Can we all agree on one thing? The absolute best reason to watch the Kentucky Derby is so that you can have an solid reason to mix up an ice cold mint julep! I realized this week that the derby is coming up in a few weeks, and decided to try my hand at mixing up a berry-muddled version of this classic cocktail. The most delicious mint julep I’ve ever tasted was made at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia — the drink was brimming with crushed ice, fresh mint leaves, and a pretty dusting of powdered sugar — YUM! I gave the derby staple a slight spin with some muddled mixed berries in the bottom of vintage cut crystal glasses that my mother-in-law just passed down to me, and gave them some Kate-flair with horseshoe drink stirrers too! Scroll down for the full recipe. 
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Let me let you in on a little blogger secret. When it’s super quiet on this site, it usually means that something good is coming soon! I’ve been busy working away on lots of spring content (you know, that season in between winter and summer where the weather starts to get warmer?) and can’t wait to share all of it. I’ve also been working on some behind the scenes projects for my cookbook– lining up some fun events for the fall and working on some website changes – it’s going to be exciting. We did have a few brief hours of sunshine and warmth yesterday and I’m happy to report I ignored about a dozen important items on my to do list and took Jane to the playground. We ran around in circles, picked daffodils, played with bubbles and sidewalk chalk, and it was bliss. Here’s hoping for a few more days like that in our future, and in the meantime, here is some weekend reading for you!
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The weather seems to be inching farther and farther away from a never-ending winter, and closer each day to the promise of summer parties and al fresco dining! Eating dinner outdoors has to be the number one warm-weather activity I look forward to as the seasons change. Living so close to the ocean, combined with my affinity for all things nautical and preppy, I more often than not like to give my outdoor table a festive sea-inspired spin when I’m hosting guests.
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Wow! The last two days have been an absolute blur of excitement and energy after I finally got to share the big news about my upcoming entertaining cookbook! I have been in complete awe of all of the love and comments and calls and texts that came pouring in after I got to share this news. The book writing process can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster, and I’m happy to say that I’m riding the high of the coaster right now. If you haven’t gotten a chance to yet, you can check out more of the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble where it’s available for pre-order, and read a bit more about how this all came to be in my blog post sharing the news. After you do that, keep on reading for a few more fun links from the week:
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One of my more well-known personality traits is my complete inability to keep a secret. I really can’t help it, when I hear good news I want to shout it from the rooftops! Which is why it’s a giant surprise that I have been keeping this major secret under wraps for months. The day is finally here that I can tell you the BIG NEWS! I wrote a book! I’ll type it one more time because I honestly can’t believe it myself: I wrote a book! It’s an entertaining cookbook called New England Invite: Fresh Feasts to Savor the Seasons and it will be published this fall – October 2018!
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I realized this weekend, as I was making a double batch of mac and cheese to bring Easter dinner, that I’ve never shared my go-to classic recipe for this cheesy, family favorite dish. It’s one of those dishes that I make so often (for nearly every holiday occasion) that I’ve never actually taken the time to measure everything out and write it down — until now! A combination of rich gruyere cheese, sharp cheddar, and savory parmesan cheese make the perfect coating for al dente pasta.
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Just a few more days until Easter, so I’m rounding up some of my past favorite ideas for this springtime holiday. Dessert and brunch recipes, easy DIY projects, hostess gift ideas, and inspiration for your Easter dinner table below — hope you get the creative juices flowing and bring some spring to your celebrations! 
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Sometimes I think my favorite part of holidays is the anticipation in days leading up to the actual celebration, when I think about all of the delicious food we’re going to eat. I’ve spent the last few days thinking about digging into Easter dinner on Sunday, and all of the tasty dishes that will along with it. While my dinner daydreams tend to be focused on savory flavors (I’m visualizing the mac and cheese!), I’ve been having a bit of a sweet tooth craving lately for carrot cake.
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Can you believe Easter is next weekend? It snuck up on me, which means this week I’m making sure Jane has a cute dress to wear, finishing up her Easter basket, and figuring out what I’m going to bring to my in-law’s dinner! One item already marked off my Easter prep list is coming up with a cute (and oh so simple!) hostess gift idea made with egg cartons and some chocolates. 
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More snow today, ugh. I think it’s safe to say that we all need a drink! In fact, maybe Mother Nature could use a cocktail to chill out too? I’m happy to mix this one up for her. One of my favorite way to shake up cocktails at home is with homemade simple syrups, usually made out of fresh ingredients I have leftover in my fridge. This week my leftovers included a brimming bowl of satsuma oranges — which are tiny and sweet and the prettiest orange tone. I juiced them all by hand and simmered them with a piece of fresh peeled ginger, some water and sugar.
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