Summer is almost here, so it's time to start one of my favorite traditions...Sunday Barbeques! Ok, so I have only done it once, last year, but it was so much fun! Start at the beginning of the summer with a large group of people (we did it with our church and through emails) Every one that is able, signs up to host a barbeque on a sunday until all the sundays are filled. Then, the host provides a backyard (or front yard), a BBQ grill, papergoods and utensils, and condiments...and thats it. Everyone is invited (even if they cant host) and each family brings their own meat and a side dish. It was so much fun to have a whole yummy meal every week, without much preparation. It is also SO fun to get together with so many people. Some weeks we wouldnt even bring meat, because there were so many great sides. If you live away from family (and cant eat at Mom and Dad's every sunday) try this...You'll Love how easy it is!
My friend Kate has a family tradition of eating trifle on Easter. (I think they make it on Mother's Day too!) This year I used her recipe and made my first one. Yes, they are very easy...but no, they dont all look as pretty as the magazines! I looked into it and found some of the coolest trifle recipes that I want to try...chocolate raspberry, caramel apple, chocolate mocha...I suggest that we all try to make a unique trifle very soon. Oh yeah, and if you want to make ANY dish look impressive, present it in the trifle bowl. Think chinese chicken salad layered, or mexican layers, or rice and chicken layered...get creative!
Mine was angel food cake, bananas, vanilla pudding, strawberries & strawberry glaze. I might line up the strawberries along the outside next time.
Well if you havent done it yet...you should be hitting your favorite chocolate shop for a treat for your kids and spouse. My parents used to put a Sees Candy chocolate egg in our baskets, decorated and personalized with our name. I loved it.
try a box of hand picked chocolates...
a sees candy egg...
for me, it is as much the presentation as it is the taste!
one of the thousand chocolate shops that I checked out in france and belgium last week...incredible! Dont worry, we have plenty in the US. In Philadelphia, try Naked Chocolate and Scoopdeville!
Almost Easter! Another Fabulous Holiday to turn my thoughts to. Easter Baskets are SO fun to make for my children, husband, and others...and my favorite thing in the basket is the first new swimsuit of the year. My mom started giving us swimsuits for easter when we were young and it is a tradition I have continued with my family. Finding the perfect one is the hard part. Any ideas?
