Shower snaps...

The baby shower was last weekend and I have been so busy with out of town family visiting that I've had very little time to sit down at the computer and blog.

Darling daughter and I blew up some dotty balloons 

then she tied them to the railing out front of the Humble Bungalow.

Maps had been given to all those invited but this was a quick clue as to which house they were coming to.

I raided Miss Isla's toy basket and spelled Baby in blue and green blocks.

I bought some paper plates for the appetizers

(diaper pins for the table!)

I rarely use paper but this wee pram pattern caught my eye.

I love prams, especially vintage ones.

We had mimosa's in champagne flutes to start.

Equal amounts of fresh orange juice and bubbly.

I used Cooks for economy

because

when mixing these cocktails it's more about the fizz and bubbles 

 the juice is the big pop of flavour here.

Tea and coffee served on the built in buffet.

(I pushed the family photos to the back to make room!)

(photo by J)

I love all white china

it makes mixing patterns a breeze.

(photo by J)

Assorted cheeses, dried apricots and dates.

3 kinds of crackers

sundried tomato basil dip from The Best of Best of Bridge cookbook

vegetables and dilly dip

deviled eggs

pickles

(photo by J)

I like to use cheeses that are different and label them accordingly.

home made chocolate torte with strawberries

(photo by J)

(photo by J)

(photo by J)

Lovely daughter has a friend Emily who is a talented graphic designer 

 the two of them made a banner for the shower.

You can see more of Em's work here.

Emmett's Mom will be able to keep this for his room or it may come out for future birthday celebrations.

I wish I had had one of these for my children when they were young.

I love the idea.

We did play a few shower games...

a Baby word scramble 

and 

a necklace game

each guest upon arrival was given a gaudy plastic dollar store string of beads

whenever you said the word baby you have to give up your necklace to who ever heard you say it.

There were two winners in the end and fortunately I had wrapped three gifts.

It's been years since I've hosted a shower

 I don't think I could have pulled it off without help from my clever daughter.

Thanks darling!

~ ~ ~

Some of the photos used here are the property of darling daughter 

I have indicated those by adding her initial "J".

Thanksgiving weekend menu ...part 2

Humble Bungalow Thanksgiving Family Brunch

On the menu:
Baked ham, mushrooms, oven roasted potato wedges, egg and cheese frittata, fruit salad, croissants, english muffins, cream cheese, lox and sliced tomatoes. Assorted juices, coffee and pumpkin pie for dessert.

I have captured some images of the prep...
I knew that I would be too engaged in cooking and serving to grab my camera...
besides I do not want to miss any of the fun with the family here.

Meet my crystal trifle bowl

today it holds a simple fresh fruit salad

Cream cheese, tomatoes, and lox with fresh dill

croissants

as requested by our son

Thank you Faux Fuchsia for the inspiration

elevating Ham to a new level of yumminess

I substituted orange marmalade for the lime marmalade that the recipe called for...

Simple 

spuds mushrooms

tossed lightly in olive oil then sprinkled with salt and pepper

Bake until spuds are fork tender

and golden

Eggy cheese frittata

look how it puffs up

cooks very fast in the convection oven so keep watch

Brunch

Bungalow style

My sister came bearing a bouquet of dahlias and salal

and a jar of her delicious homemade antipasto

(I am saving it for a rainy day when I need a pick me up)

 mom brought a posy of chrysanthemums

and lovely DIL and son brought calla lilies and bells of Ireland with ferns and baby's breath

look!

I love white and chartruese together

I dressed casual today

I wanted to be comfortable 

and washable

in case of splattering

Black sequined flats, leggings,

cream top, black long vest

and the obligatory apron

I am a messy cook

Debra Kay Chambers

 necklace 

The weather forecast was prediciting rain all weekend

and we had a warm and sunny day

such an unexpected gift

 after brunch the Mom's went home

and we popped lovely Isla in Grammy's pram and went for a walk along the waterfront

You cannot see Isla but she really is in the pram and she loved the ride

maybe not as much as Grammy did though!

Mr. HB and I had leftovers tonight.

I am feeling weary

it's a good kind of tired

the kind that comes from planning and putting something together

and then in a blink of an eye it's over...

and I think 

I want to do it all over again

real soon

I made a pot of peppermint tea

and am on my 3rd cup

the tea has gone cold

I can't bring myself to turn in just yet

I want to look at all the pictures that I took of my family today

 the ones of our Moms

the kids

my sister

Mr. HB

and lovely Isla

Precious moments

that you can never get back

just look ahead

for more...

it does my heart good.

Sweet dreams