Join us this Sunday, January 31st, for the 18th annual Gainesville Bridal Show! The show is located at the Gainesville Civic Center (830 Green Street). Wonderful Events & Celebrations will have a booth set up, in addition to many other amazing vendors! Stop by between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm but don't miss the special fashion show at 3:30 pm. We hope to see you there!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Bill and Joel Show - Birthdays and Super Bowl 1/21/10
Again, many thanks to Bill, Joel and Anna for allowing me to share the air waves this morning. Y'all are the best!
First and foremost, is the White Rotel Dip recipe - it just doesn't get much easier or more fabulous than this! Serve with Fritos Scoops or tortilla chips! Yummy!
3 packages of pork sausage (mild or spicy is fine, one maple flavored gives it a good flavor)
4 packages of cream cheese
2 cans of Rotel tomatoes
Brown sausage and drain. In a large sauce pan, combine all ingredients and heat until cheese is melted, being careful to stir often. Enjoy!
a. Fix their favorite foods. They get to pick. I remember when my kids were little we would have the strangest combinations – corn dogs, pizza and macaroni and cheese. But if that’s what they want, that’s what they get. It is their day. You can give them broccoli tomorrow.
b. Choose a special plate. We have one of those plates that says right on it just how special we are, so whoever has the “big day” gets to use the plate.
c. We also have a birthday hat and birthday sunglasses. It’s a tradition, we take a picture every year with them on. (weird, I know)
d. If it’s your child’s birthday (or anyone special for that matter), write them a special note about the day they were born; about the good things you’ve seen in them over the last year; why they are so special to you.
e. And I love to use pictures at birthday celebrations – either on your table, as a display or as a favor. For my daughter’s birthday last year (she’s in her 20s) we had a party for family and I made a book mark for everyone by copying one of her baby pictures and writing a few words about her, then had it laminated. Grandparents loved it.
And I do love a theme party. For my husband’s birthday, we had a bowling party. The whole family went bowling and then out for hamburgers and hotdogs. I even ordered him a bowling shirt – and he wore it!
And let’s just say someone was having a big birthday –a milestone birthday. This is what one family did for a “milestone” birthday. Hypothetically speaking, let’s assume this was this woman’s big 5-0 birthday - they surprised her and asked all of the guests to come dressed as old, old folks to make the guest of honor feel young. It was hilarious and it totally worked!
Let’s give a quick mention about the Super Bowl coming up in a few weeks.
If you’re thinking about throwing a big party for the occasion now is the time to start planning.
Get your invitations out to your guests and begin thinking about decorations and food.
Now, this is probably one of the easiest parties you can ever throw. The focus is football and food. You don’t really even have to like football a whole lot to enjoy a great Super Bowl party. So just make sure the big screen is working and you’re good to go.
We’ll talk a little about decorating and then next week I think we are going to talk about Super Bowl food a little more.
1. I did a big football party not too long ago and used that artificial looks-like Astroturf (you can get it at the home improvement stores) to cover the tables. So your tables look like a football field. It looks great!
2. You can use football helmets for centerpieces and tie balloons on them with team colors. Use pompoms and footballs on the table.
3. You can set your buffet up similar to resemble bleachers using different heights on your table OR if you want the food near you (which doesn’t everyone?), you can just set up your coffee table as the serving table that way everyone is near the tv and the food.
4. Serve popcorn in those inexpensive popcorn boxes.
5. Use yellow napkins folded in triangles to resemble “penalty flags.”
6. Use big metal tubs to ice down your favorite drinks.
7. Would you believe that the hot new thing is flashing football ice cubes. They are 100% waterproof and have LED lights in them. So no party is complete unless you have flashing football ice cubes (one source: www.blinkingicecubes.net)
First and foremost, is the White Rotel Dip recipe - it just doesn't get much easier or more fabulous than this! Serve with Fritos Scoops or tortilla chips! Yummy!
3 packages of pork sausage (mild or spicy is fine, one maple flavored gives it a good flavor)
4 packages of cream cheese
2 cans of Rotel tomatoes
Brown sausage and drain. In a large sauce pan, combine all ingredients and heat until cheese is melted, being careful to stir often. Enjoy!
Ideas for Birthdays and Super Bowl Parties
Birthday Parties – There’s not too many reasons to have a party in January but if you’re like our family and have three birthdays during the month, you can certainly celebrate in a big way. Birthdays should be a special day for your loved ones! Ways to make that birthday guy or gal feel extra special:a. Fix their favorite foods. They get to pick. I remember when my kids were little we would have the strangest combinations – corn dogs, pizza and macaroni and cheese. But if that’s what they want, that’s what they get. It is their day. You can give them broccoli tomorrow.
b. Choose a special plate. We have one of those plates that says right on it just how special we are, so whoever has the “big day” gets to use the plate.
c. We also have a birthday hat and birthday sunglasses. It’s a tradition, we take a picture every year with them on. (weird, I know)
d. If it’s your child’s birthday (or anyone special for that matter), write them a special note about the day they were born; about the good things you’ve seen in them over the last year; why they are so special to you.
e. And I love to use pictures at birthday celebrations – either on your table, as a display or as a favor. For my daughter’s birthday last year (she’s in her 20s) we had a party for family and I made a book mark for everyone by copying one of her baby pictures and writing a few words about her, then had it laminated. Grandparents loved it.
And I do love a theme party. For my husband’s birthday, we had a bowling party. The whole family went bowling and then out for hamburgers and hotdogs. I even ordered him a bowling shirt – and he wore it!
And let’s just say someone was having a big birthday –a milestone birthday. This is what one family did for a “milestone” birthday. Hypothetically speaking, let’s assume this was this woman’s big 5-0 birthday - they surprised her and asked all of the guests to come dressed as old, old folks to make the guest of honor feel young. It was hilarious and it totally worked!
Let’s give a quick mention about the Super Bowl coming up in a few weeks.
If you’re thinking about throwing a big party for the occasion now is the time to start planning.
Get your invitations out to your guests and begin thinking about decorations and food.
Now, this is probably one of the easiest parties you can ever throw. The focus is football and food. You don’t really even have to like football a whole lot to enjoy a great Super Bowl party. So just make sure the big screen is working and you’re good to go.
We’ll talk a little about decorating and then next week I think we are going to talk about Super Bowl food a little more.
1. I did a big football party not too long ago and used that artificial looks-like Astroturf (you can get it at the home improvement stores) to cover the tables. So your tables look like a football field. It looks great!
2. You can use football helmets for centerpieces and tie balloons on them with team colors. Use pompoms and footballs on the table.
3. You can set your buffet up similar to resemble bleachers using different heights on your table OR if you want the food near you (which doesn’t everyone?), you can just set up your coffee table as the serving table that way everyone is near the tv and the food.
4. Serve popcorn in those inexpensive popcorn boxes.
5. Use yellow napkins folded in triangles to resemble “penalty flags.”
6. Use big metal tubs to ice down your favorite drinks.
7. Would you believe that the hot new thing is flashing football ice cubes. They are 100% waterproof and have LED lights in them. So no party is complete unless you have flashing football ice cubes (one source: www.blinkingicecubes.net)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Bill and Joel Show - New Years Edition 12/30/09
Hosting a New Years Party to Ring In 2010?!
Here some easy but great ideas for your New Years Celebration!
Gotta start with the food . . .
You know we have to talk about the food first! For a party of this type, an appetizer/finger food type buffet is the best way to go. But that doesn’t mean you can’t serve heartier foods that will stick with your guests for the duration of the evening.
Some ideas for food:
Small sandwiches served on dinner rolls (BBQ; hamburger sliders, pork tenderloin, etc.) chicken fingers, sweet and sour meatballs; sausage balls, bite size crab cakes. Oh, and I just found a great recipe for homemade salsa (great recipe from Paula Deen). Serve salsa and chips. And it’s easy.
Also, when you are hosting a party, you never know quite how much to prepare. A good rule of thumb is count on about 10 appetizer bites per person. And depending on the number of guests, anywhere from 3 – 6 different appetizer choices.
Fun ideas for presentation: make toothpick flags for your appetizers. Cut a small strip of paper in triangular shape, write “2010” on it, wrap it around the toothpick and glue it on.
Of course, you can’t talk about New Years without the drinks. Everyone thinks champagne. But if you not so inclined, let me suggest serving something like Sparkling Grape Juice then add a little orange juice or cranberry juice to make it festive. Add some grapes or cranberries to the bottom of glasses.
You all might find this interesting – in many Mediterranean and Latin American countries, they eat 12 grapes at midnight to ensure good luck for each month of the coming year. So put some grapes out for your guests and share this tradition.
A fun thing to do with your glasses: get those adhesive numbers that are used for scrapbooking projects, and put those on your glasses. You could put either “2010” or “10, 9, 8, etc.” (counting down) on them.
Decor that is functional, easy and fabulous!
For your table, arrange some colorful noisemakers and/or party hats on top of a pretty cake stand, piece of pottery or crystal bowl; or use some pretty glasses and have them coming out of the top of them.
You know, there are a lot of superstitions linked to our New Year’s celebrations. Supposedly, noise makers are not only a way to celebrate the hope of what a new year has to offer but they also serve to scare away the devil. So, I say it can’t hurt.
Another fun way to decorate is with clocks. Everyone is watching the clock on New Year’s eve, so put them on your tables, on your mantle, any focal point in your room.
Confetti – that always seems to be a part of New Year’s celebrations. So why not make some meaningful confetti. What do I mean by that? Scan or copy some photos of your family and friends who will be attending your party and then cut them into “puzzle like” pieces. Sprinkle them on your tables and then have everyone put them back together during the evening.
Take aways for Guests!
You know I like little “take aways” to send my guests home with . . . and I love food gifts. One idea: put a gourmet cookie in a one of the white paper CD envelopes and write a personal note of good wishes for the new year. Or put some black-eyed peas on a mason jars with a recipe attached.
Let’s talk about some New Years Day traditions
**Speaking of black-eyed peas, you know us Southerners have to have our ham, black-eyed peas and collard greens for good luck on New Year’s Day! Now most of us know that we eat the peas and greens as symbols of humility and hopes of financial good fortune. But you might not know this – some say the reason we eat pork, instead of poultry or beef: poultry scratches backward, cows stand still but the pig eats their food moving forward. Therefore, those who dine on pork will move forward in the new year!
Now, I found a soup recipe I’m going to try. It’s called “Ham and Black-eyed Pea Soup with Collard Greens.” That covers all the bases, doesn’t it? Oh and you could attach this soup recipe to your takeaway gift of black-eyed peas.
*** Okay, I’ve got one more interesting tip will ensure good fortune in 2010 for all of the ladies:
When you are going to your New Year’s party, get yourself a new outfit! (I verified this folklore on Snopes!) If a girl wears a new outfit on January 1st, she will supposedly have good fortune throughout the year. If you wear red, you double your luck. (I’m not making this up – I’m just reporting the facts!).
Here some easy but great ideas for your New Years Celebration!
Gotta start with the food . . .
You know we have to talk about the food first! For a party of this type, an appetizer/finger food type buffet is the best way to go. But that doesn’t mean you can’t serve heartier foods that will stick with your guests for the duration of the evening.
Some ideas for food:
Small sandwiches served on dinner rolls (BBQ; hamburger sliders, pork tenderloin, etc.) chicken fingers, sweet and sour meatballs; sausage balls, bite size crab cakes. Oh, and I just found a great recipe for homemade salsa (great recipe from Paula Deen). Serve salsa and chips. And it’s easy.
Also, when you are hosting a party, you never know quite how much to prepare. A good rule of thumb is count on about 10 appetizer bites per person. And depending on the number of guests, anywhere from 3 – 6 different appetizer choices.
Fun ideas for presentation: make toothpick flags for your appetizers. Cut a small strip of paper in triangular shape, write “2010” on it, wrap it around the toothpick and glue it on.
Of course, you can’t talk about New Years without the drinks. Everyone thinks champagne. But if you not so inclined, let me suggest serving something like Sparkling Grape Juice then add a little orange juice or cranberry juice to make it festive. Add some grapes or cranberries to the bottom of glasses.
You all might find this interesting – in many Mediterranean and Latin American countries, they eat 12 grapes at midnight to ensure good luck for each month of the coming year. So put some grapes out for your guests and share this tradition.
A fun thing to do with your glasses: get those adhesive numbers that are used for scrapbooking projects, and put those on your glasses. You could put either “2010” or “10, 9, 8, etc.” (counting down) on them.
Decor that is functional, easy and fabulous!
For your table, arrange some colorful noisemakers and/or party hats on top of a pretty cake stand, piece of pottery or crystal bowl; or use some pretty glasses and have them coming out of the top of them.
You know, there are a lot of superstitions linked to our New Year’s celebrations. Supposedly, noise makers are not only a way to celebrate the hope of what a new year has to offer but they also serve to scare away the devil. So, I say it can’t hurt.
Another fun way to decorate is with clocks. Everyone is watching the clock on New Year’s eve, so put them on your tables, on your mantle, any focal point in your room.
Confetti – that always seems to be a part of New Year’s celebrations. So why not make some meaningful confetti. What do I mean by that? Scan or copy some photos of your family and friends who will be attending your party and then cut them into “puzzle like” pieces. Sprinkle them on your tables and then have everyone put them back together during the evening.
Take aways for Guests!
You know I like little “take aways” to send my guests home with . . . and I love food gifts. One idea: put a gourmet cookie in a one of the white paper CD envelopes and write a personal note of good wishes for the new year. Or put some black-eyed peas on a mason jars with a recipe attached.
Let’s talk about some New Years Day traditions
**Speaking of black-eyed peas, you know us Southerners have to have our ham, black-eyed peas and collard greens for good luck on New Year’s Day! Now most of us know that we eat the peas and greens as symbols of humility and hopes of financial good fortune. But you might not know this – some say the reason we eat pork, instead of poultry or beef: poultry scratches backward, cows stand still but the pig eats their food moving forward. Therefore, those who dine on pork will move forward in the new year!
Now, I found a soup recipe I’m going to try. It’s called “Ham and Black-eyed Pea Soup with Collard Greens.” That covers all the bases, doesn’t it? Oh and you could attach this soup recipe to your takeaway gift of black-eyed peas.
*** Okay, I’ve got one more interesting tip will ensure good fortune in 2010 for all of the ladies:
When you are going to your New Year’s party, get yourself a new outfit! (I verified this folklore on Snopes!) If a girl wears a new outfit on January 1st, she will supposedly have good fortune throughout the year. If you wear red, you double your luck. (I’m not making this up – I’m just reporting the facts!).
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Bill and Joel Show on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 - Recipes
Everyday is a gift from God - unwrap it and enjoy it!
Many thanks to Bill, Joel and Anna for having me on today! It was so fun! Here are two of the recipes I mentioned. Enjoy!
Sante Fe Soup
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can tomatoes and chiles (Rotel), undrained
1 can Ranch style beans, undrained
1 can pinto beans, undrained
1 can black beans, undrained
1 can hominy (white or yellow), undrained
1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
1. Saute ground meat and onion until beef is brown and onion is limp and transparent. Drain mixture.
2. Sprinkle dry seasoning mixes over the meat mixture and stir in to absorb remaining grease.
3. Add all canned ingredients, do not drain any liquids!
4. Heat together until flavors are blended, the longer the better!
Cowboy Cookies
1 stick butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
2 cups flour
2 cups quick rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
Beat sugars, butter, eggs and vanilla together until smooth. Add salt and baking powder, soda and flour; mix well. Stir in rolled oats, chips, coconut and nuts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes.
Many thanks to Bill, Joel and Anna for having me on today! It was so fun! Here are two of the recipes I mentioned. Enjoy!
Sante Fe Soup
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix
1 can stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can tomatoes and chiles (Rotel), undrained
1 can Ranch style beans, undrained
1 can pinto beans, undrained
1 can black beans, undrained
1 can hominy (white or yellow), undrained
1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
1. Saute ground meat and onion until beef is brown and onion is limp and transparent. Drain mixture.
2. Sprinkle dry seasoning mixes over the meat mixture and stir in to absorb remaining grease.
3. Add all canned ingredients, do not drain any liquids!
4. Heat together until flavors are blended, the longer the better!
Cowboy Cookies
1 stick butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
2 cups flour
2 cups quick rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
Beat sugars, butter, eggs and vanilla together until smooth. Add salt and baking powder, soda and flour; mix well. Stir in rolled oats, chips, coconut and nuts.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Josh and Laura Davis
This past weekend, we had the honor of coordinating the wedding of Josh and Laura Davis. We really enjoyed getting to know the two of them over the past year during the planning process. They got married this past Saturday (December 12) on a chilly mountain evening. The ceremony was at Mountain Presbyterian Church in Blairsville and the reception was at The Ridges Resort in Hiawassee.
We had a wonderful time spending the day with this beautiful couple, their fun wedding party, and amazing families. The amazing Ashley Blencoe captured Josh and Laura's special day behind the camera. The videographer Paul Wages was also amazing to work with! And we cannot forget the always wonderful, Felicia Kincaid of The Wedding Cake, with her delicious and beautiful cakes! We feel so blessed to be a part of this wedding and we wish Josh and Laura all of the best!
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