Tangerine-Glazed Ham With Baby Carrots - Easter with a Twist

If you don't already have your menu set for Easter Sunday, I have a suggestion Bobby Flay's Tangerine-Glazed Easter Ham With Baby Carrots. This recipe is nothing short of spectacular and worth all the effort.

My dad made this twice in past years, but recently we've moved our Easter to another house where they do the cooking. The tangerine sauce will have you and your guests going back for more. You'll actually be looking for any morsel to dunk into the sauce just to savor the taste.

We are a foodie family, my father spent his life in the meat business and my brother owns restaurants and I can truly say that this is the most amazing ham recipe we've ever come across. It doesn't matter what you serve on the side because the ham will be the star! Happy Easter!

Posted by Liz

Image from FoodNetwork

Easter Basket Madness

I'm proud to announce that the Easter Bunny was early this year. He dropped off complete, colorful, and candy free baskets in record time. I guess Peter Rabbit knew that I needed to check at least one thing off my list before the big day. Truthfully, it only took a trip to Target and the Dollar Store along with a few things from the 2012 Pier 1 after Easter sale. Now they just need a colorful bow and a special tag. My girls don't really like candy yet, so that part was easy. I on the other hand would love a reason other than myself to stock up on the yummy, chocolate, Easter treats. Here's run down on what's inside. FYI, I made a point to add some snacks and activities that we could take with us to keep the kids busy at our family gathering, later that afternoon.

1. Spring Coloring Books (Dollar Tree)
2. Spring Crayons (Target 99 cents)
3. Butterfly spray bottle for the garden (Target Dollar Section)
4. Bunny bouncy ball (Pier 1)
5. Bunny bath puff (Pier 1)
6. Easter bunny ears
7. Goldfish
8. Squirt applesauce
9. Glitter and easter egg chalk (Target and Dollar Tree)
10. Dress up bracelets (Dollar Tree)
11. Dora Squeeze No-Spill bubbles (Target 2.99)

What's in your Easter basket? Please share, we'd love to know. My mother in law went with a princess theme and got the girls dress up outfits, princess dolls, and princess jewelry and wands. I'm sure the girls are going to go crazy for all their fun Easter surprises!

Posted by Liz

Getting the House Ready for Easter

Last year I had my fabulous decorator friend help me decorate for Easter. This year I attempted to decorate myself. I pulled out all the decorations a week ago and they sat uninspired on my counter until yesterday when my mom started moving things around.

After about 10 minutes and multiple distractions by the twins she said let's call Cynthia. So it was our dear friend and designer, Cynthia to the rescue again. With not much to work with she turned several baskets and bunnies, a few porcelain eggs and a bag or two of fake flowers into several vignettes that finally make my house feel like spring!

I don't have a master centerpiece on the table yet for Easter brunch because we use our table so much for everyday arts and crafts. Instead she threw on a spring runner and a basket full of plastic eggs with a cute bow, totally child friendly and easy to move out of the way for now. I can swap it out for tulips if I'm having guests. I'm always amazed what she can do with a bit of ribbon and some flowers. She just throws it all together like magic.

My girls love it when she comes to decorate, they say she's here to make our house pretty! I have to agree with them, it does seem kind of boring without holiday decorations up! Here's a sampling of some of the things she put together.

Posted by Liz