Taste of Home

If you've never been to the Taste of Home website, you should really check it out. Their recipes are pretty simple and use easy-to-find ingredients. And speaking of ingredients, if you click on "Recipes" and then "Advanced Search," you can search for recipes that use specific ingredients you have on hand and need to use up. This has saved me time and money!

You can also search by number of ingredients, cook time, special occasions, and nutritional needs (diabetic, low carb, low sodium, etc.).

A few of my favorite recipes are:

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Dipped Sandwich Cookies

Cranberry Sweet and Sour Pork

*Photo from freedigitalphotos.net

Olivia's 1st Birthday Party

We had Olivia's party yesterday. She didn't really know what to think of it all, but she had a good time. We were so glad that Becky, Jeff, Luke, and Daniel were able to come for a few days and stay with us. Then my parents arrived yesterday and are spending some quality grandparent time with Olivia. Also, my cousin, JD, and his family came for the party.

Becky taught me how to make and use marshmallow fondant for Olivia's cake.

We like frosting!

Presents!

Changing my Template

For the first time in two years I changed my blog template. I don't know why I picked flip flops. Maybe I am subconsciously wishing for warmer weather...
What do you think? Is it too "busy"?

Also, this has nothing to do with my new blog template, but I just had to share the sweet potato recipe that Sara made for our Thanksgiving meal. Yummy!

My First Rachael Ray Recipe

Today I tried my first Rachael Ray recipe, Buffalo Chicken Chili. I saw it on her show over Christmas break and thought Bob would like it. It turned out well, although it's VERY spicy. While stirring it on the stove I got some on my finger and it stung a little. (Could it be the 1/4 to 1/2 cup of hot sauce in it?)
Anyway, I am now officially a Rachael Ray fan. Has anyone else tried her recipes?