hostess with the mostess...or at least I try

As promised I am back today with a better attitude and some holiday spirit  : )

I have been kind of a complainer the last few days & I know that can’t be the most fun to read, so thanks for your sweet comments. I’d rather be honest about having a few hard days than faking it on here. Also it is so nice to know I am not alone in my crabbiness... and tendency to only want eat my feelings for days, while contemplating never doing a physically strenuous thing again. So double thanks for that.

I mentioned a few weeks ago about how Jacob would be going to law school next year. We haven’t nailed anything down yet but one thing is pretty for certain. We will need to sell our house.

I am not really sure how I feel just yet about this because some days I am so excited for a new adventure and to start over again. I love the idea of throwing a bunch of stuff out! I swear once you own a house you acquire more crap than you thought was even possible, especially for only two people and a dog.

However since the holidays are basically here, I can’t help but feel sad. We had so many high hopes for our little house and it meant everything that last year we were able to get in and settled just in time to host Christmas for both sides of the family.

Last Christmas Eve.

I found out I absolutely loveeeee hosting holidays. Quite possibly it could be because currently we are a family minus little people and I have the time to attempt being a Pinterest princess but I don’t know… I think at the root of it go ahead and make fun of me it makes me feel like a real grown up! I think the downfall of being an only child is always having this weird need to prove yourself…and although only children often grow up as “one of the adults”, once you ARE an adult everyone can only see you as the little girl in the family.

But whatever the case, I am going CRAZY this year because god only knows the dorm room version of an apartment we will be squeezing into come spring : )

Let me also note that I love hosting parties but I am not a great cook and dare I try something and fail, so I’ve got two of the simplest appetizers EVER for you today. I just have to share because whether you love hosting or you run to everyone else’s parties you could always use a new dish.

When I say these are simple I mean a three year old could easily help. 

I don’t know who made up "save the best for last"- I don't agree, so let’s go with THE best first.

GLAZED BRIE.

So I don’t even care if you hate Brie, you WILL like this. I swear. I have had numerous people who said they can’t even think about choking down brie try it and then they died, went straight to heaven, and came back for more.

This stuff is straight up candy.

The night before you want to mix the following:

¼ cup of brown sugar

¼ cup of pecans

1 tablespoon of brandy

Put it in a bowl & then in the fridge.

~~~~~~

The next day and shortly before you are ready to serve, take a 14 ounce Brie round. Looks like this.

Put it in a pie pan & in the oven on 500 degrees for 5 min.

Then pull it out. Dump your mixture, from the night before, on top. Put it back in for 2 more min.

Serve with apple slices and crackers.

SERIOUSLY without the crackers and apples, this app is four ingredients!!! and you will impress everyone. I bet my life on it.

Next up: CAPRESE SALAD TOOTHPICKS. 

These are so great because they look so festive. 

OK. Ready for your mind to be blown. It does not get any easier than this.

Take a chunk of fresh mozzarella. Cut into tinier chunks.

Get some cherry tomatoes. Extra points if you buy the ones from my picture. They are actually called “Santa Sweets”. Guess the big guy grows ‘em himself.

Put a chunk of cheese and a tomato on a toothpick and squirt a dollop of the basil on the top.

Sprinkle the whole plate with balsamic vinegar.

This is a picture with basil leaves but it will look something like this.

You can find these tubes of basil or other herbs everywhere now! They are usually by the refrigerated salad dressing at the grocery store.

I guess you could use real basil leaves but this stuff in the tube is really flavorful and so easy. I actually think it looks cool too. If you are really feeling artsy you can do little designs on the plate with it too.

Please, let me know if you try either of these!!!

Do you have any simple dishes you cook up for parties??? Please share. 

Hosting? Take it or leave it.??