Game of Thrones BUNCO

Welcome to my neighborhood ladies bunco group of January 2018!  I'm part of bunco group that includes approximately 45 active members who take turns hosting the monthly event. It was finally my turn to host and I wanted to make it fun and memorable. 

January 2018 bunco theme: Game of Thrones

My husband and I love watching GoT (along with the other 80 billion worldwide watchers) but not everyone in my bunco group had seen the show.  It was important to me to make the experience involved in a way that everyone felt included and could have a good time.  Gathering and Entertaining is my Joy, after all.

When I searched for Game of Thrones party inspiration I was rather disappointed on what I found on the internet.   A few individuals had thrown parties and posted their ideas online and while I was thankful that they shared with everyone I just didn't feel like it would be enough for my vision.  So typical with my party planning ways I took to the streets and to the stores and began cruising the aisles with my creator goggles on.  Spying for objects that could be manipulated into what I wanted.  And here we are...

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mustaches, bones, eyeballs and silver hearts adorned the red gelatin.  Along with two bloody dolls and hand weapons.

                                                                                                                                             photo credit: carrie hall

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                                                                                                                                             photo credit: carrie hall

Custom Bunco signage was necessary for tying in the theme.  All bunco nights need score cards, table numbers and eat/play cash signs so why not make them GoT!  The signage for the event was done using Adobe Photoshop.

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Prizes:  Purse Wine!  I picked up two 4-pack mini bottles of Sutter Home wine to pass out as prizes in between rounds.  As the players would switch tables and stop by the provisions to fill up their plates and cups, I would shout out trivia.   Since we played two full games of bunco that night, I spread the six questions out over 12 rounds asking about two questions each time.    Purse wine makes a great choice for inexpensive prizes as one 4-pack is about $4.00 at the grocery store.  If you don't use them all then hand out a bottle for best costume or keep a a couple back for the hostess.

Questions:

1.  Name three of six Stark direwolves?  A: Lady, Nymeria, Shaggy Dog, Ghost, Greywind, Summer

2.  What is the name of Arya's sword?  A: Needle

3.  What is Ned Stark's real name?  A: Eddard Stark

4.  What is Ramsey Bolton's nickname for Theon Greyjoy?  A: Reek

5.  What are the horse people tribe called?  A: Dothraki

6.  What is the Dothraki term for wife of a ruler?  A: Khalessi (meaning: wife of the Khal)

                                                                                                                                         photo credit: emily nelson

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special appearance by a direwolf! and a pocket direwolf!

                                                                                                                                          photo credit: robin james

                                                                                                                                             photo credit: carrie hall

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Christmas Table at the Fort

Baby Shower Game: Nursery Rhymes

My Aunt Shirley made up this game!  It is definitely a good one to keep you on your toes.  If you haven't been around babies in awhile it will definitely make you think.  When I played at my cousins shower, I only got 3 right! Yikes.

~With Angela O'


Nursery Rhymes
"Who" or "What" is it?

1.  Stuck a feather in his hat

2. Eating her curds and whey

3.  The clock struck one, and down he run

4.  (Her garden) grow(s) with silver bells, and cockleshells, and pretty maids all in a row

5.  I frightened a little mouse under her chair

6.  Went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone

7.  Kissed the girls and made them cry

8.He's under the haystack fast asleep

9.  Sings for his supper

10.  Lost her sheep and can't tell where to find them

11. Could eat no fat

12.  He went to bed with his stockings on; one shoe off and one shoe on


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Nursery Rhymes
"Who" or "What" is it?
*With Answers*

1.  Stuck a feather in his hat
a.  Yankee Doodle Dandee

2. Eating her curds and whey
a. Little Miss Muffet

3.  The clock struck one, and down he run
a. The Mouse

4.  (Her garden) grow(s) with silver bells, and cockleshells, and pretty maids all in a row
a. Miss Mary Quite Contrary

5.  I frightened a little mouse under her chair
a. Pussy Cat Pussy Cat

6.  Went to the cupboard to get her poor dog a bone
a. Old Mother Hubbard

7.  Kissed the girls and made them cry
a. Georgie Porgie

8.He's under the haystack fast asleep
a. Little Boy Blue

9.  Sings for his supper
a. Little Tommy Tucker

10.  Lost her sheep and can't tell where to find them
a. Little Bo Peep

11. Could eat no fat
a. Jack Sprat

12.  He went to bed with his stockings on; one shoe off and one shoe on
a. Deedle Deedle Dumpling

Baby Shower Game: All in the Family Celebrity Trivia

For showers and parties I tend to gravitate towards making them unique.  Baby showers I especially am not fond of the over-used games found online.  Recently, my cousin had a baby shower which was themed "The Modern" and the colors were Black and Grey with a very small splash of pink.  I created this trivia game and would like to share it with you for your your parties.

~ With Angela O'

All in the Family Celebrity Trivia

1) North West is the girl baby of which celebrity couple?  

a. Kim Kardashian & Kanye West

2) Who is Kate Hudson’s mother?

a. Goldie Hawn

3) Who is Liza Minneli’s mom?

a. Judy Garland

4) The two girls Harlow & Sparrow are adopted granddaughters of whom?

a. Lionel Richie

5) Paris, Prince, and Blanket are whose children?

a. Michael Jackson

6) Who named their children as an extension of their own names? The children are Willow and 

a. Will & Jada Smith

7) Rumer Willis is the daughter of which two people?

a. Bruce Willis & Demi Moore

8) Jack Quaid, kid who played Marvel a district one tribute in the movie of The Hunger Games is the son of which two people?

a. Dennis Quaid & Meg Ryan

9) The actor, Ethan Peck who played in the hit television sitcom Ten Things I Hate About You is the grandson of which star who played Atticus Finch in the movie classic To Kill a Mockingbird?

a. Gregory Peck

10) Zoe Kravitz who played in the movie X-MEN First Class is the daughter of which famous rock star and The Cosby Show actress?

a. Lenny Kravitz & Lisa Bonet

11) Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Lisa is the daughter of whom?

a. Elvis Presley

12) The fashion designer Stella McCartney is daughter to whom?

a. Paul McCartney

13) Who is the father of Carnie & Wendy Wilson of the 1980’s group Wilson-Phillips?

a. Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys

14) These male country music stars kept the family line going with Senior, Junior, and the III.  Who are they?

a. Hank Williams Sr., Hank Williams Jr., Hank Williams III

15) Musicians Stephen, Ziggy, and Damien are the sons of which famous Reggae musician?

a. Bob Marley

The Red Party

Throw a Red Party to entertain your friends this Valentine's Day.   A red party is the destiny for adults as were a Valentine's Day Party is for youngsters.  Make it sultry and daring, sassy and sweet, black and red.  These are images for the Red Party that I planned for an event client a few years ago.  I hope you enjoy.  Happy Valentine's Day!

The Invitation:

Your presence is requested at Le Rouge de Maison,
scarlet and crimson are the look of the night,
you'll be be dazzled by garnet, rubies and wine of your delight.

We'll see you at the boldest soiree of the season,
where ladies in red lips and gents are sure to charm,
the beauty of the night will have you arm in arm

Repondez, s'il vous plait, for the 
(Your Name Here) Red Party by February 3rd.



The Menu:

Chocolate Sauce Drizzled Beef Kabobs
Peanut Butter Sauce Drizzled Chicken Kabobs
Raspberry Chipotle Sauce Drizzled Shrimp Kabobs
Grilled Vegetable Skewers
Garlic Roasted Potato Skewers
Bacon-Wrapped Queso Jalapenos
Feta, Spinach, Red Pepper Stuffed Mushrooms
Cilantro Lime Salad
Sweet Whipped Deviled Egg
Apricot Cayenne Cheeseball
Roasted Red Pepper Cheeseball
*All skillfully designed by myself and the head chef, 
always find a caterer who will customize a menu the way you want it *


The Dessert Table:

Red Velvet Cake Balls
Chocolate Mousse Parfaits
Red Wrapped Lammes Valentine's Chocolate Mints
Red Jordan Almonds
Red & Black Sixlets
Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Unique Features:

Handmade and Artfully Scavenged Decorations
Chefs in Red Coats
Crushed Velvet Table Linens

Red & Black Gumballs, Red Candle Holders, and Red & Black Nerf Footballs in the Game Lounge

Ribbon added to the everyday decor (Giant Human Sized Chess Pieces)

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

The beginning stages of the dessert table.  It's an easy build.

Sweet Whipped Deviled Egg (Strawberries and Raspberries)

Red Velvet Cake Balls

With Angela O'

New York City Party

Earlier this year I organized a New York City themed party for a high school Post Prom (after prom) event.  I ordered cardboard stand-ups online and made a few other decorations.  The food bar included popcorn with a 1920's styled machine, bagel bites (NYC Pizza), hotdogs (Coney Island), Pretzels, Apples and Jelly Beans.  Ice cream bars were part of the plan but we decided to avoid the mess and served a tray of cookies instead.  I handmade man holes by using aluminum foil, cardboard, glue, paint, foam alphabet stickers and $1.00 round pizza pans from the Dollar Tree.  One activity that was planned was New York City trivia.  After a long search I determined that I could not find a satisfactory trivia game for NYC so I decided to make one and today I am sharing it with you. 

~ With Angela O'

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NYC Tourist Photo Center

NYC Decorations

NYC Decorations

NYC Food Carts

Pizza, Popcorn, Pretzels, Bagels, Giant Pickles, and Other Cart Goodies

Old Fashioned Popcorn Machine

NYC Mocktails for Underage Guests

A Bit of Breakfast for Morning Survivors

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Manholes:

Completed Manhole. (See larger photo at end of this blog post)

$1.00 Pizza Pan from Dollar Tree

Cut cardboard pieces glued on to pan.  Foam Alphabet Stickers.

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Cash Cab Trivia:

1.  What supernatural action movie from the 1980’s starring Bill Murray filmed a scene inside the New York Public Library?

A: Ghostbusters

2.  Name three famous talk shows based in NYC?

A: The Tonight Show, Jimmy Fallon, Late Night, The Today Show, 

Rachel Ray, The Colbert Report, Good Morning America

Late Show, The People’s Court

3.  What actress is famous for her little black dress, black gloves, sunglasses, and her up-do when she walks up to Tiffany & Co. with a pastry in her hand?

A: Audrey Hepburn

 4.  Name the four female characters of Sex and the City?

A: Carrie Bradshaw

Charlotte York

Miranda Hobbes

Samantha Jones

5.  Name three epic film couples of New York City.

A: Carrie Bradshaw & Big – S&TC

Chuck Bass & Blair Waldorf – Gossip Girl

Ross Gellar & Rachel Green – Friends

Maria & Alan – Sesame Street

Peter Park & Mary Jane Watson – Spider Man

Jay Gatsby & Daisy Buchannan – The Great Gatsby

6.  What show holds the record for the longest-run in the history of Broadway?

A: Cats

7,  List two old-timer shows that were set in New York.

A: I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Welcome Back, Kotter

Different Strokes, Bewitched, Family Affair

All in the Family, The Cosby Show

8.  What was/is the tallest building in Manhattan?

A: One World Trade Center

9.  What are the names of the pizza-loving, crime-fighting, skateboarding turtles that reside in the sewers of NYC?

A: Leonardo, Michaelangelo

Donatello, Raphael

 10.  What show is famous for their deliveryman who drives a brown truck dropping off packages before coming home to his wife in Queens?

A: The King of Queens

11.  What show about nothing was filmed and takes place in NYC?

A: Seinfeld

12.  Which animated tv show that takes place in the year 3000 (aka the 31^st century) takes place in New York? 

A: Futurama

13.  Who plays Doug Heffernan in The King of Queens?  He also played in Grown Ups and Mall Cop.

A: Kevin James

 14.  In what community does Peter Parker live with his Aunt May?

A: Forest Hills, Queens NY

15.  What currently aired television series takes place in NYC during the 1950’s through the 1970’s?

A: Mad Men

 16.  What is NYC’s nick name?

A: The Big Apple

17.  What movie took place in New York during the Revolutionary War era? Hint: It starred Johnny Depp

A: Sleepy Hollow 

 18.  List how many and name the professional football teams in the state of New York.

A: NY Giants

NY Jets

Buffalo Bills

19.  Who is the biggest rival team of the New York Yankees?

A: Boston Red Sox

 20.  Name the two baseball teams in NY.

A: NY Mets, NY Yankees

21.  What is the name that is collectively used for the 5 communities that make up New York City?

A: The Boroughs

 22.  What are the five boroughs of NYC?

A: Manhattan, The Bronx

Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island

23.  What NYC baseball team did Jackie Robinson play for in the late 1940’s to mid 1950’s?

A: The Brooklyn Dodgers

24.  How I Met Your __________ takes place in NYC with the architect named Ted and the Canadian news anchor named Robin?

A: How I Met Your "Mother"

25.  What foods are NYC most known for?

A: Bagels & Pizza

26.  The famous movie featuring Macy’s and the Macy’s Parade during the Christmas season, took place on what street?

Hint: Miracle on ______ Street

A: 34th

27.  What movie starred Audrey Hepburn at a now extremely famous jeweler in 1961?

A: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

 28.  What large animal is legend to live in the sewers of Manhattan?

Hint: Because people would flush these down the toilet as baby pets

A: Crocodiles

29.  Who directed The Godfather?

A: Francis Ford Coppola

 30. Who played the Don in The Godfather?

A: Marlen Brando

31.  Who played Michael Corleone in The Godfather?

A: Al Pacino

32.  Home Alone 2 is _______ in New York.

A: Lost

33.  This Real Estate Tycoon is famous for his tagline “You’re Fired” on The Apprentice.

A: Donald Trump

 34.  What NBA team does Jay-Z partially own?

A: The Brooklyn Nets

35.  Name three films that New York City is devastated?

A: King Kong, Independence Day, Planet of the Apes,

Armageddon, End of the World, Godzilla,

        Ghostbusters, The Day After Tomorrow,

War of the Worlds, I am Legend, Cloverfield

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Zoomed View of Manhole.  Finished by covering with aluminum foil, pressed and then grey paint.

DIY Glam Pinatas

Friend and Blog Guest Jenna Holtschulte whipped up these cute pinatas for her sweet baby Micah's first birthday. Super easy to make but the her only requirement: Just make sure you have a little extra time on your hands the day you take on the task. Jenna made this from 100% scratch! However, if you are short for time then you could go to Jo-Ann Fabrics and stock up on the premade paper kraft letters for about $2-$3 each.

The Letters:

Scrap Cardboard Boxes

Pencil

Exacto Knife

Brown Packing Tape

The Fringe:

Glue

Scissors

Tissue Paper

Tacky Glue Pens

This pinata is perfect to hang over the dining room table

The Finishing Touches:  Micah' Gold Bow, Micah is One Cake Topper, The Pom Garland

ADULTS Strawberry, Basil, and Honey Punch

A delicious alcohlic refreshment that I made for our Cupcakes & Cocktails ladies meet-up group this July.  It is a great way to end a hot summer day and to start a hot summer night!

Active Time: 15 min
Total Time: 30 min
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups honey
• Zest of 1 orange, peeled in wide strips
• 1 1/2 lbs fresh strawberries, hulled and chopped (about 3 cups)
• 3/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice (from 15 to 18 limes)
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1 bottle (750 ml) silver tequila, chilled

Directions:
Stir together honey, zest, and hot water in a bowl until honey is dissolved.  Let cool.  Muddle berries and basil in pitcher just until basil is fragrant.  Stir in honey mixture, lime juice, and tequila.  Add ice and serve.


Tips:

• Lime juice from the big limes in a bag are about 8 limes or roughly one bag of limes.
• The time to prep the strawberries and orange zest will take approximately 45 minutes.
• I find that the fancy strawberry huller available for purchase in kitchen stores works great!
• Purchase a medium silver tequila.  Not expensive as Patron but not as cheap as the rubbing alcohol spirits that will give you a headache in non-pure tequila.  It should be 100% pure agave.  Stick to about $18 dollars and you should be good.  If you think that is expensive the Patron Silver is $45 for the same size bottle (750 ml).
• Use a fairly large pitcher.  If not it will be hard to stir and you certainly will not be able to manage the ice inside.  This drink does need to be iced.
• I'd like to find a way to strain some of the items but it may be because my basil was not chopped.  They say to only muddle the basil but perhaps littler pieces would prevent the straw from being clogged. 
• I absolutely detest honey.  I do not like the flavor.  This drink was a great balance and was very delicious so if you do not like honey do not be afraid.

This recipe is from Martha Stewart Living.  It came from a 2014 issue during the Spring/Early Summer.  In their magazine picture the drink is much lighter in color but I honestly do not see how that it is possible with the amount of strawberries in the recipe.

Oh You Would Be Surprised That These Get Overlooked

The holidays are upon us!  Here are a few things that you would be surprised that get overlooked from hosts and hostesses.  It happens.  I've done the research and here are some of the situations.  Don't get caught for one of them this holiday season.

• If you are offering bottled water then either have them in the fridge or offer ice as well.  Don't act like it is a burden when someone asks for a way to make their water cold.
• If you are offering a beer with a glass, then make sure the glasses in your cabinet are clean.
• Clean up that nasty facial hair and any other hair from the sink where other people have to get close enough to wash there hands. UGH! BARF!
• Put out a hand drying towel.  Nothing is worse than being the guest who can't decide what to dry their hands on.  No one wants to get stuck using someone else's bath towel.  ICK!

Has anyone else had any experiences that they would like to share??

~ With Angela O'

"It's a High Tea" ~ Bridal Shower Game & Invites

"It's a High Tea"   

Bridal Shower Game & Invites

These game cards are very simple and make shower appear more elegant.  All you need is card stock, lace, a shaped stamp, a stamp pad, 2 colors of spray paint, hot glue and a base-object (our's are Victorian-Era Teapot, Traditional Teapot, and Teacup made from wood).  I was commissioned by one of my dear best friends early this summer to make 'game cards' for her twin sister's bridal shower.  It was a catered tea at the Fleur De Lys Mansion in St. Louis, Missouri.  Congratulations on your wedding Courtney!

Step 1:

Put down a plastic table-cover onto a flat surface, preferably outdoors.  Lay down the base-object that you will be using.  Spray paint the first color on one side of the object.  You may need to spray light and let dry, repeating for a few coats.

Step 2:

Over the dry base-objects, place a large piece of cut lace over the top. Holding down firmly, spray paint over the top of the lace.  Be careful not to blow the lace away with the spray can pressure or you will ruin your design.

Step 3:

Remove the lace before the paint dries.

Step 4:

Using pre-cut cardstock, position a piece of cut lace on top hot-gluing into place.  Then place the decorated base in the hot-glue puddle.

Step 5:

Stamp a pretty print beside the finished shape, slightly overlapping the lace.  Be sure to have a hard surface underneath or the stamped design will not be even.

Step 6:

Voila! Here you go.  Now if you are using as a game and wish to have them hidden from your guests, place them inside an envelope.  Depending on your guest number, select a few cards to have a special marking on the backside.  This could be a passive game for a door prize.  If your guest has picked a card with the special mark then they get a prize.

If you are using these as an invitation, write out the party information on the opposite side of the decorations.

xoxo,

Angela O'

Smash Cake

My friend and former Drill Team co-member made a beautiful smash cake that I want to share with you.  What is a Smash Cake, you ask?  It is a 1st birthday cake that a one-year-old baby will truly get to enjoy.  How do they enjoy it?  They SMASH it!!

What a faboulous idea.  It can even be a smaller version of the cake that you serve at the birthday party.  Your choice.

Kristi you did a great job making this gorgeous cake!!

Post Smash ~ Photo Credit by Carrie Carpunky Photography

Post Smash

Newborn Date Night kit

When you have great friends that have become brand new parents, it is common to feel a little helpless in the first few months as they are adjusting to a new routine.  One way to help them feel a little bit in the norm is to provide them with a stay-at-home-date-night kit.  Recently, a pair of our Austinite friends had a baby and the poor little guy was so fussy that we didn't see them after leaving the hospital again till the first six weeks went by.  So we dropped off a little surprise basket at their doorstep to wish them well.  Try it sometime, it's fun!  

Soda Shop Party

A few years ago at a former workplace a co-worker had decided to move on, so a few of us got together and threw her a farewell party.  She was a great friend to everyone and she loved to share her baked goods and new & vintage finds. The theme that I felt really spoke of her was the Soda Shop Party.  This is what we presented:

Martha's American Food...Or Everyone else's sweat and tears?

So I am torn. Today Barnes and Nobles offered the cookbook Martha's American Food for $12.99 with any purchase. That is a $40.00 book. I love to cook and I love to entertain but I have to question buying an American cookbook, or any for that matter from Martha Stewart. I love all Martha Stewart products, but as an individual she leaves a bad taste in my mouth. She is an entertainer and she is a crafter, all things I relate to but she is not a chef. It is all of her staff who create those books, so I wonder really are these recipes genuine, soulful and from the heart? I mean a forty dollar cookbook would be better served from Julia Child, Paula Deen, or Gordon Ramsey. Not Martha Stewart. Ugh.

She is not the nicest person in the world. Her past actions are questionable and I am not referring to her prison history.  When friends and acquaintances call me Martha Stewart, I tend to want to correct them. I enjoy being a Jackie-of-all trades but seriously the only genuine thing that Martha did was stamp her label on it before all the us other ladies had the ability to be the public eye.

Well at $12.99, I decided not to pass up the offer. I'll let you know what I decide on some of those recipes in time.

Grab your copy using the link below.  A portion of the proceeds of this link will support this blog.

Martha's American Food: A Celebration of Our Nation's Most Treasured Dishes, from Coast to Coast

80th Surprises and Sentiments

Invitation

I got a little sneaky at the end of March, which is why I have been MIA for the past few weeks.  My Gramma's 80th birthday was on April 1st and I wanted to be involved and do something special.  Unfortunately, I live over 1,000 miles away so I just assumed that we wouldn't get to do anything celebratory that included me.  Well, two weeks prior I decided to book a plane ticket without telling anyone.  Since I don't get to spend as much time with my Gramma as I would like I wanted to show her how I like entertain  (I moved away from home immediately following college graduation).  So to prepare for the big day I handmade invitations using my Aunt Peggy as a cover story.  She "hired" me to make invitations to invite the family over to Gramma's house for the Easter lunch that she was going to "bring" over.  I sneakily flew in to St. Louis on Friday, visited my bff Casie who was visiting from out of state, did all the shopping and cooking Saturday, and then Sunday morning at 10 a.m. showed up on Gramma's front patio with a homemade feast!!  I was soooo happy to be able to pull this off.  I love my gramma!!  Happy 80th!!

Menu

Pumpkin Muffins

Lemon Poppy Muffins

Shrimp Cocktail

Quiche Lorraine

Lemon Roasted Asparagus with Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper

Mini Fruit Kabobs

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Mimosas

Blood Orange Italian Soda

Frutta d'Isola Italian Soda

Taste of San Antonio Coffee

One of the best moments of the day was that I got to use Gramma's vintage dishes and utensils as the tableware.  

Thank you all for being my Easter brunch guest:  Gramma (Guest of Honor), Aunt Shirley, Aunt Peggy, Uncle Rick, Aunt Roberta, Aunt Sheila, Aunt Sarah, Uncle Homer.  Thank you Uncle Jim for transporting Aunt Shirley!

I do apologize to all my friends and family that I did not get to see make time to see that weekend.  I hectically did a turn around flight that following Monday.  I can't wait to visit with everyone next time!

Quiche Lorraine

Fruit Kabobs

Lemon Poppy & Pumpkin Muffins

Shrimp

Lemon Roasted Asparagus with Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper

Gramma's Place Setting

2013 O'Mahony Irish Feast

Our annual celebration for our Irish heritage.  Yes, if you didn't figure it out from my blog name "With Angela O'  " my last name is very traditional Irish.  O'Mahony with no "E" and no it is not pronounced as O'Mahoney as many do.  However, before I married my very Irish husband I already had Irish in my maiden bloodline so it just made for a much more merry time!!

2013 O'Mahony Irish Feast

Sunday, March 17th 2013 @ 1:30 p.m.

Austin, TX

Menu: Corned Beef, Cabbage, Red Potatoes, Irish Butter, Irish Soda Bread, Dubliner Cheese, Cracker Assortment, Baileys Filled Guinness Cupcakes

 

Corned Beef

Cabbage

Swag Bar & Cupcakes

Swag Rack

Side Bar Decoration

2012 O'Mahony Irish Feast

Saturday, March 17th 2012 @ 6:00 p.m.

Austin, TX

Baileys Filled Guinness Cupcakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  As promised here is the recipe I used to make the Bailey's Filled Guinness Cupcakes.  I fancied this cupcakes up by making the toppers with scrapbook paper, a circular punch, spray glue and Martha Stewart's peridot glitter.  The recipe credit does go to ABC's Good Morning America show.  

Bon Apetit!

~Angela O'

Difficulty: Easy

Prep & Cook Time: 60-120 min

Cupcake Base:

1 cup stout (Guinness)

16 tbsp. unsalted butter

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

2 large eggs

2/3 cup sour cream

For the Baileys ganache filling:

8 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

(*Angela used Ghirardelli 4oz milk choc and 4oz bittersweet)

2/3 cup heavy cream

2 tbsp. butter, at room temperature

2 tsp. Baileys Irish cream

For the Baileys butter cream frosting:

8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

3-4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

4-8 tbsp. Bailey's Irish cream

 *Angela used 8tbsp of Bailey's and 1 tbsp of heaving whipping cream

Cooking Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Combine the stout and butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the eggs and sour cream to blend. Add the stout-butter mixture and beat just to combine. Mix in the dry ingredients on low speed just until incorporated.

Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners, filling them about 2/3 to 3/4 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. To make the ganache filling, place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.

Heat the cream in a small saucepan until simmering, then pour it over the chocolate. Let sit for one minute and then whisk until smooth. If the chocolate is not completely melted, place the bowl over a double boiler or give it a very short burst in the microwave (15-20 seconds). Add the butter and Baileys and stir until combined. Set aside to let the ganache cool until it is thick enough to be piped. Pipe the ganache and enjoy.  **I used the cupcake corer to fill the ganache inside the cupcake.  It was very clean, easy and quick way to do so.  I purchased my cuisinpro cupcake corer from Williams Sonoma for $5.00

***GMA failed to give any instructions for the frosting.   So I just used my stand mixer to cream the butter and 4 tablespoons Baileys together, then added confectioners' sugar approximately one cup at a time.  About half way through adding the confectioners' sugar I added the other 4 tablespoons of Baileys and on a whim added 1 tablespoon of heavy cream.  Beat well.  

Super Fun Time: Cake Pops!

Yummy Yummy...It's super fun time!!  Thanks Ann Mathes for inspiring me to share my last summer's creation.  If I can remember I made 70 that day....LOL that was just three days after my wisdom teeth were removed!!

A Beatrix Potter Baby Shower

One of my best friends recently gave birth to her first child, a son.  She introduced the first year of his life to many classic nursery rhymes incorporating them in the baby shower, baby nursery, and soon-to-be first birthday celebration.  A connection that she and her twin sister once shared from their childhood nursery.  Unfortunately I could not travel to the baby shower, as it was to be in St. Louis and I had just gotten settled in at Austin.  Her sister was the hostess and I co-hosted games from afar.  I handmade all of the games to be a custom fit for her Beatrix Potter theme.  In addition, I presented them in a way that she could keep them nicely tucked in a box so that when the baby was old enough Mommy and Daddy could play the games with him.  A neat and interactive way to learn the very interesting history of Beatrix Potter.  

Today I would love to provide inspiration to anyone who is tired of the stale games offered in books, online, and at party stores.

Supplies Needed: color printer (or office printing store), scissors, nice scrapbook paper,  8.5x11" sheets of blank & printed paper, glue, metallic marker, organza ribbon, saftey pins, and a scrapbook brad to connect multiple pages (used on the Left/Right game hostess sheet).  Both the Bazill brand Prince Charming blue and the Beatrix Potter print paper were from Archiver's which I purchased in Winter 2011.  They are in 12x12" sheets that I cut down to size.  These papers were used to make the hostess sheets and game cards so that the back was a pretty sight for the guests and guest-of-honor.

I also made hostess instruction cards that were approximately 6x6 inches (12x12 sheet, quartered) so that when the day came each game would run smoothly.  The colors were coordinated to be tied in to the look of the shower but small enough to hold and be discrete.  All you do is print the instructions on computer paper and then past the instructions onto the cut down scrapbook paper for a matted look.

PASSIVE GAME:  Under the Chair 

Before any of the guests arrive place a symbol under one of the chairs so that the guest who will be seated there will later be announced as the winner of a door prize.  I used a printed nursery rhyme picture adhered to textured scrapbook paper, monogrammed with a silver BP to make a small note card that would fit securely under the chair with tape.   

PASSIVE GAME:   "Don't Say Baby"

As everyone arrives be sure to give them a ribbon with safety pins.  Each ribbon has 4 playing pins plus one attachment pin for the guests blouse.  Instruct all guests to not say the word “baby”.  If they are caught saying "baby" they have to give one of their safety pins to the person they said it to.  At the end of the shower, ask the guests to tally up their pins.  Whoever has the most pins wins a prize.  This would be a great game to designate to a co-host to stand at the door to pass out and quickly explain the rule.

ACTIVE GAME:  "Angela's Signature" Left Right Game

Left/Right Game Hostess Sheet - Front & Back

Left/Right Game Hostess Sheet - Front

The hostess will need to use an object to pass around the table, like a flower or stuffed animal. Only one item can be used.  If there are multiple tables then designate one corner of each as the bridge so that the item moves on to the next table smoothly.  The hostess will read the story out loud to the guests.  Each time the guests hear the word “right” or “left” (spelled in many different ways) the guest holding the object will pass the item in the designated direction.  The last person holding the item wins a prize.  Do this game first as it is very active and will get the ladies excited.  Do this while the guests are sitting but before they eat because it is a bit of a riot. *The Left/Right story is at the bottom of the blog

ACTIVE GAME: Beatrix Potter Trivia 

The Beatrix Potter Trivia Hostess Cards

Beatrix Potter trivia cards.  Use these hostess cards to announce the question.  They are made to look like game show cards.  Give the guests approximately 10 seconds or so to hand write their answer on their own answer sheet.  There are 13 questions, at the end of all the questions the hostess will then announce the answers.  Making sure to  re-read them in the same order.   The person with the most correct wins a prize. 

**Save time by placing the guest blank sheets at the guest seats before they arrive.  Include pens.  This game should be done during eating or after, while at the table.

*The Beatrix potter trivia is at the bottom of the blog

ACTIVE GAME: The 23 Tales

The 23 Tales Hostess Sheet

The guest answer sheet for 23 Tales & BP Trivia

The 23 tales of Beatrix Potter. The hostess will announce to the guests that they will get 4 minutes to jot down as many Beatrix Potter tales that they know on their game sheet once you say “GO”. Once the four minutes are up the hostess will read off the answers from the hostess sheet.  Ask the guests how many they got right.  The person with the most wins a prize.

**Save time by placing the guest blank sheets at the guest seats before they arrive.  Include pens. This game should be done after eating or during dessert, while at the table.

*The 23 Tales List is at the bottom of the blog

PRESENTATION:

An easy way to transport to the shower and to present is to tie organza ribbon on the game cards.  

BP TRIVIA:  All based on my own research of Beatrix Potter

Q: What is Beatrix Potter’s first name? 

A: Helen 

Q: What year was Beatrix Potter born? 

A: 1866 

Q: What was Beatrix Potter’s brother’s name? 

A: Bertram (Walter Bertram) 

Q: What year was The Tale of Peter Rabbit published? 

A: 1901, privately 

Q: How many children did Beatrix Potter have? 

A: 3 

Q: After receiving book proceeds and a legacy from her aunt, what did Beatrix Potter purchase? 

A: “Hill Top Farm” – near Sawry, a tiny village 

Q: How many books did Beatrix Potter publish? 

A: 23 

Q: Beatrix Potter stories have been told in four ways. 1. Song 2. Film 3. Animation and 4. _________ 

A: Ballet 

Q: To earn money in the 1890’s what did Beatrix and Bertram do? 

A: Designed and printed their own Christmas and Special Occasion cards 

Q: What were Beatrix Potter’s “Four Little Rabbits” names? 

A: Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter 

Q: Finish this title… “The Tale of ______Nutkin” 

A: The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin 

Q: What are two stories that represent Beatrix’s life of Hill Top Farm? 

A: The Tale of Jemima Puddle Deck & The Tale of Tom Kitten 

Q: What was the name of the ballet film released in 1971 and directed by Reginald Miller? 

A: “The Tales of Beatrix Potter”   **This was performed in costume by the Royal Ballet

The 23 Tales

The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (1903)

The Tailor of Gloucester (1903)

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny (1904)

The Tale of Two Bad Mice (1904)

The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905)

The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905)

The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (1906)

The Story of A Fierce Bad Rabbit (1906)

The Story of Miss Moppet (1906)

The Tale of Tom Kitten (1907)

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck (1908)

The Tale of Samuel Whiskers or, The Roly-Poly Pudding (1908)

The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies (1909)

The Tale of Ginger and Pickles (1909)

The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse (1910)

The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes (1911)

The Tale of Mr. Tod (1912)

The Tale of Pigling Bland (1913)

Appley Dapply's Nursery Rhymes (1917)

The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse (1918)

Cecily Parsley's Nursery Rhymes (1922)

The Tale of Little Pig Robinson (1930)

Angela’s Signature Game “Right/Left” 

This is a story about Mrs. Wright's baby shower tea party. She lived right at the end of Lefty Lane, the third house on the left. Today, Mrs. Wright was hosting a baby shower tea party. The women would enter left, right through the front door and greet Mrs. Wright, they would head right down the stairs, turning left then right into Mrs. Wright's family room where the mommy-to-be was.

Two of the girls were left-handed so they would sit at the left of the table. Mrs. Wright held up her right hand and all of her friends grew quiet, except the left-handed girl on the right patting Mrs. Wright's dog named Hefty Lefty.

Mrs. Wright asked Sarah Wright and Julie Wright to pass out the teacups starting to the left. Sarah Wright and Julie Wright started out left but turned back because they left the cups just to the right of the table, right next to the spoons. Mrs. Wright said, "That's all right." 

Mrs. Wright began to serve her friends some pie when Grandma Wright smelled the delicious desserts and left her bedroom to join the Wright girls. She went down the stairs and turned left than right, right into Mrs. Wright's family room.

Grandma Wright knocked and entered left and sat in the rocking chair on the left. Sarah Wright and Julie Wright invited Grandma Wright to join them at the table.

Grandma Wright had been to many baby showers as a young girl and right before they realized it, Grandma Wright was telling them stories from when she was the mommy-to-be and went to the right cabinet and in the left drawer were pictures of her baby shower.

As the party ended right on time, they all put their dishes right in the left side of the sink and thanked Mrs. Wright and Grandma Wright for such a wonderful time. Soon, all of the women from the Wright baby shower tea party turned right than left, then left again to return to the front door and out to the right car that they arrived in. Down lefty lane they went. Now who ended up with the right gift?

 **This is considered Angela's signature baby shower game simply because it is always so popular and the guests have so much fun.  I did not create this game but it has been so long since I first used it I can't remember who was the original source.

Mastering a Tiffany Blue Brunch

Mastering a Tiffany Blue Brunch in 3 days was going to be a challenge.  But you know how I love to out-do my challenger.  So here is the scoop.

These tableware pieces are the unofficial, official Tiffany Blue color "Robin's Egg Blue" from the manufacturer Amscan.  Amscan is the parent company of Party City.  Exactly 2 Autumns ago this past September I had the pleasure of visiting the Amscan Corporate Showroom in the gorgeous Westchester County, NY.  There they unveiled their newest party color of Robin's Egg Blue the match to Tiffany & Co.  Of course this color is devoured by brides everywhere but why should brides be the only ladies to enjoy it.

Welcome to the Tiffany Blue Brunch where 17 young ladies celebrated a very special friend's birthday.

I sourced Annie's Cafe, a well-known French bistro in Austin, Texas as the caterer for this event.  Highlights of the brunch were the Ham & Gruyere Frittata and Quiche along with the fresh chocolate croissants.  Each girl enjoyed there juice-tail from stemware making this day a bit more special.

The napkin rings were made using the coordinating Tiffany Blue wrapping paper and pearl/gold scrapbook brads found in the bridal section.

The favor boxes were wrapped in the coordinating Tiffany Blue wrapping paper and hand-tied to present the exact Tiffany bow!  Inside the ladies found a costume pearl & rhinestone bracelet accompined by a bottle of China Glaze's For Audrey nail lacquer. 

The table was to speak solely of Tiffany's, the diamond and pearl decor, the glass "crystal" pitchers and the silver cake stand and platters.

The final touch was the elegant Tiffany box made of fondant cake from Coco Paloma Desserts.  Thank you dearest Paloma for assisting me on this event!  

~With Angela O'