Nina's Bridal Shower

Last weekend was a weekend of hosting parties! On Saturday the 26th, I hosted at my house a kitchen themed bridal shower for my future sister in-law. The theme was a fun idea that one of the other hostesses cam up with. We basically included a recipe card in with the invite. Guests were asked to include a recipe along with the gift that could be used in that recipe. It made for a cute twist on the gift giving and she walked away with a box of all new recipes to try with her new cookware! I played off the kitchen theme by putting together centerpieces that were kitchen canisters that said "flour", "sugar", "coffee", and "tea". I then gave out little thank you gifts that were measuring spoons that had the "recipe for a happy marriage" written on them. Along with the kitchen theme, I played off the pink and brown colors in the invitations for my decor and food. It was a very successful shower. We had about 18 guests and they all had a great time and enjoyed the Italian sparkling wine! Here are the pics and the details!

The Hostesses

White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

The Details:
Theme: Kitchen with Pink & Brown colors
Food: Fresh Fruit with poppy seed sauce, spinach Parmesan dip, strawberry salad with raspberry vinaigrette, finger sandwiches (pimento cheese, turkey & Havarti cheese, ham & Swiss)
Cake: White Chocolate Raspberry from Nothing Bundt Cakes
Drinks: Pink Lemonade, Iced Tea, Italian sparkling wine with raspberries

Happy Birthday to my Charlie!

Today is my hubby's 40th birthday! I can't even believe that! I was successful at throwing a surprise party for him on Monday night at our house, so we have kinda sort of already celebrated! The party theme was "Prehistoric". I got the idea from another blog that I read, Jackaroo Love. I cannot take full credit for the theme idea, but I did play off of it a little different! It was a perfect theme for him since I am always kidding with him about his age. (We are 7 years apart!) Anyways...before I get to the party details...I just want to say that I love this man and he is the greatest husband, father, son, brother, best friend, anyone could have! He IS my life and I am so thankful that I met him 13 years ago this November!

Here he is...the love of my life.....


Now onto the party details....I decided to throw his party on Monday, mainly so all his buddies could attend that work on the weekend. Charlie works out of town on the weekend, for those of you that don't know, so a Friday or Saturday was out of the question from the get go. So his surprise party was the first and last surprise party I will ever throw! It was so hard keeping it under wraps and so much work to get him out of the house and to stay out of the house! It was by sheer miracle that it worked out perfect! We had about 18 people come and even one of his friends from LA made the trip! I would have hoped more of his CA work buddies could have come, but they sent great videos with birthday wishes and "roasts", that it was hilarious entertainment: entertainment that took place at half time of the Cowboys game. I had no idea when I planned the party that the Cowboys would be playing that night, but it worked out great b/c my hubby LOVES the Cowboys and thankfully they won, so all was right with the world!

Here are the pics:





The favors and cake: Boston Cream Pie

The favor for the night was a wine cork with a fern on the top. The label read...Don't "wine" about turning 40, but a cork in it"


Charlie with his buddies Wayne, Richard, and Wade.

Charlie's family: Rob, Nina, Jack, Jetta, Chad, and Mark

My family: Randi, Taylor, Jim(my dad), and Myrtle

Charlie and his brother, Rob


Me with the birthday boy!

Details:
Theme: Prehistoric, but not extinct!
Food: Blue Mesa Grill
Crab cakes, steak quesadillas, bacon wrapped shrimp, pork taquitos, guacamole, chips & salsa
Cake: Boston Cream Pie (his favorite)
Drinks: Beer, wine, sodas, and his signature drink: Jack and Coke

Be back blogging soon...

I am currently in the midst of planning 3 parties at my house in the next 2 weeks, so my blog postings have been almost non-existent. Once I get through these parties, I will have lots to post and will get back on track! What is on the party planning menu you might ask? Pink/Brown inspired kitchen bridal shower, my hubby's surprise 40th b-day party (yes, he never reads my blog, so he won't see this!) It is a prehistoric theme, then my Lauren's Miss Spider Sunny Patch 2nd birthday party!

Well gotta go...

Susan and the Rain

It has been raining nonstop (not kidding) since Friday evening here in the Dallas area. Having to keep kids entertained at home for an entire weekend reminds me of this book that my mom would read to me when I was little. It was written in 1947 and I still have this book. It is called 'Susan and the Rain'.


It is about a young girl who plans to spend her day out at the farm doing things outside. When it rains, she turns very sad, until she receives a package in the mail with the cutest little plaid raincoat and umbrella set. Complete with rain boots. She ends up loving being able to go outside and enjoy the rain.

I attribute the fact that I LOVE rainy days to my love of this book growing up!

JJ's fun Giveaway

Hey all 5 of my readers!!! My friend JJ who has a great blog has just posted a giveaway in honor of her 1st 100 followers. GO HERE TO CHECK IT OUT! Also..spend some time checking out her awesome blog and photography website!

Congrats to her on her 100+ followers. I aspire to have that many followers one day!

Labor Day Weekend 2009

We had a pretty laid back Labor Day weekend this year. Charlie was home, which was nice for a change. We spent Saturday taking advantage of some sales and purchased a new washer/dryer! I am so excited to get them on Thursday! Then on Sunday, we took the girls to breakfast and then had Charlie's family over for BBQ and swimming that afternoon. The girls had fun swimming and showing off their gymnastic talents! It was non-stop forward rolls and cartwheels for about a half and hour! The adults enjoyed a little drinking, a lot of eating, and a little corn hole. It was a pretty typical holiday for us. FUN!

La mia Italia: Venice Regatta

Tomorrow afternoon (the 1st Sunday in September), this will be taking place in Venice:

It is the historic Regatta. It dates back to 1315 and it was a way in which the Venetians honored foreign dignitaries and celebrated military feats. Today they still do the historic boat parade and then it is followed by a rowing competition.



I have not yet attended this festival, but I plan to someday. I thought I was going to see it back in February of 2006. My husband and I were in Venice for Carnivale and I had my guidebook with this picture of the beautiful boat parade. Since I am drawn more to pictures than words, I never really read the paragraphs regarding the photo. I just assumed it was something that happened during Carnivale. So I promptly went up to the front desk of our hotel and showed the man my picture and asked him what day that was going to take place. He said.... September! First of all, I was mortified. Although I don't know everything about Italy, I try to at least come across as if I do, so I felt pretty stupid. Second, I was pretty bummed. Evidently there are no boat parades during Carnivale. There is lots more pomp and circumstance, though. That will be another posting in the future when I share with you all my notes on attending Carnivale.

Here is a teaser....

Plethora of Pinatas

Anyone know where that saying is from?? Today is my brother Warren's 39th birthday. It is a yearly ritual that we quote lines from the movie Three Amigos to each other on our birthday! If you have not seen the movie, then I HIGHLY recommend you go watch it! There are so many funny lines regarding birthday's in the movie! Our favorite is the whole scene that talks about what it means to have a plethora of pinatas. There is of course the gift of "a sweater" when they live out in the Mexican desert. And finally, the line that "Today El Guapo is (pause and a stern look from El Guapo) ....Thirty-three years old"! You have to see it to really get the humor...

Anyway..Happy Birthday to my older bro...whom is off flying helicopters somewhere. Be safe and I will see you soon. We have the "sweater" wrapped the "plethora of pinatas" awaiting and I will tell everyone that you are really "33 years old"!