My BFF’s Baby Shower

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appetizers on a stick, Baby, baby books, baby shower, baby shower theme, brownie bites, caprese kabob, Centerpieces, cupcake tree, cupcakes, hostess, hosting, lollipop bouquet, mini brownies, mini pizza, mini quiche, party appetizer, party food, shower food, skewer appetizer, strawberry rosebud bouquet, sweet and sour meatballs, teriyaki skewers

Don’t get confused, yes, I used a similar title for a earlier post. Same concept, my other best friend is the lucky mother-to-be this time. As soon as her pregnancy was confirmed, her sister and I began planning her baby shower (being the planners we were). We decided where to have it (church basement) and when (May). We both loved the build-a-library (look here for book suggestions) concept for the shower; every guest brings a baby book and writes a message for the baby inside, in lieu of a shower card. Her sister quickly selected invitations, decorations, plates and cutlery. We talked about the favors and food. We also made a pact not to play the gross poopy diaper game.

The main colors on the invitations were green and purple. Since my BFF is having a boy, I decided to incorporate the purple but play it down using more green and adding blue. I carried this color palette into the desserts and favors.

I thought it would be a good idea to serve tiny food to go along with the baby theme. Fingers food are always easy at showers and parties. I thought that sandwiches wouldn’t keep (if made ahead of time) or travel well. So I asked my BFF’s sister to order the sandwich trays for the shower and get the ice.

Menu

Desserts & Centerpieces
I immediately planned to make white chocolate lollipops in the form of baby carriages and baby bottles for the favors. My BFF is planning an

My BFF has an airplane theme for the nursery (her husband is a pilot) and I wanted to reflect that in the shower somehow. I found cute airplane candy molds and made airplane gummi candy in the shower colors.

I made chocolate topped pretzels (stolen idea from my other BFF’s sister) that continued the colors.

I planned to make chocolate covered strawberry rosebud bouquets for the table centerpieces. Having to travel further, I planned to make the chocolate dipped strawberries before the trip and wait to place them on skewers and arrange them until I got to the church. Then I dropped my vat of chocolate on the floor… I turned out to be plain strawberry rosebud bouquets instead.

Something I wanted to include, but didn’t have time to make was mini eclairs and mini cream puffs. They were store-bought and somehow didn’t disappear like the rest of my food.

Once again I got to pull out my cupcake tree and icing press, to make cupcakes that were just as appeasing to the eyes as they were to the palette.

Cute Cupcakes

I made brownie bites with cream cheese frosting (I believe the desserts are becoming my signature for baby showers).

Food & Snacks
I thought the vegetable tray would be very fun if it was stocked with baby veggies; baby carrots, baby corn, cherry tomatoes, mini cucumbers, baby and mini bell peppers. The veggies were served with my ranch dip which is way better than any store-bought dip and just as easy.

Baby Bell Peppers

The cheese tray included baby swiss, mini pepperoni, small crackers, baby goldfish.

I made grape and cheddar kabobs and served them with a honey lime yogurt dip (and idea stolen from my other BFF).

Caprese Kabobs were an easy was to turn the classic salad into a finger food.

Caprese Kabobs

I made mini Quiche ahead of time, as I could heat them quickly before serving. Some were turkey ham & cheddar, some were plain swiss.

The salmon puffs (one of my favorites) were a big hit and disappeared quickly.

Salmon Puffs

I served hot cocktail weenies in a sweet chilli sauce.

I prepped Teriyaki chicken skewers, marinated for 24 hours ahead of time. I grilled them before hand and heated them quickly before serving.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs were served, with three meatballs skewers on a stick.

I kept the hot food  warm using my buffet warming trays and chaffing dishes.

Tea sandwiches do not travel well, so I asked her sister to order a tray for the shower. I had baby gherkins and baby dill pickles to serve with them.

Beverages
I served lemonade and iced-tea in 3 gallon dispensers. I provided half pint water bottles and mini orange juice containers in an iced galvanized tub.

Several people asked me for my business card, many people asked for recipes and almost everyone complimented me on something they ate. The ultimate compliment I actually heard several times, “This is the nicest shower I’ve ever been to.” I so glad that my Bff’s sister and I were able to give that to the momma-to-be.

I’ll share some photos over the next few days.

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Tasty Tea Sandwiches

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afternoon tea, cocktail bread, cocktail sandwiches, shower food, shower sandwiches, tea party, tea sandwich

Tomorrow, I’m helping out with a baby shower for one of my BFFs.  As I’m excited and in the party planning mode, I decided I’d compile a list of my favorite “tea sandwiches.” Although her shower is not a tea (she did co-host a lovely tea for my bridal shower), the shower has my mind running around mini foods. I hope you enjoy this list.

Apple-Swiss Turkey Sandwich – Spread honey mustard on a slice of cocktail multi-grain slice of bread. Layer turkey breast with thinly sliced apples, cucumbers (do not peel either) and Swiss cheese. Top with another slice of bread.

Brie-Cranberry Turkey Sandwich – Spread cranberry sauce on a slice of cocktail rye bread. Layer with turkey, spinach leaves and Brie cheese. Top with another slice of bread. *Keep away from soft and unpasteurized cheeses during a baby shower, the momma to be isn’t supposed to have them.

Curried Chicken Salad Pita – Mix together mayo, curry powder, chicken chunks, green apple cubes and halved red grapes. Spread in a mini whole-wheat pita and add mixed greens.

Classic Cucumber Sandwich – Do not peel entire cucumber, peel alternating stripes leaving half of the skin. Slice cucumber into rounds. Mix cream cheese with a little garlic powder and parsley, spread onto wheat cocktail bread, top with cucumber round, sliced water chesnuts, alfalfa sprouts and another slice of bread.

Carrot-Cheddar Beef Sandwich – Spread mayo on a white tea roll, top with sharp cheddar cheese, a carrot ribbon, roast-beef and horseradish (This recipe is for Hubster).

Spicy Tuna Salad Roll – Mix together canned tuna, dollop of sour cream, horseradish, chopped celery, minced onion, and fresh cilantro. Serve on a crusty tea roll.

Egg Salad Sandwich – Chop hard-boiled eggs and mix with plain yogurt, mayo, lot’s of fresh dill, carrot shreds, sliced water chestnuts. Serve on pumpernickel cocktail bread. Garnish with fresh alfalfa sprouts.

Crab Salad Sandwich – Mix together jumbo lump crab meat with diced red bell pepper and Dijon mustard.  Serve on a multi-grain wheat roll or multi-grain cocktail bread.