{ Isn't She Lovely. }

Today, my friend Danielle and I hosted a bridal shower for our dear friend, Joelle. Before I begin, let me enlighten you about our history.

You see, Joelle's fiancé, Peter and my husband, Calvin are friends with Danielle. Calvin and Peter have been friends ever since they were young lads and while enduring adolescents, the boys became friends with Danielle. Throughout the years, the dynamic trio has shared hysterical laughs, harmless-good ol' trouble, and true loyalty towards each other.

About three years ago, we all somehow {almost the same time}, found our special someone. Cal and I married in June, 2009. Danielle and her husband, Josh, married in September, 2009. And, now Peter and Joelle are getting married this May!

When we get together it's like on the show Friends, at Central Perk. Instead of the small business coffee shop, we prefer beer and greasy eats -- Old Chicago. Our gang has multiple conversations {at once}, same table {almost} every time {same waiter, too!}, causal bullshitting, and wise-cracks from the guys. Most importantly, we annoy whoever is sitting around us; we swear and talk about bumping uglies -- we're extremely loud. Yes, we are that group! Don't you love us? It's usually late at night, so no worries, and no kiddos around.

{Back to the bridal shower.}

 {My neighbors were probably thinking why is Amanda hanging her panties in the bay window?}

After the homemade breakfast bread pudding, bacon, garlic and herb tomatoes, parmesan and thyme crackers and angel food cake.

We played a game and read Joelle a panty poem, and then it was time for gifts!

The Parmesan and Thyme Crackers in the making at 1:30A.M.

Ina Garten's Recipie:

1/4 pound {1 stick} unsalted butter {room temp}

3 ounces grated Parmesan

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of water

Place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix until creamy. Add the Parmesan, flour, salt, thyme and pepper and combine.

Dump the dough on a lightly floured board and roll into a 13-inch long log. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut the log crosswise into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a sheet pan and bake for 22 minutes.

Cute tea light lanterns, our party favors!

{Target: find the lanterns in the dollar section!}

The Wives Club

{ Giada's Style, Loves! }

My new favorite DVR recording is Giada at Home. It's basically a sneak peak into the Everyday Italian star, {Giada de Laurentiis'}, world! Just like Ina Garten, Giada has tasteful style and recipes. {Which I adore!!} For those of you who have seen Giada's show, you have more than likely have seen the very cute stoneware egg crate, in which she holds all of her cage-free, organic eggs. Too cute and fun! It always catches my eye and every show I watch of hers, I say to myself, "Where can I find me one of those?"

{Amanda's Lucky Fates:}
I normally browse {Anthropologie's} site to look at darling tops, dresses, and home textiles. Today, while looking at Anthro's kitchen page, I came across the exact same stoneware egg crate that Giada uses on her show. Way too cool. I swear I am the only one who gets excited over chic cook wear.

Anthro calls it, Farmer's Egg Crate; stores a dozen eggs and comes in colors, sky and white. And, not to mention only 14 buckaroos! What a heavenly deal!

I ordered the white, {Shouldn't be such a shock to you folks.} but the sky color is just as adorable.

This is a must buy!

{ Housewife Confessions of the Wannabe Chef: Pillsbury's Funfetti Cake. }

Although an abundance of my cooking is gourmet and made from scratch, about 90% of the time. Sometimes a girl just needs a sweet, little break. Even gourmet housewives, a matter of fact!

A childhood favorite: Pillsbury's Funfetti Cake!

{ Gourmet Tip. }

A great way to add scrumptious flavor is by zesting a large lemon. Trust me a little bit of lemon equals a whole lota heaven!!

{ Housewife Confessions of the Wannabe Chef: Holiday Baking! }

Greetings again and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope everyone enjoyed the 2009 holiday season -- We definitely did!

Here are some recipes ideas to keep in mind for the 2010 holiday season. These were my top (melt-in-your-mouth) picks from my lovely consumers [our families!].

Bourbon-Pecan Pumpkin Butter Pie:

Ingredients:
4 eggs
2 cups (about 1 1/2 jars) pecan pumpkin butter
1 3/4 cups plus 1 tbs. evaporated milk
2 tbs. bourbon
1 prebaked and cooled deep dish pie crust (I made my own dough and the decorative leaves)
Whipped cream for serving

Preheat oven to 325ºF.

In a large mixing bowl, gently whisk the eggs. Add the pecan pumpkin butter, evaporated milk and bourbon and whisk until well combined. Pour the filling into the prebaked pie crust and bake until the center of the pie is set., 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Check crust after 30 minutes; if the edges begin to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil. Let the pie cool at least 4 hours before serving.

Serves 8 to 10.

Recipe Source: Williams-Sonoma: The Perfect Thanksgiving; a holiday guide for the busy cooks; 2009

Fudge-Swiss Chocolate Trifle:

Ingredients:

1 box of Duncan Hines, Swiss Chocolate cake mix

1 pkg. of Jello, Chocolate Fudge pudding

1 pkg. of  Hershey's, Heath Bar; Toffee Bits (pre-chopped)

2  8 oz. Kraft, Cool Whip (original flavor)

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Prepare, bake and cool cake as directed on the Duncan Hines package.

While the cakes are baking, prepare as directed on the Jello pudding's instructions. Once the cakes are cooled, cut cakes into bite size-squared pieces.

• First Step:
  

1. Layer the bottom of the trifle bowl with the bite size cake pieces until the glass surface is completely covered.
   
2. Pour half of the pudding mixture on top of the cake, blend evenly with spoon.
3. Take the amount of Cool Whip as needed to blend evenly on top of pudding. 
4. Sprinkle lightly the amount of the Hershey's Heath topping as desired. (don't go over half of the bag)

• Second Step: Repeat the first step. 

 And...Enjoy!

 

Recipe Source: http://nowforeverandalways.blogspot.com

A cute blog that I stumbled upon! I just mixed up a few touches of my own.