Category: Parties

Elsie’s Blessing

Decorating, Entertaining, Parties



A couple of weeks ago when my brother got married, I mentioned that we also hosted a gathering for another brother.  He and his little family traveled from Mississippi to be with us, and while they were here they blessed their new little baby, Elsie.  We were honored to host the blessing in our home, and it was so kind of Christa’s family to come here and join us for the event.


I knew I’d only have a few minutes to prep for the blessing but I wanted it to be nice.  I wanted to do something for Brent and Christa that showed them we love and support them, and I wanted things to look nice for Christa’s family.  That can be tricky when you also have three other four other families staying with you, but I think we managed.


I built the decor around two things, the vintage tablecloth with green and turquoise flowers, and the Elsie banner.  I used all white dishes, simple plates and napkins, and we had milk and water to drink.  Too late I thought about finding some little milk bottles to serve drinks in, with striped paper straws.  It would have been perfect, but I couldn’t find what I was picturing, at least not disposable or cost effective.

Christa’s family brought the food, so we had it all prepped before they came and it only took about 3 minutes to arrange.


Much as I love cupcakes, it was kind of nice to see something as simple as cookies being served.  They were delicious, and a variety of cookies were offered.  My personal favorite:  molasses.


The banner was fun and easy to make.  I tore some pages out of my vintage dictionary and cut them into triangles.  I then glued some glitter to the edges and stamped the letters with rubber stamps and ink.  We simply stapled them to the aqua ribbon and I used the large silver urns to anchor them on each side of the food.  They provided just enough height for the banner to hang over the cookies.  At the end of the evening I put both the banners in a bag and sent them home with Elsie’s family.


We made a second banner and set up a second table in the backyard for the children and others who would want to sit out there.  I set up a couple of tables with chairs and tied aqua sashes around the chairs.  And then I forgot to take a single picture.  I guess that’s what happens when you get busy playing hostess.


On the other end of the counter near the drinks I got out my silver glittered baby letters and took a walk around the yard for some fresh flowers to cut.


In the end, I think everyone had a great time.  People visited and lingered, and seemed to enjoy themselves.  It was such a great day.  And my payment for it all?  Holding beautiful little Elsie.  Oh, she is precious.


Brent and Christa, thank you so much for sharing such a special day with us!  We love you and miss you and think you’re amazing.




Jennifer

Leave a comment

Graduation Cupcakes

Parties

As a dessert for this party and keeping with this theme , I had an idea for some BYU cupcakes.  It turned out to be inexpensive, creative, and added the final touch to our party.


I used some dark blue candy melts, a Wilton squeeze bottle and a sheet of “Y” letters I printed on my computer.


I placed the printed Y’s on a cookie sheet and put a piece of parchment paper over it.  I then melted the candy in hot water and began tracing the Y’s.  I just moved my pattern around underneath the parchment paper until it was filled.


We let them harden overnight, baked some cupcakes and whipped up a fairly stiff buttercream icing.  I simply piped the frosting onto the centers of the cupcakes and we stuck the Y’s in the center.  TaDa!


For the kitchen table centerpiece, we lined up my cupcake stands and put a cupcake on each one.


We all had a lot of fun with these.  Everyone enjoyed trying their hand at making some Y’s.  As we did it, I thought how versatile these cupcake toppers are.  You could make numbers for a birthday party, monograms for a birthday gift, or even photocopy and trace logos for schools or other organizations.  These treats were SO much fun to make, now I’m looking for an excuse to make more!


I hope you’ll try them!
Hopeful Homemaker Linked to The Inspired Room

3 comments

Graduation Party

Decorating, Musings on Life and Beauty, Parties

For last week’s graduation/birthday party, we used a few small touches to make the atmosphere festive.  I want to share what we did because it was so simple and inexpensive.

To see the idea that sparked a party theme done in BYU school colors, click here .

In addition to that, we added a few more things for a great blue and white party.  We opted for a simple menu:  shredded barbecue beef sandwiches, veggies and dip, fruit and dip, chips.  To dress it up we lined the kitchen counter with blue and white table runners and served the food in beautiful dishes.


I used this idea to whip up a bunch of blue and white napkin rings out of a $1.50 spool of ribbon.  This project literally took less than 10 minutes.


I found some blue and white York peppermint candies to add color.  You could get m&m’s in any school color combination.


In the dining room I used a blue and white tablecloth, then took a little walk around the house looking for a few blue or white things.  I came up with a blue ice bucket, filled it with stars, and added a couple of little chalkboard garden markers to write messages on.  (We scored the garden markers at my local craft store for $1.24 each.  They’ll be put to good use!)  I remembered my silver “baby” letters and put the Y to use on its own.


My awesome Mom bought some pretty white flowers which we put in a white enamel pitcher with a blue and white striped ribbon tied around it.   In front of that, another silver Y that I picked up somewhere on clearance forever ago.


Again, I used one of the chalkboard markers I’d scored the day before.  I just stuck it in the pitcher full of flowers.  I especially like how this looked.  I’ll be doing it again in the future.  This completed the vignette on the end of the kitchen counter.


My next post will be about the fun we had with a simple dessert.

The decorating was fun, but the quote I always try to remember when I’m entertaining is this:
“It’s not what’s on the plates that matters.  It’s what’s on the chairs.”

So, here are a few pictures of the MOST IMPORTANT things in my house that day.

First, our guests of honor, my brother and his beautiful wife.   This brother of mine is pretty amazing.  He’s never had a hard time remembering that people are what matter most.  I want to be more like him.


My brother blowing out candles on a blazing cupcake:


My parents, working too hard in the kitchen (as usual).


My brother, my sister, her husband and some of the children.


My almost teen-aged son who rarely lets me take pictures of him.


One of my brothers (who I don’t see nearly enough).  He is one of the nicest, most forgiving people I know.


My youngest sister, who is also one of my best friends.


Lastly,the babies, getting to know one another.


Thanks to everyone who came and provided so much fun for us, especially my parents who traveled from Denver to be here.  And congratulations, again, to the graduates!  What a great accomplishment!

Jennifer

2 comments ,
1 2 3 4