Showing posts with label entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label entertaining. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Superhero Birthday Party #WordlessWednesday
What do you get when you give a bunch of kids some paint and cardboard superhero shields? Couple that with water balloons and a hunt for asteroids and unfreezing Star Wars action heroes from actual ice and you've got yourself the best birthday party of the Summer!
Let's not forget the amazing Death Star pinata!
Can't forget about the awesome Captain America birthday cake either!
Even better when the hostess is dressed like Princess Leia!
My friends did a fab job on their son's Avengers/Star Wars birthday party. Gotta love Summer birthdays! Especially when you live by the lake!
Link up your Wordless Wednesday posts! Granted, mine wasn't so "wordless" today!
We'd love to check your WW posts out!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Oh, Canada! Recipes To Make Your Canada Day Weekend A Fabulous One! #LMDConnector
School is officially out for Summer! Little One just completed her first year of school! Forgive me if I get a little bit weepy! I cannot believe our little preemie is now a Junior Kindergarten graduate!
With the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer, what better way to celebrate than kicking the Canada Day long weekend off a little early?
Check out my Maple BBQ Ribs recipe. Gotta love adding a little bit of Canadiana with some maple syrup made on our farm!
For outdoor entertaining, I've also got my Filipino BBQ recipe (which was featured in Eat In Eat Out Magazine!) and my Manitoulin Shawarma recipe (which recently made the Eat In Eat Out Blogger Spotlight).
I have a bunch of favourites my family and friends request that I make, but I'm always on the look out for new recipes to try. When I'm stumped, I frequent the Life Made Delicious website for recipe ideas. The recipes are quick, easy, and made with busy parents in mind, I'm sure! The neat thing is that for most of the recipes, Little One gets to help me from prep, cook, to assembly and plating!
Of course, nothing is sweeter than enjoying quality time with loved ones and a light, refreshing beverage and a scrumptious dessert together! Outdoor dining and spending time on the patio is what we look forward to in the Summer!
Some great ones to try are:
I've found these and countless other recipes on lifemadedelicious.ca. They've quickly become family favourites.
Check out the lifemadedelicious.ca website and let me know which recipes you'll be serving up this Summer!
Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious. Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
With the end of the school year and the beginning of Summer, what better way to celebrate than kicking the Canada Day long weekend off a little early?
Oh, Canada! How we love thee!
We also love BBQ season...especially with a Canadian favourite ingredient --maple syrup!
For outdoor entertaining, I've also got my Filipino BBQ recipe (which was featured in Eat In Eat Out Magazine!) and my Manitoulin Shawarma recipe (which recently made the Eat In Eat Out Blogger Spotlight).
I have a bunch of favourites my family and friends request that I make, but I'm always on the look out for new recipes to try. When I'm stumped, I frequent the Life Made Delicious website for recipe ideas. The recipes are quick, easy, and made with busy parents in mind, I'm sure! The neat thing is that for most of the recipes, Little One gets to help me from prep, cook, to assembly and plating!
Of course, nothing is sweeter than enjoying quality time with loved ones and a light, refreshing beverage and a scrumptious dessert together! Outdoor dining and spending time on the patio is what we look forward to in the Summer!
Some great ones to try are:
- Peach-Berry Smoothies
- Watermelon Cooler
- Creamy Mango Smoothies
- Key Lime Yogurt Pie
- Chocolate Mousse Macadamia Tart
I've found these and countless other recipes on lifemadedelicious.ca. They've quickly become family favourites.
Check out the lifemadedelicious.ca website and let me know which recipes you'll be serving up this Summer!
Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious. Blogger program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Key Lime Parfaits ~ Refreshing Summer Treat
I have two really good girlfriends that I wish I had more time with. We all live on the Island, except on opposite ends. Getting together takes planning in advance. I miss these lovely ladies and really do wish we could see each other more often. Crazy how we all live on the Island, yet due to life, kids, work, and the every day things that keep us busy, we only see each other a few times a year.
This is why we came up with our Key Lime Pie dates. We love our key lime get-togethers! It's a great chance for us to catch up, chat, enjoy each other's company, and enjoy a great lunch. We always end our visit with a slice of key lime pie.
I made something a little bit different for our lunch date today.
This is why we came up with our Key Lime Pie dates. We love our key lime get-togethers! It's a great chance for us to catch up, chat, enjoy each other's company, and enjoy a great lunch. We always end our visit with a slice of key lime pie.
I made something a little bit different for our lunch date today.
Key Lime Parfaits
Ingredients:
Zest of 1 key lime, grated (2 tbsp)
Juice of 1 key lime (or regular lime if you don't have access)
OR 2 tbsp limeade concentrate
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz can)
2 cups homemade whipped cream (I use Martha Stewart's whipped cream recipe)
1 c Graham Cracker Crumbs
3 tbps granulated sugar
3 tbsp butter, room temperature
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix together condensed milk, lime juice OR limeade (I use the limeade because I like the extra bit of punch), and grated lime zest.
- In a separate bowl, mix Graham Cracker Crumbs, sugar and butter. I use room temperature butter. No need to melt the butter. It mixes nicely at room temp.
- Scoop 2 tbps of crumb mixture into parfait cups and press firmly to form the base/crust.
- Add 2 tbsp of key lime mixture.
- Add a layer of whipped cream.
- If you wish, you can add another layer of crumbs, key lime mixture, whipped cream, or keep it sweet and simple.
- To garnish, I just added a sprinkle of Graham Cracker crumbs and a slice of lime.
- Chill for 2 hrs+. I chill mine in the refrigerator overnight to make sure everything is solidified. The first time I made this, I was so impatient and we wanted to dig in. The result was more like a key lime soup! Note to self: Make sure you chill the key lime dessert long enough!
Et, voila! Makes for a quick, easy, refreshing treat to enjoy with your favourite gal pals.
Friday, May 17, 2013
May 2-4 is the Unofficial Start of Summer! Target Canada Makes Summer Living Easy! @target_ca {GIVEAWAY}
May 2-4 is the Unofficial Start of Summer and Target Canada Makes Summer Living Easy.
For many of us in Canada, Victoria Day long weekend is the unofficial start of Summer! You know it's true. We get really excited with the milder weather. To us, May 2-4 weekend is shorts and flip flops time! It's when we open up our cottages, head to the lake, do some serious outdoor entertaining and rev up the 'ol BBQ!
Target Canada has prepared a check-list of all the essentials families will need to kick off the season. They've thought of everything from Road Trip Essentials to Cottage Weekend and Summer Entertaining!
ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS
The family road trip can be tough – often inching along as everyone hits the highway for the inaugural cottage visit or weekend away. To keep kids occupied (and drivers sane), be sure to pack the following:
COTTAGE WEEKEND
May 2-4 often marks the opening of family cottages across the country. Load the family van with these essentials to ensure everyone has a great weekend together and is ready for the summer:
SUMMER ENTERTAINING
Canadians love to entertain outdoors and take advantage of beautiful summer-like weather. Target has everything from Bublé to bistro sets to make entertaining a breeze this season:
The family road trip can be tough – often inching along as everyone hits the highway for the inaugural cottage visit or weekend away. To keep kids occupied (and drivers sane), be sure to pack the following:
- Snacks – keep a secret stash of goodies to make a long trip a bit more bearable (and fast food pit stops to a minimum). Target’s owned brands Market Pantry and Archer Farms have a variety of snack items including fruit strips, granola, chips and popcorn to snack on along the way
- Car friendly games – for long drives, best to pack some car friendly games and books to keep little ones occupied and entertained.
- iPad – make sure the family iPad is fully charged for tech savvy kids to quietly play their favourite games in the back.
- DVD – great for a rainy day or dull drive, pack favourite movies for the DVD player, such as The Rise of the Guardians, Mulan or The Lorax.
- Safety First – with so many cars on the highway, make sure to have a fully stocked first aid kit in the trunk.
COTTAGE WEEKEND
May 2-4 often marks the opening of family cottages across the country. Load the family van with these essentials to ensure everyone has a great weekend together and is ready for the summer:
- Cottage comfies - Mother Nature doesn’t always cooperate for the long weekend. Be sure to pack warm clothes and blankets if temperatures drop at night. The Roots Outfitters for Target collection has hoodies and jogging pants for the whole family to keep warm round the campfire.
- Sun/Skincare – be sure to hit the pharmacy aisle to be prepped for the elements. Don’t forget sunscreen, bug spray and a first aid kit for the cottage and boat. Target’s Up and Up line has everything to stock the medicine cabinet with all essentials for the summer.
- Meals – bring foods that are easy to cook so you can spend more time outside having fun with family and friends. Frozen pizzas and chips and dips are easy items to have on hand for quick bites and easy but delicious appetizers for guests.
SUMMER ENTERTAINING
Canadians love to entertain outdoors and take advantage of beautiful summer-like weather. Target has everything from Bublé to bistro sets to make entertaining a breeze this season:
- Plastic makes perfect – with kids running around in bare feet, plastic dishes and stemware make entertaining outside stress free. Target’s Threshold collection carries colourful dishes and serving trays to create a beautiful outdoor tabletop.
- Accessorize – gardens and greenery provide a beautiful backdrop for any occasion. Add to the outdoors with seasonal accessories including bright patio rugs, umbrellas and pillows.
- Ambiance – set the mood with outdoor lanterns and low background music (but remember, sound travels!)
- Food - check the grocery aisle for quick and easy appetizers to pop in the oven as guests arrive. Archer Farms’ Spanakopita and Lobster and Cheese bites are crowd pleasers – just make sure you have enough on hand for seconds!
Now, if you know me in real life or if you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll know that I am all about entertaining. I love hosting dinner parties and I love cooking for lots of people!
Target Canada has some fabulous ideas for your Summer entertaining! The ingredients for these next dishes are available at Target, including all the Market Place products (chickpeas and extra virgin olive oil for the dip and marshmallows for the S'mores bars). The Ghiradelli chocolate chips and Golden Grahams Crunch cereal are also available at Target.
The following recipes are courtesy of Target Canada:
The following recipes are courtesy of Target Canada:
{ CHICKPEA & FETA DIP }
What you need:
Here’s how:
1. Process chickpeas, 1/2 cup cheese, 1/4 cup peppers and next 4 ingredients in food processor until smooth.
2. Spoon into serving bowl; top with remaining cheese and peppers.
3. Serve with crackers.
- Serve with TRISCUIT Thin Crisps or Archer Farms Tortilla Chips
- Two kinds of crunch: serve dip with cut-up fresh vegetable dippers in addition to crackers
What you need:
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed
- 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
- 1/3 cup roasted red pepper strips, divided
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- TRISCUIT Crackers
Here’s how:
1. Process chickpeas, 1/2 cup cheese, 1/4 cup peppers and next 4 ingredients in food processor until smooth.
2. Spoon into serving bowl; top with remaining cheese and peppers.
3. Serve with crackers.
- Serve with TRISCUIT Thin Crisps or Archer Farms Tortilla Chips
- Two kinds of crunch: serve dip with cut-up fresh vegetable dippers in addition to crackers
and
{ HONEY GRAHAM CRUNCH S'MORES BARS }
What you need:
Here’s how:
1. Spray 8 or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan over LOW heat; add 3 cups miniature marshmallows. Cook and stir until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Add cereal; mix until well coated.
3. Press firmly into prepared pan with the back of a buttered spoon or waxed paper. Sprinkle 1
1/2 cups miniature marshmallows in single layer over top.*
4. Heat chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 minute; stir. Heat in additional 10 second increments until completely melted. Spread evenly over top of marshmallows. Let stand until chocolate is set. - Makes 16 bars
- If desired, toast marshmallows by heating under broiler a few minutes until lightly browned. Then drizzle with chocolate.
- This recipe can easily be doubled and made in a 13x9-inch pan. (You will need to purchase 2 bags of miniature marshmallows.) - Sprinkle over hot cereal.
- These make a great snack just served plain or mixed with dried fruit.
- Stir slightly crushed cereal into ice cream or frozen yogurt for a crunchy treat.
What you need:
- 3 Tbsp. butter
- 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 4 cups Honey Graham Crunch cereal
- 1 1/2 cups Market Pantry miniature marshmallows
- 1 (11.5 oz.) bag milk chocolate chips
Here’s how:
1. Spray 8 or 9-inch square pan with cooking spray.
2. Melt butter in large saucepan over LOW heat; add 3 cups miniature marshmallows. Cook and stir until melted and smooth; remove from heat. Add cereal; mix until well coated.
3. Press firmly into prepared pan with the back of a buttered spoon or waxed paper. Sprinkle 1
1/2 cups miniature marshmallows in single layer over top.*
4. Heat chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl on HIGH 1 minute; stir. Heat in additional 10 second increments until completely melted. Spread evenly over top of marshmallows. Let stand until chocolate is set. - Makes 16 bars
- If desired, toast marshmallows by heating under broiler a few minutes until lightly browned. Then drizzle with chocolate.
- This recipe can easily be doubled and made in a 13x9-inch pan. (You will need to purchase 2 bags of miniature marshmallows.) - Sprinkle over hot cereal.
- These make a great snack just served plain or mixed with dried fruit.
- Stir slightly crushed cereal into ice cream or frozen yogurt for a crunchy treat.
{ WIN IT }
Who's ready for Summer? Are you excited for May 2-4 Weekend? Leave a comment telling me how you'll be spending your Victoria Day weekend and you can win a $50 Target Gift Card with which you can buy your Summer entertaining essentials (or buy something nice for yourself)!
Open to residents of Canada. Ends June 3, 2013.
Open to residents of Canada. Ends June 3, 2013.
Disclosure - I was compensated for this post, however all the thoughts and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and my own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
From Our Farm to Your Table
Farmers Feed Cities
You Can Find Me Here!
Affiliates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Brand Ambassador for
For Fellow Bloggers
|
|
 |
 |
Proud Recipient
About the Blog Author
City girl moves to the country, falls in love, and marries a farmer. She tries to incorporate her city ways with her new country lifestyle and blogs to keep in touch with friends, family & students who live far, far away :) Can this city girl go country? Watch as she learns all sorts of exciting things about life on the farm and in a small rural community. *UPDATE* We are now parents! Our baby girl was born on Nov. 11, 2008 (at 28 weeks gestation- 12 weeks premature, but she's quite the trooper)!!!
Les Boutons!
Let's Connect
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments
Support
