Easy Entertaining

To start your Cinco De Mayo party of right try mixing up a bowl of fresh, homemade guacamole. It’s easy to make and your guests will thank you for the effort. To change it up a bit, try serving with...

All year long, our family meals require some mental gymnastics to ensure that that I prepare at least one item that appeals to each family member – no easy feat with five kids! So I reserve the right to make Mother’s Day all about what I want to eat…

Here are some simple rules of thumb to take the guesswork and stress out of planning your party menu.

Easter celebrations often bring to mind pastel color schemes and tricky dishes but I find that the simpler the celebration, the more fun our family has. Make this year your best ever Easter celebration and don’t be afraid to switch up the routines and think bolder and simpler with your décor and your dishes for a new twist on enteraining for Easter.

When my girlfriends come over for book club or a girls’ night out, they never say no to a nice glass of wine. Food and wine pairing can sound a little daunting, but every wine brings out a different flavor component in your food. Our four food and wine pairings will make these delicious and easy to assemble appetizers taste even better.

I usually like to have something tasty ready for my kids and husband when they get home, and they each have their favorites. The kids like these Sugar Honey Baked Apples and I love the scrumptious and homey smell that fills the house when I take them out of the oven.  And, the smile on my husband's face when he comes home from work and smells these Cinnamon Raisin Stuffed Apples cooking in the oven warms me to the core.

When I was a kid, I spent my summers shoeless and with little else than a bathing suit and t-shirt, playing at the beach until sunset. I try to make my children's summers be as carefree and unscheduled as I remember mine. We schedule very little once school is out, and live in the moment, drifting between the pool and the playground. More often than not, friends come over, and we end the day with spontaneous cookouts and parties, easy socializing for the whole family.

Hosting a cookie swap does require a little of preparation, but is definitely worth the effort to create a memorable event that benefits everyone. I wanted to showcase a few frugal and creative ideas for making your Christmas cookie swap special this year!

Call me crazy, but I absolutely love hosting the Thanksgiving feast for our family! It really can be easy, but it does require a little planning and early preparation to make that happen. I am excited to share a few ideas to make this holiday easier and then share with you two new dishes you can add to your holiday table!

Are you hosting the Big Game party for your neighborhood, family or friends? If so, you are now the Head Coach. Make sure you have a good plan and recruit a team of assistant coaches to make your Big Game party an easy win.

I am the queen of finding the fastest and easiest way to put out a delicious and appealing spread. I usually prepare one or two "fancy" recipes and then fill in quick, straightforward dishes that I know taste great but don't require much effort. Here are two favorite recipes of mine that are a nice example of my balance between delicious and easy.

Autumn is my favorite season of the year. I love everything about the cooler weather, the warmer clothes and the colorful foliage. My most favorite of seasons ends with my most favorite of days — Thanksgiving!

One of the best parts about autumn is the food and snacks: soups, roasted veggies, meats and delicious warm breads. Plus, with football games galore and Thanksgiving on the horizon, there are many chances to eat with friends and family. These large gatherings always call for snacks, and lots of them!

The weather is hot, school is over, kids are running through sprinklers and women are stressed about swimming suits — it must be summertime! Time to fire up the grill and party!

Need great party food recipes and ideas for your next party or family event? Check out our holiday and entertaining recipes and party ideas.