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My Favorite Holiday Dinner Menu | Crab Cakes, Beef Tenderloin, Truffled Mashed Potatoes & Cabernet Mushrooms

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouEiARbvLkjuuz_YugOMikH6AGN9lBXUrrdq6mTaIJJoHFcaGTLlmj1tSn2k-aEkoIYPkrrs0dO2XUQ9OGtPQSfOg1PLFDA976mdEZBk2Eg9KhNs-ow7r6CIUWwD7N5DSDSmNsS-2zHQm/s1600/Crab+Cakes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouEiARbvLkjuuz_YugOMikH6AGN9lBXUrrdq6mTaIJJoHFcaGTLlmj1tSn2k-aEkoIYPkrrs0dO2XUQ9OGtPQSfOg1PLFDA976mdEZBk2Eg9KhNs-ow7r6CIUWwD7N5DSDSmNsS-2zHQm/s1600/Crab+Cakes+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>My Favorite Holiday Menu<br /><br />Four years ago, I would have been in full catering mode - sometimes I miss spending nights at really festive, warm homes, but I don't miss schlepping food around town and my car always smelling a bit like crab cakes and blue cheese : )<br /><br />At this point, I would have roasted 20 Beef Tenderloins, and formed 200 Crab Cakes and served a hundred Chocolate Molten Cakes.    I found that I always recommended pretty much the same menu for every holiday party I catered - it always got such rave reviews, and many of my clients requested the same menu year after year because they loved it so much.  The good part for me was that I could prepare this menu in my sleep.  I did it so often that I came up with great shortcuts, and methods for making almost everything in advance... because that's what I had to do when I had back to back holiday parties for 3 weeks straight.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Here it is my "go-to" favorite holiday menu - I never tire of it.  It is special, festive and a treat of a meal.  It can be fancy, or served family style for a more laid back group.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Appetizers</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Prosecco</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/07/crab-cakes-with-panko-bread-crumbs-red.html">Petite Crab Cakes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-to-build-beautiful-bountiful-cheese.html">Cheese Board</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Soup</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/01/lobster-bisque-easy-creamy-seafood.html">Lobster Bisque</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dinner</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/12/slow-roasted-beef-tenderloin-holiday.html">Slow-Roasted Beef Tenderloin</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/11/blue-cheese-sauce-for-beef-tenderloin.html">Blue Cheese Cream Sauce</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2014/02/slow-simmered-cabernet-thyme-mushroooms.html">Cabernet & Thyme Mushrooms</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2014/03/roasted-colorful-carrots.html">Roasted Rainbow Carrots</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/12/truffled-mashed-potatoes-ultimate.html">Truffled Mashed Potatoes</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dessert</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/04/chocolate-molten-cakes-in-cupcake-pan.html">Molten Cakes with Whipped Cream & Berries</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JCLTDS-JdTCnM9eK7vZeJ6LgJns-dYEOIQGpW-8eDMWB7HjT_DiMenRB81GZdliIFqJdZi9xosKPfm3IBoavX8wiNxx55I5vUMlQmXCjYltDo9kMhRrvPs_W0KLnTTn1KOXVvGaH6TYu/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JCLTDS-JdTCnM9eK7vZeJ6LgJns-dYEOIQGpW-8eDMWB7HjT_DiMenRB81GZdliIFqJdZi9xosKPfm3IBoavX8wiNxx55I5vUMlQmXCjYltDo9kMhRrvPs_W0KLnTTn1KOXVvGaH6TYu/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-to-build-beautiful-bountiful-cheese.html">Cheese Board</a></div><div><br /></div><div>While I like to serve the Crab Cakes passed, warm from the oven, I like to have something that everyone can graze on and gather around - isn't that what the Holidays are all about?!  Then, whenever I bring the crab cakes around everyone oohs and ahhs.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PztyjuL33mKWBCWmUfMR0b_02sgU6KXUkjA9G5Yp50TRddoacMa3SEewzRckwkbYYzw2XUh0E1mrXhrtuICfYt7MvBMe9Mj15-4hoKFxx0vBUWhKZ6VJMLMD0kbWW5gwqESuJ9ZXRG9Z/s1600/lobster-bisque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PztyjuL33mKWBCWmUfMR0b_02sgU6KXUkjA9G5Yp50TRddoacMa3SEewzRckwkbYYzw2XUh0E1mrXhrtuICfYt7MvBMe9Mj15-4hoKFxx0vBUWhKZ6VJMLMD0kbWW5gwqESuJ9ZXRG9Z/s1600/lobster-bisque.jpg" width="321" /></a></div><div>Lobster Bisque</div><div><br /></div><div>A soup course isn't necessary, but really makes the meal so special.   It is so creamy and luxurious - your family will love it and feel so treated!  It is easy to make ahead of time and you can use a combination of shrimp and lobster, to stretch it.  </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wsil4H0bVcQzKpstHHH8J7gk6BJg4MzxN8lVwW2989UBnaUv_phbAZKzcjOmiH9P0whYKhVrFbvb2SVAnOjHjvTYpBNE2inpUcPp2fag10qP4lNByWQAv1H0bpFY38p1MvGJ6RVHVuF3/s1600/IMG_6612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Wsil4H0bVcQzKpstHHH8J7gk6BJg4MzxN8lVwW2989UBnaUv_phbAZKzcjOmiH9P0whYKhVrFbvb2SVAnOjHjvTYpBNE2inpUcPp2fag10qP4lNByWQAv1H0bpFY38p1MvGJ6RVHVuF3/s1600/IMG_6612.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqAPQkmxdFJMtJqLMlS_kkFeerB66z3OXilGs6uy1GiO8Ce-o5v0FU97i7Z83Gb0vEXUxurHDe4RdHkEPNnHp3lq8cmHp-iKEmx8w1mohQSCEX0TRI4wqqtnAOQeKcIH_daMZEsSz5E5y/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqAPQkmxdFJMtJqLMlS_kkFeerB66z3OXilGs6uy1GiO8Ce-o5v0FU97i7Z83Gb0vEXUxurHDe4RdHkEPNnHp3lq8cmHp-iKEmx8w1mohQSCEX0TRI4wqqtnAOQeKcIH_daMZEsSz5E5y/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" width="425" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqAPQkmxdFJMtJqLMlS_kkFeerB66z3OXilGs6uy1GiO8Ce-o5v0FU97i7Z83Gb0vEXUxurHDe4RdHkEPNnHp3lq8cmHp-iKEmx8w1mohQSCEX0TRI4wqqtnAOQeKcIH_daMZEsSz5E5y/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqAPQkmxdFJMtJqLMlS_kkFeerB66z3OXilGs6uy1GiO8Ce-o5v0FU97i7Z83Gb0vEXUxurHDe4RdHkEPNnHp3lq8cmHp-iKEmx8w1mohQSCEX0TRI4wqqtnAOQeKcIH_daMZEsSz5E5y/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/12/slow-roasted-beef-tenderloin-holiday.html">Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin</a><br /><br />I talk at length about how much I love slow roasting beef tenderloin.  Do not be scared by it - it is sooo easy to do.  It can seem expensive, but you don't have too splurge on too much else for this dinner so it can be the star.<br /><br />You can serve it with this <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/11/blue-cheese-sauce-for-beef-tenderloin.html" style="text-align: center;">Blue Cheese Cream Sauce</a> or a classic Horseradish. <br /><br />Slow-Simmered <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2014/02/slow-simmered-cabernet-thyme-mushroooms.html" style="text-align: center;">Cabernet & Thyme Mushrooms</a><br /><br />This is a new dish to my repertoire, but I would've loved serving this to my clients.  I would've made a huge batch, then used them all week long for each party.  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwBwQgVjHds-GFkQIr4rQvarb4phYX0ytQk-QCdFj0p0LZKThF32_940xyF3FFeHhialOvNapGPE2dLQaMwHzkY34cs7uQpX7VpAKloFx6S40f8uKXjMQ5dTq1_UE97-dhQWz9UBcSlT6/s1600/IMG_6613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwBwQgVjHds-GFkQIr4rQvarb4phYX0ytQk-QCdFj0p0LZKThF32_940xyF3FFeHhialOvNapGPE2dLQaMwHzkY34cs7uQpX7VpAKloFx6S40f8uKXjMQ5dTq1_UE97-dhQWz9UBcSlT6/s1600/IMG_6613.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0-rdlLRp8lZBRgZAW1c-f92SWmGO-03bT-45OqzmS_G5k9akvXxd3TYiZtZ2Xsl7BXnq4FIx4MQ2h1l3t59HMtxRV-klRYSg1tPH2i03O6mgejxg8SMWzWDrN8c9e0jIU1ShD32X-gnD/s1600/IMG_8997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0-rdlLRp8lZBRgZAW1c-f92SWmGO-03bT-45OqzmS_G5k9akvXxd3TYiZtZ2Xsl7BXnq4FIx4MQ2h1l3t59HMtxRV-klRYSg1tPH2i03O6mgejxg8SMWzWDrN8c9e0jIU1ShD32X-gnD/s1600/IMG_8997.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2014/03/roasted-colorful-carrots.html">Roasted Carrots</a><br /><br />Carrots are my favorite way to add brightness to a meal.  They are easy and roast right along with the beef.<br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/12/truffled-mashed-potatoes-ultimate.html" style="text-align: center;">Truffled Mashed Potatoes</a><br /><div><br /></div>I don't think I need to even say anything about these - right?  Such a treat!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcl3iN8hfBkj3e3wX1NfqtIvVe-ryraVxg0heftbq6JwZ9yFvcGgE0fHdBT87mPfto2-d3yMueCovU0b_jo4qR8MV1uWtP7Mbgy6le16KXqzCo6wu-FSzDpOO-ly2MwP3pcuWh2VQaVbu/s1600/Chocolate+Molten+Cakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcl3iN8hfBkj3e3wX1NfqtIvVe-ryraVxg0heftbq6JwZ9yFvcGgE0fHdBT87mPfto2-d3yMueCovU0b_jo4qR8MV1uWtP7Mbgy6le16KXqzCo6wu-FSzDpOO-ly2MwP3pcuWh2VQaVbu/s1600/Chocolate+Molten+Cakes.jpg" width="494" /></a><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2013/04/chocolate-molten-cakes-in-cupcake-pan.html">Chocolate Molten Cakes</a><br /><br />I have a little something special in store for these Chocolate Molten Cakes.  I'll be using the same recipe, but have found some great individual paper souffle cups to make them in.  I'm experimenting with them tomorrow morning, so I'll let you know how it goes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

My Favorite Holiday Dinner Menu | Crab Cakes, Beef Tenderloin, Truffled Mashed Potatoes & Cabernet Mushrooms

My Favorite Holiday Menu Four years ago, I would have been in full catering mode - sometimes I miss spending nights at really festive, warm ...

10:39 AM

Giving Tuesday | Make a Charitable Donation and get a $20 Gift Card!

<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeJru3T6K6a2vblJPme9SAPyzT2-lCNvm3r3yjg2VcWTzLj_x5LG2IqyztvSXowmx7RJ4zvHTim4t2xfOrWSC-o_1TVswNNBWOiJvs57Oo_pVd7fiWVc19KR8s0FDG0QR4ToilTOqYZZU/s1600/IMG_3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeJru3T6K6a2vblJPme9SAPyzT2-lCNvm3r3yjg2VcWTzLj_x5LG2IqyztvSXowmx7RJ4zvHTim4t2xfOrWSC-o_1TVswNNBWOiJvs57Oo_pVd7fiWVc19KR8s0FDG0QR4ToilTOqYZZU/s1600/IMG_3445.jpg" width="266" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you know that there is enough food on the planet right this second to feed everyone in the world? </span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; text-align: start;"><i>‘When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ - Matthew 25</i></span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't give out of a need to get bonus points or to redeem myself in some way, or to help me "feel" the holiday spirit.  These types of giving become more about myself than others.  I give because I want to help.  I believe that this world, this earth is filled with so much bounty, so many gifts - enough for everyone.  I like to help others, strangers and ignored people just as I would help my own.  We have enough, we just have to figure out how to share.  I have more than enough, so I share.  If you are reading this blog, you likely have enough to share. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each year I share my favorite ways to give (read last year's <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/3-ways-to-help-this-holiday-giving.html">here</a>).  Throughout the holiday season I find a way to give spontaneously to strangers, Emma helps me pick out toys to donate toys to children's' charities, I spend some time volunteering and and I give money.  </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I always give anonymously</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, if possible.  The credit is not mine to take.  </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I <strike>probably</strike> know I don't give as much as I can, but I try.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">  </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">All of these things take some planning, but for me are a part of our holiday schedule - because we have enough, too much, not to share.  </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Giving Tuesday<br /><br />I know that most of you are givers, too.  Today I am going to give to you for giving to others.  For the first 10 people who donate any amount to a charity of their choice (I've listed some of my favorites below), I will send you a $20 gift card for my store.  Forward the confirmation email to store@jennysteffens.com from your donation (again, of any charity of your choice - church, foundation, soup kitchen, whatever) and I will send you a code for a $20 gift card.  </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">We all want to give, but sometimes we don't know how or who.  I've listed some of my favorites below - some local, some global.  I would love to know some of your favorites, as well!</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hopehouse.net/">Hope House</a> (this is a local domestic violence shelter, but it is easy to find one in your neighborhood)</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">The mission : Hope House services form a safety net of prevention, education and support for thousands of people traumatized by domestic violence every year locally in the Kansas City area.  </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">Your money at work :  Last year we donated a car full of gifts to their Holiday Store where the women are able to "shop" for gifts for their children.  So, a mother who is a victim of domestic abuse and who is living with her children in a shelter will have gifts to give her children on Christmas morning.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/">Action Against Hunger</a></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The mission:<span style="line-height: 18px;"> To feed malnourished children around the world and help communities grow their own food sources.  </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">It’s simple. Action Against Hunger/ACF International fulfills its mission by delivering aid to 7 million people in more than 40 countries annually. “Saving the most vulnerable is our first priority, so we focus on rescuing young children who are on the brink of death, and we have a 90 percent survival rate in the communities where we work,” says the organization’s chief executive officer, Nan Dale. The group doesn’t only offer handouts: In Kenya, ACF has taught more than 43,000 people how to establish vegetable gardens and plant crops that are resistant to drought.</span></span><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18px;">Your money at work:</span><span style="line-height: 18px;"> A $45 donation provides 45 days of special energy-dense food for a severely malnourished child.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://www.oxfamamericaunwrapped.com/about-oxfam/">OxFam American Unwrapped</a></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">The Mission : </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Oxfam America is a global organization working to right the wrongs of poverty, hunger, and injustice. As one of 17 members of the international Oxfam confederation, we work with people in more than 90 countries to create lasting solutions. Oxfam saves lives, develops long-term solutions to poverty, and campaigns for social change.</span></span><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Your money at work : $18 can buy a pair of chickens which </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">produces both eggs and baby chicks, providing families with income for today and tomorrow—making this a gift that’s worth crowing about. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> A $100 donation can fund a woman's new business.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHuj9Tv1obV7Ng6amvmvlno3-togULLydqsJ6iIOaiYTiEnpKaeFNj3gkyxXHPg4wVmETIg6jGG3jdcA0gD5JoSlpN-e0biOTc-TFycgIJPIiDD-jBbyL9Arb4-1-xwaFew6IFFWxIy_D/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHuj9Tv1obV7Ng6amvmvlno3-togULLydqsJ6iIOaiYTiEnpKaeFNj3gkyxXHPg4wVmETIg6jGG3jdcA0gD5JoSlpN-e0biOTc-TFycgIJPIiDD-jBbyL9Arb4-1-xwaFew6IFFWxIy_D/s1600/IMG_4579.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="height: 0px;"><br /></div>

Giving Tuesday | Make a Charitable Donation and get a $20 Gift Card!

Did you know that there is enough food on the planet right this second to feed everyone in the world? ‘When did we ever see you hungry an...

9:24 AM

New Holiday Collection! Linens, Wreaths, Bulb Baskets, Tissue Paper...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ29fUN5KMTlzhD990VeRB9xMLPx3VWWAaEdEGYwSM3IShdbPyivzAPfbaIbwcnR_Lo2cdf0fMJ5kidGJ-ocVKiCiN0TZwfAptnJ87j6_Y2zVnX3DGlXodZAWFi0lmmKaU8mBnShCdvdq/s1600/holiday+items+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJ29fUN5KMTlzhD990VeRB9xMLPx3VWWAaEdEGYwSM3IShdbPyivzAPfbaIbwcnR_Lo2cdf0fMJ5kidGJ-ocVKiCiN0TZwfAptnJ87j6_Y2zVnX3DGlXodZAWFi0lmmKaU8mBnShCdvdq/s1600/holiday+items+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIrXlD2C1GqoepEwJHTzkT3P9b3dPCRl0N0BetbeiD6RHBk_NUVnPRowjR1V2U1urBmkMiTMYJlxQ0G4snAjs9qm0VinRe-2M5Y1A0cL4d5KkQ1ZpSJua9bZr6_Fa_okXQPAnxhg6w27G/s1600/holiday+items+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIrXlD2C1GqoepEwJHTzkT3P9b3dPCRl0N0BetbeiD6RHBk_NUVnPRowjR1V2U1urBmkMiTMYJlxQ0G4snAjs9qm0VinRe-2M5Y1A0cL4d5KkQ1ZpSJua9bZr6_Fa_okXQPAnxhg6w27G/s1600/holiday+items+2.png" width="370" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Holiday Collection</span></i><br /><br />Last week I came out with a few of my holiday products (handmade Copper Cookie Cutters!) for those of you who were ordering some items for Thanksgiving.  Today, <i>all</i> of my Holiday products are up and available.   I'm not going to go into great detail about each new product today, because I'll be doing that throughout the holiday season. <br /><br />You'll find my favorite Preserved Boxwood Wreath, 4" Red Satin Ribbon, festive Linens, new Kraft Bags and Boxes, Tissue Paper and (one of my favorites) Bulb Baskets for Amaryllis and Paperwhites.  There are essentials for holiday baking (Monkey Bread Pans!), festive things for your home and gifts - for yourself and your favorite people.<br /><br />Explore the entire Holiday Collection, <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/holiday">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm taking a little bit of a different approach to the season - instead of jumping ahead and doing all of my baking and decorating for the season a month ahead of time so I can take photos for the store (like I've done for Easter, Summer, Fall and Halloween...), I'm going to take my time and enjoy my favorite season.  So, instead of all of my photos and baking projects coming out in one day, I'm spreading them throughout the holiday season- like a real person : )   I learned my lesson this Halloween when Oct. 31st rolled around and Emma and I didn't even decorate cookies together because I had done it back in September.<br /><br />Because I know you are all creative and inspired readers, I know you'll have great ideas for the products, too.  So, fix yourself a cup of peppermint tea and enjoy exploring my entire <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/holiday">Holiday Collection</a>!<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br />Jenny

New Holiday Collection! Linens, Wreaths, Bulb Baskets, Tissue Paper...

Holiday Collection Last week I came out with a few of my holiday products (handmade Copper Cookie Cutters!) for those of you who were orderi...

7:49 AM

My Wish List on Pinterest

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOWx8RYrCxHz3PgSIR4tx5ukxRtTuFubEoVR6qhbdRtBUtXn9BVy_2ap4BciG08AslRO0tsSgq2xs6skTmWUZUjX4IPyRkcdrpvHahXlgXN-s5vZO38SfWGcTLgPpySyw5QWtFetck_M/s1600/wish+list+jh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOWx8RYrCxHz3PgSIR4tx5ukxRtTuFubEoVR6qhbdRtBUtXn9BVy_2ap4BciG08AslRO0tsSgq2xs6skTmWUZUjX4IPyRkcdrpvHahXlgXN-s5vZO38SfWGcTLgPpySyw5QWtFetck_M/s640/wish+list+jh.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />Not that I expect any of you to be buying me gifts this year, buy I thought I'd share some things on my list this year - maybe they'll inspire your own list or someone's that you're shopping for.  I used <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennysteffens/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> to create it, which works like a charm because not only is it a visual reference for everyone, but is directly linked to each product.  I am able to send <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennysteffens/jenny-s-holiday-gift-list/" target="_blank">the link</a> to anyone that asks me what's on my list.  I include my size and color choice on each item in the description box.  And, because I don't want to know exactly what I'm getting, I pin many options for my gift givers to choose from.  Another great reason to love <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennysteffens/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!<br /><br />Here is a link to <a href="http://pinterest.com/jennysteffens/jenny-s-holiday-gift-list/" target="_blank">My Wish List</a>!<br /><br />

My Wish List on Pinterest

Not that I expect any of you to be buying me gifts this year, buy I thought I'd share some things on my list this year - maybe they'...

8:14 AM

Christmas Cookies | Sugar Cookies

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ohz-9uEVf-4qFqFC_nVnEHKZI0df66ARRkZ9qowBurf8BxavRGzPDnodRDseSMWUOpxqedn6MaVvZrI-7MD0A5Yx1Jaa5RAYuyK6GPpL5VkG7RoY-RB0yUhF8e7Y2wCSvzHGaSJ3pEY/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ohz-9uEVf-4qFqFC_nVnEHKZI0df66ARRkZ9qowBurf8BxavRGzPDnodRDseSMWUOpxqedn6MaVvZrI-7MD0A5Yx1Jaa5RAYuyK6GPpL5VkG7RoY-RB0yUhF8e7Y2wCSvzHGaSJ3pEY/s640/IMG_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />As I'm preparing for my Holiday Christmas Cookie Brunch Workshop next week, I'd thought I'd share my tried and true, favorite recipe.  This is the same recipe my mom used when my sister and I were growing up, decorating sugar cookies for each and every holiday.  The dough is incredible to snack on!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHSanPlfXF7HRLw1KXKVDjmi9H1aDUYzZaBzw-iQXW05y5U-zGZssnk83AYZ_qdIXNTz04-_MlWZ9zCdmG4u_CrEFjVRUdHTdciMFCou9_7IEW3cZ7BVcsA6UHNj0gRmol2TqFvIn6dk/s1600/best-sugar-cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHSanPlfXF7HRLw1KXKVDjmi9H1aDUYzZaBzw-iQXW05y5U-zGZssnk83AYZ_qdIXNTz04-_MlWZ9zCdmG4u_CrEFjVRUdHTdciMFCou9_7IEW3cZ7BVcsA6UHNj0gRmol2TqFvIn6dk/s640/best-sugar-cookies.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><i>Jenny's </i><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Deluxe Sugar Cookies</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fchristmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-6_opsFUx90c%2FUMEeYW5wxCI%2FAAAAAAAAOwg%2FBiRO0IOYqJs%2Fs640%2Fbest-sugar-cookies.jpg&description=The%20BEST%20Sugar%20Cookie%20Recipe...%20uses%20powdered%20sugar%21%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fjennysteffens.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F12%2Fchristmas-cookies-sugar-cookies-from.html"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a> <span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sugar Cookie Recipe</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2 sticks of butter<br />1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar<br />2 1/2 cups of flour<br />1 tsp of vanilla<br />1 tsp of cream of tarter<br />1 tsp of baking soda<br />1 egg<br /><br />In your Kitchen Aid fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together  butter and powdered sugar.  Add Flour, vanilla, cream of tarter, soda,  and egg.  On slow, stir together ingredients just until combined.  Turn  the dough out onto a floured board and wrap it with plastic wrap.  Let  the dough rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.  </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FJl6jg_a2N4B8ehBklrrCiByREY1FnUz8r9b-Evbe0-Vp7yBVyH3dV217tXoLZFMNCAGNRXQhTG6WvsJn0hMFSVOaIBs2-BhvPQc8VAPm3FI178zBhZXtykxC9qGiQ1FylQqspvgjsMy/s1600/IMG_3602.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FJl6jg_a2N4B8ehBklrrCiByREY1FnUz8r9b-Evbe0-Vp7yBVyH3dV217tXoLZFMNCAGNRXQhTG6WvsJn0hMFSVOaIBs2-BhvPQc8VAPm3FI178zBhZXtykxC9qGiQ1FylQqspvgjsMy/s320/IMG_3602.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Unwrap the dough and put it on a floured board.  Be sure to flour the rollin pin, as well. </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITOh3xr8HS8mD4_sYM6R_Ik9t4vh_VNsYoIYf7WntnZRkqfUtoLqECpzopOLJ02S2Qe4WSF_w68ddHCbVz5zQ41xv5E7RCqtUJfjt1KpNDYS4P49muk9NTvrWYDOcxVo1Ab3TfmCbRwbY/s1600/IMG_3625.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITOh3xr8HS8mD4_sYM6R_Ik9t4vh_VNsYoIYf7WntnZRkqfUtoLqECpzopOLJ02S2Qe4WSF_w68ddHCbVz5zQ41xv5E7RCqtUJfjt1KpNDYS4P49muk9NTvrWYDOcxVo1Ab3TfmCbRwbY/s320/IMG_3625.JPG" width="320" /></span></span></span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Roll out dough until 1/4 inch thick. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AqFgaYUERgcFbYECbqFXWjier46toFyu9gAcBE4974LCIkhPWIoOSar7MPcG_CWxCd6IqRn_PkO2bEExYLftegAHw6C6qKhe4yR60-68Aw4wGQnke0CnMgNOWSMUWM2zYARHLhfNJxMk/s1600/IMG_3638.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AqFgaYUERgcFbYECbqFXWjier46toFyu9gAcBE4974LCIkhPWIoOSar7MPcG_CWxCd6IqRn_PkO2bEExYLftegAHw6C6qKhe4yR60-68Aw4wGQnke0CnMgNOWSMUWM2zYARHLhfNJxMk/s320/IMG_3638.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Cut  shapes.   Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.  </span></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Bake for 6-8  minutes at 350 degrees just until the edges begin to turn brown - baking  time will depend on size and thickness of the cookie.  </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7Or8tH3S4V24vJ02qiD-HQiGnfPYPFRN1Kc7Jw6h5nuxZLXRw5VJqiyqkfJBMNqNu-0djYCxvBpsNF2pf9Ub0bsL60ZpNP_7zB04HzUKtq0SWJ41I8TLbhvoSalOt1cNz6cVs1FuiDji/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7Or8tH3S4V24vJ02qiD-HQiGnfPYPFRN1Kc7Jw6h5nuxZLXRw5VJqiyqkfJBMNqNu-0djYCxvBpsNF2pf9Ub0bsL60ZpNP_7zB04HzUKtq0SWJ41I8TLbhvoSalOt1cNz6cVs1FuiDji/s320/IMG_3683.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Times,'Times New Roman',serif;">Utilize scraps of dough by making them into a ball and re-rolling them and cutting shapes. </span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfWqAEzL9wCM9LGgr4pLsr4lKQWFfzlHGcGLDpKIiEOr5efnkYhrrTTTvhMDbuKcD1wMT0l_ehDKyeDCI0WBIzu2_DR3S97Aomf4-HjVpWLoOoIImiKnLf7oqeSVb3Kxk0n7A2tJU42A/s1600/IMG_0068.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfWqAEzL9wCM9LGgr4pLsr4lKQWFfzlHGcGLDpKIiEOr5efnkYhrrTTTvhMDbuKcD1wMT0l_ehDKyeDCI0WBIzu2_DR3S97Aomf4-HjVpWLoOoIImiKnLf7oqeSVb3Kxk0n7A2tJU42A/s640/IMG_0068.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Royal Icing</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px;">3 egg whites<br />4 cups of powdered sugar<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 12px;">In  the Kitchen Aid fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites  until almost frothy.  Add in the powdered sugar and whisk on slow until  smooth.  You may need to add more or less powdered sugar or water to  achieve desired thickness.  For sugar cookies, you want the icing to be  thin enough that it will fall back on itself and smooth itself out, but  not too thin so it will run off of the cookie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Good colors are so important to making professional looking sugar cookies.  Here are my tips :</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Red  : When making red you need to use a lot of food coloring.  I also add  orange to the red to make it less pink.  Add just a touch of green to  the red to make it less electric.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Green  : I add a little bit of yellow and orange to green to make it more of a  natural green.  For christmas, I like to use two shades of green -  light and dark. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Blue : I add a little bit of yellow and orange to blue to make it softer.  It is a more sophisticated looking blue. </span></span></div><br /><script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>

Christmas Cookies | Sugar Cookies

As I'm preparing for my Holiday Christmas Cookie Brunch Workshop next week, I'd thought I'd share my tried and true, favorite re...

1:10 PM

Easter Brunch Ideas | Brunch Menu Ideas | Easy Easter Centerpieces

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUXPFJuewavFYjOQZOe2ku-xXL8rWpxn7qTn6myFnalODy0Vxs_aFID5wZa39j4DwVZEuFhHx_RZ6ECihUbmBvnYG7DPYdSROOdibg99Pp4THhn7hpdapUJWYtfD5nzZm4ojyaEKeZrJB/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUXPFJuewavFYjOQZOe2ku-xXL8rWpxn7qTn6myFnalODy0Vxs_aFID5wZa39j4DwVZEuFhHx_RZ6ECihUbmBvnYG7DPYdSROOdibg99Pp4THhn7hpdapUJWYtfD5nzZm4ojyaEKeZrJB/s640/IMG_3644.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can hardly believe it is Easter already.  With the weather swinging every which direction, I can't decide if I'm ready for Christmas or The 4th of July... which actually does sound like Easter.  When we were little we never knew if we'd be battling rain or snow on Easter morning - somethings never change!  Here is a little rundown of some posts that might inspire your Easter celebration!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKct5Fz3QgtKaGiOwlULTYEVX4qLA0MeAruUdSC7qUImBdeqH_LetC367kXCOo0u3-YtCMkznfLi9Tp6sMr2dYSYJM9eqNBCUqtLS2XeEti0mv44oUzYQf5WATjVkpl66gbJA5Us62fP08/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="950" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKct5Fz3QgtKaGiOwlULTYEVX4qLA0MeAruUdSC7qUImBdeqH_LetC367kXCOo0u3-YtCMkznfLi9Tp6sMr2dYSYJM9eqNBCUqtLS2XeEti0mv44oUzYQf5WATjVkpl66gbJA5Us62fP08/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9MXeytG51CO4APz5BK0kg16_1QSuAm3K7GlsdU3roIPtm_HDOwO0m7NQx7nUH1ZgDqmeSLj3H1R2JUss51DTq9g4-rW_elVtOWdMuS2mVI00nseoDVMTNGFr-P3e36wjC-4uPQe47FG1F/s1600/IMG_3657.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" width="640"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/easter-egg-hunt-centerpiece-blue-eggs.html">Heirloom Egg Hunt Centerpiece </a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QWJUcON3vQq_16eUIFNKNaZi-Wx_q4Q_dWOJDkyi_1OK3FyEyyPlYNvfFzBVIPVTf8Mtij5LocTdI8NnP0MrbNYLPhW4jJQf_X3aP3sRht1JhwAuVlMjLs6ZuV8iXBftrNbYgdwDMH58/s1600/IMG_3388.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QWJUcON3vQq_16eUIFNKNaZi-Wx_q4Q_dWOJDkyi_1OK3FyEyyPlYNvfFzBVIPVTf8Mtij5LocTdI8NnP0MrbNYLPhW4jJQf_X3aP3sRht1JhwAuVlMjLs6ZuV8iXBftrNbYgdwDMH58/s640/IMG_3388.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1441692632380073171&postID=4167924413917470368" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/cream-of-spinach-and-asparagus-soup.html">Spinach & Asparagus Cream Soup </a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwjBHx1GnLRLNGkVh1pCW3cOXYQm2NROQxahe3LYRSZl8RNGGtViIpo3x-JM_D4E_9g6vVnZvA77Zwb9QUUNiNEJJxybRcWcjpVTUjh_9oFlKguqkE7Sad1by6FHX0BQJWJQCyFEBIN4f/s1600/IMG_2186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJwjBHx1GnLRLNGkVh1pCW3cOXYQm2NROQxahe3LYRSZl8RNGGtViIpo3x-JM_D4E_9g6vVnZvA77Zwb9QUUNiNEJJxybRcWcjpVTUjh_9oFlKguqkE7Sad1by6FHX0BQJWJQCyFEBIN4f/s640/IMG_2186.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Spinach & Strawberry Salad with Poppyseed Dressing & Pecans<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxomWlmIKHeo9iqwpw2O2ZWOv6SnakxgdCRtBBItU9h14GeGQqv6mmOHa2tzYAhqknQFz0stf0a0VmhnAwNKJq5lHnx5AJuyKz-etlD0TqF35YhXQZfuWN6f1wmjXAfDZlhTlIkzFbs9Xp/s1600/IMG_1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxomWlmIKHeo9iqwpw2O2ZWOv6SnakxgdCRtBBItU9h14GeGQqv6mmOHa2tzYAhqknQFz0stf0a0VmhnAwNKJq5lHnx5AJuyKz-etlD0TqF35YhXQZfuWN6f1wmjXAfDZlhTlIkzFbs9Xp/s640/IMG_1656.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/02/lemon-mousse-meringue-tart-spring.html">Lemon Meringue Mousse Tart</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGXEs__LOgwP9XA0tJI4pYCYVjDwkEToh2JOFoGlk2pwDpOwBoOITbvCRw_ex3EssIIbzWCl5XHhZgjKlteJHhYqpYTTskwR5hfqnykEoMrYqUJSlHdwK7guW_q06HPLC143u8X2l7ycW/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGXEs__LOgwP9XA0tJI4pYCYVjDwkEToh2JOFoGlk2pwDpOwBoOITbvCRw_ex3EssIIbzWCl5XHhZgjKlteJHhYqpYTTskwR5hfqnykEoMrYqUJSlHdwK7guW_q06HPLC143u8X2l7ycW/s640/IMG_3745.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGrs7U57g1wIlsEyJmppHIMH4OYN6XW_3akJiVlTQCQw64q0OXtVNW27EDGGyTmk7Tw8-pr2y1s0FE3Mz0Abrvci8TgvN5Jn9krxidZymIzeNczgn4DSYANJKg8fZGIQE_R70MgyOy52N/s1600/IMG_4087.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGrs7U57g1wIlsEyJmppHIMH4OYN6XW_3akJiVlTQCQw64q0OXtVNW27EDGGyTmk7Tw8-pr2y1s0FE3Mz0Abrvci8TgvN5Jn9krxidZymIzeNczgn4DSYANJKg8fZGIQE_R70MgyOy52N/s640/IMG_4087.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/cranberry-scones-with-orange-glaze.html">Cranberry Scones with an Orange Glaze</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVubj0MLYmp56-ZQA9JWde7B2OwTrPPG5YVJGPdgI2ylqISHGlPqpgjDug4HdpDsLcI4QxYTjmxusvkafVVyPj82fhgwHiAnTXEWYRFoPDcTNaCsJRj07dO4B95LUhBwCtxQy6OHrjlmE/s1600/IMG_3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVubj0MLYmp56-ZQA9JWde7B2OwTrPPG5YVJGPdgI2ylqISHGlPqpgjDug4HdpDsLcI4QxYTjmxusvkafVVyPj82fhgwHiAnTXEWYRFoPDcTNaCsJRj07dO4B95LUhBwCtxQy6OHrjlmE/s640/IMG_3750.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SaaALTtIkbv9WIewaoxfR-mguB4hhV-eJJDAeG2LGWoM8gTgTCLfkCmjjUUpIzxnAus6NRkFAKbrfZzgekhVVpoXVfv29I9QFBA-933Fg5OR9JNEAxO1PHXVJn1I_tyMBAV1gVTKixgi/s1600/IMG_4397.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7SaaALTtIkbv9WIewaoxfR-mguB4hhV-eJJDAeG2LGWoM8gTgTCLfkCmjjUUpIzxnAus6NRkFAKbrfZzgekhVVpoXVfv29I9QFBA-933Fg5OR9JNEAxO1PHXVJn1I_tyMBAV1gVTKixgi/s640/IMG_4397.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br />Mrs. Ross's Blackberry Cobbler<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQoZjEqGPtlPcv4GQvpTJSIzfRVCwLHOA38vLQSqW36sPd6LKeEgUI0NxUXLkCan1xNYjck9T6ND4IfANT65tZZyu2mK22CCKOPlGy2P1GPHHJJjrulr2mtIW38hmuvpW8yVLGBwT3y7D/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQoZjEqGPtlPcv4GQvpTJSIzfRVCwLHOA38vLQSqW36sPd6LKeEgUI0NxUXLkCan1xNYjck9T6ND4IfANT65tZZyu2mK22CCKOPlGy2P1GPHHJJjrulr2mtIW38hmuvpW8yVLGBwT3y7D/s640/IMG_3498.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/breakfast-skillet-bacon-potatoes-chive.html">Bacon, Potato & Chive Skillet Omelet</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRybzfWgv9p0Fs2A-YXBX8kmXukHbXwyhnkCKypitQTOIHJseyuyiq5N1eBEx9Awaqe1rMKAj60_eBt6BK-dkkKjUQo5GGMBJk4Qk8cyvvf_Mvo9B9oAgS63PHIOdQeQha57sVfAahZAO/s1600/IMG_3676.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRybzfWgv9p0Fs2A-YXBX8kmXukHbXwyhnkCKypitQTOIHJseyuyiq5N1eBEx9Awaqe1rMKAj60_eBt6BK-dkkKjUQo5GGMBJk4Qk8cyvvf_Mvo9B9oAgS63PHIOdQeQha57sVfAahZAO/s640/IMG_3676.jpg" width="426" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKct5Fz3QgtKaGiOwlULTYEVX4qLA0MeAruUdSC7qUImBdeqH_LetC367kXCOo0u3-YtCMkznfLi9Tp6sMr2dYSYJM9eqNBCUqtLS2XeEti0mv44oUzYQf5WATjVkpl66gbJA5Us62fP08/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZpHvaftkBEJ5bUz_hxzT_p7Teeb7pdAheb3b7ku96gWyvB-yE74HFHTTCD2qbF8HnYz8m4k2J1Ao4RSkyoA4HNMI0QhHJB1Lm5f52gbUn_Sz6tIsodp-IhSCGl4BKlD8NSBN2AeHtfi/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-easter-centerpieces-yellow.html">Daffodil Centerpiece & Egg Table Setting</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytZpHvaftkBEJ5bUz_hxzT_p7Teeb7pdAheb3b7ku96gWyvB-yE74HFHTTCD2qbF8HnYz8m4k2J1Ao4RSkyoA4HNMI0QhHJB1Lm5f52gbUn_Sz6tIsodp-IhSCGl4BKlD8NSBN2AeHtfi/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99RzkOBvfUJSc2syrsY8JQIGxZVOtd_7B04v0pJ5DL81BBFWSaXZHN0G-ZE09VfccymZuOOi8vsbQILamRvUo3ZAS7wIJXZoauSei5ISB6ec9NFifev1ykv9LhD3pYbutV38c5aVBcMd/s1600/IMG_3415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99RzkOBvfUJSc2syrsY8JQIGxZVOtd_7B04v0pJ5DL81BBFWSaXZHN0G-ZE09VfccymZuOOi8vsbQILamRvUo3ZAS7wIJXZoauSei5ISB6ec9NFifev1ykv9LhD3pYbutV38c5aVBcMd/s640/IMG_3415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/03/homemade-herbed-ricotta-on-toasted.html">Homemade Herbed Ricotta Cheese on Garlic Baguette Toasts</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlSa4gxr_tZrUH9n4rFX4p_1W5W9kAxJKdrksbuA5RkwAv-M-ffG3F0xp2RXL9-twlLZAc1M8qn1y9fJGTxJq9pF8rQ0rBDEdiyFCldf_UeWYtzkp22cfGQ92AhyphenhyphengNH0SjsNuAoR4Ss33/s1600/IMG_2475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlSa4gxr_tZrUH9n4rFX4p_1W5W9kAxJKdrksbuA5RkwAv-M-ffG3F0xp2RXL9-twlLZAc1M8qn1y9fJGTxJq9pF8rQ0rBDEdiyFCldf_UeWYtzkp22cfGQ92AhyphenhyphengNH0SjsNuAoR4Ss33/s640/IMG_2475.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2012/02/homemade-chocolate-glazed-donuts-hot.html">Chocolate Glazed Donuts</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpO8qCsW9WGdHWLzhIFwAKX9I-UBOxw3qWEKoCy2r3LoRmuzNqQuEBQK3IkDuH7vG899Ksq47qEGzmbGDiimHQeeKq8BP1LP-uP69ROgENzh4t-EzXVzoXXUE1QQwn8HwhfNkqeXjMNce/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpO8qCsW9WGdHWLzhIFwAKX9I-UBOxw3qWEKoCy2r3LoRmuzNqQuEBQK3IkDuH7vG899Ksq47qEGzmbGDiimHQeeKq8BP1LP-uP69ROgENzh4t-EzXVzoXXUE1QQwn8HwhfNkqeXjMNce/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/01/recipes-brunch-quiche-recipes.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Quiche</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgdRRgiZGIH3FMwUiKu1DMlk1eF9OsIpcVkqVSdCbligkH0wHvVsztiA9hVWksEZrqHW8ffzKTqZcmClI4mzcJ8wHhAjZtc4Ss5ilj8hWrsw9gzEYhOjlqLmifnLBb7_JwgfgXsqKBKnh/s1600/IMG_5493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgdRRgiZGIH3FMwUiKu1DMlk1eF9OsIpcVkqVSdCbligkH0wHvVsztiA9hVWksEZrqHW8ffzKTqZcmClI4mzcJ8wHhAjZtc4Ss5ilj8hWrsw9gzEYhOjlqLmifnLBb7_JwgfgXsqKBKnh/s640/IMG_5493.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/08/cherry-cupcakes-with-cherry-almond.html">Cherry Almond Cupcakes</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rHxjLdOL_zmb_i1F7JwT3H_2lAsPKEPfJ8IhXdklJl9yDYaKmPOvEuQamOi7hua52ifLRBFylRGJPnca3oM1tgUOVSz7VzwRfGRWL2zWqcLzr2nzkJJc1x5Rk_TwiPNlnqZpWVT5QEJT/s1600/IMG_9519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rHxjLdOL_zmb_i1F7JwT3H_2lAsPKEPfJ8IhXdklJl9yDYaKmPOvEuQamOi7hua52ifLRBFylRGJPnca3oM1tgUOVSz7VzwRfGRWL2zWqcLzr2nzkJJc1x5Rk_TwiPNlnqZpWVT5QEJT/s640/IMG_9519.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/cinnamon-rolls-from-frozen-bread-dough.html">"Homemade" Cinnamon Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNFnOulKM8PflunUbg29L-C_Ja6hdA6Vjdspqe_N3hGRGEturGS9iDdjqCa7vcJXuuErIEHCrKTKwUHnFYA4w4vxuAdjcOIk3thrI-KHm4gR9rTDzMhP3To6KN9uGczTdmKWxol1tBapt/s1600/IMG_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLYYzitnZRZ9btdcr0zaOeNAa71-csnwZ9CEjvDm9c1HiWSnO1FlVTuexukUpunUgNPmIIddV1Ktlcu2ZkxOp8Tmrn2L-GDhBdNN1FpmHzLnfPlrVZ_CBk_HiYrzzyIwRRVV5yy4Mw3GV/s1600/DSC_2548.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLYYzitnZRZ9btdcr0zaOeNAa71-csnwZ9CEjvDm9c1HiWSnO1FlVTuexukUpunUgNPmIIddV1Ktlcu2ZkxOp8Tmrn2L-GDhBdNN1FpmHzLnfPlrVZ_CBk_HiYrzzyIwRRVV5yy4Mw3GV/s640/DSC_2548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/12/recipes-banana-pecan-pancakes-easy.html">Banana Pecan Pancakes Recipe</a>  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCc2RUlH_mJy1jxiSt-AIhCmVpvorJSaYvSZG6Cy8f-VCTjOd6aivuKT0tA-pers3kkw-Y1yO8DK3f3oLlvlxnjt5Puo8q3l8pIhjhQXlI3OSnp6c7cnXsGb3o5ASLYHnYxZvxOmCVDak/s1600/DSC_2563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>

Easter Brunch Ideas | Brunch Menu Ideas | Easy Easter Centerpieces

I can hardly believe it is Easter already. With the weather swinging every which direction, I can't decide if I'm ready for Christm...

5:20 AM

Minimalist Kitchen Idea