Okay, here's my best collection of Superbowl links.

These should address just about every aspect of Super Bowl viewing parties -- whether you're going to a Superbowl party, or you're hosting a Superbowl party yourself.

I saw this in the February 1, 2008 issue of All You magazine...

It's a fun way to make colorful (and tasty!) cupcakes for a football party.

Having a viewing party for the upcoming Superbowl?
These would definitely be a hit!

I'm at it again... my quarterly attempt to "try cooking up some fun recipes again". I consider it a personal challenge... and an attempt to overcome my lack of confidence in the kitchen.

I've decided that a large part of my frustration in the past has been threefold:

#1 ...trying to find enough quick & easy recipes that utilize ingredients that I already have on hand.

#2 ...trying to find enough tasty recipes that are quick & easy. Period.

#3 ...having enough decent cookware & tools on hand to make meals that will last more than one sitting (thus eliminating the need to cook so frequently).

My overall goal is to lessen the number of times Jim & I eat out each week. (Trust me, it's a lot!)

I'll address #2 and #3 in future articles. For me, Phase One in this process is to remove the intimidation factor by simply making the recipes adapt to my pantry (...rather than making my pantry adapt to the recipes).

Like Kahlua? Wild Turkey Bourbon? What about Chardonnay?

Have a special occasion coming up?

Now you can order personalized labels to place on your own bottles of liquor!...

Check out the Cruzin Cooler, a one-of-a-kind motorized beverage cooler!

At first, I thought this was just a joke. But oh no, it's for real.

And when you stop & think about it... Why not? There are plenty of times when a chair -slash -cooler -slash -trailer -slash -"mode of transportation" like this would come in handy.

...Right?

The following recipe for Buffalo Wings was originally posted February 1, 2006 on Nick Bakay's Xtra Large Blog at Superbowl.com.

Actor/writer/comedian Nick Bakay, whose 'Manly House of Football' segments can be seen regularly on NFL Network, will be a major voice on Superbowl.com throughout the week."

Since it doesn't look like they're preserving any archives of his stuff, I fear that this great recipe will vanish into thin air in a couple days. Therefore, today's post is in honor of Nick Bakay and his one-of-a-kind "original" Buffalo Wings recipe.

And, while you're homemade buffalo wings are sure to be a hit... your guests will also need something wash 'em down with. The "football fan cocktails" which follow are to die for.

Enjoy!

Maybe it's just "one of those days"... or, maybe you've had too much to drink.

Here's how to know for sure and how to remedy the situation:

In keeping with the Caribbean theme going on in my house this weekend, I dug deep into my memory bank to come up with an all-new, low-cal (and fat-free!) refreshing beverage.

Actually, it was lunchtime, and we were all out of soda, and I've never been one to drink water with meals... so I resorted to using up some leftovers from a get-together we had with friends last weekend. I found some pineapple sherbet and diet Canada Dry ginger ale, so I decided to make a personal-sized version of the punch that we served that night.

I call it a Beachy Pineapple Punch Sherbet Smoothie!

The recipe:
Fill a tall glass half-way with ginger ale ($3.99/12-pack or $1.79/2-liter), then add a few scoops of the ice cream ($2.75/gal Kroger brand), and wa laa -- a refreshing, light beverage... with a kick.

Who says punch is only for parties?! Besides I was in the midst of my own "escape to the Caribbean" party and this hit the spot perfectly.

The best part: This recipe is so adaptable. You could substitute virtually ANY flavor of sherbet for the pineapple-flavored ice cream. (I'm looking forward to trying the Raspberry and the Rainbow sherbets.) This makes for great variety when you're trying to watch your weight, yet you get a craving for something sweet!

(Just think of all the money we're gonna save not running to Smoothie King every other night, Jim!)