2010 Brings BABIES!

I know what you're thinking.... and no, its not me. However, my cousin Trevor and his beautiful wife Miriam are pregnant with their first child - a girl to be named Isabella! To help them prepare, my mom, aunts, cousin, and I gave her a lovely shower. Check out the pictures and details below!The shower and lunch were held at the Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. We had delicious wraps, a leafy green salad topped with dried cranberries and sunflower seeds, and homemade potato chips. Yummy!
My Aunt Kim made the beautiful centerpieces. She bought daisies and roses from the grocery store, added some amazing greens from her own yard, secured them in floral foam on top of a plate, and set on top of the vase. We filled the vases with slices of lemon and cranberries, and floated them in water. They were stunning, and a cheap and easy way to make a centerpiece!

We played a few games, two of which were a baby word scramble and baby bingo. I found these games online and printed them out in color at home.
Another cute activity was something my mom made, using Martha Stewart double sided craft paper and some scrapbooking embellishments. We asked all guests to write on one card some words of wisdom or motherly advice for the new mom to be. Then we punched holes in the top and put them on a ring, allowing her to easily flip through our sentiments.
In lieu of a plated dessert, we thought it would be fun to have a cookie favor that all the guests could take home with them. A local bakery made them in the shape of a onesie with baby Isabella's name on them. My cookie was gone about 5 minutes into the car ride home - they were delicious!

The baby shower was a success and Miriam got some really lovely things. I think my favorite gift she received were these letters to hang above the crib:
What you can't see in the picture is how each one was painted with tiny objects, like ladybugs and flowers. They were beautiful!

There are a few more parties to come this spring, so be sure to check back often for lots more recipes and party planning ideas!

Angela Adams

Angela Adams puts the fun back into decorating and entertaining. With her mod designs and great pieces, you can add small or large pieces of her collection into any style home. I love her trays, coasters, and wine totes made from recycled sails. Any of these would also make wonderful hostess gifts too (hint, hint!).
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Southwestern Chicken Soup

For the first of several healthy recipes in 2010, we bring you Southwestern Chicken Soup, courtesy of Real Simple Magazine. I found this dish while I was looking for something healthy for dinner, and something that would warm you from the inside on these bitter cold nights. This soup did just the trick! Here's the recipe:

1 12oz jar Salsa Verde (I used the Pace version and found it to be delicious!)
3 Whole Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded
1 can cannellini beans, drained
3 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1 tsp Ground Cumin
2 Green Onions, chopped
Fat Free Sour Cream (optional)
2% Reduced Fat Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (optional)
Tortilla chips (optional)

In a large saucepan, pour in the entire jar of Salsa Verde, and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Next add chicken, broth, cumin, and beans, and turn up the heat to high until it boils. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Serve in a stoneware bowl, so that the heat from the soup can warm your cold hands, and top with green onions, sour cream, and cheese.

For a quick substitute, buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery and shred that, instead of having to cook raw chicken breasts. This is a quick, easy, and healthy recipe to help start the new year off right! Enjoy!

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

After a wonderful and fun New Year's Eve party last night, we are all feeling like this:

Once we recover from this weekend's festivities, we will be bringing you some new easy and healthy recipes, plus new party ideas and entertaining basics, to start the new year off right!

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND BEST WISHES FOR 2010!