Another May Wedding

Where does the time go? It's hard to believe that a week ago at this time, I was baking in my sister's kitchen like a crazy woman, helping prepare some of the goodies for my niece's wedding reception! (Isn't she adorable?) I'm so excited to share with you some of the marvelous items that we got to eat, see, and experience at this reception. It was amazing.

But first a little background info... My sister has a great friend named Lorraine, that moved away to Las Vegas a few years ago and started up a catering business. She has always had a knack for entertaining, so it is perfect that she is now running a successful business in which she is so talented. She was the brains behind much of what you'll see.

Now, my sisters and I are fairly simple folks---not a whole lot of fluff and frills. Not that we don't like that sort of stuff--we do! We just don't naturally think in those terms very often, (or don't have the patience sometimes to do it like that!) So, while my sister and my niece had ideas and thoughts of what they wanted, Lorraine expounded upon them, took them to the next level, and made everything just top-notch.

So, today, I'm giving you some images of the fantastic food we experienced, and letting you drool over it all during the weekend. (Wish that I could share some of the recipes with you, but unfortunately, I was sworn to secrecy by Lorraine, and later my memory was erased, so no luck! Sorry!)

Next week I'll have more on the decor and fun that we had, along with more information on Lorraine's business. Enjoy!

The evening's buffet menu:

~Grilled Teriyaki Chicken and Pineapple
~Parmesan Twice Baked Red Potatoes


~Lemon Streusel Bars
~Double Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies (I got to make both of these, and wow--were they addictive!)



~Mini Fruit Pizzas



~Veggie Shooters with Garlic Dip
~Fruit



~Chocolate Trifles--Do those look incredible, or what?





~Crescent Rolls


Everything was so beautiful and delicious! Have a great weekend everyone!

"Welcome Home" Table Runner is Now Available!

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend! We had the opportunity to travel once again for another niece's wedding, and to spend time with extended family and friends, and it was fabulous! It was crazy too---working hard and helping prepare the last minute details for the reception, yet having a non-stop party for our whole family full of ping-pong tournaments, barbeques, take-out Chinese, and rides for the kiddies pulled by my bro in law's riding lawn mower.


Late nights and early mornings, all-day baking fests, trips to the cemetery, oh, and a wedding!....whew! I think we are all exhausted! But it was such great fun, and worth every minute.

Needless to say, my little family is now trying to recuperate, with two of the little ones sick here at home, and me facing a mountain of laundry! Uggh! So while I plan to share some amazing bits of the wedding reception and party with you all, it may have to wait for a day or two...

However, remember a few weeks ago when I shared a sneak peek of a project I was working on for You Can Quilt This? Well, it is finally finished, and the first part of it has been released. And the best news? It's all free for the taking. The project is a "Welcome Home" Table Runner, created with four different block designs---each one to be released as a Block of the Month (BOM) over the next four months. Here is this month's block:


If quilting, appliqué, or embroidery are new to you, or seem too intimidating to try, no worries. There is a section at You Can Quilt This called "Quilting 101" in which quilting vocabulary and techniques are discussed and taught in easy-to-understand terms. The talented ladies behind You Can Quilt This want you to have a positive experience with quilting! They will teach you there how to quilt your runner with your sewing machine, and how to easily add the binding to the edges. In addition, when you get to the appliqué and embroidery sections of this table runner, don't forget that there is a free eBook that will walk you through each of those embroidery stitches. And, the fact that one block design is released each month gives you plenty of time to learn about new techniques and to complete each block before the next one is available.

Everything you need to know to complete this runner is available at your fingertips. So, why not give it a try! It's so much fun, and so rewarding when you see what you are able to accomplish! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have as you work through this pattern. I'm so happy to help, and I would love to assist you in any way I possibly can. I want you to have a great experience with this as well!

Lessons Learned from Daddy's Little Helper

As we are preparing our garden spot for this year, we have decided to add rock around our garden boxes. For two nights in a row, my hubby has been shoveling truckloads of rock, and for two nights in a row, Daddy's Little Helper has been right at his side.

I find it fascinating....Mr. T (our Mr. Teenager), is too busy with a TV show, AW (our 11 year old) is too busy skateboarding, and Blondie (our 8 year old) is too busy listening to her country music cd. Granted, they've all had to help at some point in this garden-creating-process. We didn't let them all off that easily! But for the entire time my hubby was working when no one was asked to come join him, Little Missy was faithful to the end---voluntarily shoveling, raking, laughing and smiling the entire time... Just happy to be with her dad and being a part of something important. Hard work and helping someone else were the things that brought her joy in that moment.

It reminds me that there is much we can learn from our little ones.

Family Fun Night - "Four Corners"

Today I have another Family Fun Night game to share that is super easy to play, and requires no supplies, other than a large room with four corners. This was a staple in my classroom years ago when I used to teach school, and now it is a regular at our house as well. Many of you may recognize it yourselves. It's simply called "Four Corners". The object is to be the last remaining family member that does not get called out. Let me explain...

First, designate each corner of the room with a number. It's easiest to start in a main corner, and number them clockwise. Be sure every family member can remember which corner is which.


Next, choose one person to be "It". He or she sits somewhere near the center of the room with eyes closed (we make our family members put their heads down on the couch or the nearby stairs--no peeking!) That person counts to 10 while the other family members quietly sneak to any corner to stand in. Whatever corner you are standing in when "It" gets to number "10" is where you have to remain standing! When the person who is "It" finishes counting (and with eyes still closed!), he or she calls out one corner number: 1,2,3, or 4. If you are standing in that particular corner, you are out.

Counting by "It" then resumes and the rounds continue until there is one last person remaining. The last person in, wins! At that point, that person becomes the new "It", and the game starts over with everyone playing again.

Like I said, super simple to play, but lots of fun!

The 5K Update!

Well, I have to give you an update on my 5K experience. I learned that being in the 40 and older category has its benefits! I have no idea how many women in my age group ran---it could have been 3, it could have been 300 (that's the one I'm going with). But to my great amazement, I won second place! Who knew? My good friend and neighbor took the first place spot, (you rock, Susan!) and we had a fun and encouraging run after some initial, friendly trash-talking.

And my little guy? He left me in the dust as I knew he would, and he took 3rd place in his division. He was thrilled.

So, my cramming pulled through for me, and my kiddo and I had a great and memorable experience together. As he received his medal, it warmed my heart to see him achieve a goal that he had set. And then to hear him cheering so loudly for me when I received mine, was icing on the cake. We made a great team. I think I might have running fever. But then again... maybe not. We'll see how I feel next week!

Cramming for a 5K!

When I was in college, my M.O. for study seemed to be "cram". Not that I didn't like studying. I actually loved college and learning, and everything about my experience. But that was just it. There was so much to do and experience, so much fun to be had, and so much to learn, that "cramming" seemed to be the only way to fit in everything I wanted to experience!

Well, now that I'm a middle-aged mom (ouch, it hurts to say it), "cramming" still seems to be the way I do things at times. Again, not that I necessarily want to put things off...there's just so much I still want to do and experience, and so much to do as a wife, mom, and person of my own, and fitting it all in sometimes requires "cramming!"

Case in point: Tonight I'm running a 5K with my 11 year old son. Each year our elementary school sponsors a fundraiser/5K to earn money for the school while promoting healthy lifestyle habits. I think it's a great event. In addition, the kids in the school get to enter a contest to help design the T-Shirt, and the winner's design is printed on the front.

In years past, I've had a toddler to worry about while the other kids were running, so I've always walked the 5K while pushing a stroller. But this year, only my 11 year old and I are signed up, and my hubby will be available to watch the younger kids.... So about 6 weeks ago, or so, I decided this year I was going to actually "run" the 5K, but didn't get serious about it until, oh, 3 weeks ago. Whoops. Now, I've run before, but you know, like 20 years ago in college when I thought "walking" was a sissy form of exercise. Hmmm...aging has taught me a thing or two about that misconception.

Anyhoo, it will be a fun experience if nothing else, and has given me a goal to shoot for. Above everything, it has been great training (er...cramming) and having a common interest with, and reason to spend time with my kiddo. He leaves me in the dust, and is pumped for the race, hoping for a repeat performance of his division win last year.

If any of you are looking to train for a 5K, there are loads of training programs out there, but one that I wished I would have followed a bit earlier is this one. It makes good sense to me, and seams easy to follow. (Sigh...) Next year.
I'll let you know how it goes---wish me luck! (And, no. lol. That isn't a photo of me running.)

A Wedding and Oreo Truffles

Two things this morning...First, I recently returned from a fabulous weekend spent with my family. It was such a boost for me to be around my sisters and brother--I miss living near them so much! My sister's daughter got married on Saturday, and as most weddings are, it was beautiful! The weather was lovely for the outdoor wedding and reception, and it all came off without a hitch. (In the photo above, the bishop appears to be eating a cookie or something...he's actually holding his lapel mike closer to his mouth so we can all hear him!)


The wedding colors were black, royal blue, and silver, and the dessert table was amazing...silver trays and crystal displays filled with cakes, cheesecakes, fruit, and truffles, along with a variety of huge apothecary jars filled with candies in matching wedding colors: Almond Joy, mini Peppermint Patties, mini Milky way, Jelly Bellies, blue-wrapped Kisses, M & M's, and white chocolate-covered popcorn.



There were baggies available for filling up whatever and how ever many candies you wanted, and of course plates for your choice of desserts. It was so fun! I made nearly 200 Oreo truffles for the event, and they looked festive in their individual candy cups, and were a hit with my extended family that had never tried them before!

...Which brings me to my second item this morning. If you have never visited Your Home Based Mom before, you seriously need to make a habit of it! Her blog is where I discovered the recipe for the Oreo Truffles. Every other recipe I've tried of hers is fabulous as well. She takes beautiful pictures, and I love checking in with her to see what new entertaining item or recipe she has to offer.

One thing I love about these Oreo Truffles is that they are sooo simple to make, and yet so unique. My own little family can't get enough of them, and I was slightly embarrassed as I noticed from afar (I was working in the kitchen) that my two boys each had plates stacked with about 8 of them at the reception. (Apparently we need some etiquette lessons in the near future!) So anyway, here is the recipe. I really think you are going to love them!



Oreo Truffles
1 package Oreo Cookies (Leigh Anne says the off brands work well too)
1 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)

Directions: Remove 9 Oreos from the package and crush in a blender, white stuff and all, to a powdery consistency. Set aside.

Crush remaining Oreos, and place in mix master. Add softened cream cheese and blend together with the whisk attachment.

Using a small scoop, (I used a 1 1/4" Pampered Chef scoop) measure out a small amount, roll into a ball, and then roll in the crushed Oreo crumbs. You want them to be bite-sized. Each batch makes 35 to 45-ish truffles, depending on the size of your scoop. I also rolled some of them in granulated sugar for variety, but everyone seemed to prefer the Oreo crumbs instead.


Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight before serving (this really is important, as they don't taste as good at room temp. Not sure why!). And, I froze my batches ahead of time, and they were just perfect! Enjoy these yummy truffles and check out the other amazing recipes Leigh Anne has to offer!