Sunday, August 31, 2014

Anniversary

Our second wedding anniversary is tomorrow! When I planned our wedding, I didn't intentionally plan for it to be on Labor Day Weekend, and I didn't even realize it was until a ways into the planning. So far, every year since I feel excited and surprised again that we get a three-day weekend to celebrate our anniversary!

We decided to start the celebration early and have a champagne and cheese picnic! One of our favorite traditions.



CHEERS.



Two kinds of brie! Chicken salad, egg salad, pickles, olives, apples, grapes, crackers and bread.



And chocolate covered strawberries for dessert!



We declared this guy the most perfect of them all. So fancy! I got to eat it!!


Happy anniversary to Ben and me!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Summertime Cooking Club

I hosted the August cooking club, and I was feeling like keeping it really simple. I just asked people to make something featuring flavors that they've been loving this summer. Since peaches are pretty much my favorite flavor EVERY summer, I started us off with some Peach and Rosemary Bourbon Cocktails. The rosemary simple syrup in this recipe is just delicious. Cheers!



Yumi made this amazing mixed greens dip, featuring so many fresh greens! Spinach, chard, arugula and beet greens! It also had mushrooms, gruyere and parm and it was delicious.



She brought bread from the new Athens Bread Company. It was amazing!!



Valerie stole the show with this Cold Avocado Corn Soup with Cilantro Oil.



Each bowl was lovely in a different way! The layers of flavor in this soup were intense. We were all in agreement that it was one of the best soups we've ever had!!



Emily made little BLT's!



Nothing says summertime like a good BLT.



I made a pasta with fresh tomatoes and Brie! YUM.



Nancy finished us off with an amazing peach and ginger pie, and Summer made super creamy mint ice cream to accompany it.


 It's been a great summer, and it was fun reliving all the delicious moments during cooking club!

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Cheryl's Disco 50th

Cheryl turned 50 this month, which was obviously cause for a major party!! Carrie hosted a fantastic disco-themed birthday party. There was a low-country boil!



Low-country boil is where you cook corn, potatoes, crab, shrimp and sausage together in a big pot.



The pot gets dumped out onto some clean newspaper, and everyone eats with their hands!! I've read about them, but this was my first time experiencing one.



It was delicious!!



And fun to eat!






There was also a table full of sides and appetizers!



And strawberry margarita cupcakes!!



Everybody got super decked out and Cheryl looked AMAZING.



There was lots of great music and dancing!















Bros.



When night fell, the party really got started! Disco lights!



Line dancing!



The Village People even made an appearance!!






Kaylee did the Thriller Dance!



Cheryl, Megan and Molly!



Nighttime cornhole.



And of course there was some Goofy Cornhole. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHERYL!