Minion Bowling 
The kids each got two turns to hit down all of the pins with a regular ball purchased at Wal*Mart.

I took 6, 2 Liter bottles, washed them out and glued the lid onto them.  Then spray the top with yellow Krylon Fusion spray paint, I bought mine at Wal*Mart (it sticks to plastic with no prep).  Then spray the bottom blue.

The Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality
by Sandy Coughlin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Wow! This book was completely amazing. So much better than I had anticipated. I was unfamiliar with the author's blog of the same name so I came to this book with fresh eyes and was not disappointed.

Not only was it inspiring, but it was also meaningful and really made you think about the concept of hospitality in a new way. I was expecting a book with set meal plans and decor ideas and, while there are a few of those in here, this book is much more a book about letting go of perfection and taking fear out of entertaining by breaking down the concepts, giving inspiration and empowering the reader to move forward with a new definition of what makes a good hostess.

Recommended to all for its wonderful readability and no pressure guidance to become a person of hospitality, not just a stressed-out person throwing dinner parties.

Available on Amazon.com here.

1. i finished this book.
amazing people, amazing.
check it out from your local library...like now.

i have planned twice monthly dinner parties from now until summer.
i will be reporting after each party with tips, what worked, what didn't work and maybe a freebie or two for your own dinner party!

2. i have been hitting the thrift stores pretty hard and getting great finds lately. i will definitely be sharing fun finds and fabulous makeovers.

3. i am currently in the process of turning our living room from a "college dorm/women's penitentiary/toddler naughty zone" into a fun, cozy and fresh space that i can finally be proud of. i painted two walls 2 weeks ago. stepped back and decided i wasn't being bold enough. last week i bought new paint and will be repainting soon.

4. i am scouring the internet for white tablecloths to cover our "college dorm/women's penitentiary/toddler naughty zone" scuffed table for our forthcoming dinner guests.

5. i am cleaning out my craft room to make way for baby bianca. also getting all of my best scrapbooking items ready to be artfully arranged in a basket and donated to our local women's organization charity auction.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here in the Ahern household, we take this holiday pretty seriously. Check out our wicked-cool Coat of Arms pictured left.  You don't want to mess with a Wild Heron...or three!

But I'm pretty sure you may be more interested in this..my Irish Soda Bread Recipe. It's quick, easy and delicious! If you're not a bread maker don't worry! There's no yeast and it's goof proof!

Make it tonight! Click here for the printable 4x6" recipe card pictured below.  It's the first in a series of printable recipe cards from my kitchen to yours...per your request! 

Simply open the pdf, print and trim to 4x6".  Enjoy!


Ahern Irish Soda Bread Yields 1 loaf

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour or substitute with ¾ c. flour + 2 T. cornstarch
2 T. granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
3 T. unsalted butter (2 tablespoons softened + 1 tablespoon melted)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk or substitute with 1½ c. milk + 1½ T. lemon juice or vinegar

- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt in large bowl.
- Work softened butter into dry ingredients with fork or fingertips until texture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add buttermilk and stir with a fork just until dough begins to come together. Turn out onto flour-coated work surface.
- Knead until dough just becomes cohesive and bumpy (do not knead until dough is smooth, or bread will be tough.)
- Pat dough into a round about 6 in in diameter and 2 in high and place on greased baking sheet and cut a cross in the top.
- Bake at 400* 20-30 mintues or until golden brown and a skewer inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.
- Brush top with melted butter.

Note: this bread is always best warm. When it cools it loses some of its magic so make it right in time for dinner!

So, the food for this party was so fun to brainstorm!

I always host parties starting at 1:00 pm on a Saturday because of my overwhelming desire to avoid having to serve guests an actual meal. However, if you did decide to serve a meal I would highly suggest Stuffed Crust Pizza.

It's such a funny part of the movie and you could either order it or grab a frozen variety (DiGiorno makes one) from the store. Ooooohhhh....stuffed crust!

I also always opt for ice water at parties, but if you're brave and/or don't have light carpeting you could always serve Juice Boxes like the one Edith was drinking when she got shut in the spike-box.

- pre-baked cupcakes, cooled
- one Twinkie for each two cupcakes you'll be making
- one can regular vanilla frosting
- piping bag and round piping tip
- 10-15 packages of Smarties candy (white seperated and set aside)
- black food coloring paste
- one container dark brown Jimmies
- Cut each Twinkie into two equal pieces.
- Spread white frosting onto each cupcake.