Broadway Back to School Cupcakes

The curtain is going opening, 

it is showtime...

even Broadway is going Back to School!

I don't want to be dramatic,

but we are easing the pain of returning to high school's hallowed halls 

with playbill topped cupcakes.

Of course there will be some Mean Girls...

some cool dudes...

those who struggle...

but hopefully the year will be musical and fun.

The show must go on, right?

Playbill cupcake toppers are in my Etsy Shop.

Chicken Wing Salad- My Back to School Lunch

As the school year approaches, 

I have been thinking about quick and easy lunches...

for me!

Things that are light, bright and colorful to make the midday meal a little more festive.

Chicken Wing Salad is my newest fun feast, 

and it goes perfectly with the new lunch box I bought for MYSELF...

It starts with a bed of small Persian cucumbers and thinly sliced shallots...

drizzled with dressing...

and topped with lemon garlic chicken wings.

I mean, really 

is there anything that makes you say "Yay" to lunch like a fresh batch of wings??

Chicken Wing Salad
Serves 2

10-12 Chicken Wings marinated in the juice of 1 lemon, 1/2 olive oil and 2 minced garlic cloves
6 Persian Cucumbers thinly sliced (or 3 regular cucumbers)
1 shallot thinly sliced

Marinate wings for at least an hour then grill or bake until fully cooked and golden brown.  Toss cucumbers and shallots with dressing and top with wings!

For dressing whisk together
3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
6 Tablespoons Light (in color) olive oil
1/2 minced shallot
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste

Last First Day of School Coffee

Well the day has come...

this will be my last first day of school.

I never really thought about it all those years ago,

 but I'm getting very sentimental that my son will be starting his Senior year.

In the past friends and I have celebrated the first day of school, 

and I thought this year was the most important to commemorate.

Let's kick this year off with a roar...

I made simple stir stick mounted invitations 

and used them with the amazing logo cups of the venue...

Here's to a school year full of lasts and first and lots of new adventures...

Fall Colors Porch Party

Thank you JaM Cellars for sponsoring this post. Looking for Butter Chardonnay or JaM Cabernet near you? Check out our Store Locator! Just pop in your zip code.

Do you feel it? Are you starting to see it?

Fall is here!

There's a slight chill in the air 

and the leaves are changing into all the glorious colors of the season.

We are back to school, ready for tailgates, pulling out sweaters and taking the time to enjoy it all.

It is the perfect excuse to have a few friends stop by for a glass of wine, 

a bite to eat and cozy up on the porch.

As with any spread I put together, it is always better with Butter Chardonnay and JaM Cabernet!

(Is it a coincidence that the label colors perfectly match the leaves in my yard? I think not)

JaM Cellars is ready for any occasion. They make three amazing, everyday California wines - 

Butter Chardonnay, JaM Cabernet and Toast Sparkling.

Butter Chardonnay is rich, bold, luscious, smooth and buttery- just like its name.

JaM Cab bursts with lush berries on the nose and palate- bright, fruity and easy to love.

I keep the party simple so I don't miss a minute.

Everyone can help themselves to the wine and

nibble on snacks,

 as we chat about the passing of summer and our plans for the Fall.

It is no secret that I love a theme.

I am ready to jam and butter up the food for our casual gathering as well....

Warm pretzels with a creamy mustard butter is so easy to whip together.

Perfect with the chardonnay's unique blend of oak, notes of stone fruit, lemon 

and long, vanilla finish. 

Simply put, it all melts in your mouth!

Just place1 stick of room temperature butter, 

1 Tablespoon of stone ground mustard and 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard in a mixer, 

and blend together until it's a whipped consistency.

Next, raspberry jam and fresh thyme topped, warm Brie with crostini, 

will preserve the fun of the night.
I don't think you can ever get too much "berry". 
I love this easy appetizer with JaM Cab. 
It has touches of blackberries, plums and black currant. 
It's wonderful with the mild, versatile cheese and earthy herbs on top.

Cheers to all of the colors of Fall, 

enjoy it all!

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Off to College Crackers - 3 totally addictive snacks

My daughter's friend had one last request of me

before she heads off to Wisconsin for college...

a batch of Aunt Nita's Dilly Crackers.

I couldn't stop there, I added 2 more variations to really "crack 'er up".

They all have the same premise, 

oyster crackers that are coated and seasoned, then slowly baked to perfection.

Aunt Nita's Dilly Crackers are a classic, with ranch dressing, garlic salt and dill weed...

Everything Bagel Crackers combines poppy and sesame seeds, 

onion, garlic and salt all into a crisp totally addictive snack...

and all the flavors of Onion Soup in one crunchy bite, 

it is a taste sensation like no other!

Are you ready to get crack-in?

Everything Bagel Crackers

2-9  ounce packages oyster crackers

l cup vegetable oil

3 Tablespoons Trader Joe's Everything but the Bagel seasoning

Pour oil and seasoning over crackers and coat well.  

Put into medium roaster pan and bake at 200 degrees for l hour.  (stir after  1/2 hr.)

Remove from oven and cool on paper towels.  

Store in an air tight container until ready to serve.

Onion Soup Crackers

2-9  ounce packages oyster crackers

l cup vegetable oil

1 packet of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix (dry)

Pour oil and soup mix over crackers and coat well.  

Put into medium roaster pan and bake at 200 degrees for l hour.  (stir after  1/2 hr.)

Remove from oven and cool on paper towels.  

Store in an air tight container until ready to serve.

Back to School Blues Breakfast

It is hard to see Summer come to an end...

I've got a few fun ways 

to battle the

Back to School Blues 

and make getting into the routine a little more bearable.

I say if you can't beat the blues, 

join them.

A quick, healthy yet decadent Blueberry smoothie,

 topped with a pencil straw is the perfect way to start the day.

It has only 4 main ingredients, 

and that simple math is about all I can take in the morning.

Even my son agreed, the #2 pencil straw is #1 for smoothie sipping...

Are you ready for an even faster breakfast that everyone will "love"?

Try a container of my favorite Clover Sonoma Cream at the Top Organic Maple Yogurt , 

topped with a mini heart shaped toaster waffle. 

It is such a delicious and happy way to start the day.

The yogurt is creamy, rich and tastes like a combination of the best maple syrup 

with a touch of butterscotch. 

It is perfect paired with a crisp, savory waffle.

And I dare you to find a cuter "on the go" breakfast!

So get excited, with a fun healthy breakfast, 

school will be smoooooth sailing!

Back to School Blues Blueberry Smoothies
makes three 8oz servings

In a blender combine the following until smooth:
1 6 oz. container of vanilla or blueberry yogurt (Clover Sonoma Cream on the Top is by far my favorite, it has elevated our smoothies to a whole new level!)
1 1/2 cups blueberries (we usually use frozen)
1 banana chopped
1 cup of milk (you can use any type of milk you like)
1 cup ice
1/4 cup water

To make the Pencil Straws, 

I used gold paper straws and topped with pink and silver washi tape, 

 to resemble the eraser and metal portion.

Happy Sipping!

Thank you to Clover Sonoma for not only making amazing, locally sourced, non GMO, organic products but supplying me with their yogurts for this post. And I always Shop Back to School at Target.com

Off to College Movie Night

Summer is in the home stretch 

and in a few short weeks my daughter will be off to college.
So instead of totally freaking out, I do what I do best - throw a party.

It's time for a 

College Movie Night!

A simple and special night that will hopefully be "educational"...

They'll learn what to do when you're the underdog...

if you're the smartest student in the room...

how to handle those frat boys...

and that love means never having to say you're sorry...

Of course any movie night must have popcorn.

Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP will be giving new meaning to 

CHICKa-Flicks!

Especially in college, 

remembering that the best way to get out there and crush it every day,

 is by having a better-for-you snack with real, simple ingredients. 

(and they'll learn the valuable lesson that amazing, colorful packaging is always a home run)

You can print the College Movie Poster Cupcake Toppers Here

and find out more about Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP here

Thank you to Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP for supplying your amazing popcorn. Shop Back to College at Target.com!