Jade’s 1st Birthday Party

My beautiful daughter is turning 1 in a few short weeks, and we’re having her birthday party next weekend.  I am so nervous to do everything right since there are so many people judging everything I do around me.  We have so many people that want to celebrate her first birthday, so we had originally decided we were going to have 4 separate parties since there was no way we could fit everyone at our house.  Then, one day at the park, Jeremy noticed the pavilion at Warren Park and decided that if it wasn’t too expensive, we should rent that and have it there and just have 1.

So, we’re back up to 70ish people (if everyone comes).

I’ve got 2 cake molds and a 6″ round for her smash cake.  I think I’m going to do traditional vanilla for the cakes and an apple cake for Jade’s cake.

We decided on butterflies to be our theme for her party, so here’s what I”m thinking for snacks to serve:

• Butterfly bagels
• Caterpillar snacks
• Cheese ball and pita chips
• Butterfly salad
• Butterfly snacks
• Punch

Hopefully this will be enough and will not be too difficult to pull off. Hopefully Jade will love her cake and be a happy baby for me.

Butterfly Snacks

Ingredients

• 2 stalks celery
• 6 tablespoons cream cheese
• 12 large Pretzels
• 12 slivered almonds
• 18 raisins

Directions

1. Cut the celery into three equal parts.
2. Place one tablespoon cream cheese into each celery stalk.
3. Gently place one pretzel into the cream cheese on each side of the celery to form the wings (lengthwise).
4. Place the raisins at one end for the eyes, mouth and nose. Place the push the slivered almonds at the top of the raisins for antennae.

Rhyan’s Baby Shower

Well, it was a big success.  Everyone seemed to love the food at this baby shower.  We went with “baby” themed foods.  We had “baby” pizzas, “baby” quiches, “baby” shrimp dip, “baby” vegetables with dip, “baby” spanikopitas, and “baby” baked apples.

The apples were a huge hit.  Next time, we’re going to add goat cheese to some of them.  Also, we’re going to do some vegetarian quiches. And, I don’t think we’re doing the spanikopitas again.  They are just too much work and too stressful to do.  Even though they are so yummy.

Back from vacation

I have 2 more tests left on my catering certification.  I hope to finish by the end of September.  Next steps … figure out what it takes to make Slippers in the Kitchen official.  I’ve already got requests for pricing and ideas to cater a couple of lunches.  I’m very excited about the possibilities.  When I’m in the kitchen, I feel like I can do so much.  I just need the time to do things.  Now that Jade is about to crawl, I”m not sure how much time I will have.  We’ll see.

Busy prepping

I’ve been busy prepping for the big party on Sunday.  I’ve spent a lot of time planning for this one, so I hope that we have enough food (and not way too much).  So far, I’ve overshot the necessary amount on every part, which means, I don’t end up making as much money as I need to because I buy too much food.  I’m guessing that is going to be the same situation here, but we’ll see on Sunday.

We’re making 2 breads and buying 2 breads.  We’re making chicken salad, tuna salad, ham salad, waldorf salad, fruit salad, and we’re buying mixed greens for a green salad.  I’m also making a dip and we’re buying some pretzels to go along for an appetizer.  We’ve cut back to 2 tortes, since my sister-in-law is making a cake.  I still have about $40 worth of groceries left to buy, totalling about $200 for the food.  That leaves $50 for my time to do this event.  We will be spending about 20 hours total on planning, shopping, and cooking, so I’m worth about $2.50 an hour.  Not so good.

I’m still learning, and I would say my biggest area I need improving is figuring out the right amount of food to make.  I think with a few more parties under my belt I will do better.  I already improved.  The last party I spent every dime on food, so I’ve gotten a $2.50/hour raise!!!

Jade’s Coming Out Party

It was a huge success.  Everyone had a great time and the food was wonderful.  Jeremy did an amazing job on the meat.  He put the Boston Butt on the smoker at midnight and refueled at 4 a.m.  Then he put the chickens on at 8 a.m.  Alongside the meat, I made baked beans (pork and turkey), cole slaw, potato salad, a goat cheese ranch dressing (for the veggie dip), and a mango salsa for the chips.  I also made red velvet cupcakes with a cream cheese frosting.

It was rough getting everything ready in time, while taking care of the beautiful guest of honor, but by breaking things up over the week and taking turns playing with her with Jeremy on nights and Saturday morning, we got it done.  I’ll post some recipes later.  On to plan the next party.