• Appetizers,  Entertaining,  Party Food,  Quick,  Side Dishes

    Easy Pizza Dip

    With the big game coming up this weekend, I’m sure many of you are in planning mode, too.  Around here, we’re all making lists of our favorite game-day treats, shopping for ingredients and definitely looking forward to snacking – maybe more so than the game itself.  It’s a tradition in our family to gather at my parent’s house for the game – and since our team hasn’t been in the Super Bowl for many years, it’s become all about the food (and the commercials, right?)…

  • Beverages,  chocolate,  Cinnamon,  Dessert,  Entertaining,  Ice Cream,  Party Food

    Fried Ice Cream Boats & A Football Party

    YOU GUYS!  How CUTE are these little fried ice cream boats?  Even though it’s exactly zero degrees outside right now, these were still a welcome treat at our family gathering this weekend! It’s been a good sports year  in Kansas City.  Our beloved Royals (finally) won the World Series, and the Chiefs (finally) won a playoff game.  My family decided to gather to celebrate the big football game, so I thought I’d share some of our quick and easy party tips with you. Ice cream…

  • Appetizers,  chocolate,  Dessert,  Party Food,  Quick,  Summer Favorites

    Chocolate Dipped Cannoli Cups

    I don’t like to leave my house on New Year’s Eve.  I like to hunker down with my family, watch TV, eat some YUM food and make a cocktail or two with my husband.  The thought of venturing out and dealing with crowds just doesn’t do it for me anymore – although I’m not sure it ever did. I love to pick a bunch of one-bite appetizers and desserts for our evening, and these cannoli cups will definitely be on the list this year.  They…

  • Entertaining,  Kids,  Party Food

    #DoubleDigits: A 10th Birthday Party

    So, Maddie turned 10 earlier this month. I only cried once.  Okay, maybe twice.  But even at that, I feel pretty good about myself.  That feels like an accomplishment. 10 years, you guys.  How do I have a kid that is 1o YEARS OLD??  She’s asking for iPhones and laptops and wants to redecorate her bedroom because it’s too babyish.  HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? Oh, and the theme for her birthday party? Hashtag Double Digits. As in, #doubledigits. As in, my 10 YEAR OLD knows…

  • Appetizers,  Entertaining,  Party Food,  Side Dishes

    Jalapeno Popper Fillo Bites

    Game Day! Doesn’t it seem like every day this time of year is spent prepping for, planning for, looking forward to or participating in some sort of game day? Whether it’s your kids, your favorite team (Go Royals!) or just an excuse for a social gathering, there is just always something going on.  If you happen to be hosting or attending a game-day gathering soon, this recipe MUST be on your radar! I’ve raved before about Athens Mini Fillo Shells.  They really are lifesavers!  I…

  • Cinnamon,  Dessert,  Entertaining,  Ice Cream,  Nuts,  Other Desserts,  Party Food,  Pie,  Summer Favorites

    Mini Apple Crumb Sundaes

    I’m not sure that ANYTHING screams summertime dessert more than apple pie.  But even more, apple pie with ice cream?  Not much better than that.  And while I love a good pie, they can really be a major undertaking – from the crust to the filling to crossing your fingers that they set up like they’re supposed to – that’s a lot of dessert-stress that sometimes I just don’t want to deal with. I hosted my extended family gathering for the 4th of July this…

  • Appetizers,  Party Food,  Summer Favorites,  Vegetarian,  Weeknight

    Cream Cheese and Pepper Jelly Fillo Shells

    So, how many social events have YOU been to this month?  Weddings, showers, graduations, anniversary parties, end of school year parties – holy cow, it’s a busy time of year!  We’ve hosted a few events at our home lately, and since we’ve been pulled a million different directions, it’s nice to have some quick and easy appetizer options at my fingertips. These little Fillo cups from my friends at Athens are amazing, and have saved me in an entertaining-pinch many, many times.  Fillo (or Phyllo…

  • Appetizers,  Party Food,  Quick

    Charleston Cheese Dip

    Yay, dip!  I LOVE me a good dip.  Like the guacamole homer I am, I get WAY excited when I see a good seven-layer dip at a party (my sister-in-law makes a GREAT one, I’ll have to share it soon) but I’m all about trying new dip concoctions, too. Except, never put shrimp in my dip.  Just don’t, k?  I’m weird about shrimp. And now dip looks and sounds funny, ’cause I’ve written it way too many times. Dip, dip, dip. This dip, though –…

  • Cupcakes,  Dessert,  Entertaining,  Kids,  Party Food,  Personal

    A Spa Party & Funfetti Cupcakes

    Welcome to the most disorganized party I’ve ever, ever put together. Good news is, it worked.  The girls had a great time and they don’t know that I threw it all together in just a few hours. Bad news is, I knew.  I could’ve done so much more with this awesome concept, but I just didn’t have the time. You may have seen my daughter’s 8th birthday party here last week, and this week, we followed up with her “friend” party.  My Lindsey friend owns an…

  • Blog,  Entertaining,  Party Food,  Personal,  Summer Favorites

    A Beach Birthday Party

    Well, I survived.  I survived my first party since I’ve gone back to work in an office environment, and it was a success.  Now, I didn’t cook – it was catered, I just did the baking, and I had a little help from the candy aisle at the grocery store, but somehow I pulled off a cute little beach party in the middle of November and lived to talk about it. My Madeline turned eight years old this week, and as much work as it…

  • Appetizers,  Entertaining,  Party Food,  Quick,  Summer Favorites

    Spinach Queso Dip

    So, let’s talk football. My family is obsessed. College football on Saturday, NFL on Sunday, Monday and even Thursday sometimes. High school football on Friday nights, fantasy football leagues everywhere I turn, and pick-up games of catch before and after Sunday dinner. Now, I like football as much as the next person (ok, well maybe a *tiny* bit less), but I have to say that I get more excited about the football parties and the tailgating than I do the actual games. And right at…

  • Appetizers,  Party Food,  Quick,  Side Dishes

    Hot Corn Dip

    Who doesn’t love a good dip, right?  In fact, I’m getting to the stage in my life when a good dip (or lack thereof) can make or break a good party.  Now, exactly what that says about me is not the issue right now, but what I know for 100% sure is that this dip is yum. o. I’ve had Trisha Yearwood’s Home Cooking cookbook for a couple of years, and I have to tell you that I had some serious doubts about her back…