Black Friday Brunch

I told y'all... the diva has been busy :).

On the day after Thanksgiving, a few of the neighborhood gals gathered together for a little quality time together full of gossip, comparing events from crazy family sagas on Thanksgiving, best holiday sales and what all the littles will be getting for Christmas ... now eventfully named the "Black Friday Brunch".  This may just be an annual event.

Bloody Mary's and Mimosas started us off.  Complete with all the fixins' of course ... I'm serious about my cocktails! 

 

Our brunch consisted of fresh fruit, cinnamon muffins and a loaded grits station complete with plenty of cheese, bacon, sauted mushrooms and asparagus.  To make the grits more savory I used chicken broth instead of just plain water.  Grits were served up in martini glasses and the gals hit the grits station to top them as they pleased.   

 

 

 

Our table setting was cute and simple, just as I like it.  I used burlap placemapts that were topped with a cute chevron inspired paper place setting.  Monogrammed black napkins rounded out the Black Friday theme.  My centerpiece flowers from Thanksgiving were still fresh and beautiful, so they were repurposed as well.  Since they were all white, the monochrome simple theme was supported. 

 

 

 

Sweet A brought these amazing desserts from Dutch Monkey Donuts, a local gourmet bake shop.  I must follow up to get additional details but they were fab and she was a doll to bring them.  Too bad the snap I took of them didn't exactly turn out!

 

All the girls left with a mini bottle of champagne as a little party favor decked out with fun leopard print ribbon.  The giant bottle in the back is a glittery craft gone right that I'll share details on separately.

 

 

 

The event was such a great morning and put me perfectly in the holiday spirit.  Holiday decor followed just hours after brunch and was put up in no time flat - who knew that was possible after a few bloody marys! 

 

 

 

Sweet Treats

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We had a few of our sweet friends over this weekend to enjoy some good times, good football and good food together!  After a delish dinner of smoked chicken wings, bbq pork tenderloin, corn casserole, brocolli slaw and pasta salad (thanks friends for bringing such yummy sides), we turned our attention to the desserts!

I love caramel apples and nothing feels more fall to me than one of them, but let's face it - they are a fiasco to try to eat in public and reserve any amount of manners!  So, I opted for caramel apple dippers for a sweet treat and of course, we noshed on those carrot cake whoopie pies, fresh from the oven!

The dippers were a snap to make.  Simply buy the pre-sliced apple wedges (because they don't turn brown quickly) and skewer them with a craft stick, lollipop stick or kabob skewer.  I had small craft sticks on hand and they worked perfect(and both ends are rounded so no littles will poke themselves).

Caramel was displayed in a jar and toppings were there for the grabbing.  Assembly couldn't be easier.  Just take an apple stick, dip in caramel and top with tasty toppings.  Voila!

This is one that I must remember!  Real cute and super easy - just like I like it!

Happy Halloween

We celebrated the scariest day of the year in good style around these parts.  Baby B woke up and headed off to school (unusual for a Wednesday) to participate in the Halloween Parade.  It was the cutest darn thing to watch all of the preschool classes march their costumed selves around the balloon lined walk way outside the school.  Like a good mommy, I stood and froze my derriere off for a good 45 minutes waiting on the festivities (that's love). 

The original costume of choice for Baby B was Bam Bam from the Flintstones.  How cute would that have been - little boy running around with his baseball bat as he always has.  He would have just loved it.  Well, when temps were threatening near freezing range, the thought of a half naked baby was just too terrible to imagine.  And, if you toss tons of layers under his little Bam Bam costume ... it just wouldn't be cute (or make sense), so ... we pulled out the tried and true pumpkin suit!  The good news - it's warm and conducive to layers.  And thus, Baby B was a darling pumpkin, hat and all, this year!

When the walkers class finally surfaced, Baby B was proudly walking and holding the hand of one of his teachers.  He was so darn cute and all smiles as his adoring fans oggled over the cute littles in costumes.  All that was fine and good until he spotted mommy in the crowd.  Then, he made a bee line straight for me, which meant that to continue in the parade ... mommy joined the walkers class. 

 

After we did an elaborate bait and switch with one of the teachers, Baby B's day at school continued without a hitch.  He crafted and did all of the fun things that the walkers class does.  Proudly, he came home with a decorated pumpkin.  And, while I'm not sure if the oddly feathered two eyed (the other is under the feathers) pumpkin is a masterpiece or should be examined, I sure think it's just darling.

 

Once we completed our afternoon nap time, we headed over to sweet bestie A's house for a fall party prior to trick or treat.  Guest stops with a few other friends to say hello, Baby B officially trick or treated one or two houses and then marched himself home. 

 

 

I guess when the baby goes home, he's trying to tell you he's had enough?  The child seriously walked (and knew where to cross the street to get home) at least 5 houses with Dear Hubs chasing behind him.  When we arrived home and everyone shed layers of coats and costumes, we dined on BBQ chicken pizza and salad.  Zsa Zsa and Pops were on hand with a giant pumpkin shaped cupcake for Baby B to enjoy as well.  Enjoy he did (and cover everything in orange frosting!)!  Once bellies were all full, Baby B called it a night, surprisingly close to his normal bedtime too!   

All in all, it was a successful and fun Halloween.  Now, onto November for more festive events and fun!

Pumpkin Patch

 

We spent the beautiful weekend doing many things in the great outdoors; including our annual pumpkin patch trip.  This year, Baby B was a bit older and much more engaged in the entire patch experience.  As a result ... more fun was had by all as we watched on as he tried to pick up giant pumpkins with daddy, eat every ounce of dirt in sight and do all the things little boys do when presented with a giant field of pumpkins!

 

This year, we took our trip to Burt's Farm in Dawsonville.  Last year, we tried another local pumpkin hot spot and were dissappointed.  So ... back to Burt's we go!  After stopping for BBQ for lunch, we set out on the adventure!

 

Burt's Farm is a megaplex when it comes to pumpkin farms and all things fall.  They offer everything from hay rides to fresh baked pumpkin breads and EVERYTHING in between.  While it's very crowded on any given October weekend, the space is really so big that it still feels big enough to carve out your little slice of the farm for pics and such with littles.  I'd highly recommend this spot, not only is it fun for an afternoon, but their prices are affordable and the bounty is always plenty!  

 

 

 

 

After Baby B was done exploring, we took a moment to attempt (key word) some family pics.  Then, next thing you know ... who do we see but bestie M and her crew of hubby J and little B in tow!  So fun to see these sweet faces!

 

 

 

We held off melt downs from Baby B as long as we could - the sweet boy was way overdue on a nap - and then we loaded up our GIANT pumpkin finds and headed back south to put out our many beautiful fall displays!

 

Great fun for a weekend and pumpkins all season long!

 

xoxo

Tennis Time

This is dear tennis S.  AKA Hurricane.   Yes, that giant thing in her hand is a beverage mug.  Heavens only knows how much liquid that thing actually holds, but I will tell you that ALTA rules state you aren't to have a potty break until after the 2nd set (if you go to 3 sets).  I have NO eartly idea how she does that with THAT mug!

Hurricane was given the name for her U of Miami gear she sported at practice by our coach G.  She’s sweet and sassy (mostly sassy) but a fierce competitor.  A lefty like me, I’m proud to have been her partner many of times.  Well, that’s when she was holding up the bottom rungs of the line up with me at line 4 or 5.  But, she’s been practicing and now moved on to greener pastures (and better partners) at lines 1 and 2 and winning there with the Mari's (aka the sisters).  
 
Like most of our team, we aren’t your normal ALTA Betty’s like we see in the other teams we play.  You know … the one’s that play 10 times a week, stress over their attire, the gossip and every little dramatic detail of their match.  We, on the other hand, have done this too long together to be so high maintenance. 

Ok, I know those that know me well don’t believe for a split second that I’m not “high maintenance”.  I keep it in check and am on the low drama spectrum compared to the sport … how’s that?  And yes, I did attempt to make tennis ball turned pumpkin cookies just a few weeks ago (details here).

Anywho, today, Hurricane shared her tasty sandwich roll recipe (that's what's in the other hand); which I need to try soon and one thing led to another and we were all comparing tips and tricks on everything under the sun!  Who knew the cookie trick of putting your rolled cookie dough back in the fridge before cutting into the perfect cookie also works for pinwheel sandwiches!  Good to know!

In honor of sassy Hurricane, I'm going to dig back through the ole' files and see what high maintenance tennis tablescapes I can find to share.  My network is acting a bit funny right now.  I think there are a few hiding somewhere in the elaborate file system I've developed (that does nothing more than confuse me and lose files!).  To not make anyone dizzy from the tennis overload, I'll share in a series of flashbacks coming soon!

We won all 5 matches today, so here's to a possible trip to playoffs again this season!

 xoxo

~b

Best Wishes Sweet A

Some of my girls have been besties and sweet friends since way back yonder.  Many of us were sorority sisters and stayed close through the weddings, babies and life events of the past decade errr...few short youthful years.

You may recognize a few of these fresh faced college girls from my pics of besties today!

 

A few of us gathered together in Roswell, GA just a week ago to wish our sweet A the fairest of wishes for her wedding to M.  It was a lovely outdoor service at Primrose Cottage, where Dear Hubs and I said our "I do's" almost ten years ago, followed by a wonderful dinner reception.  I just love the location for it's ties to my family generations back, my hometown and also my own special wedding day.  It's a beautiful old antebellum home in a gorgeous little downtown area of this adorable city.  Here's a few snaps of our bride A.

 

After the ceremony, we claimed our seats in the ballroom.  Table 9 was the destination for most of our crew.  Sorry NYC girls C and K ... y'all had a VIP table all your own. 

 

 

We ate all sorts of yummy delights and then said our well wishes to the bride herself.  I just love these girls.

 

And once everyone's dancin shoes were tired (and my babysitter was ready to retire for the night) ... we grabbed our oh so perfect Krispy Kreme donut favors and headed home. 

 

Twas a night to be remembered.  Congrats and a lifetime of love sweet A and hubby M.  We love y'all!

 

~ xoxo, b

Birthday Breakfast in Bed

Our sweet friend little C, son of bestie P, recently celebrated his big 1-0 birthday.  It's amazing how time flies, it feels like just only yesterday little C was just a small 5 year old getting ready for kindergarten.  It's hard to believe we have already known him this long.  Little C is the kind of kid that is helpful, kind, full of spunk and good spirit and always willing to lend a helping hand.  He's a good egg, that little C. 

 

To help little C celebrate his big day, I put together Birthday Weekend Breakfast in Bed bags for little C and his brother C.  I figured bestie P would only get a little break (and possibly be able to sleep in) if BOTH boys had a breakfast prepared.  So ... we delivered two brown sacks complete with a full breakfast of goodies. 

 

Using Avery full sheet sticker paper, I printed out oversized festive stickers on my color printer.  The stickers give instructions to the littles to place the bag by their bed and enjoy the contents in the morning.  The best part ... the empty bag serves as a trash collector too.  Less mess for mom!

 

 

 

Inside the bag, the littles found a banana, some mini donuts packaged up and milk.  Hershey makes milk boxes that do not require refrigeration until after they are opened.  I added a chocolate straw (why didn't they have those when I was a kid?) that flavors the milk like cookies and cream.  How fun is that! 

 

The banana was all decked out with a riddle sticker.  "What did one birthday banana say to the other?"  Answer ... nothing.  Bananas don't talk.  Remember, I'm dealing with 10 year old humor here. 

 

According to bestie P, little C enjoyed his fabulous breakfast in bed.  So much, he stole the donuts from his brothers bag!  This idea is going in the "must remember to do again" file. 

 

Here's to breakfast in bed, happy birthdays and leisurely weekends!

The Long Weekend

Well we did our very best to fight the semi-gloomy weather and celebrate every last ounce of summer this long Labor Day weekend.  Friday kicked off just right with Mexican food with the fam.  I don't know what happened, but Dear Hubs and I looked at each other around 5 and proclaimed a hankering for all things cheese dip and taco! 

Saturday brought a day full of projects and the usual errands.  With a huge (and I do mean HUGE) organization project underway and nearing completion in the garage, we sorted, trashed and stuffed for what felt like hours.  Try doing all of that with a little that wants to hold power tools ... it 'aint that easy!  That evening, we joined friends for an end of summer fish fry.  The men folk had caught more than a ton of fish deep sea fishing and now, we all gathered to dine on the delicious fruits of the sea.  I was responsible for my signature hush puppies at the "bring a dish" event.  Oh, if only they all knew how simple that really was! 

Anywho, we dined until our bellies could hold no more and then we sat around like a bunch of beach whales watching the celebratory start of college football on tv.  Perfecto.

Sunday brought another day of projects along with a stop down to see Grand Nana (my Nana) for the fam.  We wrapped up the projects and called it a day early so we wouldn't dare be late for the big wedding event for C and B.  They were married in a beautiful Jewish ceremony at the Intercontinental Hotel in Buckhead.  Bestie M served as the Matron of Honor and she made a lovely speach that just melted hearts.  The cake was a beauty and the white tree decor was really elaborate (and may need to be recreated in a some fashion for the holidays!).   Pardon the terrible pics with the iphone, did the best I could with the crazy lighting and minimal equipment! :)

Monday was D-day, that's delivery day around these parts.  We finished up every bit of the garage and I turned my attention to my new found craft storage in the basement.  It was shocking to try and organize my crafty wares only to realize I could (a) open my very own Hobby Lobby with all the junk I have saved up or (b) should go on a special crafting edition of that trainwreck show Hoarders!

After tossing a bunch of odds and ends, gathering a pile for charity and pronouncing myself organized; I turned my attenion to my inexpensive dresser and new Annie Sloan chalk paint.  Assuming this little thing turns out peachy, I will be painting a matching one soon for a very low cost night stand solution for our master.  Stay tuned.

On Sunday, Dear Hubs pronounced himself "a very useful engine" and I couldn't help but chuckle.  What on Earth did we do before having a little that is obsessed with Thomas the Train?  But yes, Dear Hubs ... I'd definitely agree!  We finished the day with homemade fish tacos and Georgia Tech football.  Besides the tight game ending in a loss, the weekend was proclaimed a success!



   

A Sesame First

Our sweet friends, the R family have a little, W, that is the same age as Baby B.  Recently, we loaded up the golf cart and headed over to the R household for a fun afternoon on Sesame Street celebrating little W's first birthday.  Mama T did a fab job styling the party and she seriously thought of so many cute details my head was spinning. 

 

Cookie Monster was the guest star of all things cake, cupcake and yes, of course ... cookie!  T outsourced the most darling cake and she did the cupcakes herself.  This diva was uber impressed, especially after seeing pictures of the epic failed Cookie Monster cupcakes pinned all over pinterest (y'all know you know the ones I'm talking about!).  Everyone took home a little jar of ... what else but ... cookies! 

 

While the littles enjoyed the bounce house out back (Santa may just need to bring baby B one of those this year!), the bigs were able to relax in the shade and enjoy a splendid afternoon.  Here's a few cute snaps of the affair!  Happy Birthday little W, you are a favorite buddy!