I've been busy, you wouldn't know it from my lack of posting tho. Last week, my sister-in-law and I held a baby shower here at my house, for her sister, expecting her second baby. I know, I know, baby shower throwing etiquette states that second babies don't get a shower - isn't that sad? But because I am a third child of three, I think that all babies should get a party!
We planned this shower as a surprise, but, the father of said baby just couldn't keep his mouth shut and told her just a few hours before hand. He said he was "to stressed out about getting her to my house" to keep it a secret any longer. At least now we know he always tells the truth. It was a wonderful shower. The guests arrived on a Sunday midmorning to enjoy brunch together. On this menu was:
Breakfast Casserole (adapted from Emeril Lagasse)
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Butter to grease pan
- 6 slices of thick cut, crusty white bread
- 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
- 1 cup sausage, cooked and drained of fat
- 1 cup bacon, cooked and drained of fat
- 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained
- 1 cup diced mushrooms
In a small bowl, beat the eggs until they loosen up. Add the half and half, and green onions. Mix well, highly season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Butter a 12 by 10-inch baking pan. Line the pan with the bread, cutting and rearranging, if needed. Sprinkle the bread with either the cooked meats and cheese or veggies and cheese. Pour the egg mixture over the entire pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook covered for 25 to 30 minutes, uncover and cook 20 minutes more (or until the egg mixture is set).
Yogurt Parfaits- yogurt
- granola
- fresh mixed berries
We also had an assortment of store bought pastries, breads and fruit salad. To drink we always have coffee (even if nobody else wants it, I'll drink every last drop) and orange juice mixed with a sparkling water served in champagne glasses.
The Decorations were very straightforward - and actually I didn't buy anything except fresh flowers. I used my white and gold wedding china and cloth napkins (to save the planet!) We arranged three round "fish bowl" vases with the mother-to-be's favorite flower (gerbera daisy) and tied a bit of blue tulle to each vase. On the dining table I set out an array of baby items from when my own children were new. We used two each of engraved silver spoons and silver cups, two tooth fairy boxes, a ceramic figurine of a baby cradle and a "My first Piggy Bank". Just enough cute stuff to show the theme, and be elegant at the same time.
For the dreaded shower activity, we chose something memorable. We asked the guests to bring a bead or charm to make into a necklace for the mother-to-be. The idea for this necklace, is to use it as a focal point during labor, to encircle the recipient in love and community, to act as a reminder of her extended support network, and of the strength of the women in her life. She loved it!
So, all in all a very easy baby shower - hopefully it will be a easy birth experience for my sister-in-law as well.
