A BABY SHOWER

I wanted to start off with a pretty picture...well, they are all pretty.  The shower was a success, I think.  There were a few glitches but I have to chalk that up as a learning experience.  I didn't feel like that at the time but...well, here's the good stuff.

I threw together the sugar cookies the night before after the Red Velvet cookie debacle.  This simple and delicious recipe came from Jennifer at Town And Country Living.  I used decorating sugar on some of them and the others I dipped in white chocolate and then sprinkles.  Fun!  These would be great for Valentine's Day.

We were trying to get pictures of the dessert table (my island) five minutes before guests arrived.  Emily ordered everything through a local bakery except for my cookies and the cheesecake bites which you can see on the left (with the strawberries in the center.  

Remember the stork scale we found?  Still can't believe our luck and how the stork became our "theme".   These tarts were almost too pretty to eat.

I was really happy with the appetizers.  A lot of work and I could have planned better, but I look at these pictures and know that I put my heart and soul into making everything.  My sister in law brought Fruit Kabob's, and my future daughter in law, Deirdre, made Bacon Wrapped Dates (I have to get that recipe).  I think everyone really enjoyed the food and sweets.  We had little glassine bags for the guests to take home anything left over and there really wasn't.  That's a good thing, right? :).

Abby has experience as a bartender and waitress.  She not only ran out the morning of the party and bought champagne and juice, she set up and manned the little bar area.  We had the Mimosa's of course, and they were cranked up a notch with several flavors of orange juice.  Mango is my favorite.  I made iced tea and there was a variety of wine, but the ladies loved those Mimosa's!

We managed to pack everyone in as you can see.  My Mother in law used to say she loved parties like this because everyone mingles.  I think she was right.  

Mary Clare opened her gifts while Emily recorded everything.  My girls gave her a jogging stroller.  That will be a fun thing for her to do with Elsie when the weather warms up. 

I love this picture of MC with her sisters; Katie, Nora, and mom, Peggy.

I didn't want to do a picture overload so these are just some of the highlights.  I thought I would get this post out right away, all of you have been so kind with your best wishes for the shower and the arrival of my granddaughter.  Thank you!

I had lofty plans for today; go to the gym and get a manicure...or one or the other.  I settled on neither! lol.  It's 23 degrees, my car is covered in icy snow...okay, excuses.  I'm just so darn lethargic today.  I know I will perk up soon.  I have a few projects to get done this week, mostly involving some cleaning and organizing.  I wonder why January is such a popular month for that.  Is it because we are housebound?  Bored?  That it all went out the window during the holidays?  I have to say, I do get motivated seeing the magazines and blogs with their tips and solutions for everything imaginable.  Maybe it's a way to make a clean slate for the year ahead.  Sounds good to me.

Below is a list of the party food links.  I would highly recommend everything I chose to make, nothing about the recipes is difficult, unless you want to make everything at once as I did!  Ha!

See all of you soon!

Jane x

Cucumber Tomato Bites

Marinated Mozzarella with Rosemary Sprigs 

Apricot Ham Tea Sandwiches 

Lemon Chicken Tea Sandwiches 

Traditional Cucumber Tea Sandwiches 

Blue Cheese~Walnut Finger Sandwiches

Strawberry Heart Cheesecake Bites

Joining Marty at Inspire Me Tuesdays