Throughout the year we celebrate Old Glory by paying homage to our flag before community events and singing the Star Spangled Banner. Flag poles throughout America proudly fly the stars and stripes every day. I decided with the upcoming Flag Day holiday, June 14, it seems like a fitting time to make a refreshing tart, Stars & Stripes Tart.

With Easter just around the corner, I thought I’d try something new. My sweet potatoes were a hit on Thanksgiving, but I want to try something different as a side dish for Easter dinner. When I found these Toasted Onion Mashed Potatoes, I knew they’d be the perfect side. Who doesn’t love onions sautéed in butter?

With my wedding date fast approaching, there are so many little details that need to be finished up. A couple weekends ago, we finalized the bridesmaid dresses. I was able to spend some time with most of my bridesmaids, which was fun since we don’t usually get to all be in the same place at once. All in all, it was a great weekend, but then I realized the only member of our bridal party (that lives within driving distance) that I had not seen that weekend was our ring bearer, Cade.

Although I only have a “drop” of Irish blood in my ancestry, I still enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day which, by the way, falls on March 17. Living in St. Paul, MN means St. Patrick’s Day gets lots of attention. The city of St. Paul was settled, in part, by Irish immigrants and still boasts a population of approximately 13% Irish according to the 2005-2007 American Community Survey. There are numerous celebrations including a large parade each St. Paddy’s Day and I, for one, never miss a chance to have fun!

New Years is just around the corner, and I’m planning on having a small get-together with some friends and family. Of course, dessert is my favorite part of the meal and is usually the “show-stopper” of my dinners. I’ve made a lot of cakes, cookies and bars lately, and want to serve something a little more…exciting. Something that would impress and entertain my guests.

There are a number of traditions in my family, but one is close to sacred. That tradition involves a special yeast bread or coffee cake made originally by my grandmother and now made by my mother. This coffee cake is served at our casual family Christmas Eve supper. Then, the leftovers are served the next morning for Christmas breakfast. The only name we have ever used for this special pull-apart type bread is Pawmaw’s Coffee Cake.

So…do you have all of your Christmas shopping done yet? This is the question that keeps haunting me. Everyone has been asking me this with the holiday drawing near and quite frankly, no I don’t! I mean, I have the main gifts purchased- for my mom, dad, sister and the fiancé…but there are a lot of people that I want to give a little something to, but I have no idea what to get them.

Chocolate and peppermint are two of my favorite flavors and when combined – well, it just doesn’t get any better. When I saw Fudgy Peppermint Cake being developed in the Test Kitchens, I was the first in line to volunteer to participate in the tasting sessions. Well, somebody has to do it :)