CHECK IT OUT!

Parents: Get all your child’s school supplies delivered right to your door Teachers: Create and share supply lists easily, year after year

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Simply type in your school name, teacher and grade level and up comes the list delivered to your door!

Cheers to a great school year and to setting the stage for success for our kids!

xo Laura

 

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SUNSETS CHICAGO STYLE

I spent this past weekend visiting my daughter, Jodi and her boyfriend Neil. While Steve had a seminar, we galavanted around the city, making most of the little time we have together.

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Vitamin D Room at the Summerhouse

Visiting Chicago, or any city for that matter, with Jodi is always an experience! Some people take the time to smell the flowers, but with Jodi we take the time to….(just a little photo journey of our time together)…..

 

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CAPRI AT THE RITZ

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This beautiful display beacons you as you enter the restaurant and wait for your table….

Lunch was an assortment of creative and healthy salads. The most amazing was the cauliflower with jalapeño and parmesan pesto.

 

 

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This little number kept calling to us….and we succumbed. Well worth it!
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We then embarked on a Chicago sunset cruise. It was a little cloudy, but with the little cocktail lounge on the ship, it made for a lovely evening…followed by....

 

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this….amazing lobster roll dripping with huge chunks of lobster on a buttery grilled bun….oh my! 

MINI LOBSTER ROLLS WITH HERBED MAYO

Makes 15 rolls

FOR THE ROLLS

  • 2  lobster tails, thawed if frozen (8 oz. each)
  • 3  cups water
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced (zest reserved)
  • 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
  • 5 hot dog buns, sliced length- wise and cut into thirds
  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

FOR THE MAYO

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp. each minced celery, fresh chives, tarragon, and parsely 
  • 1  Tbsp. minced shallots 
  • 2  tsp. fresh lemon juice 
  • 1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
  1. Combine water, juice of 1 lemon, and 1 tsp. Old Bay in a large sauce- pan. Insert steamer basket in pan, bring water to a boil, place the tails in steamer, and cover.
  2. Steam tails 8–10 minutes until shells are red and meat is cooked. Remove tails from pan and cool slightly.
  3. Cut shells lengthwise with kitchen shears. Chop meat into chunks. Preheat broiler with rack 5 inches from the element.
  4. Mix mayonnaise, celery, chives, tarragon, parsley, shallots, 2 tsp. lemon juice, 1/2 tsp. Old Bay, salt, black pepper, and cayenne in a bowl. Fold in lobster meat.
  5. Brush rolls with melted butter and broil until toasted, 1–2 minutes. Spoon filling onto toasted rolls and garnish with reserved lemon zest.

Then, of course, on our way to the airport, we HAD to stop for the one and only Shake Shack burger! A delicious patty of perfectly cooked beef topped with cheese and a FRIED CHEESE PORTOBELLO STUFFED MUSHROOM!!! One bite into this massive deliciousness is what I think heaven would be like as the lava fountain of cheese oozes out with each bite….ok. I’m done…😋 (Shake Shack…put it on your bucket list!) People say the secret’s in the sauce, but I say its in the mushroom!

IMG_5471
It’s hard to believe that a little food stand in NYC made its way to major cities with lines blocks long

Here is a

FAKE SHAKE SHACK HACK RECIPE FROM SERIOUS EATS! (It has everything but the portobello.)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

INGREDIENTS
8 ounces beef sirloin, trimmed of gristle, and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 ounces well-marbled beef chuck, trimmed of gristle, and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 ounces well-marbled beef brisket, fat cap intact, trimmed of gristle, and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter, melted
4 Martin’s Sandwich Rolls
4 tablespoons Shack Sauce (recipe follows)
4 leaves of green-leaf lettuce, clipped
8 center-cut slices ripe plum tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil
Kosher salt and fresh-ground black pepper
4 slices yellow American cheese
Sauce Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
4 slices kosher dill pickle
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Pinch cayenne pepper
DIRECTIONS
1.
Place feed shaft, blade, and 1/4-inch die of meat grinder in freezer until well-chilled. Meanwhile, place meat chunks on rimmed baking sheet, leaving space between each piece and place in freezer for 10 minutes until meat is firm, but not frozen.

2.
Combine meat in large bowl and toss to combine. Pass meat through grinder twice. Form into four disks, about 2-inches tall, and 2.5-inches wide. Refrigerate until ready for use.

3.
Open buns but do not split hinge. Brush lightly with butter, then place under broiler or in toaster oven until golden brown, about 1 minute. Spread 1 tablespoon Shack Sauce on top half of each bun (for true authenticity, squirt out of squeeze bottle into three lines, three passes on each line). Place 1 leaf lettuce and 2 slices tomato on top half of each bun.

4.
Using wadded-up paper towel, rub inside of heavy-bottomed 12-inch skillet with vegetable oil, then place over medium-high heat until just beginning to smoke. Season beef pucks on top side with salt and pepper, then place, seasoned side down, in skillet. Using back of heavy, flat spatula, press down on beef pucks firmly to form 4-inch round patties, being careful not to let it stick to bottom of spatula. Season top side with salt and pepper. Cook until crisp brown crust has formed, about 2-minutes.

5.
Carefully scrape patties from skillet, and flip. Top each patty with 1 slice American cheese. Cook until cheese is melted, about 1 minute longer. Transfer patties to burger bun bottoms, close sandwiches, and serve.

6.
Shack Sauce: Combine all ingredients in blender until smooth, scraping down sides of blender with rubber spatula as necessary. Makes about 3/4 cup sauce.

Cheers to sunsets, birthdays, and just about anything you want to toast to….burgers, lobster…anything. Thanks for stopping in and I hope you enjoyed todays read.

xo Laura

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Gallery

EVERYTHING BIRTHDAY CAKE

Today I’m 61…..  So, let’s talk birthday cake! And cocktails…ok…

BOOZIE BIRTHDAY CAKE COCKTAILS!

There are so many theories about where birthday cakes originated, and even when the first birthday candles were blown out, but the tradition has survived the test of time with newer variations popping up daily. Just check out the Pinterest Birthday Cake board!  So many cool ideas from so many amazingly creative people! 

Click here to see why you get to celebrate your birthday every year!  Go figure that the ancient Romans were the first to celebrate birthdays but only for men! Yikes!

SO MANY CHOICES!! TOO MANY CHOICES? NOPE.

IMG_1800_2

CHEERS TO CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS! recipelarge_uvbdaycake

THE SIGNATURE PINNACLE BIRTHDAY CAKE

birthday-cake1 PART Pinnacle® Cake Vodka 
1 PART DeKuyper® Vanilla Liqueur
1 PART Half and Half
Rim martini glass with multi-colored sprinkles. Shake with ice and strain into prepared glass. pinnacle-cake.jpg

 

 

 

THE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

DRINK-GRID-0090-Upside-Down-Cake-2

2 OZ SMIRNOFF® ICED CAKE
1 OZ ORANGE JUICE
1 OZ PINEAPPLE JUICE
TOP OFF WITH CLUB SODA
GARNISH WITH SPRINKLES + CHERRY AND AN ORANGE SLICE.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

recipelarge_pineappleupsidedowncake
1 part UV Cake Vodka
3 parts pineapple juice

Blend with ice and serve.


THE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MARTINI

DRINK-GRID-0046-ICED-STRAWBERRY-SHORT-CAKE-MARTINI12 OZ SMIRNOFF® ICED CAKE
3 FRESH STRAWBERRIES
2 OZ LEMONADE
0.5 OZ AMARETTO LIQUEUR
MUDDLE STRAWBERRIES AND VODKA + ADD THE LEMONADE, AMARETTO AND A LITTLE ICE TO A COCKTAIL SHAKER + SHAKE BRIEFLY BUT VIGOROUSLY +

STRAIN INTO A CHILLED MARTINI GLASS + GARNISH WITH A STRAWBERRY

BIRTHDAY CAKE SHOT
All you need to do now is make a wish.birthdaycake_101ds2

  • 1 OZ Baileys® Vanilla Cinnamon Irish Cream
  • .5OZ Smirnoff® Iced Cake™ Flavored Vodka
  • Whipped Cream & Multi-colored Sprinkles
  • Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
  • Strain into a shot glass.
  • Add whipped cream and sprinkles.

And…my favorite one….THE EXPRESSO MARTINI that my daughter Jodi surprised me with after an amazing sunset cruise around Chicago last week!

IMG_0029

2 OZ Baileys® Espresso Crème Liqueurcocktails_baileys_espresso_martini

.25OZ Smirnoff® vodka

 25OZ Espresso

Shake over ice and Strain into a martini glass.

Thank you for swinging by today and I hope you enjoy making these boozy birthday creations or some of your own! Cheers to many more birthdays, big and small!

Laura

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SASSY SUMMER SALSA!

Hola señoritas y señores! Tis the season for my SUMMER SALSA OBSESSION! Salsa is an easy ‘dump from the jar with a bag of nacho chips and call it a dip,’ but, summer’s delicious bounty of fresh fruits and veggies makes for the  best chipping and dipping! Finish it all of with a refreshing Ruby Red Margarita, and call it a FIESTA!

Here are some of my newest and chunkiest fruitful & sassy salsas! Spice em up or keep em cool!

IMG_5339PINEAPPLE–PEPPER SALSA

(MAKES 4 CUPS)

PEEL AND TRIM:

1 cup fresh pineapple, diced

PEEL AND JULIENNE:

1/2 cup jicama, julienne

TOSS WITH:

1/4 cup purple onion, slivered
1/4 cup red pepper, diced
1 T. fresh lime juice
1/2 t. habañero, seeded and minced 1/2 t. salt

1/8 t. cayenne pepper
2–3 drops Tabasco or Siracha

JUST BEFORE SERVING, MIX IN:  diced 1 T. fresh cilantro, chopped 1 T. fresh mint, chopped

TWO TOMATO SALSA

(MAKES 3 CUPS)

IMG_5352

MIX TOGETHER:

1 cup red tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 cup yellow tomatoes, seeded and diced

3/4 cup white onion, diced and rinsed

3 T. fresh cilantro, chopped
2 T. fresh lime juice
1 T. light olive oil
2 t. jalapeno, seeded and minced 2 t. fresh garlic, minced

1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. cayenne pepper

 

ROASTED TOMATO SALSA WITH JALAPENO AND CILANTRO

YIELDMakes 2 1/2 cups

IMG_5347

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes (about 10 medium), preferably plum
2 to 3 fresh jalapeño chiles (1 to 1 1/2 ounces), stemmed
Half of a small white onion (2 ounces), sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 generous teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar

PREPARATION

  • Heat the broiler. Lay the whole tomatoes and jalapeños out on a broiler pan or baking sheet.
  • Set the pan 4 inches below the broiler and broil for about 6 minutes, until darkly roasted — even blackened in spots — on one side (the tomato skins will split and curl
  • flip over the tomatoes and chiles and roast the other side for another 6 minutes or so.
  •  Set aside to cool.
  • Reduce heat to 425 degrees.
  • Separate the onions into rings combine with the garlic.
  • Roast in the oven, stirring carefully every couple of minutes, until the onions are beautifully browned about 15 minutes total. Cool 
  • Rough chop the tomatoes, onions, garlic & peppers & pour into a bowl adding the juices. If necessary,  stir in enough water to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency. Stir in the cilantro.
  • Taste and season with salt and vinegar

HABAÑERO SALSA WITH YELLOW TOMATOES & PAPAYA

IMG_5349

 

  • 1 medium yellow tomato, coarsely chopped
  • 2 habañero peppers, coarsely chopped
  • 2 T. fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
  • 1 small papaya, coarsely chopped
  • 2 T. each fresh lime & orange juice
  • 1 T. rice wine vinegar
  • 2 T. water
  • pinch of sugar (optional)
  • Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients, cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Serve!

 

 

Ruby Red Margaritas

Makes four 12-oz. drinks

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  • Kosher or margarita salt
  • 1  can frozen limeade concentrate (12 oz.)
  • 2  cups ice cubes
  • 1⁄2 cup tequila, optional
  • 1 cup club soda
  • 11⁄3 cups ruby red grapefruit juice

Lime slices

Dip rims of 4 glasses into grapefruit juice, then in salt, if desired; set aside.
Blend limeade, ice cubes, and tequila in a blender until smooth. Divide the mixture evenly among the glasses. Top each with 1⁄4 cup club soda and 1⁄3 cup grapefruit juice; garnish with limes.

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Gracias! Thank you for coming to visit. I hope that your summer fiesta is a celebration to remember!

Salud y Hasta Mañana!

Señorita Laura

Gallery

#Summertime! Grilled Caprese Salad w/ Basil Vinaigrette, Marinated Flank Steak & Frozen Peach Margaritas

Ahhhh Summer. Sun shiny days and warm balmy nights are the memories we cherish. And the songs of summer….keeping those memories alive throughout our lives.

So many songs sung about summertime…to name a few:

  • Summer Nights (1978)
  • Hot Fun in the Summertime (1969)
  • Summer Breeze (1972)
  • Summer in the  City (1966)
  • Summer of 69 (1985)
  • Summertime (1991)
  • Summertime Blues (1958)
  • Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer (1963)
  • Summer Love (2007)
  • A Summer Song (1964)

“In the Good Old Summertime,” is perhaps the song that resonates with me; conjuring up memories of lemonade and the days spent during my summer vacation in middle school  when I would volunteer at a Rockyknoll Nursing Home. We wore an apron of red and white stripes with pockets and were called ‘candy stripers,’ but the residents referred to us as ‘friendly visitors.’ 41ox8lxm0OLIt was my first experience that instilled my looming fear of growing old.

Candy stripers or friendly visitors had jobs: read mail to the patients, wheel them into the group areas for bingo, and just be ‘friendly.’  I vividly recall my first day; carefully unfolding the crisp uniform and placing our name tag on, we were sent out to roam about the fourth floor. We were only permitted on certain floors. I heard screams coming from one of the rooms. It was an elderly woman screaming, “I WANT TO DIE! D-I-E DIE!” over and over. We were told to ignore her and not enter the room. Curiosity got the best of me, as it often does, and I entered the room where I was met by a flying tissue box. I quickly decided to not be so curious. 

The group sing alongs were the best. Lead by a retired music teacher, playing songs on an old oak spinet piano, I saw new light and life coming into the eyes of people who would be slumped and sleeping in their wheel chairs throughout the day. It reminded me of the song, ” When I grow too old to dream, I’ll have you to remember…” I quickly noticed that some of these people who couldn’t remember what they had for breakfast, were singing words to these songs with great enthusiasm. Amazing.51xGqKIyFjL

Life Lessons are just that. The realization that growing old is inevitable. The fear of growing old pales by comparison to the thought of not growing old. Celebrate the little things and make the most of every day.

Let’s add a little flavor to our

SUMMERTIME SUPPERS!

GRILLED CAPRESE SALAD with BASAL VINAIGRETTE  img_5102

This is a delicious dish I adapted from the blog, ‘Steamy Kitchen.’ Fresh and simple to prepare and beautiful presentation. No one will know it took very little time. 

caprese-salad-basil-vinaigrette-107

 

  • 2 C. fresh basil leaves          
  • 1/2 C. olive oil
  • 1/2 C. white wine vinegar
  • 3 T. Parmesan grated
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 4 large tomatoes, sliced horizontally into thirds
  • 6 oz. fresh tomatoes cut into 8 slices
  • Process basil, 1/3 C. oil, vinegar, parmesan, salt & pepper in a food processor until smooth.

Coat tomato slices with remaining oil, season with salt and pepper & grill on 1 side for 1 minute then flip (do not flip the tops).

Place cheese on tomato slices and grill until it begins to melt, 1-2 min.

Assemble stacks with 2 cheese topped slices and 1 top. (Add fresh basil leaves to each layer and on top if you wish) Serve with basil sauce.

GRILLED MARINATED FLANK STEAK

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This delicious flank steak recipe I found on Pinterest from Elyse at Simply Recipes takes little time to prepare and is a crowd pleaser!

Combine marinade in a bowl and add your flank steak making sure the flank steak is evenly coated on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

For the Marinade:

1/3 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Steak:

2 lb. flank steak & 1/2 C. cracked whole peppercorns

Combine marinade in a bowl and add a 2 lb. flank steak making sure the steak is evenly coated on all sides. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.

Heat grill on high. Spread peppercorns on both sides of the flank steak and place it on the hot side of the grill. Grill for 1-2 min. on each side to get a good sear. Move the steak to the cooler side of the grill until its done to your liking. (125 to 130°F for rare, 140°F for medium rare, and 150°F for medium)

Cut the meat across the grain in thick slices and serve!

FRESH PEACH MARGARITAS

This fresh delicious drink pinned to my Summertime Board on Pinterest came from Bakerbynature.com. 

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6 Ripe Peaches
1/4 Cup Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
1 Tablespoons Confectioners’ Sugar
1 Cup tequila 
1/2 Cup Fresh Lime Juice 
1/2 Cup Triple Sec
1 lime, cut into wedges

Peal, Pit & slice peaches. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with fresh peach slices.

To make frozen peach margaritas, freeze the oj and lime juice in ice-cube trays. Add to the blender and divide evenly among the glasses. 

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Thanks so much for popping in. I’d love to hear from you! If you would like my posts to come to your inbox, scroll down and click my follow link! Until next time…

Cheers! Laura

Gallery

ALL IN CLEVELAND! THE CHAMPIONS! Today’s Recipes: Shephard’s Pie Party Bites & Apps on a Stick

It was a nail biter till the bitter end! I could hardly watch the last two minutes…..and then…..WE WON! And OMG!!!!! The crowd went WILD! IMG_5017

It’s more than winning a basketball game. It’s more than beating last year’s champs.

It’s personal It’s about Cleveland. You see, Cleveland fans are the ultimate fans.IMG_5077

It was no accident that our fans sang our country’s  National Anthem at the opening of the first Finals home game. It took my breath away.  No need for celebrities to help express our love for our country. IMG_4773

All watched with great emotion as LeBron James dropped to his knees and cried. We have watched this incredible athlete grow from a boy to a man; a man of great values who gives back and has never forgotten where he came from.

I vividly recall what LeBron did for his neighbors when he announced that he would be returning to Cleveland. He hired a small cupcake store to deliver cupcakes to all of his neighbors in Akron as an apology for the paparazzi and interruption of their quiet residential street. 

So now….we can talk about

CLEVELAND EATS!

img_3533Yeah, Michael Simon!

He has taken Cleveland by storm with his amazing restaurants

and has put us on the map!

Check out Iron Chef’s Michael Simon’s Cleveland restaurants here!

This photo was taken with Michael Simon at the Food Network Show in Cleveland this year. He hosted a Tailgate Party venue which featured a variety of samplings from his local restaurants. He is definitely a carnivore! 

Well, foodville is back for more great snick snacks to keep you revealing for your favorite team or just host a small bites party! These are my  PINTEREST  favorites from my GAME DAY BOARD and my APPETIZERS AND BITES BOARD.

SHEPHARDS PIE PARTY BITES

Sheopard's Pie Party BitesI fell in love with these Shepherds Pie Party Bites from Spinachtiger.com.

olive oil
1 pound grass fed ground beef
1 clove garlic
1 onion, diced
2 cups chopped kale
1 cup frozen peas
few sprigs fresh thyme or oregano
sea salt
black pepper
dash red chili flakes
¼ cup milk
⅓ cup white wine
1 tablespoon butter
olive oil, garlic mashed potatoes or any mashed potatoes
Mini tart shells using your favorite pie crust, Rolled out to 3 inches for a 2 inch cookie cutter pan and baked at 400 degrees for 12 minutes.
INSTRUCTIONS
Place enough olive oil in pan to cover bottom. Add onions and saute until softened. Season ground beef with salt and pepper. Crumble in and stir fry until meat is cooked through. Add milk and stir until milk in cooked down. Add in white wine and turn on low and cook down until alcohol is cooked off, about ten minutes. Add in a tablespoon of butter. At this point meat should be in nice wine sauce. Add in raw kale and continue to cook until kale is softened. Season as needed with salt, pepper and chili flakes.
ASSEMBLE
Spoon mixture into the mini tart shell. Top with mashed potatoes using a pastry bag. Place under broiler just until potato is golden.
Serve immediately.
When making entree, you can use individual dishes or a larger dish. Make sure it’s something you can put under the broiler, like a cast iron pan.
WordPress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe

CHECK OUT THESE

 FOUR INGREDIENT APPS ON A STICK!

MINI APPS

These are all from the Pillsbury website.

Ingredients

1
can (8 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
64
toothpicks
Smoked Salmon with Dill
Dab cream cheese
Thin slice smoked salmon, cut into quarters
Fresh dill weed sprig
Shrimp and Cucumber
Very thin slice English cucumber, cut in half, folded
Fresh dill weed sprig
Small cooked shrimp, tail shell removed
Caprese
Slice small fresh mozzarella ball or string cheese
Half grape tomato
Tiny basil leaf or fresh basil leaf strip
Antipasto
Half slice hard salami, folded into thirds
Slice sweet banana pepper (from a jar)
Kalamata or black olive
Dried Fig and Mascarpone
Dried fig, cut in half lengthwise
Mascarpone cheese star (using softened cheese)
Grated orange peel
Roast Beef Roll-Ups
Rare roast beef slice (spread with below)
Garden vegetable cream cheese spread
Fresh parsley sprig or tiny dill pickle slice
Cheese and Pimiento Olive
Swiss cheese cube
Half pimiento-stuffed green olive
Turkey Club
Lettuce
Crisply cooked bacon
Turkey breast slice, rolled up, sliced
Grape tomato slice
Steps
1
Heat oven to 375°F. Unroll dough onto cutting board. Cut in half crosswise and lengthwise on perforated lines to make 4 rectangles. Press diagonal perforations to seal.
2
Starting with long side of 1 rectangle, roll dough tightly into 6 1/4-inch roll; press seam to seal. Repeat with remaining dough rectangles.
3
Spray thin serrated knife with cooking spray. Cut each roll into 16 slices. On ungreased large cookie sheet, place 32 slices about 1/2 inch apart. Place remaining 32 slices on second ungreased large cookie sheet.
4
Bake 1 cookie sheet at a time 8 to 9 minutes or until slices are light golden brown.
5
Top baked slices using all 8 toppings and making 8 appetizers of each, or choose your favorite topping options and make as many of each as you’d like. All toppings are quick to assemble, taking only about 4 to 8 minutes to make 8 appetizers.

GET READY FOR YOUR CAVS CHAMPIONSHIP PARTY!

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Lebron James Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Adidas Men’s Replica Jersey – Burgundy Price: $26.89 – $70.01

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Thanks for popping in today! Even if basketball isn’t your thing, I hope you enjoy the recipes shared from my Pinterest board! Have a great day, and cheers to the CAVS!!

Laura