3.29.2012

Catching Up - Part 2 (Thanksgiving)

Life is just too crazy, busy these days and before I know it months have passed since my last post.  I have a little time tonight, so I thought I'd post a few pictures from Thanksgiving... better late than never, right?

Grandad, Grandy, Jeff, Mama, Memaw and Grandad

We celebrated Thanksgiving at the lake this year.  This was the first year we had celebrated with two sides of my family (usually we celebrate with only my mom's side and this year we added my step-dad's side) and it was so much fun!  


The boys fried two delicious turkeys...


Jack helped peel boiled eggs and snap green beans.  I tell you that boy is one good helper!  He loves to help Grammy wash dishes, help me do laundry and clean up messes.  He is also VERY good at making messes these days!!


He played football with Uncle Zack and learned the Heisman pose.  He's practicing for when he wins the real thing one day!  ;)


The weather was absolutely perfect hanging out outside and fishing.  He is good at catching red "perch"!  I think he must have caught a million of them since he got his fishing pole.  HA!


The little boys were pooped after eating turkey and visiting with family.


We do have so much to be thankful for!

Thanks for sticking around, even though my posts are few and far between.  One of these days I will get it all together and be back to regular blogging.  I have been in party planning and throwing mode for the past month, so I hope to get my pictures edited and blog about all the fun that's been going on soon!


3.12.2012

It's a Party!

All of the directors in my region were challenged to host an Associate Appreciation Party which would be judged by regional directors based on certain criteria.  The 1st Place winner would win $1000!  Woohooo!  That, plus a little Pinterest and inspiration from the cookbook Bite by Bite, was all it took to get me motivated!

I knew I wanted the theme to be Sweet & Treats and I wanted it to be very colorful... so this is what I came up with...


I designed sweet lolipop invitations with party details on the back.


Then I made cute labels with each associates name on them and handed them out at our monthly staff meeting.  Everyone started getting so excited and wanted to know what all we were having to eat and what we were going to do, etc.  My chef and I did our best to not tell them too much information.  We wanted it to be a surprise!


I came up with the menu and my chef made my vision a reality!  I could not be more pleased with the way everything turned out and shocked my staff was that we would take the time to do all of this for them!

7-Layer Dip 
(I actually made these.) 

Caprese Salad Skewers

Chicken Parmesan Bites

Ceviche Martini

Asian Meatballs

Southwest Sliders with Caramalized Onions and Chipotle Ranch

"Milk" and Cookies

S' Mores 
(these were my favorite for presentation)

Strawberry Shortcake

Water Bottle Labels to show my appreciation!

Me and my chef!  

I could not have done it without him!  And, remember that contest I mentioned? 
Yep, WE WON!