Spring Tea

A few weeks ago we had a special event at church. This was my first time attending it. We went to church there last year but I was too shy (stupid?) to ask anyone about it OR how to attend it. I regretted it later because I heard such wonderful things about it.

This year I decided I would jump in full force and be a hostess. As a hostess I would be responsible for inviting 7 guests, bringing in my own table linens/dishes/decorations/etc. and decorating my own table, praying for my visitors & those organizing the big event, and finding a MAN server to serve us for the evening. This did not scare me at all. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being a hostess. If I didn't think my kids would scare (annoy) people I'd have people over more often. I don't care that my house is tiny and not in the best neighborhood. I just enjoy hanging out with people.

I knew immediately what my table theme would be. Can you guess??? Oriental, of course. :) I had big plans in my head but being as this was my first year as a hostess FINANCES wouldn't allow me to do all that I wanted to. Still, I think my table turned out nice.

 

Here is a pic without the flash so you could see the light.

 

One of my favorite parts was seeing the bamboo in front of the lantern. (The bamboo was one of the party favors.)

I walked around to look at the decorations. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. 

A working fountain that sounded so cozy while the special speaker shared.

Really liked this tree and  plan to copy it in my home.

 Before I knew it all of my guests had arrived... and I wasn't even at my table. OOPS!! I'll do better next year. 

Our server was SUPER HOT!!!!!

Forgot to take a pic of the food but here is a sampling of the dessert. There were many different flavors of cupcakes- different flavored cake, fillings, frostings.

While the speaker was sharing...

I was sad when the evening came to an end. Cleanup was 5 times as fast as the set up. Already planning for next year. Hated putting all of my stuff away. I was sure to wash my napkins well and even cleaned a few a second time so they'd be perfectly white next year. Was a special night.

One last thing... in addition to the bamboo I let my guests take home their placecards. Here is what mine looked like... notice the asian font. :)

The holders were actually for holding small items such as loose change. You just have to squeeze the sides.

Inside each one was a fortune since they were shaped like fortune cookies. Here is what it said...

If you would like to be a guest at my table next year just let me know. I would love to have some of my friends join me for this special evening.

Would love for you to see what some of the other tables looked like. You can click here to see the album I posted on Facebook. You don't have to have a facebook account OR be my friend on facebook to view them. Enjoy!

Easter 2011

On Easter we got up late so we missed the "ALMOST" Sunrise Service. We almost didn't go to breakfast- felt guilty for doing the "fun" thing when we missed the early message. We decided to go though cause we aren't the type to go just for the fun stuff.

Anyway, after the breakfast we had our normal worship service. Immediately after the service- or at least when I got finished talking- we hurried home to pick up our prepared food to head out to Granville for an Easter/Nephew's birthday celebration. We spent the rest of the day there.

I'm including a video of pics from the day. The soundtrack is my church choir. Not the best recording but that's what you get when the camera is down at your feet. I hope you enjoy. :)

Blackberry Almond Cheesecake Tarts

This is a VERY tasty recipe straight from the Weight Watchers cookbook. 

Ingredients

• 2.1 ounce pack of mini phyllo shells (freezer section near pies)
• 1/2 cup (4oz.) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 3 tbsp vanilla fat free yogurt
• 1 tsp grated lemon rind
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp sliced almonds
• 15 blackberries (or less if they are huge and you cut them in half)
• powdered sugar (for dusting) 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and toast phyllo shells for 5 minutes.

2. While shells are cooking, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar, yogurt, lemon rind, & cinnamon. Beat on medium speed until combined.

3. Fill phyllo shells evenly with cream cheese mixture. Top evenly with blackberries & almonds. Dust with powdered sugar. 

(1 WW point per tart. 50 calories. 2.9g fat.)