Hurricane Grilled Peaches

I’ve noticed that peaches are abundantly available lately, and since we are currently IN hurricane season, I thought I’d share this recipe for Hurricane Grilled Peaches. Why hurricane? Well, it was during the hurricane that hit in September 2008, that I was first introduced to Grilled Peaches, so adding Hurricane to the front just seemes natural. No natural disaster required to cook these. Enjoy!

Hurricane Grilled Peaches

Ingredients:
Large peaches (apples or pears)
Stick of butter
Cinnamon
Heavy-duty aluminum foil

Directions:

Wash peaches; cut them in half and remove the pit.
Place one pat of butter on each peach half.
Sprinkle the tops with a generous amount of cinnamon.
Neatly wrap each peach half in individual sheets of aluminum foil sealing the edges so that the steam is trapped inside.
Place on the upper shelf of a gas grill set on medium heat and cook for 30 minutes.

Topping Options
Scoop of vanilla ice cream
Ready-whip canned whipped topping
Chopped pecans or walnuts

Bridal Shower {The Invitation}

My sister-n-law Christy and I are coordinating a bridal shower for a couple at church. We thought the theme “Feather Their Nest” might be fun. Now the trick is to feature the nest and not a potential egg, so that they don’t think we are pushing for children! I love a challenge.

My hands down, favorite Party Inspiration blog is Party Perfect. That’s where the inspiration for these invitations came from. Chelsea Lawrence’s Red and Aqua Baby Shower was featured on the blog last week. Her adorable, baby shower invitations were the inspiration for our bridal shower invites. When you have the option to pass out invitations it opens you up to so many possibilities. We took Chelsea’s basic idea of using yummy treats to accompany an invite. Thank you, Chelsea!

I purchased these boxes for Marin’s birthday party favors, knowing I’d find a use for the leftovers. The bird nest candies are an Easter family tradition. Typically I’d use mini Robin Egg candies, but they are seasonal and so we used chocolate covered espresso beans instead.

The invites were a big hit. I have a feeling most everyone who received one won’t have trouble remembering the date.

Oh, and speaking of Party Perfect. Marin’s birthday party was highlighted on the blog. (Thrill of all thrills!...Blushing.) Check out Party Perfect! You’ll be hooked.

Seven Layer Sandwich

I had another taste test/food photo shoot for Escapees magazine this week. Steven and I really enjoyed this Seven Layer Sandwich, but would have reduced the amount of green onions. These would be great for a small summer get together with friends and would pair well with a dry, white wine.

Seven Layer Sandwich
2 large, thick slices of sourdough or sheepherder's bread. (Two English muffins make an acceptable substitute.)
1 ripe avocado, peeled, seeded and sliced
1 tomato, sliced
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and drained or thinly sliced cooked turkey or both
1 small can sliced ripe olives
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin (I’d only use ½ the bunch)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
Small package shredded cheese, cheddar/Monterey Jack
Lettuce leaves and salsa–optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly toast the bread/muffins.
Combine olives, chili powder, cumin and salt in medium bowl.
Stir in mayonnaise, sour cream and onions.
Put the toasted bread/muffin slices on a cookie sheet.
Using half the mayonnaise mixture, spread one side of each slice of bread/muffin.
Top with tomato and bacon and/or turkey. Spread remaining mayonnaise mixture on top of meat(s). Top with avocado slices. Sprinkle with shredded cheeses.
Bake until hot and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
Serve on lettuce slices with salsa on the side.

ALASKA

Sorry for the delay in posting these pictures from Steven's trip. He came home a week ago today. So happy to have him back! As you can see Anchor point, Alaska is beautiful. The construction work went well; Steven had a chance to go kayaking and deep sea fishing and even brought back 70lbs of halibut plus mementos for me and Marin.

I hoped to have more to say, but last night was the first time I saw Steven for more than 12 hrs. He came home and went right back to work. Life has been a bit crazy for us lately!

He looks for property in Alaska most every day. We disagree about how often we'd be able to visit if we did own property there. I say five times in our entire life and Steven says five times a year!

Cotton+Cherries+Dancing = Favorite PJs

Yes, I'm in the mood for pajamas.

Marin's calls her favorite nightgown her "dencing dress." (See the night gown on the left in the first photo). She begs to wear it every night, so, I decided I'd make her another one. I found this light weight cotton fabric with cherries and knew it was going to be her new "dencing dress."

Yep, that's right, no pattern; just and old night gown for reference. I'm a bit proud of this accomplishment.

Our photo shoot with "Marin the model" was quite entertaining. She LOVES to jump on the bed but HATES the flash on the camera.

Angelina Ballerina {Pajamas}

I'm addicted to fabric shopping. I love it. The problem with that is, I have an armoire full of fabric just waiting to be made into something. Waiting for the day I'll open the armoire and decided "that yellow fabric will make the perfect gift for __________." It's so nice when a fabric TELLS you what it wants to be. (Yes, fabric speaks.) That's what this Angelina Ballerina fabric did last week. It told me it wanted to be Pajamas. And so, I made pajamas for two little girls (sisters actually) whose birthdays are just around the corner and who happen to be BIG Angelina Ballerina fans. Perfect!

I used Simplicity 2734 for the pants, and cheated a bit on the tops. They are Garanimals t-shirts from Wal-Mart. I just jazzed them up a bit by stitching fabric and felt stars to the front.

Yes, I made a pair for Marin too. It feels good to be sewing again.

Green Chile Bake {Breakfast Casserole}

My sister-n-law Beth had a handful of ladies over to her house Friday morning for brunch. I brought this Green Chile Bake breakfast casserole. I'd have taken a picture, but honestly, it's not that pretty to look at. However, it's a favorite breakfast dish in our house.

Thank you, Beth, for a lovely get together. You're always a wonderful hostess.

Ingredients
10 eggs
4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I used a cheddar/monterey jack blend)
2 cups cottage cheese (small curd)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, drained (I substituted the chiles with Rotel)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Beat eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir in Monterey Jack, cottage cheese, butter, flour, baking powder, salt and chiles. Pour into baking dish, and bake for 35 minutes or until the eggs are set. Cool for 10 minutes. Serves 8 to 10 for brunch, 12 to 16 as an appetizer.

Anchor Point, Alaska

It's day six.

I miss you, Steven. Can you please come home now???

Looking at these pictures, I'm worried he might never return. Anybody else as jealous as I am that he is in such a beautiful place?

Photo courtesy of VSmithUK's Flickr Photostream
Photo courtesy of Klinne's Flickr Photostream.
Photo courtesy of Arctic_Photos Flickr photo stream.

Navy Baby Shower {The Main Event}

The shower was held at McCardell Cottage Bed and Breakfast. The owner, Beverly Miller, was a wonderful host and very pleasant to work with. The red accents of the home were a perfect match for the shower theme. The food was tasty and beautiful. Amanda received precious gifts and the ladies seemed to be relaxed. I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at a baby shower. Always fun.

The Menu

Strawberry Basil Ice Tea - Martha Stewart

Blackberry Supremes - Southern Living

Buttermilk Bites and Pots De Crème - Anne Greer McCann a Dallas author and restaurant consultant.

Raspberry Tiramisu Bites - Southern Living. (I couldn't find lady finger cookies locally, so I substiuted vanilla cake for the cookies.)

Red Velvet Cupcakes, chocolate brownies and fresh fruit.

Navy Baby Shower {The Care Package}

The care package for Joe included inspirational books for daddy. Handwritten messages from shower guests with words of encouragement and even descriptions of the mommy to be. A photo album of Amanda's pregnancy portraits, and sailor tattoos for baby "K."

Navy Baby Shower {The Details}

It's the details that make a party unique and I wanted this shower to be extra special for Amanda and Joe. The theme chosen for the shower was multi faceted. I wanted the emphasis to be on the Care Package for Joe but had so much fun tying the "package" aspect into the "bundle" in Amanda's belly. So, Airmail, Handle with Care, Contents Fragile, Care Packages and Special Delivery were all phrases for inspiration. Navy personnel are always on the move and extremely patriotic, so maps, packages, flags, and a color pallet of red, white and blue were a perfect fit. And as if that weren't enough, we celebrated during the July 4th holiday weekend. I just love it when things work out that way.

~The red and blue luggage tags were perfect party favors. I found them at Michael's. Two for $1! They are part of the "On the Go" collection. A simple insert, designed to match the invitation, was the only touch they needed. Beautiful, inexpensive and popular with the guests.

~I'd seen where Amy Atlas had adorned white straws with calligraphy flags and I was dying to copy her idea. These typical red and blue striped straws were a perfect fit for the shower and easy to find.

~I was dying to find a way to incorporate white paper boats into the shower food selection. I planned to serve Strawberry Basil Tea at the shower and apparently pistachios are a good pairing for the tea. Thus the birth of the pistachios boats. I had friendly family members volunteer to help with the shower, little did they know that meant folding paper boats. (Thank you, Kyle.) Hands down my favorite detail from the party.

~I wrapped packages in various sizes to use as decorations for the party. During my many google searches for "Airmail, handle with care, care package" I found "FRAGILE, Handle with Care" packing tape. I snatched a roll at Office Max for $5. It was a fun typographic touch and a nice visual for the theme.

~Lastly, I scoured google looking for vintage stork postcards. I wanted to add a "touch of stork" to the shower, without going overboard. Taking the postcard images, I made "postage stamp" cupcake picks. Easy to make and super cute.

Navy Baby Shower {Invitations}

The Airmail Shower invitations were a big hit. Here are a few shots of the printed invites just before I mailed them. Apparently the post office didn't have issues with map envelopes! Hooray. Seeing what the invitations really look like in person is much more fun than the "graphic" representation of the invitation design. More posts about the Baby Shower coming up!

Amanda's Beautiful Baby Belly

Darling Child

Hello my darling, can you hear me?
I whisper to you, softly, like tiny kisses
To touch you will be like heaven on earth
You are joy, like a soft summer breeze across my face
I close my eyes and the world stops, I feel you
A soft tickle, I imagine your laughter
Warm and perfect and sweet

Send the day, advance the hour
Rest your head and curl into my arms
Hands beyond small, delicate and new
You are life made whole, made real, completed
Tiny feet, eyes that will melt my soul
If I sing to you, will you hang on my every note?
Skin so smooth and fragile, like glass
Adoring and gentle will be my touch
I imagine your cheeks, to press mine against yours
Nose to nose, butterfly kisses and dancing with you in my arms

Hurry time, fly away minutes
I say a prayer. You are our greatest blessing
Tears run like water across my face, happiness and longing
For you see, we have been waiting for you
You are mine, you are ours
And we say hello little darling

This beautiful poem was written by Amanda when I was pregnant with Marin. Thank you Amanda for such beautiful words, today I return the gift. You are a radiant and lovely mommy. I can’t wait to see the baby, that snuggles close in your belly, enjoy the touch of her mommy.

I love you,

Krystina