My Cousin's Baby Shower

The Guest of honor Decorations

Food

Flowers


Baby Mum

Favors

The best part, came almost a month after the shower.

Finally the sweet baby!

Wedding Shower Decorations

My friend Shel hosted a wedding party on Saturday so I made her these topiaries for the tables. I think they turned out quite cute.

My Favorite Chicken Salad and Labeling Food at a Party

This is the chicken salad recipe that I make for showers or daytime parties. It is always a favorite. I print copies of the recipe to hand out because everyone always requests a copy. If you make it I suggest you also make copies on cute paper and hand them out if there is a request. It is that good, trust me.

Chicken Salad with Bacon & Grapes
Ingredients:
· 3 cups cooked diced chicken
· 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
· 1 can (8oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained
· 2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
· 1 cup seedless green grapes, halved
· 1 - 1 1/4 cup mayonnaise
· 1 tablespoon parsley, fresh or dried
· 2 tablespoons finely minced green onions
· 1 teaspoon lemon juice
· 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
· Dash or two Worcestershire sauce
· salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:Combine first chicken, bacon, water chestnuts, celery, and grapes in a large bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients; combine with chicken mixture, using as much or as little as necessary to moisten as desired. You may add a little more mayonnaise if you like a creamier salad. Chill and stir again before serving.

Tell me what you think and take pictures!

I usually serve it on ciabatta rolls that I get at Trader Joe's. I was not near a one when I made this for a shower last August so I had to use a chunky ciabatta rolls, we all turned them into open face sandwiches. The bread was just too tough.

Labeling Food At a Party

Have you ever been to a party and skipped trying something because you had no idea what it was? I certainly have. I always make up cards and place them near the tray so everyone knows what is being served. It is also another chance to add cute decorations to the table.

Cupcake Bar

We had our company Christmas party on Saturday and I planned to make cupcakes. After reading the latest issue of Southern Living I stole the idea for a design your own cupcake bar. I made four types of cupcakes, vanilla, spice, dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Three types of frosting, vanilla, chocolate and peanut butter. I put sprinkles in small mason jars and decorated them with ribbon. It was a fun activity and I did not have to frost 70 cupcakes!

Happy Birthday SG!!

We had a birthday brunch for my good friend SG today. She and I are both from Texas so it was only right that we have a traditional country breakfast. Well... except the cupcakes, they are not traditional breakfast food, but I really had fun making them. and they did taste like coffee. If you are wondering? I am the head in the right top corner, with my eyes closed.... I borrowed the idea from Cherries Jubilee The cupcakes were a dark chocolate with a coffee butter cream icing and the smaller cake on the right was dark chocolate with peanut butter icing. I found the sugar pearls over at fancy flours.

I found this Texas serving dish a few months ago at a thrift store and had to bring it out today, it is a bit silly but I love it. I just notices that there is no gravy over in El Paso, poor El Paso.

Cathy's Wedding Shower

Cathy's wedding colors are buttery yellow, oranges and sage.

Fruit kabobs with a honey, ginger, lemon and mint glaze.

Salmon and Vegetarian Pinwheels

Chicken salad with bacon

The bride is not a fan of cake so we had cheesecake! I bought the cake at Harris Teeter and topped it with strawberries. If you live near a Harris Teeter I strongly suggest you try the cheesecake, it is wonderful. There are two things I never do myself...make cheesecake and color my own hair.
I borrowed the idea for the votives from Notes From a Cottage Industry

The candles are meant to be burned on their 1st anniversary so I made labels that say...

Thanks so much for taking part
In sending the couple off to a great start.
On August 31, 2009
Light this candle and let it shine
Pray for their continuing bliss

Love and happiness forever is our wish.