Thursday, March 19, 2009

Ultimate Blog Party 2009

Welcome to my little corner of the Ultimate Blog Party 2009! Come on in and look around :)

Let me start by introducing myself - I'm Tina (nice to meet you!) I'm 34 years old and happily married to my wonderful husband Brian. We were blessed with 3 little munchkin men - Will is 6, Jake is 5 and Henry will be 1 on April Fool's Day! Our little crew lives in the frozen tundra of Michigan - my husband's job brought us here. We're originally east coasters. I'm lucky enough to be a SAHM. In my spare time (ha!), I like to scrapbook, cook and go to Detroit Tigers baseball games.

So, have a drink, grab some food, listen to some tunes and enjoy yourself. The couch is uber comfy and I hope you enjoy your time here :)I've included 2 recipes - one is for my favorite drink and the other is for one of my favorite party foods. I'm also giving a prize away over at 5 Minutes for Mom, so check it out!

Enjoy!



Artichoke-Parmesan Crostini
(makes 8 *prep time - 15 minutes *total time - 15 minutes)

8 slices (1/4 inch thick) baguette
2 Tbsp. olive oil
coarse sald and ground pepper
1 jar (6.5 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed and patted dry.
1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish (optional)
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crostini: Brush baguette slices on both sides with a total of 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, and bake, turning over once, until golden 10-12 minutes. Cool.

Meanwhile, make topping: Finely chop artichokes, and combine in a bowl with Parmesan, parsley and remaining tablespoon oil.

Dividing evenly, spoon topping onto crostini, and garnish with additional Parmesan, if desired.



Chocolate Hazelnut Martini

1/2 c. chocolate flavored liqueur
1/4 c. hazelnut flavored liqueur
1/4 c. orange flavored liqueur
1/2 c. half n' half

Fill shaker 1/2 way with ice. Add liqueurs and half n' half. Shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain the shaker into a chilled martini glass - serve immediately.

There are SO. MANY. amazing prizes being given away this week. My top 3 are:

1. # 89 $100.00 gift card to Home Goods from HG Openhouse

2. # INTL 23 Complete Blog Makeover from Busy Mama Blog Design

3. # 3 $50.00 gift card to Target from Beginner Baby Blog

Others, in no particular order:

12, 26, 44, 58, 68, 86, 91, 98, 118, 123 and INTL 29, 33, 35 and 36

25 comments:

Nell said...

Nice to meet you! I look forward to getting to know you better this week.

Nell

Angie said...

Hi, I to am a SAHM of 3 boys. 4, 2, & 1. I live in VT and is glad that spring is finally here! It was nice to meet you! Let's get ready to party...oh, I think I'll try your drink.

Kristie said...

I am also a SAHM living in Michigan, but I only have 2 little ones. (I have to do a lot of convincing if I want a 3rd-LOL!)

It was nice meeting you! Enjoy the party!

Erin Lowmaster said...

I'm party hopping and wanted to say that it was nice to meet you! Happy blogging, partying and I hope you are enjoying the First Day of Spring!


Those recipes look pretty yummy~

ellybean (at) connected2christ.com
http://www.connected2christ.com/theblog

Cupcake Dessert said...

So nice to meet you!! I wish i had some kids to stay at home mom LOL thank you for visiting my party!! your party treats look yummy!!!

Frugal Sara said...

Nice to meet you! You have a beautiful blog!

Jena said...

Welcome to UBP! Just wanted to stop by and say 'Hi.' Also I wanted to say Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love what you said about being positive. My DH said that I was always optimistic and he was always pessimistic (he's not negative all the time, but he is more negative than I am). Gradually I see we are both starting to meet in the middle. I don't want that (I don't want to become more negative at all). I try to teach my kids happiness is a choice. Good luck and lets be happy together.

Unknown said...

Hi Tina, thanks for dropping by my blog :) It's nice to meet you!

Heidi said...

Tina,

Another Michigander stopping in. I'll have to give your recipe a try! Thanks for visiting my blog.

Doriana Gray said...

The crostini looks like a great recipe- I will definitely try it!

Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Colette S said...

Nice to meet you!

Talk about a party!

I'm quite intrigued and am learning how to get around!

Just stopping by from 5minutes for moms blog party!

Unknown said...

Hi. I'm blog hopping via The Ultimate Blog Party. Nice to meet you.

Deb said...

Yummy!
Happy upcoming birthday to your munchkin!
Just passing threw the UBP '09, glad I stopped by. It's so nice to meet so many new people. Enjoy the rest of your week ;O)
Blessings!

Sandee said...

I'm visiting from UBP! Nice to meet you.

Shop with Me Mama said...

You made me so hungry with those delicious looking goodies! YUM! Nice to meet you and have agreat week!!! :)
Kim
www.shopwithmemama.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Tina! Nice to meet you. Gotta say your blog is a little hard for an old lady like me to read. Sorry bad eyes. Party hopping and participating so stop in for a visit.

healingsoul said...

just a visit with ubp2009....

janetfaye said...

Stopping by to say hello from the UBP!

Thanks for the recipes.

Anonymous said...

Hello! Poppin’ in from The Ultimate Blog Party…all the way from Queensland, Australia! G’Day! I hope you have time to visit my party soon.

I'm giving away Pink Champagne Shower Syrup from Jaqua Beauty...stop on over and enter! Ends April 8. Open to USA.

Ta!

StacieinAtlanta said...

Hey Tina-

I am just stopping in from The Ultimate Blog Party to say hello. Come by my place to enter to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System and some books by pledging to read to your child everyday. You can also enter to win a pair of Girl's Crocs - Size 8/9. :)

Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta

Kirsten said...

So nice to "meet" you - hope you're enjoying the party!

By the way mu Hubby would LOVE your boys' go-cart!! :D

Carma Sez said...

that artichoke recipe is right up my alley!

stopping by from UBP to say "HI"
carma

Kate said...

Yay....an East Coaster!!!! Oi Vey, MI is chilly girlfriend! Hang in there......lovely to meet you, thanks so much for stopping by and for complimenting my hair! Ha! My friend cuts it...so nice to have connections. Have a fab weekend!!! :D

Michelle said...

I'm a little late to the party, but still wanted to drop by :) thanks for sharing those recipes!

Ashley said...

still blog hopping!