Easter Egg Craking Contest

By now you have to know that I love Easter, but did you know it was my second favorite holiday?I have blogged several times already and this time I will share a bit about a tradition in out family-The Funke Easter Egg Cracking contest!!

My mom and I always decorate our Easter eggs every year!!! When my brothers were younger they enjoyed it and my dad may have dyed one or two but it has dwendled down to mom and I. THE ALL FAMOUS EGG CRACKING CONTEST-We have an egg cracking contest in our family that has been passed down by my mothers side of the family for MANY generations. It is so fun and we always look forward to the contest every year. I think I won three years in a row. YIPPEE!!! Every participant receives two eggs. The youngest player starts (we will call this player A) by turning to the person to their left (player B) and player B holds their egg while player A taps the top of player B's egg. Whichever side has a crack they loose just that round but still has three other chances to win throughout he game. Now player B turns to the player to their left (player C) and repeat the steps. This will continue until ONE PERSON has an uncracked side and that means they are the winner!! Don't forget you have two ends of each egg so you have four chances to win:) Feel free to ask questions if you don't understand. IT IS A BLAST! This will certainly continue to be passeddown to my family as well. Hope you make it a tradition in your family!!! I will update you on the winner on Sunday:) Happy cracking!

Find great egg dying ideas from Martha Stewart's website.

Nutty Peanut Butter Cookies

FINALLY, I am posting the fabulous Peanut Butter Cookies I have been talking about. I can't remember where I found this recipe, maybe a Southern Living Magazine, I am just not sure, but Matt and I fell in love. I made these cookies for a friend and it worked out perfectly b/c he is allergic two wheat; therefore everything has to be "gluten free".... Boy was I relieved because this was the perfect recipe.. phew. Every Friday night or Saturday morning each week I make these to eat for the week, it has become a tradition and staple in our home and can assure you it will be one in your home as well once you sink your teeth into these cookies which are full of rich Peanut Butter flavor. Make them tomorrow night, it FRIDAY!!


Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp.baking soda
1/4 c chopped peanuts
1 tsp vanilla extract
* I use crunchy peanut butter and then do not add peanuts.

Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in peanuts and vanilla.

Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
MMMMM, YUMMY!

Blue Birds and a Baby Shower

Lyndsey was greeted at the front door with this adorable diaper wreath that we made

As guests arrived they were asked to sign the all time classic book, "Richard Scarry's Favorite Storybook Ever" As Lyndsey reads to her baby Jones she can see all the sweet messages that her family and friends wrote which will bring back fun memories.

Baby blue bird nest cupcakes that we made were a fantastic spring dessert to celebrate this wonderful little baby that is about to arrive.

Peeps make a great easy spring pop to the dessert table.

Mason jars tied with ribbon and filled with a little blue flower is a simple but classic look to a centerpiece.

Everyone loves to look at baby pictures

Refreshing Sparkling Punch was a hit on the most gorgeous Saturday afternoon.

Up close on the DESSERTS!

Blue and Brown Pretzels sticks!! Instructions are on my Valentine's Day blog.

Haystack birds nest

GAMES

Kim asked Chris some questions about babies and Lyndsey had to try and guess what he had said. if she got the question wrong, Lyndsey would have to eat baby peas...YUCK!!!

String game- Everyone estimates how much string will fit around Lyndsey's belly and cute a piece of string. Some people thought her belly was bigger than it really was:), but Lyndsey's mother-in-law had it PERFECT and was the winner!!!!

O'Sullivan

We love St. Paddy's Day in the Sullivan house! Matt and I both have Irish in our families so there is not doubt we are celebrating this holiday and plus it's a great excuse to entertain and eat!!!! Themed parties make a party so much more fun! I found this menu below from myrecipes.com and it looks awesome! I also found some recipes on Martha Stewart and food network. Hope everyone has a great St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to wear green or you will be pinched. Erin Go Braugh!

Corned Beef is a MUST!

Cheese and Guinness Spread

Duchess Potatoes

St.Patricks Day Cupcakes

Green Wine Spritzers

Corned-Beef-And-Cabbage Rolls

Easter at Pottery Barn

Every time I go into Pottery Barn I feel the need for a home makover; so I try not to go in if at all possible:) I am a sucker for Easter decor and well they got me. Easter is one of my favorite holidays!!!! Everything is coming alive and being born and the weather is getting to be just perfect (especially after a cold winter..yuck) so it makes me so happy and cheerful, oh and did I mention my birthday is in April too:). Check out my favorites:

Spring Line

I had two shows the past two weekends and introduced the New Homemade Gourmet Spring line. I am having an open house at my house February 23rd from 5:30-7:30; those in town come try some samples and pick up some gifts to take to your hostesses for Easter. Homemade Gourmet's concept is meals in a hurry. These make great hostess gifts, birthday gifts, great for new mommies and daddies (as they don't have much time to cook), busy moms and new neighbors. Here are a few pics of our new line. You can also visit my website to look at the new products. Would love to place an order for those interested. I just LOVE it, especially the seasonings/marinades for a grilled chicken on a salad for spring:)

Season 'n' Steam Orange Ginger Chicken Mix

Strawberry Lemonade Squares Mix

Rosemary Citrus Seasoning

Snappy Seasoned Salt Shaker

Presto Italiano Breakfast Skillet Mix

Mango Tea ( Double Mix)

Tropicolada Cheesecake Mix

Tres Queso Breakfast Skillet Mix

Amazing Amaretto Cheesecake Mix

Gusto Garlic Pesto Cheese Ball Mix

Black Bean Salsa Mix