where dinner should be enjoyed.....

Saturday, May 7, 2011

April 2011 Dinner

This Month was busy for us and unfortunately everyone else too. We choose to mix the dinner into and afternoon of kids, balloons, face painting and a bounce house. So I am working on the month of May to get back on track and hopefully everyone lives are a little less busy this month and can take a moment and enjoy good company for an evening. I will keep you posted on the date yet to be decided.

April's Birthday's

Tim - Happy Birthday Tim
Gavyn

Peek at the party


Bounce House Fun


The James and the Giant Peach Cake


The Rainbow in the cake


A book from the book party......

Sunday, March 27, 2011

March 2011 Dinner

Thank you all for making March's dinner a wonderful time of fun, laughter and lots of toys. I enjoyed sharing the evening between all of you. This is a little easier on me this month with having those of you chip in and bring a dish. I appreciate you adding to the night. I particularly loved the theme of yellow this month. I do hope you all enjoyed it as well. I was delighted to meet a new guest, Geoff brought by Elizabeth. I do hope everyone got to say hello. I can't tell you how much I really enjoy these meals. One would probably think that I was crazy to enjoy cooking meals and baking goodies that I cannot enjoy. But if I am being honest, I really don't have to consume them to enjoy them. I get that satisfaction from all of you letting me know how yummy the cupcakes are or how delicious the Trip-Tip was. So I appreciate all of you and I thank you for being a part of these gathering. I hope to continue bringing you a little service of love every month from my heart to yours.

As you know this month was Yellow for my theme chosen by Alicia.
Happy Birthday Missy, I wish you a wonderful 2011 and may you be blessed beyond limits.


Alicia & Tim

The Menu:

 Lisa's Special Seasoned Tri-Tip
Michael's Awesomes BBQ Skills
Rebecca's Scalloped Potatoes
Rachel's Green Salad
Alicia's King's Hawaiian Rolls
Grilled Asparagus with Oilive Oil, Salt and Pepper
Lisa's Homemade Salsa With Corn Chips
Trader Joe's Bruschetta with Sourdough Bread

Dessert:
Tuxedo Cupcakes Filled With yellow Vanilla Frosting Topped With Whipped Chocolate Frosting
(Dairy Free)
Chocolate Covered Oreos with a star of Vanilla Frosting
Red Vines

Dessert:
Chris's Fine selection of Orange Cream Soda and Root Beer's
Phil and Katy's excellent choice of Wines

Special Thanks:
Jo-Linda Garud for Chairs
Nana for Chairs
Liz Gonzales for Lemons

Flowers From: 
Trader Joe's and Savemart

Here are some special photos from this months dinner.


The mixes

 


Here is Gavyn so excited about the dairy free cupcakes 


The Baking



Hollowed out centers


Filled centers with Yellow Vanilla Frosting




My Blank Canvas






These purple flowers are from my garden


The Dessert table


The Yummy Cupcakes


Chocolate Covered Oreo


The grilling





Silly Faces


Thanks for bringing laughter to my life


Jacob and his cupcake


The Kiddos


Eli watching Bob


Look I stacked all these blocks.....


Sooo Happy 


I love these smiles


And a little secret I did all the prep in my cute Hello Kitty socks.

Thanks for everything, I look forward to April and warmer weather.











Sunday, March 20, 2011

getting ready for March's Dinner


MARCH

Date: March 26th
Where: Watkins House
When: 6:30pm

Please R.S.V.P by March 23rd

This month when you R.S.V.P. I will send you an item to contribute to this months dinners. 
I would love to see what you come up with.
I look forward to serving you all and I hope you have a wonderful St. Patty's Day.




Tuesday, February 22, 2011

February 2011 Dinner

February's dinner was a success!!!


The Menu:

 Lisa's Special Seasoned BBQ Chicken
Italian Pasta Salad
Cheese Potato Casserole
Whole Wheat/ Sweet Potato Rolls
Whole Wheat Corn Chips and Lisa's Homemade Salsa

Dessert:

Rainbow Cupcakes with Pink Vanilla Frosting (Dairy Free)
Fudge Chocolate Brownies (Dairy Free)
Red Vines


Happy Birthday to:

Jenny 

The dessert was inspired by a blog that I had peeked at on Saturday and I was so thrilled to make these for you all the process was easy but too time and patients... worth every minute to watch you take a bite of them. And what is a party without a little chocolate so I had to add in the brownies which Alicia is a big fan of.


Here is the cake mix separated in to bowls where I used food coloring and made my color








My Mom makes an amazing Italian Pasta Salad for my son's birthday every year so I thought I would take a crack at it and make my own version of it minus onion's and thick sliced salami which I could not find at the grocery store. I loved how colorful it turned out. I have absolutely no idea how it taste.


One thing that I really miss is veggies. So I had to snap a picture of all this yummy goodness.


The tables were fun Red, Black, White, and Pink I love using things that I just happen to have around the house. Getting more use out of simple topiary that usually sit on my mantel. 





I love this cute look on My sister's face as she is eating... yep, I am taking pictures while you eat.





My little man did not want BBQ Chicken so I made his dinner special just for him he smiles while he is enjoying a Jam sandwich, Sliced Pink Lady apple, Chips and salsa. Along with getting to has Cherry 7up he was thrilled to get to have soda which he doesn't get to have all that often.



Here is the dessert stand..


This was the best picture I had of it all together.
(I was busy chatting with everyone I forgot to get one.)


Gavyn and Noah enjoying Toy Story Three



The ladies for a group shot.
Jen, Alicia, Kamray, Me and Rebecca


I know all to well that I have spent most of my life being the one that stands on the side lines and cheers others on and smiles in approval. I know also that being shy gets you no where. Since becoming ill I don't want to miss a beat. I know all of these wonderful ladies don't know each other but I find that that is a bonus. It's like God giving one more egg in your basket. I want you ladies to know how much I enjoy getting to spend little moments with you.

Alicia, you shared a huge adventure with me that was not only daring, exhausting, but filled with a bonus of a new friend ship after Kayaking the San Joaquin River. I love getting to ask you, "So, What's new and exciting?" I am so proud of you with the new jobs you are doing amazing and I can't wait to see what the next few months bring you as you settle into these new jobs. I have blessed to have met you... 

Kamray, you are a wonderful sister and I love that this time around you are being a part of the dinners. Your personality is over the top and your love is so big. Thanks for always bring a smile to my face and being a part of my life. I love you sis....

Jenny, I first met you out at Cotton Wood Park watching you, Ben, and Michael slack lining in the spring, at the time I thought that was next to nearly impossible for me to do. All the while Gavyn loving it. Watching you on the slack line, so calm and focused showed me how rewarding the experience was to you. Having you over to practice tipping in the pool during the summer, trips to bishop, and the simple hellos at the gym. I am excited to have met such an adventurous lady... 

Rebecca, You and I go way back so I have so many moments that you have captured my heart. You are an amazing Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother and your list goes on. You are a dear friend to me. The past year and a half has given me time to take risk and take notice of special people in my life. When you came and visited with me at the hospital I will never forget how loved I felt. Also my special Crohn's cookbook which I use when my tummy can handle a new adventure with food. I am truly blessed to have you as a remodel of a Strong, Godly woman. Thank you for your kindness, love and friendship.

Alicia & Tim

Playful ...


Serious Tim...


Great smiles....


Noah happened to find an Elmo in the toys and has claimed it....
Blessed with the best smile ever, thank you Noah.


Here I am honoring Jenny for her birthday month and I was pleasantly surprised with this awesome mug. Thank you Miss Jenny, I love it....


My little man was off to bed and I still hadn't eaten so, Michael took a moment and prepared my lovely Silk Chocolate Soy Milk, Peanut Butter and Ice in the over used Magic Bullet. 

Thank you Michael for Dinner...

Yum.. Yum...


After the laughter with friends, Blowing out candles, Gavyn off to bed, food put in baggies, it was time to sit and take a little rest after the long day. Every minute of preparation was worth the time shared with each one of you. Thank you for take time out from your busy lives and sharing it with us for the evening.
I love all the moments we share looking forward to next March. 

Special Thanks:

Kamray for the ice
Monica for the paper