SPRING ON THE FARM + COCKTAIL RECIPE

Refresh, renewal, rebirth--all the metaphors we associate spring with are wonderfully depicted in this charming styled shoot by Arizona's Lauren Buman Photography. Farm fresh eggs from the resident chickens, a homemade flower crown for Foxy, the miniature burro, and sunflowers were included. Plus, a lavender coffee cake, cocktail and vanilla bean macarons helped set a festive table. Bonus--we're sharing the recipe for the lavender cocktail by Mint and Mirth below. Cheers!

Porch Sundays Cocktail
2 oz. Aria dry gin (or any gin you prefer)
3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz. simple syrup
1-2 sprigs fresh lavender
Muddle the lavender with a shaker in lemon juice to express the natural oils. Add ice and shake hard. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with lavender and/or slice of lemon.

Photographer:   Lauren Buman Photography//Event Designer: Lauren Buman Photography//Caterer: Mint and Mirth//Bakery: sift bakehouse//Personal Stylist:Suzy Goodrick Photography//Calligrapher: Tenn Letters//Location:Williams Farm Life//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

SNOWFLAKE PRETZEL POPS

I'm always looking for one different treat to make over the holidays with the girls. Something that's a bit different than the traditional sugar cookies. I think this might be our attempt this year! Personally I love the sweet and salt combination of a chocolate covered pretzel, and I know my girls will think this is so pretty! Thanks to I Heart Naptime for the great idea! you can find the full tutorial here.

CORNUCOPIA BREAD

This year we'll be going to a friends house for a Thanksgiving Friendsgiving. The hostess just asked me to bring dessert and a relish tray. Well, I figure since I don't have to cook I should put a little extra effort into those easy requests. I am going to attempt to make this cornucopia bread I found on AllRecipes.com and adorn it with veggies, dip, olives, etc. I'm hoping it comes out the way all the reviewers say it will! There is a video which is really helpful. If you want to make the attempt too, check it out here. If it comes out well, I'll post it on Facebook. Stay tuned!

HOLIDAY DRINK RECIPES

Does your alcohol intake spike over the holidays? I know mine does... and I'm always looking for something a little different, more special for the holidays. Something beyond a bottle of wine. Star Noir Studio in Knoxville hooked up with Cocoa Moon to come up with a couple of winter beverages that are perfect for the holidays, complemented by a stylish photo shoot. Pin this post for the recipes below.

WHITE CHOCOLATE MARTINI

Try this recipe for a simple and tasteful holiday drink that is oh-so-rich.

1 oz. Vanilla Vodka

2 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

1 oz. Cream

1/2 oz. White Creme de Cacao

1 Tablespoon Chocolate Syrup

Ice Cubes

LYCHEE MARTINI

Unique is the perfect way to describe this sweet concoction.

1/4 cup Simple Syrup

1 cup Lychees (6 to 10)

1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice

3 oz. Vodka

.75 oz Cointreau or other orange-flavored liqueur

CHEERS!

Photographer:   Star Noir Studio//Location:Cocoa Moon//Favors and Gifts: Custom Love Gifts//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

MEET YOUR NEW GIRLFRIEND

Happy first day of spring!! It seemed like a pretty long haul to get to this day this year, didn't it? Although I hear the Northeast is expecting a little bit of snow. But whether you're indoors or outdoors, usher in the new season with this cocktail, coyly named "The New Girlfriend." This new cocktail made its debut at a small house party, and was photographed and shared with us by Oregon's Amanda Photographic. Get the drink recipe below.

The New Girlfriend
2 oz. Burnside Bourbon from Eastside Distilling
1 oz. apricot liqueur
2 dashes of orange bitters

Combine in a mixing glass, add ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain over ice and top with ginger beer or soda, to taste.

Photographer:   Amanda Photographic//Event Designer: ae creative//: Mint and Mirth//

Submitted via Two Bright Lights

PINNED & DONE: NO-BAKE PEPPERMINT COOKIES

We went to a fun cookie exchange Friday night. The kids got to decorate gingerbread houses while the moms enjoyed some wine and exchanged cookies. I don't really like to bake, and since the party was at 4:30 on Friday, time wasn't on my side either. So, I scoured Pinterest for a quick idea and found these no-bake peppermint sandwich cookies from Better Homes & Gardens here. They were delicious and a hit! They kind of taste like thin mints. I ran the edges in chopped up candy canes too which made them look so pretty that these cookies would make an easy neighbor gift as well. If you're in a pinch for a quick cookie idea--you'll be thanking me!

PINA COLADA CAKE TRUFFLES

While everyone is ordering the latest craft beer at a bar or restaurant I always go for the fruity drink during the summer.  So, when I saw these Pina Colada truffle balls over at The Pint Sized Baker it was an immediate "oh yes" and pin from me! I'll have to try these and report back on how they were. And if you do, you'll have to let me know.  Thanks!

4TH OF JULY DESSERTS FOR ADULTS WITH CK MONDAVI WINE

Summer is in full swing and the 4th of July is quickly approaching.  To me the 4th of July is the pinnacle of summer. People either have trips or big barbecue party plans centered around the holiday. If you are planning a barbecue blast I have some great treat ideas that you (the adults) will love! Y'see, whenever we're at a summer bash, there always seems to be lots of treats distributed to the kids... well what about the adults?  I have your answer–THREE in fact–and I'm doing them all with CK Mondavi wines. Not only does CK Mondavi provide great flavor, it is the only American made/grown wine in the "supermarket wine under $10 category." Another big reason to choose CK Mondavi when making desserts or cooking with wine.  No one wants to fry a $75 bottle of wine!

For these particular desserts, I chose to use CK Mondavi Scarlet Five. It's a full-bodied wine that offers a collective expression of five red varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Frank and Malbec) with the flavors of black cherries and plums. Perfect for these types of recipes!

#1: WINE POPS

Really, why should kids get all the fun?! These wine pops are just as easy to make as regular juice pops.

Ingredients: (Makes 4-5 pops)

• 10 oz. of wine (CK Mondavi Scarlet Five) 
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 6 oz. of no-pulp orange juice
• Couple of blackberries chopped up (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and pour carefully into pop molds. Freeze overnight and you have your wine pops!

But before you suck up all those wine pops, I have a second idea for you that makes plain old vanilla ice cream a wow dessert.

#2: WINE TOPPED ICE CREAM

Using a fork, scrape up one of the frozen wine pops and place the shavings onto a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I used Blue Bell's Vanilla Homemade. But, something like a Vanilla Bean or French Vanilla would go really well with the wine taste. And the dessert fits right into a red, white and blue color scheme!

Where's the 3rd dessert idea? Well that's simply just a bottle of your choice of CK Mondavi! It's the perfect gift to bring to or serve at any 4th of July occasion. Dress up a bottle with stars like I did to give it a festive touch.

A Purchase with a Good Cause

CK Mondavi wines are produced in the Napa Valley by the iconic C. Mondavi & Family. In honor of Mondavi's American heritage and tradition, CK Mondavi will donate a percentage of sales on all bottles sold through August 2014 to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.  The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund supports U.S. military personnel wounded or killed in service to our nation and their families. What better reason do you need to choose CK Mondavi as your wine of choice for the 4th?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

EASTER BUNNY CAKE

I always love a dessert that is easy to make and serves as a bit of a wow factor for the table.  This bunny cake is just that. And if you love coconut like I do, then it's an added bonus!  This is actually made using a simple round cake form.  Find the full tutorial here at Every Day Occasions by Jenny Steffens Hobick.

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND A MINI MINT ICEBOX CAKE

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those celebrating today! We enjoyed a fun long weekend in Steamboat Springs so we missed the St. Paddy's Day festivities. But, I do want to try to make one festive dessert today for the family to enjoy.  This mini grasshopper icebox cake over at rue rococo looks delicious and easy (plus!).

Hope you each get to enjoy the day a bit.  My kids are on Spring Break this week, so I'll be challenged with the task of keeping them busy while trying to get some work done! Ciao for now!

SPRINGY TRIX TREATS

Spring and Easter always seem to summon a welcome burst of color!  I love seeing all the pastel colored merchandise already on store shelves.  These colorful Trix Treats from Made to be a Momma are just the right thing to add to spring parties.  They're also a cute idea for a Lalaloopsy, rainbow or confetti themed party.  Find the full recipe here.

MY FAVORITE STUFFING: CRANBERRY PECAN STUFFING

If you're hosting Thanksgiving dinner this week, no doubt you're in the midst of finalizing your menu for the big day.  One of the stars on the table is always the stuffing.  I thought I'd share the stuffing recipe I always make and is always a hit with guests.  It's this Cranberry-Pecan stuffing that was actually a reader contest winner in Rachel Ray magazine.  The cranberries add a nice twist and it doesn't come out overly mushy, like some stuffing recipes do.  You can find the full recipe here.

PUMPKIN PINATA CAKE

You may have seen these pinata cakes before–cakes that are filled with candy.  But Halloween seems to be the most appropriate time to make one!  How cute is this one??  Made with 2 bundt cakes, and the stem is a frosting covered ice cream cone.  So clever!  Find the full tutorial here.

MINI SANDWICH CAKES

Is it a cake or a meal?  It's both! These sandwiches are actually disguised as mini cakes.  They are made with store bought ingredients and Pillsbury biscuits.  The "frosting" is either cream cheese or sour cream.  These would be so cute for a shower or even April Fool's Day!  Find the full tutorial at Rock UR Party by Tablespoon.

DIY CHALKBOARD CAKE

Today is back to school for us! It's still hard for me to mentally adjust to school starting here before Labor Day, but we're ready!  I thought I'd celebrate by posting this fun and creative chalkboard cake from A Subtle Revelry.  Perfect for any school themed event: teacher's birthday, appreciation, retirement.  The outside of the cake is made with chocolate fondant and the "chalk" is made with candy melts.  Find the full tutorial here.  And look for our annual "first day photos" on Facebook! :)

ROASTED VEGGIE AND GOAT CHEESE TART

We had another barbecue last weekend, which meant another appetizer to prepare and bring!  (I think everyone's cramming in the barbecues before the end of summer.)  I've mentioned before how much I love semi-homemade recipes.  Well, this veggie and goat cheese tart is super easy because it uses pre-made pie crusts. Plus, I love the rustic look of it. I just warn you the shell is a bit fragile, so careful when serving it.  The recipe makes two tarts, which is good because they went quick! You can find the recipe here at Recipe Girl.  (And yes, once again I took a quick picture before I left. So, please excuse the crooked pan.) Bon appetit!

Easy Tortellini Pasta Salad

We went to a friend's house for a barbecue last weekend.  When I asked her what I should bring, she just answered, "Bring something Italian. My husband loves your Italian cooking.".... Okay... I don't really think of Italian food when it comes to barbecues, but of course there's a good ol' pasta salad.  So, I decided to make a tortellini salad.  I love the different colors - red, green, white - kind of like the Italian flag. ha! (I took a quick photo on my kitchen table before walking out the door!)  Let me tell you - there were only 3 couples there and this whole bowl went arrivederci! My poor husband was hoping for leftovers.

I got the easy recipe from The Alchemist.  Before you jump over there to check it out, just two notes on what I did differently:
- I only used about 1/2 bag of baby spinach
- I used Ken's Northern Italian salad dressing

Now go to the recipe here and make it for your next barbecue! :)

Watermelon Cookies

I've seen so many fun treats made with watermelon for the Summer, but how about cookies that look like watermelon?? These cute creations from That's What Che Said would be a great dessert to bring to a picnic or barbecue.  Find the full recipe here.

S'mores Root Beer Float

S'mores has certainly become a summer staple. Always on our Summer Bucket List, we usually make them the traditional way over a fire.  But, I am loving this idea from Sugar and Charm–combining s'mores and root beer floats for a delicious dessert.  I will admit, that I'd probably buy the marshmallow fluff instead of making it, but now I'm adding this to our Summer Bucket List!  Find the full recipe here.

Almond Joy Bites

I LOVE coconut!  My mouth immediately started watering when I saw these Almond Joy Bites from Will Cook for Smiles. A special treat to bring in to the office for a co-worker's birthday or just to serve as a dessert after dinner.  Find the full recipe here.