National Cheesecake Day!

Did you know that July 30 is National Cheesecake Day?

Seems a little odd...more of a hearty cool weather dessert to me, but it is delicious all year round.  

In case you do want to celebrate, here are some fun recipes from Kraft, including a few no bake options that are a little more summery, and might work a little better for you if you think the idea of turning on your oven now is grounds for institutional commitment. 

Food Network is always a good source - they have plenty of ideas here.  My sister (above, with a Christmas masterpiece) swears by Alton Brown's recipe - and she is the cheesecake queen, in my book.  The recipe is a little fussy but the results are phenomenal. 

What is your favorite kind of cheesecake?  Do you have a favorite recipe?  Or go-to place? 

Baby Baby Baby

Hello Friends! 

Here is another post I've done for Celebrations.com - check it out!  Its a super easy way to make a handmade gift for a new bundle of joy, no sewing machine required!

DIY Bachelorette Veil

I have had a lot of bachelorette parties to attend in the past year - with more to come! 

Which is why I put together a little tutorial on how you can make your own for the next bride-to-be in your life - or even for kids' dress up!  Check out my very first post over at celebrations.com to see how you can do it! 

Thanks to Julie M for modeling! 

Celebrations!

Hi there!  Big news - I am now a real, live (part time) blogger!  Not that I wasn't serious about this blog, of course, but I am now a contributor at a really cool professional website and I'm so excited! 

Where, you may ask?  Well I will tell you - Celebrations.com is an amazing website for all things party, and beyond!  They have great recipes, drinks, crafts, decoration ideas, and more, that you can do yourself!  Definitely check it out before your next shindig - or, how about right now?  If you don't have anything planned, you'll want to after seeing this site. 

I'll be continuing my regular posting here but will also be linking up when I have a featured post on Celebrations.com so you can get even more of me!  Stay tuned for my first craft post...

Pizza Party for One!

 This weekend I had an impromptu get together in my backyard, with some wine and snacks.  Of course, I made/bought way too much food for 3 people.  The leftover brownies came in to work with me yesterday, so I didn't eat them all myself, and I still have gobs of hummus and dip to consume. 

I decided against making the appetizer pizza for my guests, since it was super hot, and we didn't need it.  I did make it last night though - delish!  Here's a pic - homemade pizza dough (from my freezer), arugula pesto (since I had a bunch of wilting arugula lying around, along with walnuts and other pertinent ingredients), Parmesan and mozzarella, and some yellow squash I sauteed for a few minutes before tossing on top.  (Those were extra dippers for the hummus we never got to).

Overall, a success!  And I now have plenty of leftover pizza, too.  Pretty good for a Monday night!

Rainbow Delight!

 Oh man do I love rainbows!

Where I Spent My Weekend...

 Amazing. 

                                                                       (Thank you Matt!)