• This week we got all prepped for St Patrick's Day. In case you missed it, PartySugar put together a great plan for a St. Patrick's Day partyDon't forget to take this quiz to find out what your hostess style is.
• I convinced a bartender to invent a drink called Daylight Savings. He surprises me and makes 2.
• Which Girl Scout Cookie makes you weak in the knees?
• I took another stab at baking, this time creating a Classic Irish Soda Bread. It came out alright, but I should have tried PartySugar's Dad's recipe for Irish Soda Bread with Caraway and Raisins (really she brought some in to work and it was fantastic!).



• Although, my homemade Blueberry Jam was indeed quite tasty on my bread.
• Desserts, desserts, desserts. This week we've got Bailey's Irish Cream Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Cream Delight with Whiskey, Chocolate Cake and Peppermint Pie.
• Rachael Ray is everywhere, including Dunkin' Donuts. You know who else is everywhere? That Jared guy from Subway this time he's with LL Cool J even.
• Be sure to get your real sugar Passover Coke while you can. Speaking of Coke, what do you call it?
• Hey couch potatoes, there's new programming headed your way, be sure to check out Food Network Summer/Fall Lineup.

A good instant-read thermometer is one tool that is really great to have around the house. I can't tell you the number of times it has saved me from serving undercooked meat or chicken. When choosing a thermometer you want to make sure you get one that is easy to read, has a great response time, is accurate (this should be priority one), and has a well thought-out design.

The thermometer that gets all the praise (you'll see the chefs on America's Test Kitchen touting this one, as well as Alton Brown) is the Thermapen thermometer. It's well known for its super-fast speed and accuracy, plus the probe portion is quite long (you'll be able to get to the true center of a pot roast) and conveniently folds in. It's available in several different colors, however it doesn't come cheap. This guy is the king of thermometers and its price tag shows: $84.95.

Two more that won't break the bank, including one that will let you know when things are done, so read more

When I think of St. Patrick's Day dishes, potatoes immediately come to mind. Not just any kind of potatoes, mashed potatoes. The Irish love their mashed potatoes so much that they have specific names for different variations. Champ is mashed potatoes with green onions stirred in and Colcannon is mashed potatoes with onions and greens. Both are traditional Irish side dishes that are commonly served along side a meaty steak, sausage or bacon. I love Champ so much that I've used it on Thanksgiving, but I have yet to try colcannon. Thus I will take the opportunity to make it the next time I'm craving smooth potato puree. To do the same, read more

Oh how I do love the holidays. I was sitting here at my desk the other day and suddenly got incredibly excited. "YumSugar!" I said in my high pitched super excited cocker spaniel voice, "St. Patrick's Day is on Saturday and you know what that means?! I get to compile a whole bunch of fun facts!"

While you may not feel an exhilarated high by reading these facts, you will totally be the life of the party when you drunkenly impress your friends with these little tid bits. Did you know that St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in Boston in 1737? Or that both Germans and Belgians consume more beer than the Irish? Want to know the name of the Irish brewed drink made from white potatoes? For the name and more fun facts, read more