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