Tuesday, February 28, 2012

You're doing OK

Yikes!  I'm behind on blogging...again. :)  So much to catch up on.  George's first road trip.  His two month birthday, check-up and shots.  Visit from my fam.  Will do soon, I promise!

But first, did anyone catch the precious Johnson and Johnson commercial during the Oscars?  I missed it, as I always fast forward, but my mom caught it and texted me.  Cue me sobbing through the whole thing!  In case you missed it too, here it is.


I mean, is that not the most precious thing you have ever seen? I like to think that is George talking to me.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Love it!

What fun recipe club was Monday night!  The group meets each month with a different theme, and in honor of Valentine's Day, I thought it would be fun to celebrate all things we love.  I have seen it done as a Favorite's Party, where people set a price limit and then bring their favorite thing to share with the group.  So, our rules were simple, pick the one thing you love that is not more than $6 and bring five of them. And of course, since it is recipe club, bring your favorite snack or sweet treat.

Since I always strive to be the hostess with the mostess, I spent some time perusing Pinterest to find some clever decor ideas.  I am happy to say that all my projects were done with materials I already owned.  Seriously, no trip to Michael's!

Remember that ribbon I showed you on Sunday?  Well...

Voila!  A ribbon garland!

For my centerpieces I went with my favorite flowers, hydrangeas, and red hots.
I filled the votives with Valentine sprinkles.
Don't you love the runner??  Just doilies and glue! I'm a sucker for handmade projects.


I was torn with what I should make, so I asked B what I make that is his all-time favorite treat...
Toffee Bars!

This was not cooking, just decorating...
But thanks to Pinterest, these chocolate dipped Milanos turned out pretty cute (and tasty).

No gathering is complete without wine, but I wanted to have a fun drink too.  I was tempted to do something with champagne, but since it was so cold and rainy that night, I thought a hot chocolate bar would do the trick.


My lovely Keurig made sure each cup was piping hot, and I love all the fun toppings.
Marshmallows, caramels and peppermint bits
Yum!

What's a party without Valentine candy?



When everyone arrived they wrote their name on five hearts.
After we all sampled all the treats (olive dip and cheesecake stuffed strawberries were my favorites. oh and homemade sourdough bread with dipping oil!) it was time to see what goodies everyone brought.  Each person presented their item and then drew five times. Those names got that person's item. Get it? :) So, at the end of the night everyone went home with five new things. 

I was so busy setting up for the party I forgot to take a picture of my five items, but I love them!  They are these fabulous wine stoppers from World Market.
Of course I went with the red ones. :)

Some of my favorite goodies included a travel perfume sprayer from Nordstrom that you fill with your own scent, an egg timer from World Market that you use to hard boil your eggs and a grocery list magnetic pad for the fridge from Container Store.  Other favorites included candles, nail polish, candy, pens, kitchen gadgets and moisturizer. 

It was a wonderful evening filled with fabulous food and goodies, but most importantly fun fellowship with friends. I so enjoyed this much needed girls night. :)

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

No better valentine than this little guy...

Hope you all enjoyed this day of love.  I know I sure did!  Promise to share all about George's first Valentine's Day and recipe club tomorrow, but this mama needs some sleep. :)  Much love!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

What do you love?

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but before we celebrate the day of love, I am so excited to host recipe club tomorrow night. Since it is so close to Vday, I thought it would be a fun theme to celebrate all things we love!  So, not only is everyone bringing their favorite recipe (check back tomorrow to see what I'm making!), they are also bringing their favorite little something to share with the group.  The rules are it has to be something under $6 and you have to bring five of them.  I have been going back and for with what I just absolutely love but finally purchased my five.

I've also been busy planning my decor!  Thanks to Pinterest (what did we do before Pinning??), I have some fun (and easy!) ideas.  Here's a sneak peek at one of my projects...


Cannot wait to see how everything comes together and especially what everyone brings!


Thursday, February 9, 2012

Monday, February 6, 2012

It's all about the food...

Happy day after the Super Bowl!  Did everyone watch the game?  Sadly since the Saints were not playing I was not as into the game.  Any favorite commercials?  The M&Ms strip down was my favorite. :)

So typically for me the Super Bowl is just a great excuse to eat yummy food.  I usually find it's the first party post the food and libation stuffing, grazing and over-indulging that is the Christmas/NYE holiday, but it's also around the time I'm so over my new year diet. ;)  However this year since I am still trying to shed my last baby LBs, I decided I would remain strong.  So when choosing the app to take to our party, I figured I would add meat so I wouldn't be tempted. ;)

I found this recipe on Pinterest and was intrigued...as I'm all about ease these days!



B has some venison in the freezer, so I thought it would be the perfect addition.  I love a good recipe that is five ingredients or less.

And voila!  Jalapeño Cream Cheese Venison Poppers

Luckily I was not the only one that went with a meaty appetizer.  I managed to make it through the main buffet without being tempted at all.  However the dessert bar was another story. :(  I'll just pretend the ice cream, caramel, toffee, cool whip concoction I could not get enough of was calorie-free.  Happy Monday everyone!