9.25.2012

cooking party

Well it all started with these super cute invitations the mr. made.  Problem was the guests never saw them because the printer broke.  And this pregnant chick is too lazy to go to a copy store, so I resorted to Facebook invitations.  Lame, I know.
I've always wanted to host a Pampered Chef party and with baby boy roundy on the way I knew I needed to do it sooner than later!  We had a brunch theme going on.  I made a very yummy poppy seed coffee cake, pre made jumbo cinnamon rolls from Trader Joes, assorted seasonal fruit and a breakfast casserole demo'd on stoneware (my personal fav).


{janice's poppy seed cake}

ingredients
1 yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup water
1 large box instant vanilla pudding
1/4 cup poppy seeds

topping ingredients 
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

steps
1. Combine ingredients (follow cake box directions for mixing time)
2. Combine topping ingredients and divide into thirds
3. Grease bundt pan (coat well) then sprinkle a third of the sugar & cinnamon mixture on bottom and sides of pan
4. Pour 1/2 batter in pan then sprinkle with a third of the sugar & cinnamon mixture.
5. Pour other 1/2 of batter and finish with remaining sugar & cinnamon mixture.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Leave in pan to cool for 20 minutes. Turn out of pan.





These fruit waters were also a hug hit!  I've seen them all over Pinterest and thought I would give them a try.  Had to put the upside down cupcake liners on top to keep the bugs out.  Although its not pictured here I suggest securing them down with the ring part of the mason jar lid.



{watermelon rosemary}

steps
1. Add a sprig of rosemary to jar and muddle gently (rosemary releases a strong flavor without much muddling). 
2. Add watermelon cubes; twist and press gently to release juices.
3. Fill jar with ice cubes, add water to the top, stir, cover and refrigerate.

{raspberry lime}

steps
1. Quarter 2 limes; with your hands, squeeze the juice into the jar, then throw in the squeezed lime quarters. 
2. Add raspberries. Press and twist with a muddler to release some of the juices (don't pulverize the fruit). 
3. Fill the jar with ice, then add water to the top. Stir, cover, and refrigerate.
recipes courtesy of the yummy life

{ham and cheese brunch squares}

And of course we made some delicious Pampered Chef recipes.  The brunch squares were so easy to assemble and we used my favorite product in the whole Pampered Chef line - stoneware!  Honestly don't mess around with any other brand of stoneware, go straight to the source and invest in what will become your favorite piece of kitchen equipment.
tip
We omitted the ham for the vegetarians (me) and it was still delicious!

{mango confetti salsa}

This salsa recipe used a new-to-me tool called the mango wedger.  Holly smokes it was so cool!  I can't even tell you how frustrated I get with peeling a mango. So much so that I will pass on buying mangos cause its too labor intensive to peel them.  Well sure enough Pampered Chef makes a tool that will have you chopping mangos in seconds, check it out!


tip
Try it on top of the brunch square, oh ya!

9.09.2012

a decade

Happy 10 years of loving you mr. roundy! I had this book made to honor our first 10 years, figured I better do so before the baby comes and our entire focus shifts.  Love the poem I found to put on the last page:

We began as strangers
We became friends
We became one with each other
We remain as one forever


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