Colomba Cake for Easter Brunch

nudo easter panettoneDo you serve the same thing for Easter Brunch every year?  While most of us have traditions that we like to stick to, I usually like to try something new as well.  I knew that Panettone was an Italian tradition at the Christmas holiday but I didn’t know they had a version to share at Easter too.  This makes me really happy as I am somewhat obsessed with Panettone.  Nudo makes a Colomba Cake for Easter that is available online.  Like their other products, their packaging is gorgeous!  It arrives like a gift and would be perfect to take with you if celebrating Easter at someone else’s home.

panettone for easter brunchThis cross between bread and cake is so yummy!  It is light and airy with hints of citrus fruit and the crunch of nuts.  This Easter cake is made with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and is perfect for brunches during spring.

italian tradition for EasterThose white “sprinkles” are made of sugar and the cake is shaped like a dove (although I wouldn’t have made that connection on my own) to symbolize peace and renewal for spring.

easter brunch ideasNudo’s Colomba Cake is a limited edition and is $25.  Order now so it arrives in time!

nudo italian food productsThis cake is rather impressive to look at.  It is sure to get the crowd talking when you debut it at Easter brunch.

easter morning breakfast ideasThey suggest serving it at the end of the meal but I say put it out for the guests to enjoy all morning.  But be warned, it is totally addicting!!

Disclosure: On occasion, I receive products, compensation and/or services gratis or at discounted rates. This practice does not influence my point of view or the outcome of the review. All descriptions are factual and accurately reflect my experience. The opinions are my own.

 

DIY Knotted Yarn Bracelets

yarn braceletsI really like to knot things.  And I can’t stop.  I’ve used this particular knot for garlands, I’ve used them for hanging balloons and now I’m using knots for these Knotted Yarn Bracelets.  They are easy, they look cool and I just plain like them.  And I have no idea what this kind of knot is even called.

yarn bracelet suppliesFor these knotted yarn bracelets, you just need yarn and scissors.  For tutorial purposes I’m showing you how to make them with just one piece of string.  To make a thicker bracelet, just use more pieces in one color, or mix it up and use a bunch of colors.

knotted steps for yarn bracelet1:  Make a loop with the yarn. Make sure to leave enough at the end so that you can hold it in your left hand (you’ll be knotting with your right hand).

2: With your right hand, tuck the yarn through your first loop from underneath.  Do not pull it all the way through, you will be creating your second loop.

3:  Grab your new loop and pull to create a tight-ish knot at your first loop (from step 1) Have I lost you? It is really simple just super hard to explain!

4:  Here is a better look at the knot.  Remember do not pull the yarn all the way through.  Your knot may get really long in order to get your first knot to tighten which is fine and will be fixed in the next step.

5:  You want to work with a small loop to keep it efficient and taut.  Place that floppy loop around the thumb on your left hand and pull the loose string back through the first knot with your right hand.  This part is critical when making the bracelets with more than one piece of yarn.  This is where you get them to be smooth and not have one that is looser than the rest which can make it look really messy.

6:  Begin the next loop by repeating step 2.  And continue until you have the amount of knots you want.

knot a length of yarn for a braceletHere is what it will look like.  Remember keep the yarn tucked in your left hand and do the knotting with your right.  After the first few knots this will go really fast.

finish the knot of the braceletsTo finish the knotted portion of the bracelet, create one last loop, but this time you will pull the piece of yarn all the way through and secure the knots.

tie knot at end of braceletAs if that last part wasn’t hard enough to explain, here is how you make it adjustable and wearable…  On one end, make a knot (just to be safe, knot it again at the same spot so that the knot is larger).  This is the knot that make the bracelet slide to tighten on your wrist, but not slide all the way out of the other knot that secures it.

tie a second knotNext, tie a knot with both ends of the bracelet.

finish the knotPull the knot tight.  Trim the end of the bracelet without the knot.  Don’t cut it too short as this is yarn and it is somewhat slippery and a nice tug can pull it out of the knot.  Once you have this on your wrist, you will pull the end with the knot to tighten it.  To loosen, just pull on the piece of yarn (the one with the knot at the end) the other direction.

 bracelets made of yarnThen stack them up and wear them with other accessories.

easy yarn bracelet tutorialThese are perfect for Easter when using these pretty pastels.  And they are easy enough that young girls can do them.  This could be a super fun party activity.  And I love that they can be made with only yarn.  I’ve done it with rope for a really cool look but probably not something you would wear on your wrist.  Embroidery thread would be a bit too thin for my taste but would make a really delicate looking bracelet.  I would love to know if you know what this knot is called??

My Easter DIY post is up on You Are My Fave

I did a little Easter post for You Are My Fave.  Go see grocery paper bag Easter eggs!  They are easy, it uses things most of us probably have already and can be used in a ton of ways.  Special thank you to my husband, my father-in-law and my kids for decorating them for me!

 

Surprise! Allergy Friendly Easter Treats

I made an early morning run to the grocery store today.  Because I didn’t have the kids with me, I was able to peruse the holiday candy aisle.  Do you avoid it with your kids like I do?  I try not to give them too much candy (although my candy cupboard would say I like to keep it close by) but also, my oldest son always wants what he can’t have.  With his food allergies, he can usually not have the holiday staples like candy corn at Halloween or conversation hearts at Valentine’s Day.  Jelly Beans are also sometimes hard to find.  But then I saw these Dum Dum suckers!  They have a jelly bean inside!  I am very fond of the Dum Dums as I know that they are allergen friendly.  My heart swells when I see them at kid hair salons, the bank or kid’s sports snack bars because I know that for a minute, my kid gets to have the same treat as everyone else.  AND they are delicious.  AND they are small, so kids usually eat them all up before they get tired of them and they end up stuck to the back of my shirt or a chair or something.

The bag has about 10 lollipops in raspberry, grape, watermelon, apple and “mystery” and the inside of each pop contains a jelly bean!  So fun!  These would be perfect for an Easter party!  And don’t forget to keep a stash of the everyday Dum Dums at home for your next pinata or party for those kid’s with special dietary needs.

My youngest son was my tester.

It made him this happy!!!  Dum Dum suckers are made by Spangler Candy company and I heart them.  They make a few other candies that are also allergen free (I’m looking at you Circus Peanut - which to date, are the only peanut my son has ever eaten).  Jump over and take a gander at their allergen info.  Sending you a telepathic hug Spangler Company!!!

 

 

 

 

A Cool and Casual Easter Get Together with Amy’s Kitchen Table

Have you guys seen Amy’s Kitchen Table yet?  Hurry, go look.  I’ll wait…Ok, you back now?  So Amy is this extraordinary cook.  Like, for reals.  She’s one of those people who are so natural in the kitchen that she requires no recipes and doesn’t even break a sweat if a meal contains multiple steps.  I’m lucky enough to have sampled many of her dishes including some phenomenal baked goods so trust me when I tell you that you should bookmark her new recipe site! She is just getting her blog started and she asked me to help her out with a little Easter set up she wanted to do.  I’m so excited that the posts are up and you can see a little bit of what turned out to be one of my favorite tables and buffets ever.  So simple, casual and inexpensive.

Rush on over to Amy’s Kitchen Table to see a few other shots from the day and all of the fantastic recipes Amy put together like her pineapple bourbon glazed ham.  Best ham I’ve ever tasted – not exaggerating one bit.
SEE THE REST OF THE POSTS HERE:
Thanks for asking me to be part of this Amy!
Sharon