Happy Birthday Jason...with all our love...Jamie and Deb...
And many more~~~
The food...
Craft time...
Play time. When I have the girls over I always try to do some sort of craft or some game playing outside. After they decorated the cupakes and made their frames they began building their "Fairy Home"...
This was the first Mother's Day Folly had without her mom. She kept reminding herself...she was a mom, too! We decided to have a BBQ at our house. And, Don, Folly's brother would bring their mom's famous "lopsided cake".
Flowers from the garden...
The gardenia...this is Alice's favorite flower...
The secret sauce...
Waiting on the guests...
Fresh lemonade...
Cy brought over this flower from his cactus...how gorgeous is this???
And then, a special surprise...Summer, Jason and "my girls" came by to give me my mother's day card. The best PRESENT ever!!!!
Saving the best for last...let's open the gifts...
Turbanized...
Simply slippers...
Climb any mountain...
I have no word for how cute I think they are. Pictures speak louder than words...
Game time...
After everyone left, we played a new game with Summer and Jason called logo. Actually, this was Tim's present from Summer and Jason that we borrowed...
Game On!!!
One of the rule's of the game...if your opponent can't answer you get a chance to steal the question and answer it. However, when Jamie and could not answer a question Jason kept giving us the answer...before Summer could get a chance to steal the point. So Jason was designated the GHA of the game (Giant Horse's A**)...
It takes several days to plan a party...for me anyway...
We are celebrating Sammie and Kailey's birthday. We are also making this party a celebration for our friends and family who recently had birthdays. It is also a celebration of FINALLY paying off our house. A BIG celebration of people and dreams...all rolled into one PARTY!!!!
A Very Merry Unbirthday...you could say...
Here are the gifts for Sammie and Kailey...shhhh...don't tell them...
The menu: Chili Colorado, Chile Verde, Green Chicken Enchiladas, Red Beef Enchiladas, Rice, Beans, Nachos, Mud Pie, Cup Cakes, and home made candy....YUMMY!!!!!
The supplies...
Refried Beans...
Chile Colorado
The Cake...
The flowers...
Chicken Enchiladas...
Chile Verde...
The candy...
The set up...
The activity table...
Cupcake assembly line...
Exhausted...but happy...
Hugs and kisses...
Dessert Table...
Happy Birthday to EVERYONE!!!!
The hostess apron (remember this? this was one of my birtday presents~)
Yesterday, Summer and the girls came over for dinner and movies. I decided to try out the Grandma Noodle recipe on them. Here are highlights of the day...
Chicken: Starts with the veggie goodness bed...
Brownies for Brownie Sundays...
The Rolls...
Basic Salad. However, I made home made Ranch Dressing, which really turns up the taste...
With an added touch of blue cheese...
Pizza Bread...
The Noodle Assemby Line. This is a fun project to do with the family. Everyone takes turns rolling out the noodes and cutting the into strips...
Kailey is a natural in the kitchen. With a little instruction she took over production of the noodles...
With a little help from her friends...
And, ta da! The final product!
Papa's Lemonade...
Summer's Crunchy Pea Salad...
And finally, the reason for it all...our family...
Today, Jeff, Drew, Nate and Anna are coming over for an at home "adventure". I am titling the party theme as "A Very Merry Unbirthday". Why? We don't get to see them that often to celebrate birthdays so I figured...we would just all celebrate in on BIG UNBIRTHDAY party.
I also want to introduce the kids to my Italian cooking. The essence of my being. To give them a part of me I hope they will always remember. Because, isn't that what it is all about? Giving of yourself to the ones you love...and having the memories to cherish. This, I think, is the best gift I can give....
Much of the planning for the party is about timing. Also, staging most of the food, yet leaving some elements for the kids to help with. Also, some activities for the kids to do that keep them away from the video games...as much as possible. Each of the kids sent us a thank you letter for their XMAS presents. So, I mounted the letters and got out the stickers and colored pencils for them to decorate the letter. Once that is done I will add them to my book...
Once they get her instead of having appetizers setting out I want to have a tea party in the back yard with drinks and snacks. This is a way to catch up with everyone and set the tone for the day. A relaxed pace of unfolding our special day...
Table Scape: I decorated the table with candy confetti and flowers from our garden...
Painted, red roses from the garden...
The cake. I found a special pan in the shape of a birthday cake. I will have it frosted and decorated. However, I have some special elements and the candles I will have the kids help with so it gives them another activity to assist in the cooking process. This is what I call Sous Chefs in training. A sneaky way to get them involved...
Over the years Jamie and I have purchased one off items at Goodwill (my new favorite store) to stage photos for our food blog. Now, I have so much cool stuff to help stage the feel for my party. Each piece is different and has it's own story to tell. Just like each of us all individuals with our own story to tell. No matchy, matchy at Grandma's parties~~~~
Tea Sandwiches and eclairs for snacks...
Peppermint Bark...
Tiramisu...
The MEAT Sauce. Starts with MEAT. In today's pot I am including meatball, sausage and beef chunks. Funny story...growing up...my family called "sauce" "gravy". So when people said they were serving "gravy" I was expecting "sauce". I would look at the "gravy" and wonder, what the heck is this???
The Meatballs. I used to do everything by myself. However, Jamie has been training with me for years as my Sous Chef. He is now the major meatball maker...here is is technique...
The "gravy" is the key to the meal. It bathes my meat with delishness. It will serve as one of the toppings for my pizza. It will cover my pasta. It will embrace my eggplant. Did I mention the "gravy" was KEY!!!
Do I sense a rebellion in the kitchen???
Pizza, Pizza, Daddy"O"...
Eggplant...
Who made the salad???
Stuffed Mushrooms...
Jamie came up with the idea to make a sign: R U Ready for the Tea Party. My artist at work...
R U READY????
Dressed up and READY for our PARTY!!!!
And then...the moment we all waited for...the arrival of our guests signaled by Harley barking with joy. Papa Jamie opens the door. I run for the camera. Papa Jamie: "You have to see this"!!! OMG, my heart was racing...how cute are they????
Drew, taller than Papa...
Laker Faker...
Nate making our pizza snack. I was taking shot. Nate: "You are taking the photo from the wrong side". Me (thinking): "You are right"!!!. I learned something new today. Thanks Nate!!!
Decked out for the party...
Papa playing Dr. to Jeff's Hobbit Foot...
Harley getting the love. He really believes our parties are just for him.
Artists at work...
Movie Time...
And they call it puppy love...
Popcorn snack...
The Bed. Who knew??? When Jamie and I bought this bed we did not realize it would actually become a point of interest for our parties. It began with Sammie and Kailey. At every party they always make their way back to the bedroom for a little rest and TV. A quiet moment to settle in and find comfort. Then, Folly. When she came to stay for a week each night she and I would watch TV in bed before Jamie came in to sleep. And, today, the same thing happened. I love that our family and friends enjoy this room as much as I do. This is my respite from the world. If for only a moment in provides that for the people I love...what a joy!!!
Tonight, we are having a small intimate gathering at our house. Not everyone we invited can make it, but they will be here in spirit...we love you!!!
The menu: Shepherd's Pie, Carrot Souffle, Sweet Corn, Garlic Bread, Assorted Cookies and Puffs, French Onion Soup and lots of LOVE! This fun party cost only $199, which includes our weekly groceries. What a deal!!! Since we are planning for retirement we are planning as if we were on a fixed income...rehearsing for our future. And, we find this to be a blast! It is all about how you approach life...with the right attitude and a partner who is on board with the plan. Making life a journey you can enjoy together.
We really enjoy peaking around thrift stores to find some unknown treasure. Viva retirement~~~We found a collection of assorted soup bowls at local thrift stores. A hodepodge of bowls and stuff we get for so cheap. Jamie even negotiated a deal at the Goodwillie store. He got the senior discount of 10%, saving us even more~~~
Peanut Butter Cup Cookies...
Brownies...
Sugar Blossoms...
Dessert Tray...
Carrot Souffle...
Corn...
French Onion Soup...
Shepherd's Pie...
Appetizers...
And, the stars of the party...
Techno Geek...
Pretty girl and boy...
Damn, I am short!!!!
The women in my life. Such comfort. Such trust. I love you!!!
Happy Girls...
The mommas...
And, the pappas...
Finally, Tiff arrives from her shift at Target (Tar-gay)...
Opening the presents...with a little help from our friends...
Box Head...
Mug Shot...
After dinner, everyone settled in...
The "old" people sitting around the table...discussing their favorite scary movies...
The "young" people...nestled in big chairs watching Toy Story 3...
Then, another knock at the door...
Jamie: Hi. You need some food? Yes, come in...
Patty and me looking curiously at each other: Who is he letting in???
and then...in walks Dr. Dream Boat...Off early from his shift...What a great surprise~~~
And his family...rushing to greet him...
Sharing the love...
Dessert, anyone???
Thank you my love, for celebrating this life with me...you are the joy of my life. Merry XMAS...
The Whitney, Gabbards and Bustins like to PARTAY!!! The holiday season beginning with Halloween and ending with New Years gives us lots of opportunity to celebrate the season.
We are hosting Turkey Day #2 at our house!!!! Yeah!!!
If I have time I like to have some sort of activity for the kids. For this party I am going to have the girls put together a book using our museum day for inspiration. I put together a book of my own so they can have an example. Here is the planning stages for the artistic session...
For big parties it takes me a couple of days to prep and cook. Here are some of the items I put together the day before...
Chocolate Heath Bar Ice Cream...
Caribbean Chip Ice Cream. Coconut Ice Cream with White Chocolate Chips...
Pasta Salad...
Chocolate Cake...
Fudge...
Spinach Artichoke Dip...
Cheesy Potatoes...
The Rolls...
Prime Rib...
Gettin ready for our family...
Tea Totler...
Appetizers...
Here's Momma!!!!
Tim and Ron always end up in some corner together. Probably talking "fishing"...
Tauna always jumps right in to help...
Pretty, pretty Patty!!!!
The Pappas...
Dinner is ready!!!!
Mary Ann and Tom...
Jason and Patty...
Sam pickin' a fight with Timbo...
Solid as rocks. This is one amazing couple~~~
"Pretty Girl"...
My sisters...
Hellooooooooooooo, I want to go outside now!!!
History...
Scrap Booking...
Brother...and sisters....
Caught, in the act~~~
Just kickin' it...
The heat of battle. They boys against the girls!!!!
An orchid from Patty. This is my favorite flower...
This has been such an amazing week getting to spend time with family. There is nothing like it to me. I love you all and I give thanks to each of you for being in my life. For sharing special moments with me and Jamie. For making our lives fuller, richer, and blessed. Thank you!!!!!
Well, after all these years I have some good Chinese Recipes worthy of company. Jamie and I have been testing them out and I know I am ready to serve them to family and friends. Today, Summer, Jason and the girls are coming to feast with us. What I love about Jason and Summer is they are so easy to be around. Today, quite unexpectedly we ended up with a slab leak. No water for part of the time so Jason and Summer jumped in to help "get the party started". Summer and dad hand washed dishes while we did have water. Jason jumped in and fried the egg rolls. After the chaos passed we got the girls cozied up in grandma's bed. Then, the big kids settled in to watch Captain American in 3-D. A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Relaxing, comfortable, and simple.
On the menu: egg rolls, fried rice, beef with brocolli, lettuce cups, and home made (scratch) coconut cake. And, my hubby wanted home made Rum Raisin Ice Cream. Join us!!!
Prepping the pans for the cake...
And, the cake...
I learned many of the techniques and recipes from Folly. Now that I have been making them I have modified them to be mine. One of the key tips I got from Folly was to be sure to use uniform pieces in the cooking.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps. I found this pre-made lettuce wrap sauce in the Asian Aisle. I have tried making the PF Changs version and it is very time consuming. Also, it does not taste the same. However, this sauce is very easy and really good.
Home made carmel corn using my popcorn contraption I found at Good Willie...
Egg Rolls...
Fried Rice...
Gettin' ready for the movies...
Home made coconut cake (from scratch) and home made rum raisin ice cream. I tried a buttermilk white cake recipe. I am not sure I really liked it because the cake was so dense. I will keep trying to find the perfect scratch white cake.
Chicken Face...
What a great day! Even a slab leak could not dampen (pun here) our Chinese Take in afternoon with our family!!!!
