Showering Katelyn!

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Showering Katelyn!

The way I first remember Katelyn!

(Some of you have asked how the bridal shower for Katelyn turned out, so here's a report! For those who don't know, Katelyn is my daughter, Brittany's, friend from church youth group. Katelyn's wedding will be Brittany's first time serving as a Bridesmaid. Recipes for Tortilla Roll-ups and Punch at the end of this blog entry.)

Brittany and I planned a traditional "Southern" Bridal Shower for Katelyn. The table was appointed with crystal and silver that I received as shower and wedding gifts, myself, over 33 years ago, along with some antique family pieces that my husband and I have inherited.

I engaged my church catering friend, Pat Ward (click on link), to help prepare some of the "party food." I knew I needed help. I didn't have the time or stamina to do everything "all by myself" this past week, along with all my other commitments!  Pat to the Rescue! Pat's contributions helped me to (once again) add more "home cooked goodness," without the all the mess, time, and backaches! (Thanks, Pat!)

I had most everything (pretty much) ready ahead of time, (linen table cloth cleaned and pressed, silver polished, food organized....) Brittany came home several hours before the party, to help with the last minute "fluffing,"  "finishing touches," (translation: cleaning off counters and tables, hiding "stuff," straightening pillows, adjusting lighting, etc.) and food preparation (heating up food, fixing punch, putting food in containers, on trays, etc.)

Ed picked up the petit fours, put out signs directing guests to the front door, and helped with other last minute tasks. 

We were putting the final touches on the table when the bride arrived with her mother. We pinned on corsages, took a couple of photos, and the guests started to arrive. 

After sampling the "goodies," we wrote advice for the bride, put our addresses in her new address book, and enjoyed watching Katelyn open her presents. (Brittany is starting a scrapbook documenting wedding preparations and parties for Katelyn, incorporating the advice from guests and photos from the shower. Katelyn can finish the scrapbook with details and photos from the wedding.)

There were lots of laughs, and much enlightening conversation, as is always the case when Southern ladies gather! (We learned from Katelyn that she's not supposed to say "y'all" while she is student teaching--the appropriate substitute is "boys and girls!") We also heard other stories of political correctness running amok in public schools. (But that's a subject for another blog.....)

Two and a half hours later, after more circling of the food table, we helped Katelyn gather her "loot," packed a "goody box" with leftovers for Katelyn's fiancee', and bid our guests farewell. At that point, happily tired, after a successful party, I took off my shoes, and put on comfortable clothes to begin the cleanup process! I put away the food, and washed all the silver, before I ran out of steam.  As far as the rest of the mess goes, as Scarlett O'Hara said, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

Sample of the invitation we sent for the shower.

Getting Ready

READY!

The beautiful December Bride-to-be

The Guest of Honor with her Mother

Opening Gifts

Pearls from Grandma! 

Hostesses Brittany and Jamie with Katelyn

Katelyn with the "practice" bouquet for her rehearsal, made with ribbons from her gifts. 

Katelyn with her future Mother-in-law!

Friend with the Mothers of the Bride and Groom

Katelyn with her bridesmaids who attended the shower. 

Punch anyone?

Let's eat!

Showing off her bridesmaid's gown. 

Some of the guests

Jamie's Easy Punch with Ice Ring and Tortilla Roll-ups

JAMIE'S EASY (and DELICIOUS) PUNCH

(Always gets rave reviews and recipe requests!)

12-oz can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed**

12-oz can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed**

1 pint (2 cups) water

2 liter bottle (4 cups) chilled ginger ale

(Food coloring if desired.)

In large non-metal pitcher, or punch bowl, combine concentrates and water. Add food coloring, if desired. Blend well. Just before serving, add ginger ale; stir gently to blend. Makes 28--4 oz. servings. (80 calories per serving) 

** I thaw the concentrates in the refrigerator for 24-48 hours, so I don't have to thaw them at the last minute.

ICE RING:

PREPARE AT LEAST 24 HOURS AHEAD, IF DESIRED:

I always add an ice ring, made in a gelatin mold or small pound cake mold, to the punch bowl. Boil water to make the ice ring more clear. I put a ring of cherries around the bottom of the mold, and put enough water in the mold to secure the cherries when the water freezes, but not enough to make the cherries float. After the cherries are frozen, I add another thin layer of water to anchor sliced lemons and/or limes, around the edges of the mold. After that layer freezes, I finish filling the mold, and put it in a zippered freezer bag until needed. (The ice ring can be done days ahead.)

If you don't care about the ring being cloudy, you may use ginger ale, instead of water, to prevent diluting the punch, as I did for this party.

TORTILLA ROLL-UPS

One of my favorite last minute appetizers is Tortilla Roll-ups, because I usually have all the ingredients on hand. You can vary the ingredients, based on what is in your refrigerator.

Omit the meat and add veggies for vegetarian.

Tortillas (preferably large--any flavor)

Cream Cheese

Salsa

Ham 

Cheese (sliced or shredded--American, Mexican blend, Swiss, Havarti, etc.)

(spinach/lettuce/tomatoes, etc., optional--did not use for this party)

Drain salsa well in colander with paper towels to absorb liquids. Mix drained salsa with cream cheese, and spread on tortillas. Place ham, cheese, and other ingredients on lower end of tortilla. Begin to compress the filling by rolling the tortilla over the filling, and continue to roll up the tortillas. Wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper, and place in zippered bag or plastic container. Chill several hours or overnight. Slice before serving.   

 Press moisture out of salsa with paper towels.

Trim edges, and spread cream cheese/salsa mixture on tortillas. Add desired filling and roll up from bottom, into roll shown below.

Slice after chilling.