Dinner Party, Halloween, Baby Shower...We've Been Busy

All week long I've been prepping for company.  The Hubby has a group of guys he hangs with a couple times during the year for a weekend or few days.  They shoot, drink, tell jokes, guy things.  They were brought together several years ago by a mutual friend, one The Hubby went to high school with and the others worked with.  He has since passed a couple of years ago.  We wives have become good friends now too.  

Back to the gathering...I spent the week in preparation, menu planning, grocery lists, timeline of prep...

The table I thought of a lot of decor ideas and drifting off to sleep one night I thought of the tiny antique salt cellars I have from my great grandmother and great-great granny.  They are just gathering dust in my china cabinet so the idea was simple, snip off flower and place.  GOODNESS, they were so cute and will be part of the Thanksgiving table in a few weeks.  

The apple pie...oh the apple pie...I have not made an apple pie in probably over 20 years and I used to be pretty good at them.  Unfortunately I only had enough flour for 2 crusts and I totally MESSED up and ended up with only one pie.  I think I know my mistake, the crust was way too short and I needed more liquid, but, the biggest mistake was the oven too hot.  So I burned the top of it.  I was so mad, and here's another but, it was so flakey that it was delicious, despite the burned top.  Honestly it was really good.  Also, since I had extra apples I had already sugar and cinnamoned I decided, just in case the pie was not edible, to cook them.  I tossed them in a saucepan, added a glob of butter and real maple syrup and cooked till bubbly.  I served over vanilla bean ice cream.  YUMMY!  

I also served tossed salad, the pesto roasted potatoes and green beans, like my momma used to make with bacon and onion!

The main course was a jalapeno-cream cheese stuffed pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon.  Oh Yes I did!  I get them at our local grocer, Reasors in the frozen meat section.  The one in the photo is cajun, stuffed with shrimp and andoule sausage, haven't tried it yet.

The entire evening was a huge success.  

The next day was a baby shower for our baby Maximilian, coming in January.  Trying to keep everything as normal as possible because we DO have a grandson arriving.  It was so wonderful to see old friends and family, new friends and family for the occasion.  I was THRILLED beyond thrilled to finally get to meet my new great niece.  She is I think 14 months old and a cutie pie.  

Good grief I almost forgot Halloween...

Summer Fun

Sunrise, sunset, slowly go the years...

It has been a whirlwind of nearly two weeks celebrating and spending much needed family time with THE ENTIRE FAMILY!  My happy place with my most happy family rushed off to the cabin for the annual fireworks show and incredible sunsets.   

First, a quick update on Clayton.  He is doing so well and hopefully the bandages will come off today.  He's spinning for his dinner and has been caught jumping up on the furniture, sometimes not successfully.  Our little guy is on the mend.  He has been playing with his doggy friends Mondo and Vinny which was a great joyful surprise.  He is eating and sleeping like a champ.  I think we will have him around for a few more wonderful years.  

As I said before Af and Nick drove in from LA for a visit and a baby shower for the new munchkin that arrives in October. 

All the girls are here.  Three generations in attendance.

Time spent with their goofball dad... 

My wonderful, WONDERFUL girls!!!!!

Then, we as an entire family unit, scooted off to the cabin to enjoy the annual fireworks show (I don't enjoy anymore after The Hubby's fireworks accident several years ago!)  I was in charge of the four-legged friends, Clayton, Mondo and Vinny since the big guys have a bit of fear with fireworks.

We lounged...

We ate... 

We laughed and had a most wonderful time before the tribe grows by one in a few short months. 

My summer is complete.

My Week in Review

Man, my life.  I just can't seem to slow down, but at least I'm productive.  

Yesterday B and I hosted a baby shower for a friends daughter-in-law and the anxiously awaiting due date of Owen, my friends first grandchild.  I created the invites with watercolor and was happy with how they turned out.  

It was really quite easy with everyone bringing most of the food.  I did these very easy caprese bites and ordered yummy cupcakes.   Others brought fruit, banana bread, quiche, juice and I had prosecco.  It was a great success.

There was another little girl there that kept Snicklefritz entertained and Snicklefritz was a great help getting everyone to sign in, where to put there coats and gifts.  She was invaluable and I knew she would be.  Of course Clayton was very happy with all the people and many hands to lend a scratch, especially the little girls.  He LOVES little kiddos and was absolutely exhausted after it was all done. 

I did get a bit of painting done this week and I'm feeling very, VERY good about all of it.  

This beautiful orchid was where I get my pedicure and thought the shadows were awesome.

I changed up the bowl to soft blue as blue plays off of yellow nicely. 

Now I need to let it dry a bit and work on the background before going back to the flowers. 

Then I started this lovely.  The photo belongs to my friend Shirley, of whom the single peony I did the other day.  I saw this on her phone as she was showing me the peony and told her I HAD to have it to attempt to paint.  

So, this week, I started it.  I am having so much fun with it and you know I can leave out as much as I want or leave in all of it.  There is so much to the photo that I have a lot of options.