Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday Seattle Seahawks v Denver Broncos February 2nd, 2014 Display veggies in vases and glasses you have around the house for a chicer adaptation of the classic veggie tray Use kraft paper (you can find at hardware store in large rolls), white painters tape and number stickers to pull off this easy look! Take ordinary cans and turn them into football servers using paint and craft paper! Burger Potato Bites Ingredients 16 large frozen French-fried waffle-cut potatoes (1/3 of a 22-oz. pkg.) 1 pound ground beef or turkey 2 teaspoons grilling seasoning blend 4 slices cheddar cheese, cut into quarters (4 oz.) 4 cherry tomatoes, sliced Mustard, ketchup, dairy sour cream, and/or dill pickle slices Directions Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Evenly space potatoes on baking sheet. Bake potatoes for 18 to 20 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Adjust oven racks and preheat broiler. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine meat and seasoning. Form into sixteen 1-ounce mini burgers (about 2 tablespoons). In a 12-inch skillet cook burgers, uncovered, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until temperature registers 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, turning burgers once halfway through cooking. Drain fat. Top each potato with a burger, cheese quarter, and tomato slice. Broil 4 to 5 inches from heat for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and tomato begins to brown. Serve with mustard, ketchup, sour cream, and/or pickles. Makes 16 snacks. Any Juice Margaritas 2 oz. Tequila 2 oz. Clementine juice (You can also use orange,grapefruit, lychee or anything you may have on hand.. Whatever is in season)  1 Freshly squeezed lime 1/2 oz. Cointreau or Patron Citronage Shake, shake, shake! Pour over ice.Adorn with mint, clementine slice or slice of cucumber. Mint and Rosemary are always a fun garnbish too.

RENEW, REUSE, RECYCLE

There's nothing I love more than using something for dual purposes, always in the chicest of ways, of course! I don't know about you guys, but I have closets full of stuff and I'm always looking for ways to keep all my "stuff" organized. Here's a great way to keep all your gift wrapping essentials neat and tidy. For those of you who have an endless supply of ribbons like me, use a paper towel holder to keep them all together. Such a sweet display on a dime. You may even have one laying around the house you can use. Happy DIY FRIDAY!

Photo courtesy of Real Simple

Baste Your Bouquet

Here's one my favorite tips on how to make your bouquets last. Some people swear on vodka, bleach, and penny powder. I've tried them all and though great, I love this solution because it's all natural. How I see it, it's not about what you put in, but what you take out. If you recall, I shared with you guys the trick of using a clear rubber band to hold your bouquet together. This new tip allows you to refresh your water without disrupting your flower arrangement. The solution? A turkey baster! Stick the baster into your vase and squeeze out the old water. Then refill from the tap. By flushing out old water and adding clean water, you'll keep your leaves green while maintaining your picture perfect arrangement.

Baste away!

Easy Entertaining

Though it's fun to go shopping in preparation for events, parties, or dinners you're hosting, entertaining can be as easy as using what's already around your house. Use votive candle holders (which cost about $1 at Target or Michaels) to set out toothpicks in a cute and creative way. Set a tray of cheeses or a bowl of olives next to them for the perfect munchies. Simple as that! 

Photo courtesy of Real Simple

Tips from my chef friends

HOW TO COOK AN ARTICHOKE

TRIM THE BOTTOM STEM A QUARTER OF AN INCH.

CLARIFIED BUTTER

Clarified butter is melted down butter which is made clear due to the milk solids separating. Since the milk solids are removed you do not have to refrigerate it. Once it is melted down you are left with a clear oil that does not burn so you can cook with it at a much higher heat than you would with regular butter. There are many uses for clarified butter, you can use it as you would use olive oil. Its great on Panini's, seafood, for poaching fish, in pancakes, the list goes on.