Sugar & Spice by Celeste

***Brad and my Uncle Hal have created a monster...an ice cream monster!  Brad surprised me with a Cuisinart ice cream maker as part of my Valentine's present this year.  I was so excited, because I've been wanting one for a while.  My Uncle Hal found this particular ice cream maker while we were shopping during their recent visit. Get this...it makes ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet...all just by flipping a switch.  There's no hand-churning, rock salt or bags of ice required.  This machine makes it so easy, which probably isn't very good for our waistlines!  Thank goodness we've both been working our butts off (literally, I guess!  haha) on the treadmill.  A little ice cream is a good reward for such hard work, right??  That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.  :-) When I asked Brad what flavor he wanted me to try first, his answer was a resounding Mint Chocolate Chip!  See, that's always been one of his favorites, if not h...

***Some things are so addictive - chocolate, a good book, coffee, shopping...and these Cheese & Sausage Balls!   My Aunt Julie brought the ingredients along when they came to stay with us last weekend.  Brad and I were both so happy!  This recipe is something that she makes on Christmas day every year, so it was a special treat for us to have them on William's birthday weekend!   The best part? - This recipe is incredibly easy but absolutely packed with yummy deliciousness.  Each little bite is like biting into a sausage biscuit from your favorite breakfast restaurant.  Even though they are made with hot sausage, they're not too spicy.  Let me just say this - I usually don't like anything that's super spicy, and these are amazing!  We did leave out the cayenne pepper, but if you like the heat, by all means add it in! This is the sort of thing that would make a perfect appetizer for a party.  They'd be so cute wi...

***I have had such a fabulous, awesome, and fun weekend...I am sad that it's almost over!  On Friday, my Uncle Hal, Aunt Julie and cousin William came into town for William's birthday.  I was so happy that I got to help celebrate his big day and even happier that I got to spend the whole weekend with them!  He turned the big 1-7, and I had just the perfect idea in mind for his cake.  A few weeks earlier, he mentioned that he had seen my cinnamon rolls on this blog, and that he really wanted to try some.  Well, what could be better than a birthday cake made entirely out of cinnamon rolls, then?!? When I was younger, I remember going to Hal & Julie's house for dinner.  We would eat spaghetti, swim in their awesome jacuzzi and eat Cookies & Cream Ice Cream... Oh.My.Goodness... That ice cream...   Uncle Hal working his magic... The whole gang... I still remember how decadently perfect that ice cream always was.  It was cr...

*** Prosciutto...Just the word brings back delicious memories from our time in Italy.  That's where you can find the finest Prosciutto di Parma in all the world.  I remember waking up at our hotel in Florence, Italy and walking downstairs to a gorgeous array of breakfast food - prosciutto included!  Sadly, the packaged prosciutto that you can find in the grocery stores here in the USA just doesn't compare.  However, I will say that The Fresh Market has some of the best that I've been able to find.  There, they cut it fresh for you. This recipe for Florentine Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken is simply delish.  The toasted pine nuts and nutmeg both add such wonderful flavors to this dish.  In fact, if you don't have nutmeg, don't make this chicken without it - It makes such a difference! When a trip to Italy isn't possible, this yummy dinner sure does do the trick! Bon Appetit!*** Florentine Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken Source:  Look + Cook co...

***Just in time for the Chinese New Year, here is a stir-fry recipe that's packed with delicious, citrusy flavors.  I was so pleased with the way this dinner came out, and I'm thankful there are leftovers in the fridge!  The sauce is incredible...It's made up of orange marmalade, fresh ginger, soy sauce, and chicken stock, which couldn't be any easier.  The sauce has a fresh, delicate taste that isn't overpowering.  The orange flavors and fresh ginger are definitely the star of the show. This dish comes together so fast.  Take Rachael's advice and have all the veggies prepared and next to the stove.  As you can see, I used thinly sliced chicken when I prepared it.  Like Rachael mentions, you can also use pork or shrimp.  If you're feeling extra ambitious, you could even use all three and make it a stir-fry combination! WATCH THE VIDEO: You can watch Rachael Ray make this dish HERE ! If you want to learn more about the Chinese New Year, here ...