Hey y'all. Robin over at PENSIEVE is hosting a party and we've all been invited. We're supposedly feeling bad about not being able to go to some big fancy schmancy party for bloggers in San Fran, but since I'm so clueless about this whole blogging world I'm not feeling like I'm missing too much. Maybe next year I'll be clued in and crying in my drink. Who knows?

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to throw a party. Earlier this summer I even bought invitations for a party I wasn't even having just because I thought they were cute. I hope to have that party sometime before the summer ends, but just in case, take a look at the cute invitation and consider yourself welcomed.

I live in a suburb of Chicago with my banker-husband B, my three beautiful daughters who are quickly growing up and will be leaving the nest before I know it, and my wonder-dog, Thunder. Mom-life is great, but I also like professor-life, marketing-life, freelance writer-life, and volunteer-life. None of it makes me very much money (particularly because I'm not working at the moment), but I'm happy.

Funny that Robin asked about party food because B and I had our own little party on the back porch tonight. I wish I had taken pictures because it was all very lovely with twinkling lights and pretty plates, but basically we had bruschetta, shrimp cocktail, and baked brie. Oh, and wine!

Here's how to make the brie--one of my favorite appetizers ever. Take a sheet of puff pastry and thaw it on the counter for about 30 minutes. Take a piece of brie (the best piece of brie you can afford) and cut it in half, horizontally. Place about 2 tablespoons of raspberry jam on top of the bottom piece of brie and top with the remaining piece of brie. Wrap the brie with the puff pastry and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let set for a few minutes before cutting into it. Serve with crackers. Oh my, I could eat the whole thing!

I would love to get to know you better, so please leave a comment if you stop by. Thanks!