Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Easter 2013

Almost a month late again (right on schedule)...here is a look at our Easter, mainly via Instagram.  Chris had to work over the Easter weekend (huge bummer), but we made the most of it.  Our church hosted a special Easter Service at the Coronado Theater downtown Rockford.  It was AMAZING.  Best Easter Service ever.  That evening, we had the family over at our place for dinner.  Great day celebrating our Risen Savior...

I took the boys to a glow in the dark egg hunt at our local Y...they even had a bunny farm there!

Meeting the Easter Bunny...

The boys and I also went to a traditional Jewish Passover Seder dinner at a local church the week before...if you have never gone to one, it is incredible!  I highly recommend it...

We had funny coloring eggs with friends...here is M doing his thing...

J got in on the action as well...

The eggs...

I even made a "peepza" for the occasion...

J in festive wear...

Easter morning...the baskets...


J liked his "Mater" fan...

M thought his "Darth" bunny was cool...


My Easter cuties all spiffed up and ready to go...

Easter at the Coronado...

M telling everyone on the big screen at the Coronado, via a cute video, that the Easter Bunny gave him tons of money last year...5 year olds...

Couple pics of the band during worship...


My good friend Jacquie and me...

Me and my boys...

The "Egg" Layered Cake I made...

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Caprese Bites


This is a simple, yet impressive appetizer.  Totally yummy as well.  It's the simple things like the cute bamboo skewers and a nice platter that make them so fun.  Try them at your next party!

Here is what your will need...Some red and yellow grape tomatoes, fresh basil, mini fresh mozzarella balls, Garlic Expressions dressing, balsamic vinegar, fresh ground black pepper, and bamboo skewers.

Start an assembly line...cut a tomato in half, and between it on the skewer, place a small piece of basil and two mini mozzarella balls...

So pretty!

A close up...At this point you could cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (but I wouldn't do it more than a few hours ahead of time or the basil might turn brown).

When ready to serve, lightly sprinkle them all over with Garlic Expressions dressing, and a little sprinkling of balsamic vinegar.  Freshly grind some pepper over them as well.  (A tiny pinch of Kosher salt would be nice, but I didn't do it the night I served these.)

Caprese Bites

Red and Yellow Grape Tomatoes (enough for the amount you desire to make)
Fresh Basil, torn into small pieces
Mini Fresh Mozzarella Balls (These were super mini, if they are a little bigger, use one)
Garlic Expression Dressing
Balsamic Vinegar
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Bamboo Skewers*

Cut your tomatoes in half.  Star by putting one half of the tomato on a the skewer, then a piece of fresh basil.  Next put two mini mozzarella balls, followed by another piece of basil, then the other half of the tomato.  Alternate red and yellow tomato caprese bites when your plate them to make it pretty.  When ready to serve, drizzle them with Garlic Expressions dressing and a little balsamic vinegar.  Finish with some freshly ground black pepper.

*I found these cute bamboo skewers at Party City, but have also seen them on Amazon.com.

The white platter I used is from Pampered Chef's Simple Additions line, but it is retired.  I had luck finding one on ebay.

Enjoy!

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