Baby Shower

Over the weekend, my sister, Kate and I hosted a baby shower for our other sister Anne Hunter. I was really rushed to get everything together so I didn't get a ton of pictures. See below for one of the table. I got lilies and put them in glass baby bottles from Babies R Us.



Our menu...
Krispy Kreme doughnuts (requested by the preggo)
Dales Black Bottom cupcakes
Sugar Cookies in the shape of baby carriages
Cucumber Sandwiches
Pretzel crisps topped with tomato, mozzarella & basil
Chicken Salad Cups

Cucumber Sandwiches
Peel and cut cucumber into thin slices. Cut white bread into the shape of circles, cover with mayonnaise, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, top with cucumber. Very easy!

Caesar Salad Simplified

I have been meaning to post this Caesar salad recipe for a while now. It is a pass down from my mom and we serve it with grilled chicken and I have actually made homemade croutons.

Caesar Salad Simplified

2 quarts of greens, torn in manageable pieces
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cut clove of garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
plenty of fresh ground pepper
2 dollops of mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated if possible
1 cup croutons

This is properly made with romaine, but any combination of greens may be used. Ahead of time, measure the olive oil and put in the cut clove of garlic. Let sit for 30 or more minutes. Note...remove the garlic clove before pouring oil onto the greens.

Put the greens in a large bowl, grind plenty of pepper over them, sprinkle on salt, and the garlic flavored oil. Put the dollops of mayonnaise in the middle of the greens, pour the vinegar over the mayonnaise, sprinkle the cheese over the entire salad and toss gently until everything is evenly distributed. Last, scatter croutons over the top and toss once more. Transfer to a clean, chilled bowl and serve at once. Serves 4.

How to Make Croutons

Remove crusts from slices of bread and cut in small cubes. Use 1 tablespoon olive oil for each slice of bread. Heat oil with cut clove of garlic in skillet. When hot toss in the bread cubes. Shake the pan until they begin to brown, then lower the heat to allow them to crisp without burning. Shake the pan or stir with a fork now and then. This takes about 10 minutes in all. 2.5 slices of bread makes 1 cup of croutons.

The Living Room...more updates

I feel like my living room has come pretty far from this...


to this...


My grandmother just moved to a retirement community and I acquired this new chest. The mirror I had stored in my attic and I love it...not sure why it was up there.



Here are some more pictures of the room...next project...the dining room.

Menu Planner

We had a great time at the beach last week. Here is a family photo attempt. Camille has to take a family photo to school and this one will have to do.

We have a lot going on in the evenings this week so we are doing quick and easy meals.

Monday - Summer Corn and White Bean Soup (Recommendation from Ada at Spark!)
Tuesday - PF Changs frozen meal
Wednesday - Barber Chicken Cordon Bleu, Risotto, Green Beans
Thursday - Wine Club
Friday - Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and Bread

$25 for $50 worth of GAP apparel

Back to school is right around the corner. There is a great Groupon today. Get $50 worth of Gap Apparel for $25. After reading September's Lucky and seeing an ad for Gap's black pant colllection, I have my eye on the Perfect Trouser or the Really Skinny. Or you can always find a good pair of jeans there. Click here to take advantage of this deal.

Fish Tacos

We are having a great time at the beach this week. Today, we were the typical vacationers and took our kids to Chuck E Cheese. They had fun...we ate pizza and played games. Camille won a plastic ring, two lollipops and some stickers. She was thrilled.

This afternoon in between thunderstorms, I took the kids to TJMaxx and found some Levis for $9.99 and two Ralph Lauren polo for $12.99 each...all for Clyde. I am dying to go back because I didn't have time to check out anything for myself.

Tonight, Michael and I made fish tacos....delicious. I highly recommend. Check out the recipe here. We added Pico De Gallo as a topping.

Layton Grier Photography

I have been thinking recently of trying to get some family photos taken...Clyde is 15 months now and Camille three. I was hoping (fingers crossed) we might be able to capture a good one. Layton Grier is a portrait, event or wedding photographer. She specializes in black and white environmental portraits and photojournalist wedding photography but also has some pretty cute children's photos. Check out her website here. Her portrait sitting fee is $400 and her wedding fee is $2500. She includes a high resolution disc with both so you can make your own prints without having to come back and pay her more for reprints.

Weekend Recap

It was a great weekend at the Richmond Jazz Festival. I hadn't worked an event in a while and it was fun to be back in the mix. I am off to Sandbridge today for some R & R with Michael and the kids. I will have some scheduled posts later in the week and next week I will be back with a menu planner.

Groupon!

Richmonders....great Groupon today! $10 for $20 Worth of Fine Wine and Craft Beer at Corks & Kegs. Click on the link to the right to redeem.

Camille turns 3!

Camille turned 3 over the weekend. Here are some of some pictures of the decor at her party. We decorated purses and cupcakes. Very fun!




I found instructions on how to make tissue paper flowers here. This is much cheaper than real flowers especially because in this case, I already had the dowels.



We had a Dora theme and I got all the Dora gear from the Ukrops clearance sale. My uncle is a store manager and gave me everything for $.25 each. So for $2.50, I had everything from napkins to party hats to wrapping paper.


I made these Dora Cupcakes. I followed these decorations and mine didn't come out quite as cute.

Richmond Jazz Festival

I have put my event planning hat back on and took a contract position with HandsOn Greater Richmond working on volunteer management for the Richmond Jazz Festival at Maymont. It is going to be a great event and is coming up rather quick...August 14-15. If you are interested in volunteering, click here. Volunteers get their admission to the festival free on the day you volunteer. If you want to attend, click here to purchase tickets.

Thinking of Fall....

Even after the sweltering humidity yesterday, I am still dreaming of fall...football,first days of school, Halloween...all the fun things that come when the leaves begin to change. I got the L.L.Bean Signature Catalog today and am loving these things. Now if my budget would only allow.

Wool Tartan Pants


Signature Outfit with Tweed Skirt


Stretch Denim Flare


Now that I know what I like....I can be on the look out at my favorite discount stores for similar items.

Menu Planner

Sunday - Joan Munson’s Sweet White Corn Soup With Poblano Puree, Bar Grilled Cheese

Monday - Spinach & Brie Chicken with Tomato Orzo

Tuesday - Kate's Italian Sausage Pasta

Wednesday - Crustless Tomato Ricotta Pie, Salad & Bread

Thursday - Pork Loin with Mango Salsa, Black Beans & Rice Mix and Corn (recipe below)

This recipe came recommended from my friend Lindley. Which got me thinking...do you have any easy recipes that you love? Send them my way....astoakley@gmail.com.

Pork Loin with Mango Salsa
Ingredients:
- 1 pork loin
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium mango (sliced and cut into chunks)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 small shallot (minced)
- 1 pound white or brown crimini mushrooms

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Rinse your pork loin and trim any fat to make the surface of the loin smooth for rubbing. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder and the cocoa. Then use your hands to rub the mixture evenly over the pork.

Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Brown the tenderloin in the skillet on all sides, about 5 minutes.

Being careful not to lose the juices, transfer the pork loin to a Pyrex pan and slide into the oven. Cook for 12–15 more minutes. Check the loin after that time period by cutting into it. If still pink, cook a few minutes longer.

In a small bowl, lightly mix mango, cilantro, shallot and lemon juice. Serve with slices of pork.