Cook, Bake, and Hope they LOVE it

Since becoming a wife and mother I have been eager to try to become more domesticated than ever before  and there is no better chance to impress than Birthday Parties.  Cam turned two in October and here are some of the things I put together for her special day.

 A Candy bar was a great idea because we are the first ones in our group of friends to have a baby we don't have many little ones running around at the birthday parties just yet. The adults ate up the candy!

 I searched around a lot to find ideas to help make Sesame cupcakes and after awhile I just put a bunch of things together with my own ideas too and here is what happened.  They are not by any means perfect but I'm getting there. Don't worry I won't enter Cupcake Wars yet.

These are rice krispie treat pops.  These were the favorite of the party. Just roll the treats into balls and dip in melted chocolate and add sprinkles or other candies.

Sunday Night Dinner Recipes

Sunday Night Dinners are something a few of my friends and I have started to keep in touch with each other through our busy lives of being very different people.  Usually I host and make dinner, serve up some wine and we chat and catch up or what not.  Yesterday was a very special dinner because almost all of us were able to make it to the dinner. My closest friends and I live not so close to one another so it is hard to each other on a daily basis. It was great to see my friends get to spend some quality time with Camryn as we enjoyed some delicious comfort food and good wine!

Most of my Sunday Night Dinner recipes usually stem from Rachael Ray. I love her cooking style and I think her recipes are fun, easy and yummy.  It's a great combination especially for a mom on the go like me.

Last night I made her Turkey Club Burgers with Zesty Ranch Dressing. (I would have had some photos but somewhere along the lines our camera battery charger went MIA so there for I am outta luck)

 Everyone loved them and the ranch dressing is to die for so I am going to attach the recipe to share with you all.

http://www.rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=3950

I toasted the buns on broil in the oven and added some reduced fat Colby-jack cheese as a topper.  It worked really well!  Also, I made some oven fries out of Idaho potatoes, cut into wedges drizzled with oregano, olive oil and Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.. cook for about 40 minutes and topped with a light cheese sauce.  Just melted butter, flour, milk and cheese. Whisk on stove top till it is all melted and I add some red pepper seeds for seasoning.

I love getting the chance to cook for my family friends, often my husband and I fight over who is cooking because he too is a fabulous cooks and loves doing it.  I also love the excuse to get everyone together and enjoy each other's company!