"Fried" Pickles

 My goal every week is to try a new recipe on Pinterest. Last week I tried "Fried" Pickles. We were grilling and I just wasn't feeling our usual tater tots or fries, so I went with something different. I followed the recipe exactly except for the Cajun seasoning. I didn't have any. I substituted paprika instead. I had the large oval pickles on hand, so they are a little larger than a regular pickle chip. I like that though, they were a little more substantial.

They were super yummy. I think next time I'll add a little more salt and maybe a big of a kick of cayenne. I was surprised how crispy they got in the oven under the broiler. 

I served them with light ranch dip. 

Okay, I need a suggestion for my next recipe to try. Any recommendations?

Mad Men Party!

A while back, I was invited to host a Mad Men Premier Party. I called up all of my Mad Men loving friends and we set the date. House Party provided me with a fun box of goodies including these Man Men Faces. They were the hit of the party! 

We had our usual party snacks. Watched the finale of season 4. Brought a few friends up to speed who didn't watch the show and let the fun begin!

Instead of Old Fashions, we opted for Sangria. Doing something just a little different. 

Roger Sterling, be still my heart. 

Everyone picked their favorite character. Except my husband. He picked Peter. For real, who likes Peter!?!?

We're ready for this week of Mad Men. What's up with the weird Betty story line???

It's Tea Party Time!

Saturday afternoon, my dear friend Merri put together the most spectacular Lilly themed Tea Party for our Junior Junior Leaguers. It was hosted at our new location and we had such a fantastic time. We asked my Mom to come and talk about etiquette and had some fun activities. 

Each table was decorated with cookies on sticks to decorate

Everyone had a tea cup name tag

Cake Balls & Scones

We needed a sample decorated cookie. 

I was willing to help out. Pink and Green, Of Course!

Finished product!

When the girls were finished with their cookies, we wrapped them up so they could take them home and tied them with a pink bow. 

My mom talked about proper ways to hold a tea cup, sit in a chair. All the important things you need to know.

Then at the end, we talked about the importance of hand written thank you cards. The girls wrote a thank you card to their mom who brought them to the tea party.

At the end, always a time for a photo op. 

Me & Mom. She wore a vintage hat to tea

Me & Merri. 

Isn't she adorable in all her Lilly?

Overall, I think it was a very successful afternoon! 

Giveaway - General Mills Curvy Straw Prize Pack!

One of my favorite things to do on the weekend is eat a big bowl of cereal and watch the Today Show. It's the only time during the week I actually have time to sit down and enjoy a big bowl of cereal. What I love even more is drinking the milk out of the bowl and making the fun slurp noises. 

To encourage kids to drink their milk, General Mills has added Curvy Straws to specially marked boxes of their cereal. There are 6 to collect! Drinking milk can help you get the Vitamin D and Calcium you need on a daily basis.  You can get $1.25 off 2 boxes coupon here! You can even use your fun straw at dinner to drink a glass of milk!

Cash Cowan and General Mills have teamed up to offer a prize pack which includes:

• 1 box of a participating Big G cereal
• 1 Curvy Straw
• 1 ‘spilt’ milk bowl
• 2 glow cups
• 2 tangle toys

Want to win? Here's How:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The prize pack, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Easter Recap

Well, I'm pooped! This year we hosted Easter for both sides of the family. I think it went very well. I was determined that I was going to make at least recipe from Pinterest. And so I did! I made the Peep Sunflower Cake. I'll say mine isn't quite round with my Peeps, but it turned out super yummy!

We also hosted an Easter Egg hunt from my nephew. He had a fantastic time. 

Me & Jeff. 

I'm currently experimenting with semi-curly flipped hair. Obviously being in the kitchen all day, not so cute. The dress is a Lilly Pulitzer Janet. 

And we can't forget Riley Sue! She has been in heaven with this weather. She wanted to lay in the grass all afternoon. 

And she is exceptionally trendy currently with her blue feather. Don't worry, it was free. I would never pay for my dog to get a feather extension, but it was free. I say, if it's free and it doesn't bug her, let's go for it!

How was your Easter?