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Christmas time brings joy and laughter, but when the pressure is on to cook for family and friends, it can become quite stressful. Alleviate your cooking worries this holiday season by prepping some easy and festive appetizers ahead of time. Check out some quick recipes we found, below. Caprese Salad Kabobs Easy to eat, red, white, and green, this healthy treat will satisfy your guests with a light and savory pop in every bite. Simply skewer together a cherry tomato, basil leaf and mozzarella ball, and you're ready to mingle with guests. Click here to get the recipe. Image via www.allrecipes.com Loaded Cheese Bites With just a few ingredients, these cheese balls will have your guests asking for more! The red and green peppers really make this appetizer especially holiday friendly. Click here to get the recipe. Image via www.delish.com Garlic Herb Dipping Oil There's a reason that restaurants have a tendency to put out bread and oil before yo...

Labor Day weekend is rapidly approaching, and there's so much planning ahead! Get a jump on your Labor Day festivities by making some yummy recipes ahead of time, and you are sure to alleviate stresses before they even arise! Jalapeno Popper Dip  Four jalapenos, diced Image via www.snapcreativity.com Chives, diced Package cream cheese 1 c sour cream 2 c shredded cheese 3/4 c parmesan cheese 1 c bread crumbs TBSP taco seasoning TBSP melted butter Dice jalapenos and chives to set aside.  Mix cream cheese and sour cream. Add  cheese to mix, mix, then stir in jalapenos  and chives. Pour mixture into oven safe  dish or crock pot and spread evenly. Top  with bread crumbs, spices, and butter. Heat  in oven at 350 degrees until lightly toasted. Image via www.imperialsugar.com BBQ Beer Cocktail Links 2 packages cocktail sausage links 2 c ketchup 1 c brown sugar 1 c beer Mix ketchup, b...

Come on down with your family and friends and check out Cortland's annual Saint Anthony's Festival this weekend, June 11th & 12th. This year's festivities will include some new entertainment and activities as well as some age-old traditions dating back to 1905! Saturday, June 11th  6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Italian Novelties for sale, Tribal Revival band from 7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and  a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 12th  Festival begins at 12:30 p.m., kids bounce-house and games, silent auction, basket raffle, cake wheel, Homer High School Jazz Band, 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Cortland High School's Rock School Band 'EPOCH', 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Steve Daniels Swingtet, 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Steve Southworth & The Rockabilly Rays, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The Old Timer's Band Images via www.saintanthonysfestival.org

Image via downtownithaca.com The Ithaca Festival of the Arts ends today. Beginning Friday, June 3, it is the largest annual event located in Ithaca, NY. Offering the public free admission, music, arts, and food, this three day festival attracts over 30,000 people. Make today your Sunday Funday by being a part of America's best homegrown arts festival. Performances start between 11 and noon today, throughout numerous downtown Ithaca locations. Click here to view this years schedule! Sources:  http://ithacafestival.org/ http://www.downtownithaca.com/ithaca-events/Ithaca%20Festival

May is National Salad Month so why not give your oven a rest and think of all the different salads you can relish in. First, we have the classic salad with romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, dressed with your personal favorite. Then there are salads for fruit lovers. Mix up your greens with spinach, kale or red leaf lettuce then top with the berries of your choice, candied pecans, finishing it with feta cheese and a sweet vinaigrette. It doesn't have to stop there though. If you are not looking to have your main course accompanied by a side salad, indulge in a cobb salad. Topped with chicken, bacon, avocado, and more, you are guaranteed a full belly with complete satisfaction. No matter what your key ingredient preference is; veggies, fruit, or meat, take the time this May to explore your options. If there is not a salad that appeals to you at your local market or restaurant get creative and build your own masterpiece! Hamilton's own, Cortney Lowie, salad inspir...

With St. Patty's Day around the corner, we're feeling festive! This weekend will include our own sweet treats and St Patty's themed recipes for a shamrock celebration! We're attempting to make our own, home-made shamrock shakes from the recipe below. Hosting your own party? Share your photos with us in the comments, and enjoy the delicious aromas that will fill your home! Image & recipe: threekidsandafish.com Ingredients 3 cups of vanilla ice cream 1¼ cups whole milk 1 teaspoon peppermint extract 5 drops of green food coloring sprinkles-optional For the whipped cream: 1 cup of heavy cream 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar Instructions In a blender put the ice cream, milk, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Blend until smooth. In a large bowl whip together the heavy cream and sugar until thick whipped cream forms. Place shake mixture in a chilled mug, top with whipped cream and sprinkles. Enjoy! Notes Makes 2-16 ounce sha...

With Valentine's Day just around the corner and the stores stocked with heart themed candies and treats, a sweet tooth was imminent! Image via SweetAmbs.com Sweet treats are great gifts to bring to the office (or keep for yourself!), and a theme makes it all the more fun. Stumbling across the beautiful cookies above, inspiration instantly struck! These delicious treats lead to  this YouTube video, and our own interpretation! Our own finished product. . . Sweet enough to share! Do you and your family create any sweet treats for Valentine's Day? Share your photos with us! sources: https://www.sweetambs.com/tutorial/simple-valentines-day-cookies/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDVMKgjCJDk