Seattle Spaghetti and Meatballs

I spent last weekend in Seattle and was reminded just how much I love that city! Courtney lives really close to Cafe Lago and raves about the meatball recipe from the restaurant...so good that it was even in Bon Appetit! With all this recipe talk lately...need to get myself in the kitchen!!

Here's the recipe from the magazine.

Crock Pot Carnitas Tacos

I've never been to Iowa...nor do I have any plans to visit soon, but I recently have discovered the Iowa Girl Eats blog and loving the great ideas! Yesterday I shared with you her idea for chili and mason jars (still on the fence about that one)...and today wanted to share her crock pot carnitas tacos...this is the perfect make ahead meal for a dinner party...definitely trying this out soon! Ole!

Click here for the full recipe.

Mason Jar and Chili?

What do you think of this new idea...mason jar filled with chili and cornbread?! It could be a total flop...or a complete hit. Now that winter is upon us (although finally feels like summer in San Francisco)...perfect season for chili and fun holiday dinner parties...this could be an idea that I may need to try out before serving to a crowd! Click here for the recipe and how to put this whole mess together!

Chicken Marbella

My friends have ohhed and ahhed over Chicken Marbella for years...and I am going to FINALLY give this recipe a try...it looks like a pretty simple recipe and one that I can't mess up too much. Thinking of serving it with a simple arugula salad and couscous...wish me luck!

Click here for full recipe and reviews. 

Butternut Squash Ricotta Crostini

In keeping with my fall theme...here's a great appetizer for your next cocktail party...I think I am going to get the pre-cut butternut squash from Trader Joes...thanks Bon Appetit for this yum recipe!

Peach Pie Dumplings

It's almost September and finally starting to feel a bit like summer in SF! We are going to be out of the fog for the long weekend and I am looking for some yummy recipes to enjoy outside and in the sun. This Peach Pie Dumpling recipe screams summer...can't wait to try to make this!

Serves 6

• 1 sheet, puff pastry, cut into 6 equal squares (approximently 4 1/2 x 4 1/2)
• 6 peaches skinned & sliced
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon corn starch
• 6 teaspoons heaping, blueberry preserves, optional 

1. Line each muffin cup with a puff pastry square.
2. Taste cut peaches. If they are super sweet, cut the sugar. Mix peaches with sugar and cornstarch.
3. Fill pastry lined cups with peaches piled high.
4. Dollop a teaspoon of blueberry preserve on top, if desired.
5. Pull corners of the square up together and twist, then seal.
6. Place muffin tin on a baking sheet to prevent messing up your oven. Bake in a 400F preheated oven for about 30 minutes. Pull out when pastry is puffed up and golden brown, inside peaches are bubbling up. Cool and enjoy. So hard to wait.

Sterling's Shower

My mom and I hosted a wedding shower for Sterling yesterday...the crown was a hit! Can't wait to head up to Napa tomorrow to celebrate some more!!

totes + flowers

My sweet friend, Courtney, sent me this adorable party idea...combining two of my favorite things- totes and flowers!

I may just need to plan a labor day party to get this idea into action!!

Beer Can Chicken

I hosted my girl's cooking dinner last night and was so behind with getting things done...that I embarrassingly had to buy dinner...so much for  me attempting to cook a meal! I found this recipe and want to make this for our next girl's cooking night- I've always heard about Beer-Can chicken and this recipe looks so yummy and easy! Perfect for summer too.

Ingredients

• 2 whole dried chiles, such as chipotle or New Mexico
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 3 1/2- to 4-pound whole chicken
• 1 12-ounce can of beer

Directions

1. In a blender, food processor, or spice grinder, combine the chilies, sugar, salt, and spices.
2. Remove the neck and giblets from the chicken and discard. Rub the chicken inside and out with the spice rub. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
3. Light a charcoal grill and allow the coals to burn until covered with gray ash or heat a gas grill to medium.
4. Drink half the beer; leave the other half in the can. Slide the chicken over the can and place in the center of the cooking grate, balancing the chicken on its two legs and the can, like a tripod. Cover grill.
5. Grill about 1 1/4 hours or until an instant-read thermometer registers 170° F inserted in the breast and 180° F in the thigh, or until the juices run clear. Carefully remove the chicken and hot can from grill. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before lifting it from the can.

Thanks Real Simple for the recipe

food52

I just discovered a new website for recipes, entertaining and fun ideas- food52...I am in love...and already have lost so much time poking around this site. Take a look and let me know what you think!

baked mac & cheese...really doesn't get much better

Spicy Turkey Meatloaf? Yes, please

bow tie napkin fold

Here's a great idea for your next dinner party...loving this bow tie napkin fold...thanks sugar & charm blog

Bowtie Napkin Fold 

1. Fold the two halves of the napkin to meet in the middle. 

2. Fold it again, making a long strip. 

3. Fold the ends in and overlap them an inch.

4. Tie a piece of ribbon around the middle and turn the bow around.

MattieLuxe

Love these personalized place mats that I discovered in my latest House Beautiful issue.

Malted Milk Ball Ice Cream Pie

It's slowly to feel like summer around here...although sadly summer in SF means lots of fog soaked days and chilly nights. Luckily we spend loads of time in the summer in sunny Marin and I can't wait to make this dessert that I just found in this month's Sunset magazine. John and I lately have been eating lots of malt candy (random- I know) and this pie looks just perfect for a summer bbq! Here's the recipe: Malted Milk Ball Ice Cream Pie

Mason Jar Easter

I am definitely having some Monday depression having to head back to work after such a fabulous Easter weekend. Here's a little peak into how my family celebrated the day...my mom is amazing and makes every family event so special. We had one long table out on our deck and had mason jars filled with the simplest of flowers going down...my favorite.

Daffodils

I recently bought some daffodils at Trader Joes and am loving the color and spring feeling it's bringing to my home. I am really trying to have fresh flowers at home- keeps things fresh and cheery. Thank god it's spring...was about to lose it if we had one more day of rain in SF!

happiness.

Paper Basket Bouquet

although these hanging daffodils look great in the picture- this is screaming disaster for me- just picture myself banging my head on one of the hanging vases...or the tree limb breaking on my guests...praying for grace in my next life.

Daffodil Favors

Blackberry Farm Wedding

I have never actually been to Blackberry Farm, but it's definitely on the top of my "wish list". I  discovered Blackberry Farm from Martha Stewart- the owner of the spot was on the show talking about their recipes, kitchen and fabulous land...from that moment on, I was hooked. Everything about the property and experience just sounds dreamy- fly fishing, spa, amazing food and accommodations located in the Smoky Mountains...yes, please.

I am in love with anything that has to do with a barn- so you can imagine how much I fell in love  this amazing barn wedding at Blackberry Farm featured on Snippet & Ink.

digging the simplicity of the flowers mint julep glasses...and of course the mason jars.

ready to go now.

look- they even already have a place setting for me...it's a sign!!

See you in Tennessee!

Hostess with the Mostess

With this post and yesterday's thank you note entry- you must be thinking that I am all about good manners...it's on the New Years resolution list- but I've got a lot of work to do! I wish I traveled with style and grace- but it's a day by day challenge- I can only get better!

We are throwing a party next weekend and thankfully found this "hosting school" entry from Sugar and Charm...just love it...especially with the retro picture...boy have things changed!

Here are Sugar & Charm's tips for being a better hostess:

1. Look presentable and be ready to party when your guests arrive. Although it might be hard, try not to look like you've been working hard in the kitchen all day. It doesn't take that long to freshen up before your guests arrive. 

2. Stand close to the entrance for the first half-hour so your guests will feel welcomed. Sometimes it's awkward to walk into a party and you don't see anyone you know! 

3. Take their coats and offer them a drink within the first few minutes. People feel more comfortable and social when holding a drink in their hand... weird, I know. 

4. If your guests happen to spill wine or food on your brand new rug, graciously accept the fact that it might be ruined. Clean it up and do not accept any offers from them, like buying a new rug! If you're opening your home to people assume things might brake or spill. 

5. Walk each guest out, handing them their coat. Never ask them to leave... sometimes people will linger and you want to get to bed because you have something to do early in the morning. Unfortunately, it's rude to ask them to leave... so instead just stop serving drinks and food and eventually they will leave, haha! 

Mini Mac Appetizers

I have been on the hunt for some easy, make ahead party appetizers and I think I have found it- three cheese mini macs. Thank you to Jenna at Eat Drink Pretty for sharing this idea. I can't imagine how the American cheese will taste in these apps, but the recipe sure does sound yummy. I can't wait to serve these at my next party.

The recipe can be found on the Food & Wine website.

Paula Deen's sons also have a killer Mini Macaroni Pie recipe...I can't figure out which one looks better...Food & Wine or Paula Deen?! I may just have to make both and have a macaroni taste off.

Click here for the Deen's brothers recipe.

Personalized Place Settings

Yes, yes- it's the holiday season and I am writing this blog post about colors and themes for the spring...but I just discovered these adorable ideas and couldn't wait six months to post. I was taking a look at the Toast and Tables blog and am loving their post about personalized place settings...adds such a sweet touch to your dinner party and your guests get to go home with a little treat.

a sweet little flower pot with your guest's name on a popsicle stick...love.

gorg.

Girl's Dinner Party

I am very fortunate to be surrounded by so many old friends. Last week I threw a dinner party for my favorite grade school (go panthers!) ladies. I ended up making a casserole (don't judge...my first casserole ever...gasp.) from the Pioneer Woman Cooks...loved it and the recipe couldn't have been easier. I was able to get everything done in the morning and pop it in the oven when my guests arrived. 


Here's the Chicken Spaghetti Casserole recipe (thanks Whitney from Sweet Winstons in Nashville) for recommending this perfect recipe.


I made sure to have lots of candles on the table and spice things up with some Carrot & Stick Press placemats...

wine note: buttery chardonnary pairs perfectly with chicken spaghetti casserole.