Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a great weekend.   We enjoyed another weekend filled with fun and great memories. This week I am truly reflecting.  It is so hard for me to believe that  my second oldest is graduating High School.  Although we have heard all our lives just how quickly our children grow up, until you go through the motions, you don’t really understand how quickly it truly happens.

I realize the importance of those moments at home, around the family table.   The art of art of conversation is one of the best gifts we can give our children.  Creating those moments will create memories that will last a lifetime.

This week, we are sharing fabulous easy weekday supper recipes for you to enjoy with your family.  These recipes can be whipped up in no time at all, leaving you time to converse with those we love most.

Have an awesome week friends!

This Week’s Easy Weekday Supper Recipes:

Meeting Scott Conant at the E.A.T. St. Pete Press Release. What a great guy! I am really looking forward to this event in November.

What a fun Saturday Night we had. Enjoyed great food, great music and most of all, great family time!

we are sharing fabulous easy weekday supper recipes for you to enjoy with your family.

Check out more information on the exciting Inaugural Event for E.A.T. St. Pete Here.

Is there anything better than walking into your house and smelling pure deliciousness wafting through the air?  The smell of onions and peppers roasting is one of my absolute favorite smells.  Especially if it includes every color pepper that you can find.  It’s always amazing to me that green peppers taste different from red peppers and yellow peppers taste different from orange peppers.  Slow Cooked Pork Peppers and Onions will have you using all your senses and questioning could it really be that good?

The color of the peppers adds to the beauty and creates a memorable experience.  But the heavenly smell is what you will remember and what will make you make Pork Peppers and Onions over and over again for Sunday Supper.  The taste, the heavenly taste… the caramelized onions and peppers on top of the juicy pork  brings it all together.  This recipe is a favorite in our home and the base to so many more recipes that can be made for #WeekdaySupper!

We love using the leftovers for the juicy Slow Cooked Pork Peppers and Onions and make Mexican Pizza.  While many think of potatoes, when they think of roasted pork, we love to pair it with Portuguese Rice.

When Susan from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen suggested this theme, I was all over it.  After all, that is what Sunday Supper is all about… spending that little extra time in the kitchen, enjoying the beautiful aroma throughout the house, creating a meal the family will love today and enjoy as leftovers tomorrow!

This week’s Slow Cooked Sunday Supper theme is full of beautiful inspiration!  I am in love with so many of these recipes and have already started adding them to my must try list!

Low & Slow Breads & Starters:

Don’t forget to join the #SundaySupper chat on Twitter Sunday to discuss cooking low and slow! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share our delicious recipes. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupperhashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and food photos.

Friday evenings at our home are made for relaxing and chilling with a great drink and perhaps some Avocado Hummus.  I recently read Recipe for Joy and knew that I just couldn't wait to try a Pomegranate Cocktail.  I especially love it because we can make the alcoholic version in a nice martini glass for the adults and the non-alcoholic version for the kids.

Recipe for Joy really spoke to me.  Imagine a great story filled with amazing recipes for families.  Food writer Robin Davis promised she’d never move back to Ohio, never get married, and never join an organized religion. But her experience proves the adage “Never say never!” Today this Midwestern wife, stepmother, and converted Catholic reveals that food and faith can go hand in hand and that sometimes, God uses people and some really good meals to bring us into a closer relationship.

 Learn more about Recipe for Joy here.

Today, I am so excited and honored to have my daughter, Alexandra posting.  She is the reason that Family Foodie was born and continues to  inspire me every day.  It is so wonderful to have her home from college and working with me all summer.  She is a total hummus addict and when she gets home from college, we test more hummus recipes than you could imagine.  This recipe for Avocado Hummus is just amazing and our entire family is now in love with it.  Sometimes on a Friday night, it is just fun to have an appetizer for #WeekdaySupper. 

Something that everyone should know about me is that I am a HUGE fan of hummus. Anytime I go to the store, I have to pick some up. I love to dip anything like fresh vegetables, pitas, tortilla chips or pretzel crisps in it, but it’s also really good on sandwiches. To me, hummus is the perfect healthy snack for in between classes, to satisfy a late night craving or a comfort food when I need it. No matter what time of day, I can always find a way to incorporate it into my meal.

I have always been a big fan, but my true hummus obsession began my freshman year of college. On campus, they sell little cups of hummus with pretzel crisps at the markets, and my roommate and I would always keep some in our mini fridge. Some of the girls in my hall would come sit on the floor of my dorm, while we snacked on chips and hummus and made plans for later. Thankfully, the market was open until 3 AM, so I could run over and grab some whenever it was necessary. It’s funny how something as ridiculous as hummus can bring back such fond memories.

The other day I was on Instagram and I saw a friend had posted a picture of homemade avocado hummus, and it looked amazing. I mean, come on, we’re combing two of my favorite foods together, hummus AND avocados. I couldn’t resist! So basically, my Friday night dinner consisted of carrots, broccoli and hummus, and let me tell you it was the perfect meal.

Check out this week's #WeekdaySupper recipes from our contributors.

• Monday – Hip Foodie Mon – Fresh Asian Noodle Bow
• Tuesday – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz - Easy Individual Chicken Pot Pies with a Cauliflower Crust
• Wednesday - No One Likes Crumbley Cookies – Grilled Ginger Pork with Asian Slaw
• Thursday - Noshing With The Nolands – Paprika Chicken
• Friday – Family Foodie –  Avocado Hummus

Have you ever tasted a cookie that makes you smile?  Is it the cookie or is it memories that cookie evokes? Have you ever tried Happy Birthday Thumbprint Cookies?  I bet they would make you smile.  It's what they do to me.  They make me smile, happy and feel loved.

What could be so special about a Thumbprint Cookie?  Everyone has tried one before.  But this one is so special because it is made with love…the buttery shortbread like cookie with a drop of strawberry or grape jelly.  Some would argue that it has to be topped with sprinkles.  Not me, give it to me straight up with strawberry preserves and no sprinkles.

No one makes Happy Birthday Thumbprint Cookies like my friend Colleen.  It is just not possible to make these simple cookies, so perfectly baked like she does…  is it possible that she fills them with extra love? Colleen loves to add sprinkles on top because it makes them more festive.  I like them plain because I love how smooth and buttery they taste.  For some reason, the sprinkles just are just too much for such an unpretentious cookie.

Today, I am baking these delicious Happy Birthday Thumbprint cookies and stuffing them with love for another friend.  Although Carla and I have never met in person, we have become good friends through the Sunday Supper Movement.  It is just amazing the wonderful individuals that have been brought together by this movement.  There are times that I have to ask myself, have we really never met in person?  Carla is such a big part of our group and I just can't imagine what we would do without her.

Carla is a talented photographer and is one of those people that selflessly shares her knowledge with others.  I have learned so much from her and I am honored to have her take part of our Inaugural Food and Wine Conference this year.  She is on the photography panel and something tells me, our photographs will never look the same after spending a weekend with her. Photography aside, I just can't wait to give her a big hug when I finally get the opportunity to meet her in person!

Happy Birthday Sweet Friend!  Thank you for inspiring me with your recipes and photography all year! Most of all, Thank you for continuously sharing your talents. 

If you want to see Carla in action and take your photography to the next level, join us in Orlando this summer for the

First Annual Food and Wine Conference

We're having a party!  I'm not alone in this celebration… check out these other fabulous Birthday Recipes:

• Coconut Fudge Cream-Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars ~ Juanita's Cocina
• Chocolate Mousse Cake for Chocolate Moosey ~ Chocolate, Chocolate, and More
• Chocolate Moose Cookies | Happy Birthday Chocolate Moosey ~ Cravings of a Lunatic
• Individual Funfetti Cake ~ The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Chocolate Moose Cupcakes ~ Daily Dish Recipes
• Torticas de Moron (Cuban Sugar Cookies) ~ Magnolia Days
• Funfetti Cookie Cups ~ The Messy Baker
• Happy Birthday Thumbprint Cookies ~ Family Foodie
• Lemon Poppyseed Layer Cake for a Chocolate Moosey Birthday ~ Gotta Get Baked
• Blackberry Cobbler ~ Jen's Favorite Cookies

Happy Monday!  You all know how much I adore Monday morning.  Many would disagree, but to me it is the best day of the week.  We get a fresh start, we  plan, we can collaborate and ultimately shape the future of our families.  This Monday, I have a little more pep in my step than normal.  I woke up feeling blessed and thankful that I was able to spend another Mother's Day surrounded by the love of my four children and my parents.  We  had so many laughs this weekend and truly shared moments that will create memories that will last a lifetime.

I love spending time Around the Family Table and love this week's Easy Weekday Supper Recipes.  Our talented contributors have come up with not only easy recipes, but wholesome recipes for busy families.  These recipes can be whipped up in no time at all!

• Monday – Hip Foodie Mon – Fresh Asian Noodle Bow
• Tuesday – Sue's Nutrition Buzz - Easy Individual Chicken Pot Pies with a Cauliflower Crust
• Wednesday - No One Likes Crumbley Cookies – Grilled Ginger Pork with Asian Slaw
• Thursday - Noshing With The Nolands – Paprika Chicken
• Friday – Family Foodie –  Avocado Hummus

Here are some of my favorite moments from the past week:

Friday Night Sunset at Dunedin Marina

I love Crab Cakes.  What makes the perfect Crab Cake?

 Mother's Day Breakfast made with love by my husband

 This was my Mother's Day meal.  I love Paella and loved sharing this meal with my mom.

I am so excited about our Inaugural Food and Wine Conference in Orlando this summer and hope you can join us!

www.foodandwineconference.com 

Happy Mother's Day Friends!   May your table be filled with great conversation, incredible food and memories that will last a lifetime.   I am blessed to be spending the day with My Mother and My Children.  There is nothing like the unconditional love of family.  My husband surprised me and made reservations for Mother's Day.  He felt that I had been working so hard lately that a meal out was in order today.  I truly can't remember the last time I didn't cook for my mom on Mother's Day.  Although this felt a little off, I quickly realized that the family table can be anywhere… the only ingredient required is Love.

Do you have a special recipe that  when you serve it to your family, it screams "made with love."  Today I am sharing one of those recipes that my family loves and when a big platter filled  with Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp Garlic Caper Sauce is placed Around the Family Table, they know they are loved.

I love this picture of Vo-Vo and Reis spending time in the kitchen.  I had it made into a canvas as a Mother's Day Gift for Vo-Vo

We receive inspiration from many places,  but I don't know that I have every been inspired and touched by a group of individuals like the group of contributors in our Sunday Supper Movement.   Through their recipes, their writing and their passion, I am inspired week after week.  Happy Mother's Day to all the great women in this group.  I am honored to be surrounded by such great women every week!

This week's event is hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks.  Thank you for putting together this memorable event with these amazing recipes.

Mother's Day Brunch:

• Blueberry Coffee Cake from Peanut Butter and Peppers 
• Cornbread Pancakes with Blackberries from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Crepes from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks 
• Hot N Sweet Mango Chutney from Sue's Nutrition Buzz
• Lemon Glazed Raspberry Scones from Juanita's Cocina
• Quiche Lorraine from Supper for a Steal
• Seafood Quiche from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Simple Gluten-Free Buckwheat Buttermilk Waffles from Buffy and George
• Strawberry Rhubarb Compote from Noshing with the Nolands
•  Sweet French Breakfast Crepes from Curious Cuisiniere
• Vidalia Onion Quiche from Comfy Cuisine

Mother's Day Entrees:

• Cod with Stewed Tomatoes from Cindy's Recipes and Writings 
• Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches with Herbed Goat Cheesefrom Foxes Love Lemons
• Lemon Risotto from Healthy. Delicious.
• Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp Caper Sauce from Family Foodie
• Pork dumpling (Shumai) from The Urban Mrs.

Mother's Day Starters and Sides:

•  Crab Bread Pudding from Kimchi MOM
• Cream of Asparagus Soup from Mama's Blissful Bites 
• Spaetzle from Magnolia Days
• Spring Orzo Pasta Salad from The Messy Baker
• Vegetable Tart from Sustainable Dad

Mother's Day Desserts:

• Bailey's Caramel Apple Lava Dumplings from Gourmet Drizzles
• Blackberry Cobbler from Country Girl in the Village
• Caramel Apple Cinnamon Rolls from Gotta Get Baked
• Chocolate Kahlua Cream Pie from Ruffles & Truffles 
• Espresso Brownies from What Smells So Good?
• Fresh Blackberry Elderflower Sorbet from Shockingly Delicious
• Fresh Fig and Walnut Pie from Vintage Kitchen 
•  Gluten Free Coconut Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Berries, and Fresh Whipped Cream fromNeighborfood
• Lavender Shortbread Cookies from girlichef
• Lemon Meringue Pie from Pies and Plots
• Lemon Petit Fours from Home Cooking Memories
• Lemon Sorbet in Prosecco from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Milky Way Brownies from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Mini Coconut Pies from La Cocina de Leslie
• Mini Strawberry and Cheese Pies from Basic N Delicious
• Mom's Apple Crisp from Cravings of a Lunatic 
• Mom's Texas Sheetcake from Daily Dish Recipes
• Mum's Strawberry Cake from My Cute Bride
• Pastel Imposible (Impossible Cake) from The Foodie Patootie
• Raspberry and Hazlenut Friands from Happy Baking Days
• Semolina Balls (Suji Laddoo) from Soni's Food
• Too-Good-to-Be-Lowfat Chocolate Eclair Icebox Dessert from The Weekend Gourmet

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on Twitter on Sunday, May 12th to celebrate Mother's day! We’ll tweet throughout the day and share recipes that celebrate mom.  Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our#SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and food photos.

Join us this summer www.foodandwineconference.com