October was a busy month for me! I was part of a planning committee hosting a meeting in Sedona, Arizona, I was planning an upcoming trip to Nepal for 22 people and I was given the opportunity to cater a wedding shower for a dear friend's grand-daughter. Whew...now that all the events are over and I am back in the country time to get busy and share some photos and a recipe!
My dear friend Joyce Anne asked if I would help her with an upcoming wedding shower she would be hosting at her home mid-October for her grand-daughter Ashley. I was honored when asked; Joyce Anne knows how I LOVE to plan events, pull decorations together and of course how much I love to bake!
We met and agreed the invitation, decorations and menu should reflect a fall-theme. My first assignment, to create an invitation with a fall theme. Using a leaf stamp, white ink pad and brown paper I created the perfect invitation and envelope! I used the same technique for labeling the food the day of the shower.
Next came the menu!
Appetizers
Warm Spinach Dip with Bread Dippers
Warm Artichoke Dip with Pita Triangles
Dill and Cream Cheese stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Deviled Eggs
Main Course
Green Salad with Candied Walnuts, Fresh Pears, Feta Cheese and Cranberry Vinaigrette
Green Chili Chicken Cheesecake with Tortilla Crust
Spinach Cheesecake with Parmesan Crust
Salsa
Muffin Baskets with Corn, Pumpkin and Zucchini Mini Muffins
Dessert Bar
Pumpkin Parfaits with Whipped Cream and Pie-crust Dippers
Mini Apple Crisps
Espresso Cupcakes with Espresso Butter cream Frosting
Spice cake with Cream Cream Frosting
Drinks
Ice Tea
Cranberry Lime Drink
Last came the decorations. What could be more fun than decorating with pumpkins, candles and the warm colors fall offers.....
So here are some photos of the event ~ thanks to Christine Thorne for the amazing photos! She made my food look fabulous! I could not have done this event without the help of one of my best friends ever, Laurie. She helped with the delivery, set-up, serving and clean-up. While I felt my Mom was helping me cook in spirit, Laurie's Mom was cheering us on from Montana. Joyce Anne, Laurie and I made quite the team!
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| Laurie ~ Joyce Anne ~ Bev |
In honor of Thanksgiving this week, I'll share the recipe for the Pumpkin Parfaits that I made using Pumpkin Dip.
PUMPKIN DIP
8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
2 c. powdered sugar
15 oz. can pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. allspice
2 tsp. cinnamon
Blend cream cheese and sugar together; mix in remaining ingredients. Makes about three cups. For parfaits place dip in individual serving dishes, top with whipped cream and a pie-crust dipper or two (use a leaf cookie cutter and your favorite pie crust recipe) or serve the dip in one bowl, whipped cream in another bowl sprinkled with cinnamon and a bowl of pie crust dippers or gingersnaps. Yum!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Can't wait to put on my apron and make pies for Thanksgiving Dinner! I will be hosting dinner this year at my home after delivering thanksgiving meals to the home-bound as part of our local Salvation Army volunteer project.
Soon I will be posting photos of my recent trip to Nepal and Bhutan!
Blessings and Namaste to all!
