Garza Baby Shower

A couple weeks ago, I hosted a couples baby shower for Tiffany and Victor.  Here are some of the fun decorations I put together for the party!

I started with some leopard fabric, onesies and wooden figurines from Walmart...and a grass skirt and tissue paper fans from Party City.  I bought glue sticks and stuck them on the back of the animals so we could stick them in appetizer bowls, cupcakes, etc.

Then I built the table.  The first layer was my table pad to protect the table from spills/ dings, etc.  I safety pinned the grass skirt around the perimeter, then added a brown tablecloth on top.  Lastly, I bunched the leopard cloth  and added some different boxes underneath so that different platters would have different heights. 

The table all put together!

Brooke made an adorable diaper cake using a wrapping-paper roll in the middle, as a base.  And Kelly picked up some Society Bakery mini-cupcakes in similar colors. 

I used the left over grass skirt from the table to decorate my entry-way with onesies and paper fans.

Tiffany's mom decorated these adorable block letters for Victor Philip.

All in all, it was a great party with tons of personality! We can't wait to meet Baby V.P.!

Turning 28

Friday, I turned 28- eek! My coworkers made it very special- breakfast, brownies, and a cheeseball.  I was snacking all day!

Dad and Mom sent me some beautiful flowers from Garden Gate and cookies from Tiff's Treats!

Karly and Shawn sent some beautiful roses!

Clay and Steph sent some perfume and a picture of Drew- he's ALL personality as you can tell!

I received a bunch of gifts from friends and family

Jim and Karen sent lots of suprises- pjs, comfy house shoes, lavendar bath soap and some solar lights for our flower beds!

Necklace from Mom

 Jerad suprised me with one of my favorites- Pokey O's Ice Cream Cake

Yum!  I'm betting this year will top the rest!

Neighborhood Co-op

Jerad and I were shoppers this weekend at the Farmers Market for our neighborhood co-op.

Cost- $10/ two weeks

What you get- Two bags full of fruits and veggies

So here I am, organizing the bags...making sure we have $10 and two bags per family.

6:30 AM- at the Farmers Market, adding our selections to the car

Stuff to be loaded

Then we lined up the bags...fruits on right, veggies on left and unloaded the car

Jerad is so happy!  He loves it when I sign him up for these things!

Filled bags!

One side-  apples, oranges, lettuce, grapes, green peppers

The other side- lettuce, onions, carrots, broccoli, cucumber , tomato and I think thats it.  Happy healthy eating!

B.C.

A mixture of emotions today.... Selfishness over losing my grandfather...blessed to have God take him peacefully.... Thankfulness for our wonderful family...and peace to know he's no longer struggling. We should all strive to be more like Byron Cravens!! http://www.poncacitynews.com/templates/obits/301022047387908.bsp

Stella and Fot Party Update

I hosted a Stella and Dot party a couple weeks ago and it was a great success!  Check out the pics from our girls night at the house.

Our youngest style icon, Lila- check out her pink bracelet!

 Ashley and Emily

 Ashley, Pat, and Janet

 View of the baubles and the food

 Pat's contemplating whether or not to purchase

 Our stylist showing us how to wear the La Co Co necklace

 Kristi and Courtney

 Tiffany and June

 Kristi, Emily, and Regan

 Iris, Emily, and Sarah

 Em and I!  Email me if you're interested in hosting a party of your own and I can get you set up with Emily!

SMU vs A&M

FOOTBALL SEASON IS HERE!

Although our first game of the season was ugly, we had a great time in College Station. 

Some pictures of our tailgate-

Jerad and Chase

 Dad and Cody

 Jeff, Willie, Tanner, Alan

  Tanner and Will-  BFF's forever!

 Jerad and me

 Some of the guys

 Some of the chicas

 Kim, Lauren, & Lindsey

 Kim and Me

Go Ponies!

Some baking lately..

Jerad's grandparents came to Dallas for a visit,

so I decided to make some sweet treats for everyone to enjoy.

First up, Zucchini Bread- 

Preheat to 350 degrees

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 1/3 cup sugar

2 t. vanilla

3 cups zucchini

2/3 cup butter

2 t. baking soda

pinch of salt

3 cups flour

1/2 t. nutmeg

2 t. cinnamon

1 cup walnuts

Mix all ingredients except walnuts and zucchini

Chop your zucchini

Seee....it's good for you...it has veggies!

Mix remaining two ingredients. 

I know most of my friends have the fancy smancy standup mixer, but I always resort to my simple handmixer.  We've been through a lot together...this mixer and I!

Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. This receipe typically makes two small loaves.  This time I split into three mini loaves so they cooked faster....ate one before our guests arrived.  =)

Next up-  Orange Poppyseed Bundt Cake from the Cake Mix Doctor 

Spray with Pam and lightly dust your bundt pan with flour.  Heat oven to 350 degrees.

1 large orange

1 package butter golden cake mix

1 (3.4 ounce) vanilla instant pudding mix

4 eggs

1 cup sour cream

1/4 cup orange juice

8 T butter

2 T poppyseeds

1 c. powdered sugar. 

Grate 1 teaspoon orange zest and add to bowl. 

Squeeze orange and set aside 2 T. orange juice for the glaze. 

Add remaining ingredients to the bowl (except sugar) with your zest and mix.  

And the HAND MIXER RETURNS! XOXO

Transfer to Bundt Pan

Bake at 350 for 43-48 minutes or until top is springy. 

Ain't she a beauty?

Okay now I have a confession...when I was making this delicious cake, I was talking to my mom on speaker phone and was slightly distracted.  I accidentally added the cup of powdered sugar TO THE CAKE instead of using it for the glaze.  It was sweet, but still delicious, so I served as is.  Just a simple bundt cake...no glaze.  =)

If you decide to make a glaze, mix the powdered sugar with the 2 T orange juice and drizzle on top.  Enjoy!

Happy Hump Day!