Happy Easter!

I know, I know - I've been shamefully remiss in my postings on this blog. I haven't posted anything since the 5th. No recipes, no pictures, no nothing! My only excuse is that my parents came to visit last week, so I was busy getting my house spic and span for them - then while they were here, we were too busy having fun to blog!
But, I have some pictures from easter, some new recipes, and some new products to share!
My parents were very kind and brought me the Reynolds Handi-Vac vacuum sealing system plus some bags, so I can store my food in the freezer with no freezer burn.

Then, while we were at Macy's, my dad bought me an Cuisinart Immersion Blender, and an awesome new cookbook - Great Gatherings:Star Chefs Entertain at Home. It has full menus from some star chefs like Rick Bayless, Cat Cora, Wolfgang Puck, Gale Gand, Tyler Florence, and Ming Tsai, just to name a few. They give you recipes and ideas for different gatherings, including a picnic, bbq, paella party, kids bday party, wine paring dinner party, Chinese New Year banquet. There are great looking pictures to go with the recipes too - which I love to see in a cookbook! I can't wait to use this book!

Here is the menu from my parent's visit:

Wednesday night (they arrived around 9pm) : Turkey meatballs with whole wheat pasta (no homemade sauce, just Newman's own), and salad


Thursday: out to eat at The Mash House for dinner


Friday: Cilantro Jalepeno Hummus with chips and crudites, Tex Mex Tilapia, Quinoa and Black Bean salad served over baby lettuce


Saturday: Whole Wheat Blueberry Lemon Muffins for breakfast; and Scott and I went on a date (taking full advantage of the free babysitters staying with us) to a great restaurant in Southern Pines called Ashten's. (I think my parents ate leftovers.)


Sunday: Spicy Scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast; and for Easter dinner - Roast Beef, roasted potatoes, carrots and parsnips, and (my favorite) Yorkshire Pudding, with Carrot Cake for dessert.


Monday: Lunch before the airport at Cafe Carolina and Bakery in Cary


And of course, there was plenty of wine, gin and tonics, and tea poured all week too.

We had a great visit with my parents, and we can't wait for them to come again. Hopefully they'll try a different season next time - maybe fall!

Our new kitchen table! Yay!
Easter egg cupcakes (made from silicone pan) for Emma's class
Emma's class getting ready to hunt for Easter eggs!

Emma finding eggs at her school's egg hunt

She found an egg by her Nana and Papa (and Abby)

Emma and her friend Ella at the Easter Egg hunt

My dad with the girls

My mom with Emma

Date Night (please ignore my wild hair and winter white legs!)

Emma finding eggs on Easter morning

Abby finding eggs on Easter morning

Me and the girls on Easter morning

Nana and Papa with the girls after church on Easter

Me and Scott with the girls after church on Easter

Emma and Abby re-examining their Easter baskets

I'll work on posting some recipes in the next week. Look out for Mini-Quiches, Amish Friendship Bread, Citrus Garlic Roasted Chicken, Roasted Red Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic, Turkey Meatballs, Tex-Mex Tilapia, Quinoa and Black Bean Salad, Whole Wheat Blueberry Lemon muffins, and Yorkshire Pudding (my dad's recipe). I have a lot of typing to do!