Cooking for 200, and living to tell the tale...

I have finally recovered from last weekends school auction. For the third year, I did the food. Six parents came over last Saturday, and helped stuff tomatoes, cut baguettes, garnish, and put all the final touches on appetizers for about 200 people. The evening was a great success, with many compliments about the food. Here's what was served:
gazpacho shooters
artichoke dip
blue cheese stuffed cherry tomatoes
BLT bites
taco bites
tenderloin with herb cream spread
chicken salad
cornbread crostini
shrimp cocktail
goat cheese tarts with roasted peppers
Bourbon BBQ meatballs
Raspberry Tiramisu
banana split cheesecake
brownies
chocolate dipped strawberries

Everything was indidual portions, for a quick pick up and keep bidding situation. Grand total for cost $1100.00. And now I rest!

Lif'e Rough

Upon looking at his dinner plate last night, J said "Why do we always have to have good food? Why can't we ever just get something, like Chinese?"
I am just a mean, mean Mommy! Forcing the children to eat healthy, home made food. Straight to the Mommy Time Out Chair!

Happy Birthday, Josie!

What a difference a year makes!

Josie-girl is one today!

If you want to be a Badger.........

S and J at Saturday nights hockey game. UW versus Anchorage.
Kohl Center, the sight of the 7-2 victory! If the Badgers score 5 or more goals, you get to take your ticket stub to Culver's for a free scop of custard. When they hit score 4, the students started chanting "We want ice cream!"

Part of the student section. The best! They can get the crowd going!

Kindergarten Music Program

I think this should be taped and played at retirement homes. You don't have to know a kid, to get a kick out of watching their antics. Picking at noses (and other things), playing with pockets and pulling dresses up, all out of boredom. It was hysterical!

S with his Valentine., and a really long tie (which he insisted on wearing because it had horses on it)

S and his proud Mama!

Don't you love a small town?

Today I took the car in for new brakes, you didn't want to hear the sound they were making! It was taking longer than expected, and I had to get to a doctor's appt. So the guy, whom I had never met before, who was working at a place I never had been before, threw me the keys to his own truck, and let me take it to the appt. Now that is customer service!

What I've Been Listening To

I got a lot accomplished yesterday, because I couldn't stop listening to The Sweet Potato Queens' Field Guide to Men: Every Man I Love is Either Married, Gay or Dead. I got two chandeliers sparkling, floors scrubbed, carpets vacuumed, spring decor put out, laundry washed, folded and put away. I am telling you, run to the library and get this book on CD!!! Jill Conner Browne, the author, reads it, in the most delicious southern accent. And, I laughed so hard, I almost wet my pants. Many times! And, the last chapter, I did wet the front of my shirt, because her description of a baby girl and her great grandfather was so sweet, tears poured down my face. I'm tearing up again just thinking about it! You will thank me, for giving you hours of enjoyment.

Tennis, Anyone?

I may have to start playing tennis, just because this Lilly cover is so cute.

Car Trip to Arkansas

The David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, Illinois

Mr Davis was good friends with Abraham Lincoln and a Supreme Court Justice

The World's Largest Ketchup Bottle in Collinsville, Illinois

In front of the Bill Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Arkansas

The roof did not cave in when B walked through the doors!

Us in front of the replica of the oval office

Capital of Arkansas

Look familiar? It's the house from Designing Women.

It is called Villa Marre.

Go Eat at the Whole Hog Cafe.

My meal. Unbelievable! I couldn't finish the brownie, but the rest of the plate was clean!

Hot Springs! We, also, went to the horse races at Oaklawn.

S at the Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal, MO

At the Mark Twain Cave, very cool.