We are in the home stretch for holiday preparations (I need to start wrapping gifts!) and I thought it would be the perfect time to share some easy ideas for a simple Christmas dinner! On Christmas Eve my family usually spends the afternoon at a family friends house for an annual party. When we arrive back home there is a short window to prep dinner, so I’m always thinking of creative ways to make items ahead of time and use some shortcuts to speed up the time in the kitchen. My friends at The Honey Baked Ham Company shared some of their delicious products with me, and I used them to design a tasty Christmas menu. read more

It’s barely the middle of December and we’ve already had two snowstorms, and I’ve been brainstorming fun ideas for Jane and I do together while we’re stuck inside. She is currently obsessed with snowman — we’ve built a real one with this fun snowman set, she’s constantly wear her snowman sweatshirt, and since she just learned how to draw circles we’ve been drawing a lot of them too.  So I thought we’d make a sweet snowman treat together for the holidays using fluffy white marshmallows! read more

One of my best memories as a kid at the holidays was heading to our family-friend’s house for their annual Christmas Eve party, and seeing at the back of the dining room a lavish display of cookies and sweets. They were set out on a buffet table on beautiful platters and tiered serving stands, and I would pluck one off the display every time I walked by it. By the end of the party I was so full of linzer tarts and rainbow cookies, it’s a miracle I didn’t get mistaken for Santa himself. I love the idea of these lush cookie displays, full of everyone’s favorite treats, but I just don’t have the stamina for that level of baking-commitment! My solution is a bit of a fake-it-til-you-make it take on the holiday cookie display, using some of my favorite Chinet^®brand products! read more

We are in the home stretch for Thanksgiving planning, and I have it easy this year since we’re going to my in-laws. I’m in charge of stuffing (my fave) and helping Jane finish the turkey crowns we’ve been coloring for our family. I just can’t help myself though and had to put together a little Thanksgiving table setting for the blog! My friends at Serena and Lily shared some of their beautiful tableware pieces with me and inspired this preppy-harvest look that incorporates some of my favorite tips and tricks for a holiday table. read more

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday — for obvious reasons: FOOD! But one of my very favorite parts of Thanksgiving is the day after when we get to dive into the leftovers and make those delicious mile-high turkey sandwiches, or dig into a slice of remnant pie while hanging out with family on the couch. While no one can argue the place that the turkey sandwich has in the leftover hierarchy, everyone has a different approach to their leftover packaging. Being who I am, I of course can’t let Thanksgiving leftovers go unadorned and have some festive ideas for packing up your precious pie slices using my favorite Chinet^®brand products!
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As we gear up for the peak of the entertaining season (how is it already November?!), it’s the perfect time of year to pull out some easy hacks to make hosting less of a chore and more of a party! I shared a few of my go-to tips for getting organized and prepared for the holidays in the December issue of Family Circle Magazine. I’m sharing a few of the ideas below, and be sure to check out the issue on newsstands now for more holiday prep ideas! read more

Apple picking is always at the top of my autumn bucket list, and on the first cool fall weekend this year I got my family into the car on a mission to find an orchard. It ended up being a challenge – the first orchard we visited was closed, and the second one we arrived at didn’t actually have apple picking, it was just a farm stand with apples for sale. I promised Jane apple picking and I was so bummed out when we couldn’t find an orchard for our fall weekend excursion. read more

We had some friends over this past weekend, so of course a cheese board was on the menu. I’ve been experimenting and getting creative with all sorts of themed grazing boards lately, but sometimes I just like to go back to basics and create a simple, classic board with my favorite ingredients. It was also a great chance to try out my new set of cheese knives by Forseti Steel! read more

This may be my favorite tablescape I’ve ever shared on the blog before! This table started with a colorful find while I was traveling in Rhinebeck, NY for my sister’s bachelorette weekend. We spent the afternoon browsing some sweet local shops and when I spotted this tablecloth I knew I had to have it – the warm oranges and bright cornflower blue and subtle lilac tones just screamed ME!  I scooped it up and knew it was going to be the inspiration piece for a bright, festive autumnal tablescape. read more

I am relishing in the fall weather, pulling out cozy sweaters and barn jackets, and most importantly: cooking warm, savory comfort foods. I had a line-up of some of my favorite fall recipes to bring out of my vault, but was also eager to try some new ideas too. I’ve been thinking about making a fondue spread for ages, and the crisp autumn air told me it was time to take action – a fondue party was on the books! read more