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 March is here...can you believe it? We're so excited because the first day of Spring is right around the corner and that means the return of sunshine!
It's been a long snowy winter here in Ohio and we're ready for a fresh start, even if it does come in like a lion. The month is full of celebrations with lucky St. Patrick's Day on the 17th and getting ready for Easter in early April.
Below, you'll find Vickie's own recipe for scalloped potatoes made the old-fashioned way. It's perfect for any day and is sure to be a hit at Easter dinner.
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We've also included a bunch of clever tips below from our book, Come On Over, for dressing up your table...whether you're hosting the family or just want to make dinnertime extra special, they're sure to inspire you!
Here's to longer days, fewer snowflakes and the bright flowers that Spring showers will surely bring...how will you celebrate the season this year?
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P.S. March is National Crafting Month...check out our new craft book, Farmhouse Crochet, for lots of projects, patterns and ideas! | |
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Easter's coming up on April 4th...give Vickie's recipe a try!
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Old Fashioned Scalloped Potatoes
A recipe from our Comfort Foods cookbook
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
4 c. potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2/3 c. sweet onion, thinly sliced
2 T. butter, sliced
1-1/2 c. milk
Garnish: paprika
Mix together flour, salt and pepper; set aside. In a greased 2-quart casserole dish, layer half each of potatoes, onion, flour mixture and butter. Repeat layering with remaining potatoes, onion, flour mixture and butter. Set aside. Heat milk just to boiling and pour over top; sprinkle with paprika. Bake, covered, at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Serves 8.
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| For Easter dinner or anytime, dress up your table with these couldn't-be-easier tips...a baker's dozen just for you! They all come from our cookbook, Come On Over. |
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Hosting a special Sunday dinner with the family? Dress up the table by tying pretty scarves around chair backs, then tuck a tulip in each knot.
Tiny berry baskets filled with fresh fruit look charming at each place setting. Stick a toothpick through a placecard and prop up inside. Brunch guests will love it! |
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There's nothing easier than sprucing up a table with flowers...cluster a small bunch of garden roses in a teapot, add a bouquet of daffodils to an old-fashioned milk bottle or arrange fresh daisies in a watering can. It's so simple!
Looking for a centerpiece to go with a picnic or garden-fresh meal? Slice a watermelon in half and use half as a vase...don't even bother to hollow it out! Simply tuck flower stems right in the melon, and the water inside will help keep them vibrant.
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Add some sparkle to the table! Wrap inexpensive beaded bracelets around pressed glass canning jars. Set a tea light inside each or add simple arrangements of flowers. Guests can even take them home as favors! |
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Paper plates and cups don't have to be plain and boring. Look for those that come in bright colors, then quickly dress them up with ribbons, rick-rack, flowers or stickers. |
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Dress up paper napkins in a snap! Trim napkin edges with decorative-edge scissors, then use permanent markers and rubber stamps to add polka dots, stripes or alphabet letters. |
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Kids coming for dinner too? Set up a separate table for them and use a sheet of butcher paper for the tablecloth. Place a flowerpot filled with markers, crayons and stickers in the middle...they'll have a blast! |
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When setting the table with stemmed glasses, open up colorful napkins, gather each in the middle and slip them, center down, into each glass...an instant dress-up for the table!
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Use old serving dishes in a new way for a fresh look. Handed-down cream and sugar sets can hold sauces, bread sticks can be arranged in gravy boats and a trifle dish can make a great salad bowl.
For an affordable get-together, invite friends over for "just desserts!" Offer 2 to 3 simple homebaked desserts like cobblers, dump cake and fruit pie, ice cream for topping and a pot of steamy coffee...they'll love it! |
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Have a cupboard full of mismatched dishes and a drawer full of mismatched flatware? A combination of different colors and patterns makes fun settings for the table, so go ahead and mix it up! |
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Bring a whole new look to your table with a table runner you can make in a flash. Just tie 5 oversized cloth napkins together, corner-to-corner, and lay across the table. |
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When shopping for cloth napkins, be sure to pick up an extra one...use it to wrap around a flower pot, pitcher or pail and you'll always have a matching centerpiece.
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