Luncho Making Olive O

Since I write the blog it's kind of strange to compliment myself so I am not going to do that. I will just jot down a few things I did to get the table setting and the project going for the lovelies. Pictured above you'll see that I used outdoor urns to decorate. I added a faux head of cabbage in the light tall urn for a garden feel. I used a real plant with bright color in between two green plants placed in a moss wrapped planter, and on the opposite end I used a tall thin artificial grass in a terra cotta colored urn. I pretty much started there for the theme. Keeping the three urns similar in size, as not to block the view too much for the guests. They do need to visit with their friends across the table.

 Here you can see that I used burlap for a tablecloth, followed with a champagne colored chiffon fabric, twisted and placed through the center. I placed the urns in the center of the table as well. The moss placemats gave a great texture as did the wicker round ones. I used a dark green dinner plate with a flower motif salad plate, for that continuity. When I do a tablescape I try to keep in mind size, texture, shape, color and theme. The lovelies are so generous when they host, they usually serve great meals along with a little gift or a treat for each gal to take home, as well as their project. I placed a long strand of yellow pearls in a satin jewelry bag for each tablesetting which add to the spring-garden feel. Easter really helped convey my vision.

This is the other end of the farm table. I had a ceramic bunny as well an 8 foot grapevine and floral garland woven between the urns to give some depth and texture also helping to convey the theme. I used as much green as I could without over powering the table. The glasses were a handblown green glass from Mexico, and I also used green glasses I found at Tuesday Mornings.

After a light lunch of fruit with poppy seed dressing, lettuce wraps and lemon bars. We moved to the kitchen for a fun time of infusing vodka and olive oil.

The lovelies hard at work infusing and tagging their product.

 Miss Sarah very hard at work labeling. I purchased the bottles online and the labels at Michaels. 

Shaved lemon peel and lime peel for our vodka.

The lovelies sure are creative with their herbs and spices, and their labels. They look like they are ready for shipping. Way to go girls, your awesome.

Poppy Seed Dressing

(for fruit of your choice) suggestions: pineapple, bananas,

grapes, apples, mandarine oranges, berries.

Ingredients

1. 1/3 cup white sugar
2. 1/2 cup white vinegar
3. 1 teaspoon salt
4. 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
5. 1 teaspoon grated onion
6. 1 cup vegetable oil
7. 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, vinegar, salt, mustard and onion and process for 20 seconds. With blender or food processor on high, gradually add oil in a slow, steady stream. Stir in poppy seeds

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

• 1 pound ground turkey or (chicken) we also added brown sugar and sesame oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 large jalapeno pepper, chopped fine
• 1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce or tabasco sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespons vegetable oil

Sauce (set aside at table) we doubled the recipe

• 3 table spoons rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger
• 1.5 teaspoons Asian sesame oil (Kadoya)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 European cucumber, peeled, dices
• 1 cup bean sprouts (omitted)
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1/4 cup mint leaves (omitted)
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves (omitted)
• 2 tablespoon chopped roasted peanuts or cashews (omitted)
• 1 head of leaf lettuce
• Bottled sweet chili sauce

Instructions

1. In a saute pan mix and start to cook together the chicken, basil, lime juice, garlic, jalapeno,tasbasco
2. Continue cooking in medium skillet,  add sesame and vegetable oil until hot over medium high heat, add soy and cook through
3. For the sauce - heat vinegar, and add sugar to pan and cook until sugar dissolves. Add the garlic and the crushed red pepper, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil and water. Place sauce in a small pitcher and serve on the side. Put the spouts, mint, cilantro and peanuts into small bowls or in piles on a large tray. Arrange the lettuce leaves into a pile. Wrap the chicken and toppings in the lettuce leaves. Serve the soy marinade and sweet chili sauce on the side if desired.

CONNIE'S LEMON BARS

For the crust mix together:

2 C flour

1/2 C powder sugar

1 C butter

Press into 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes.

While the crust is baking blend together until thick:

4 eggs

2 C sugar

1/3 C lemon juice (2 lemons)

To the egg mixture add 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 tsp baking powder and blend (I use a wisk till it is smooth).

Pour over baked crust and return to oven. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes (or right before it barely begins to

brown). Sprinkle with powder sugar.  Let cool before cutting..

Lovely Lauries Birthday Party

Lovely Laurie, the birthday girl.

We celebrated our lovely Lauries birthday at the home of Christy Louise with the decorations of Easter very present. The afternoon was started with a toast from the host and a beautiful prayer honoring our friendship and our lovely families and the time we are blessed to share with one another.

Our lunch of various salads, was so delicious complimented with onion bread from our local Charlies
Crab, and ever so tasty key lime pie which was amazing for the finish.

 After opening gifts with the birthday girl, our project was to make birds nests. We had about 4 different recipes, which included pretzels, chow mein noodles, white chocolate, milk chocolate, corn flakes,
candy eggs and coconut. Simple a bit messy, but so fun and yummy.

Pictured here is milk chocolate, peanut butter mixed with chow mein noodles. Very easy peasy to make.

One of my favorites here is white chocolate, chow mein noodles, coconut and eggs. Lovely!


Recipes:

Melt the chips in your microwave and quickly add the peanut butter before it cools. (or you can put in the microwave too.)
Depending on your microwave, should be a couple of minutes. Mix in large bowl and add chow mein noodles, work quickly. Then use Pam in muffin tins and add mixture, put in freezer to cool. They come out real easy. Do the same for each recipe below.

2 cups butterscotch chips
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups chow mein

2 cups milk chocolate
1 cup peanut butter
2 cups chow mein noodles


2 cups mini marshmallows
1/4 cup butter
4 cups chow mein noodles

12 oz. white chocolate
24 oz. chow mein noodles

Girls Hit the Shooting Range

 This week we had 2 fun events combined into 1. We celebrated Jennys birthday and we tried our hand at shooting. Wow, it was really interesting, serious and fun all in one. I really wasn't sure what to expect but we did it and learned, and we will certainly go back. As the weather warms perhaps we'll go skeet shooting next time. Our lovely Betsy hosted a fun filled day by planning the lunch and our time at the Silver Bullet Shooting Range, which was a big success!
Pictured above is the bag which Ms. Sheryl made out of camo material, which was filled with hunting gear, candy and cupcakes. With such creativity, I know who I'm calling for my next party, both of these amazing women. 

 Laurie is modeling our gear that was in each goodie bag. Thanks Laurie for the snapshot!

Here we are waiting for the rest of girls to attend the festivities!

 A quick picture before heading out to the shooting range.

Jenny the birthday girl, opening some of her presents.

Betsy getting her instructions on shooting a 22.

Kimmie learning how to hold her hands on that 22.

Sheryl ready for shooting.

Girls in the booth.

 Annie Oakley don't get your gun! I have a couple of bulls there, saweet!

Bullseye, look out

I love our Tuesday crafternoon time, you'll never know what we are going to do next. It's not easy to organize a workshop or come up with fun activities that we will all enjoy. So I applaud you Lovelies for making the effort to keep us learning, creating and sharing! 

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow.
 Don't walk behind me, I may not lead.
 Walk beside me and be my friend." 
                                - Albert Camus 

Tea Time at Jennys

 Our weekly gathering was hosted on the 21st of February by our one an only Lovely Jenny. She had a perfect day for hosting a luncheon and tea event, because the day was a bit chilly and rainy.  We all felt the desire to nestle in and getting comfy, considering we started at 12:30 ish and never left until 5:30. This type of gathering works even better when the hubbies are out of town and we can stay and finish our amazing projects. Pictured here are Jennys tea cups/ coffee cups which are stunning! Don't you just love some bling on your table?

The stage was set with the colors of silver, gold, ivory, clear glass and white. Wow, what an impact this makes when you want an elegant table. She had positioned little gold tea-lights and gold tipped butterflies throughout the table for added sparkle.

 Pictured here is the layering she used for each table-setting. Simple stunning!

A close-up of the gold beaded napkin rings and butterflies used.

For our craft, we made patterns for gloves and mittens, along with continuing our knitting project from the week before.  Pictured here is my attempt to make gloves. I just have to embellish them with vintage buttons and lace or ribbon and they will be done. Thanks Jenny for a great lunch and tea,  and allowing us to stay so long and making us feel at home.