Bundle of Joy Buffet

Last weekend I hosted a baby shower for a surprise baby. NO, the baby is not a surprise, but the sex of the bundle of joy will be unknown until the doctor announces it in the delivery room. What fun and excitement! The way we all used to do it!

The color scheme for the shower was completely pastel—pink, blue, yellow, green, and lavender. Cupcakes, mini cheesecakes in pastel liners, pacifier candy favors, and candy-coated almonds lined the sideboard.

I made pastel marshmallow fondant flowers to top the cupcakes and put them together them in every combination I could think of. I didn’t want to influence the outcome :). You can find details on the fondant here and the recipe here.

The favors are made with Lifesavers, icing for glue, pastel jelly beans for the nipple, and LOTS of pastel curling ribbon. They are completely edible!

The centerpiece was a mixture of fresh yellow and green flowers in this adorable bassinet I found online. I truly had hoped to take pictures of the entire table, but this baby shower almost got away from me! I thought it was more important to answer the door rather than keep clicking away!

You can’t have a proper southern tea or shower without homemade pimiento cheese tea sandwiches! I used my acorn and maple leaf cookie cutters.

For me, deciding on a beverage is always hard for afternoon events. I am not a real fan of most punches. However, this Apple Julep was a hit! It’s not too sweet and made a beautiful presentation with apple and lemon slices floating in it. Christy Jordan, who writes A Southern Plate blog, was recently featured in Southern Living and included this recipe. I’ve been reading Christy’s blog for a couple of years and she is as entertaining as she is informative.

Apple Julep

1 quart apple juice

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup orange juice

1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix all well and serve chilled or over ice. Makes about six cups and doubles or triples easily.

I am linking to Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday and to Michael Lee West at Designs by Gollum for Foodie Friday. Click on their buttons on the sidebar for immediate inspiration. I’ll let you know what the “surprise” is in about three weeks! :) Thanks for stopping by—leave me a note!!~~Susan

A Flower for Two Seasons

Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. They come in a variety of colors. The Nikko Blue is my favorite and stands up well to our sometimes very cold winters.

This hydrangea is in the lacecap family. They are more delicate and less showy than their mophead cousins, but just as beautiful.

It’s not unusual to find different color blooms on the same plant. This plant in my back yard has white tinged with lavender, lavender and green blooms on it. And although hydrangeas are synonymous with summer, they have me thinking about the fall…..when they make beautiful dried arrangements.

There are several methods for drying hydrangeas. Perhaps the simplest is to let Mother Nature take its course. Wait until late in the blooming season (August to October depending on where you live) and allow the blooms simply to dry on the plant. They will change in color going to pale green, tan, pink, or burgundy. The petals will feel papery. You can now cut them and bring them inside. No need to put them in water or hang them upside down. Just protect them and let them continue to dry out.

Another method, and one I am trying for the first time, is called the water drying method. This method promises to help the bloom hold its color and shape a little better. First cut the flower with a stem length that will be easy to work with. Strip all the green leaves from the stem.

Put the flowers in fresh water covering at least half the stem. Make sure the vase is in a cool place out of direct sunlight. Do not replace the water as it is used or evaporates. This allows the blossom to dry naturally. When the water is gone, the flower will feel papery and will be ready to use.

I made this arrangement last fall using the late harvest method. The pale greens and tans are perfect for a fall table.

I think I would like to try making a wreath like this one for my door this fall. It would be a nice way to thank the hydrangea for being so accommodating by blooming all summer and then changing colors just in time for fall.

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday.

On Wednesday I am linking to a new party, Centerpiece Wednesday over at the Style Sisters. This is a relatively new party and I am excited to join it. Hope you’ll visit both parties. Thanks for stopping by…leave me a note :)

Run for the Roses Tabletops—Part 2

In my last post I told you about a garden club show I attended last week. The theme was Run for the Roses and the arrangements were magnificent! I was intrigued by the designs, but imagine my sheer delight when I found out there was tablescaping category…..hmmmm…setting the table for fun and sport :) A competition? I had to contain myself to keep from trampling other guests!

I’ll start out by showing you the winner. Now remember, the judges’ focus is on the flowers within a tablescape setting and not on the tablescape itself. I do love the colors, but haven’t figured out what the odd bread plate is doing :)

This is a fun one. I love the pink paired with the black and white harlequin design. Layered napkins too.

The crystal epergne was filled with pink roses. Do any of you know what the green plant is?

This was my personal favorite. I love the tall arrangement and red and yellow combination. There were three layers of linens. (I do not take photos well under pressure :). The julep cups and mint incorporated the derby theme.

The china continued the red rose theme. I asked the designer about the china. She said she didn’t know what it was….had never looked…..should I pick it up? Noooo….I’m too busy juggling a cucumber tea sandwich, a glass of mint tea, and my camera :). No way to be discreet :)

Now, SSSSHHHHH….don’t tell. I think you ladies (and Bill, of course :) are much better at this. Please don’t rat me out. I want to go back next year!

Join Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Click on the TT button…your carriage awaits! Susan and her guests are certain to inspire you! Thanks for stopping by. Happy Mother’s Day. I hope you are with the ones you love :)

Run for the Roses Tabletops

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life and Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor have parties on Tuesdays that seem to just go together like peas and carrots….like the Kentucky Derby and roses!

Last week I was invited to attend a garden club flower show whose theme was the Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses. I live in a “horsey” community where stables and houses are interspersed. This club has a stellar reputation and I knew I would not be disappointed.

This beautiful arrangement of roses sat on a baby grand piano. I can’t even imagine how the owner created this .

Red and white roses with mint---and this was only Honorable Mention.

This arrangement won first place in its category. I love the mixture of colors and the lines of this---I can see why it won.

Riding boots and horseshoes…. I love the moss and grass in this one.

Of course there were hats….

And not just in Derby red…the judges loved this one. It also won first place.

This is my favorite---look at that gorgeous pewter horse pitcher!

Brussel sprouts and roses in the base….a horse’s mane of lacey fern….and still just second place :(

Look at the gorgeous colors in this loving cup. I think Calvin and Super Saver would have been proud to receive this!

This is not on a table, but I wanted you to see this. I have posted some of these before as has Glenda at A Dab of This and That. Horse statues were given to local artist to decorate several years ago to commemorate the anniversary of our local charity horse show. This one adorned with daffodils was moved temporarily to the flower show site. She’s a beauty!

Thanks for stopping by! You can visit Marty here for Tabletop Tuesday and stop by Lady Katherine Tea Parlor for Tea Time Tuesday by clicking here! Thanks Ladies!