Ta dah! A darling birthday wreath. My kids love to put this on the door when it's their birthday. I learned how to make this from a wonderful woman named Carleen Tanner. It only takes about an hour to an hour and a half to make. This one is being sent to my sister (if she's nice).

Take two balloons and secure them with a floral pin. Bunch the balloons close together so they look like this:

Pin the balloons all the way around the wreath. Then to add a little pizazz, add some curling ribbon.

Curl about a yard of each color of ribbon and pin with a floral pin. How cute is that?!

You could do all pink or blue for a baby shower, all white for a bridal shower etc. etc. the possibilities are endless. Get creating!

Guess what I can make with a straw wreath,
about 300 twelve-inch balloons,
colorful curling ribbon,
and about 150 floral pins?
You'll find out soon!

Have you ever tasted something, and no matter how you tried, you could not get the memory of the deliciousness out of your head? That happened to me a few years ago when I tasted this delightful dessert. When I took my first bite, the heavens opened and angels sang. And there is zucchini in it! So, you're getting a veggie in with your dessert (two birds, one stone). Try this. I promise you will like it.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Adapted recipe by: Jill R.

1/2 cup soft butter
1 cup oil
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sour milk (2 Tbs vinegar in 1/2 cup milk...let sour for a few minutes)
5 Tbsp cocoa
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups finely diced zucchini

Mix together and pour into floured 9X13 in cake pan (I pour into 4 greased loaf pans).
Sprinkle with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

Bake at 325 for 40-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in pan 10 minutes.
Turn over on wire rack and drizzle icing on loaves before serving. Printable recipe

Get ready to hear the angels sing!

The saying goes, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away". This recipe will help you eat (at least) an apple a day. This dip is creamy and sweet and crunchy at the same time. It compliments sweet and tart apples alike...I like it with honey crisp apples myself but any ol' apple will do. It takes just a minute to make but the impression lasts much longer. You only need a few ingredients and you're ready to go. Enjoy!


Crunchy Apple Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Mix well until creamy. Then add:
1/2 bag Heath bits (that's where the crunchy comes in)
Stir together and serve with sliced apples immediately. Printable recipe

*Please note: this dip is great the next day but the toffee bits dissolve so the dip does not retain its crunchiness.