Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts

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!

4.05.2012

a couple of birthdays

I really can't believe this adorable little man is already one!  Remember the waiting game here.


My sis-in-law made these cute cupcakes with sun bathing teddy grahams. Ha!


Check out this awesome banner with a picture from every month of his first year.  Great idea.



Seashell cake balls in a beach bucket, love it!


Auntie and Unk's gift for the little guy, thought I would share this pinterest inspired wrap job. Hand crafted fabric flower and yarn.


And this adorable guy here just turned 30!


We threw a plaid themed party at our local favorite restaurant.  I used a ton of recycled materials as well as some pinterest inspirations.  It was an all around fabulous night!




I made this denim runner from our old jeans that were destined for the thrift store.



Penant plaid banner. Can you guess which one is made from recycled boxers?!


Cupcakes from Elizabethan Desserts.  I made the little flags for an extra plaid kick.




The tent was mr. roundys gift from me.  I couldn't resist making him open his gifts inside the tent!


Oh and here are our diy invitations!





2.05.2012

88th birthday party

Happy Birthday to THE BEST employee I've ever had, Helen Porter.  The work ethic of this woman astounds me!  I've been blessed with some amazing help in my career, but this one takes the cake...ha.
photo party hats
black flag printable from hank and hunt


free printable from hank and hunt
I love wrapping presents!
hand stamped paper from Nepal
jersey rosette from our wedding

12.07.2011

fall photo recap

I have about 5 uncompleted projects in the craft room and just as many back logged posts for this blog.  I'm about to take the easy way out and up date you all at once...here's what the mr. and I have been up to this fall.

I accepted a promotion, which meant leaving views like this...
and sweet dance sessions like these...

the mr. and I traveled to Vegas for some adult time...

then headed off to Yosemite for our anniversary get away...






as well as enjoyed a slice of our wedding cake, 1 year later.  Nice wrap job mom, it tasted great!

I enjoyed watching the mr. learn how to rock climb!

we hosted a backyard movie night that included a s'more bar...


and we fully embraced Halloween...

used a power tool to carve a pumpkin...

I hosted my first event at the new job and the mr. took amazing photos of it...




filmed my nephews first steps!

crafted and decorated our porch for fall and completely forgot to post about it...

enjoyed a short stay in San Francisco for a conference...

and caught mr. and mrs. claus having a moment (another work event)