Flowers For Mother's Day

Every year mom gets flowers for Mother's Day. She displays them proudly for a few days and then they die and she throws them away. Why not send her flowers she can keep forever? This adorable gift basket comes with a plush teddy bear holding a bouquet of flowers. We have included some healthy treats as well to brighten her day. This is a great gift basket for elderly mothers that cannot eat too much chocolate, candy and fat. Tell us what you are getting your mother this year. We would love to hear from you.

New Kitchen Essentials Gift Basket

Are you looking for a great gourmet gift basket for someone that loves to cook? Finding a gift basket with more than food items can be difficult. We have paired together wonderful gourmet food products with a few kitchen items your recipient will love. We stuffed this salad/bread bowl with gourmet items such as Roasted Garlic Spinach Dip, Potato and Leek Soup, Spanish Olives and more. We have also included these adorable metal measuring spoons that have been the must have kitchen gift item of the year. What a great Mother's Day Gift!

The Best Cookbook On The Planet

Years ago when I was working in the corporate world, I was visited by those traveling salesman that bring great toys, books and other household items directly to your workplace. I reluctantly purchased this cookbook and it was a great decision. There are so many delicious recipes with full color photos. My version has been used and abused but I always turn to this book when I want to impress my guests. So it is my pleasure to bring you the recipe that ALWAYS gives me rave reviews.

Kahlua Candied Yams may not sound like a rave review recipe but try them. You'll see. This recipe takes almost no time at all but the outcome makes you look like a prized gourmet chef. Every family gathering, people are asking me if I brought these yams. Mother's Day is just around the corner. If you are looking for a fast, time saving recipe. Try these and if you do, please share with us the outcome.


Kahlua Candied Yams:

• 1 Can (1lb. 3 oz.) yams


• 1/4 cup butter


• 1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar


• 1/4 cup Kahlua

Cut yams in serving size pieces. In heavy skillet, melt butter with sugar. Add Kahlua, cook 1 minute. Add yams, turn until brown on all sides. Cover. Reduce heat, cook for 15 minutes. Turn yams once more before serving. Makes 4-6 servings.

Cutest Baby Shower Cupcakes

I hosted a baby shower this spring and a friend of mine made these adorable cupcakes. These sleeping babies could be incorporated into any baby shower theme. They are so quick and easy and will become the talk of the baby shower! Guests at the shower loved these so much most of them didn't eat them but took them home to keep on their kitchen counters! All you need to do is:

1.Buy any cake or cupcake mix and frosting. Follow the directions as listed on the box. Be sure to frost cupcakes before adding babies.

2. Take fondant and color it with food coloring mix to match your theme.

3. Color another batch with two drops of brown food coloring to make the baby faces.

4. Make little balls for baby heads out of fondant and a tiny dot for noses.

5. Roll out colored fondant and cut out blankies.

6. Place the babies and blankies on top of cupcakes.

7. Draw faces on baby heads. Make sure to make some sleeping, some awake and some crying!

8. Place them in a cupcake holder.

9. If desired, Make little squares of white fondant for baby pillows.

The Best Things In Life Are Chocolatey

Childhood has its ups and downs but it definately has its perks when it comes to baking! One of my favorite memories as a kid was surrounding my mother, along with my brother and sister, waiting for the oppurtunity to lick the "beaters" while she was baking. The excitement was almost too much for a seven-year-old to handle. Of course, there is an entire unspoken heirarchy. My brother was older so he got to lick the batter filled spoon, my sister and I are twins so we got a beater each and the kid who helped out the most was the lucky winner of the batter bowl. No one dared mess with this arrangement for fear of not getting their share of baking perks. I am happy to pass this tradition to my daughter. She is fortunate to get the beaters and the bowl but mom still gets the spoon!

Best Organic Brownies On Earth!

Last week I received a sample of this Kings Cupboard Organic Brownie Mix. I figured I have tasted many brownie mixes from different companies, I might as well try these. Although I must admit, I have never tried an organic variety. When I started making them, I thought this is more like cake, they are so thick! I figured I had messed up the recipe but I stuck to the directions. Boy, was I shocked! These brownies had to be the best I have ever tasted! Thick, rich and delicious. My family was of course, fighting over the last one. I decided these brownies needed their own post because they would make the perfect hostess gift. It gave me the idea to create our Brownie Bucket gift. By the way, did I mention I love gourmet food samples!

Quick & Easy Angel Food Cake With Pomegranate Strawberries

Expecting company? I have a quick and easy recipe that will have your guests believing you are an upscale gourmet dessert chef! Cuisine Perel in Richmond, CA makes an amazing line of Balsamic Vinegars that can be used on salads, meats and desserts. Keep a few bottles in your pantry and you are sure to impress your guests at a moments notice. This recipe is for Angel Food Cake with Pomegranate Strawberries. What you will need:

• 1/4 cup Cuisine Perel Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar
• 1 basket of strawberries, halved and quartered
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1 angel food cake (just pick up one up in the fruit section of your grocery store)
• 1 cup whipped cream

Mix strawberries, sugar and vinegar and allow to macerate in refrigerator at least one hour. Plate angel food cake, top with berries and whipped cream. Spoon remaining vinegar syrup over top and serve for a quick and easy dessert. The best news is this recipe is right on the back of the beautiful Cuisine Perel bottle! We loved this vinegar so much, we included it in our popular hostess gift basket!

Looking For A Unique California Family Dining Experience?

I love to try off the beaten path places to eat. These small, family owned diners and restaurants usually have the best food and reasonable prices. I have to tell you about this great little restaurant I found while in Southern California. Oak Tree Village in Oak Glen, CA is an awesome place to take the kids for an inexpensive family outing. They have a wildlife museum, apple picking, world famous apple pies, petting zoo and breathtaking scenery of apple orchards and nearby mountains. I was most impressed with Apple Annie's restaurant. Straight from an old western movie, this country diner offered the best breakfast in the West! Their Goldminer breakfast served up eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, bacon and a plate sized pancake. The best part of dining at Apple Annie's-if you are still hungry, SECONDS ARE ON THEM! We had to ask twice to make sure this was true. Not far from Southern California's Inland Empire, Oak Tree Village and Apple Annie's is well worth the drive.