Give away alert

One of my favorite blogs, Creative Parties and Showers, is having a give away for Favor Affair, this great place to get amazing favors for any kind of party. Hop on over and check it out.

Barefoot Bunco

I can check another party off my list. Last night was my turn to host our Bunco group and for some reason (I"m blaming my cold) I was really behind in getting things done for this. So the day and night were kinda crazy and I didn't get a single picture. I do have some favors left over so I can at least get a pictures of those. Otherwise you just get to hear about it. I've found I have two nemesis in the kitchen. The first is plastic wrap, I can never get it to tear where it's suppose to and it always comes off in a clump. The second I discovered yesterday while getting ready for Bunco, Puff Pastry shells. I love to eat them so I thought doing some yummy recipes with them would be great. My first problem was that I wanted to try recipes that called for using mini shells and in my little town with only two grocery stores, they only had the regular size. So I got three boxes, I had originally had three recipes using the mini's and now I was trying to figure out what the heck I was going to do. My first box didn't work out so well, I'm pretty sure they were under cooked and when I went to remove the tops and gooey middle, well lets just say they didn't look so good. But by the third box they were starting to look like they are suppose to. Those I filled with a cream cheese and whipped topping filling and topped with fresh fruit. I also found a yummy recipe on Pepperidge Farm.com for chocolate raspberry pillows that turned out pretty good. And for a non sweet I put chicken salad on baguettes. My favorite was the Italian Soda's to drink.

I had found these pedicure kits at the dollar store about a month ago and wanted to use them as invites but like I said things just didn't go as planned. I didn't get these out before I left town and it was too late when I got back. So they worked great as favors. For prizes I had everything to do with feet, a toe ring with nail polish, an ankle bracelet with polish, foot care stuff like a scrubber, soaking salt, and pumas stone, also a french manicure/pedicure set, and an old classic movie Barefoot in the Park.

Once I cooled down I really enjoyed the night and had so much fun talking and eating with great friends, oh and playing a little Bunco.

Stamp'n Up card exchange card

So like I said below I LOVE Pebbles Inc. paper and this card is all Pebbles Inc. stuff except the ribbon.

giveaway

One of my most favorite paper companies is giving away free stuff from their new line. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to win this one. Wish me luck!
Pebbles Inc.

Five Little Monkey's Baby Shower pictures

to see details about the party decor check out positively perfect under baby showers


It's finally happened! I've been so excited to do this baby shower for a good friend of mine. We've been talking about it and getting stuff together for a month at least and to see it all come together was so great.

This is the banner I made for her shower. She is having her fifth child and it's a boy. So what better way to celebrate than to have a shower for her, because having five kids deserves a party!
We served one of my favorites salads from the "Domestic Diva's Party Cook book" (all recipes at the end of the post), strawberries and cheesecake dip, hot artichoke dip with baguettes, and of course cupcakes. The punch was the Citrus Sunshine punch. It was all so yummy!

These are the favors we sent home with everyone. Chocolate sprinkles in these cute tins. Also the prizes for the games, salt water taffy in coordinating colors.

One of the games was design a onsie. We used fabric markers and stamps to create a unique onsie for the baby. Mom picked the winner.

The other game we played was guess what's in the bag. In each bag was a baby item that started with that letter. Here's what we had: B-bib A-applesauce B-burp cloths Y-yellow rubber duck S-socks H-hats O-onsie W- washcloths E- electrical plugs R-rattle


The results from the design contest

Sorry I didn't get pictures of the backs of these they were really cute as well.

It was so fun just to visit and get excited about the arrival of this new baby. We are so excited for you Lynne.
A big thank you to Dacia for all your help.

Ok here's the recipes;
Salad de Maison
2 bags of hearts of Romaine lettuce or 2 heads of Romaine lettuce, rinsed
1 carton cherry tomatoes, cut in half or 1 carton grape tomatoes
3/4 C shredded Parmesan Cheese
8oz shredded Swiss Cheese
1 package center cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 C seasoned croutons
1 package (4oz) slivered almonds, toasted
Dressing (recipe follows)
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Just before serving toss with dressing.

Dressing
3/4 C oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 to 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
or 1 tsp chopped garlic
1/4 to 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Combine all ingredients, mixing well and chill overnight.

Hot Artichoke Dip
8oz. cream cheese-softened
1 C mayo
1- 14oz. can or jar of artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 green onions, sliced thin
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
1 C grated Motz. cheese
Dash of hot sauce
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
*beat all ingredients together. Transfer to pie plate and bake at 350 for 30-40 min

Cheesecake Dip
4oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 C sour cream
3 Tbs powdered sugar
1 Tbs milk
1/8 tsp almond extract
1 pint fresh strawberries
1/4 C crushed graham crackers

In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sour cream, sugar, milk and almond extract and mix well. Transfer to a serving bowl. Place washed strawberries and graham cracker crumbs in separate bowls. Dip strawberries in cream cheese mixture then into graham cracker crumbs.

And you can get the punch recipe here

Thanks to all who came!