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Weekend Review

This weekend all the bridesmaids got together for the dress fittings. Then I had all the girls over for a fun lunch.

My sister, the bride, and I set the table in the morning, getting ready for everyone. I love mixing all my fun plates together. Here I mixed my grandmothers traditional old floral china with some turquoise edged Anthropologie salad plates. I thought the it turned out great! Instead of using a napkin ring holder we tied it with ribbon – fun idea if you want to mix things up a bit for minimum spend!

We also added some height to the table by putting the daffodils on top of a gold cake platter. I like the way it turned out – and it was a fun excuse to use one of my many cake platters.

We made 2 flat breads – first was tomato pesto mozzarella.

Second was a portabella, mozzarella, blue. Also on the menu was a baked goat cheese for an app and a salad.

Of course Mimosas! When I have a lot of people out I get out my scrap ribbon box to tie around the glasses to not mix things up! It also looks adorable!

The bride!

Today the daffodils finally opened all the way! So fun!

Hope you all had a great weekend.

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Happy Monday

Yesterday I had a pretty productive day. I cleaned a lot, did some homework for my MBA program, baked cookies, made caramels, and ordered some fabric!

I love Fleur De Sel Carmels by Barefoot Contessa (my favorite food network star). If you have never made caramels before one HUGE tip. Always remember to check the temperature of boiling water. Normal water boils at 212 degrees. Depending on weather and all sorts of things water can boil and other temps. For instance yesterday the water boiled at 206 so when I waited for the caramels to cook I subtracted 6 degrees from the temperature in the recipe. If you remember to do this your caramels will work perfectly every time!

Here are some fabrics I bought for some upcoming projects from fabricguru!

 Can’t wait for them to come in! Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

 

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Chicken and Dumplings

For Christmas one of my favorite gifts I got was the William and Sonoma Weeknight Cooking cookbooks. A friend of mine got it for her wedding and said it was amazing so I told my mom about it. I couldn’t believe she even remember since it was quiet long ago. So far I am loving the book. There are a lot of great basic recipes for easy cooking. Since one of my new years resolutions is to eat better this was the perfect book. I started it out by trying the Chicken and Dumplings recipe and it turned out great! Chris was a big fan. HERE is the recipe. Enjoy!

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Holiday Hosting!

This weekend was all about my favorite hobby HOSTESSING! I had people over both Friday and Saturday night and we had a great time catching up with friends and eating delicious food. We started Friday night by celebrating my good friend Mary’s birthday!

All prepped and ready to go with the sparkling!

For the first appetizer I made a snap pea croistini which is super easy and delicious. Start by sauteeing the snap peas (you can use fresh but honestly I always use frozen). I sautee them with some olive oil, salt paper, and chopped up green onion. After they are nice and cooked throw 3/4 of the peas into a food processor or blender. Add a bit more olive oil and if you have some in the house throw in some basil for a nice extra flavor – we are pretty much making a pea pesto here. After it is all mixed up add back some of the chunks and mix together. This makes the texture nice because you are mixing the smooth peas with a couple chunks.

Next spread it on some toasted french bread and add a nice slice of a sharp cheese like parmesan or swiss. I used Bellavatano Reserve (one of this Wisconsin girls favorite cheeses)! So easy and delicious – always a hit at a party! As for a second appetizer I made sausage rolls like I shared with you last week and a classic white cake – but I forgot to take pictures – sorry!

Next was Saturday night. My boyfriend Chris and I had the couple the actually intorduced the two of us over for dinner. They were nice enought to bring a baked brie cheese plate for the appetizer – isn’t it lovley! I love baked brie so easy and delicoius!

Rosemary potatoes prep!

For the salads I kept it simple with some nice leaf lettuce, pear, blue cheese and balsamic vinegrette. Yum! For the entree with the potatoes I made cornish hens and some sauteed asparagus – in all the excitement of getting dinner on the table I forgot to snap a pic. I will have to share with you another time because they turned out great!

Didn’t the table look lovley!

After dinner we went to Sherlock Holmes the movie – I recommend – it was fantastic. That was my weekend in a nut shell. I had a great time putting on my Martha Stewart hat. Hosting is one of my favorite things – it really put me even further in the holiday spirit. The countdown to Christmas is here!

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Thanksgiving Tradition: Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

I started baking when I was very young with my mom. She taught me all the basic tips and tricks to make the perfect treats. I love baking so much that I have continued challenging myself with all sorts of delicious things ever since. When I was about in middle school I found this Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake recipe. It immediately became a family favorite and I have been making it yearly ever since. With a ginger snap crust and a dollop of whipped cream on top your guests will fall in love with the unexpected Thanksgiving dessert, just as my family has. I am making mine this afternoon. Enjoy!