2012 Ladies' Brunch

This past holiday season flew by! It snuck up on me and I just never could seem to get my grounding. One thing I knew for sure was that I would have my brunch no matter what! This is my third year to keep this little tradition. I love it every single year.

KP and I took a long vacation at the end of November into December, so I thought I was really prepared because I started planning much earlier! I had the invites made months in advance and my menu set. However, once we got back and December was upon us, I simplified the menu and got invitations out "late".

 Even though the planning didn't go my way, the meaning behind this is the same. These women have moved me this past year. They have come along side me and encouraged me and spoke life into me. They grow spiritually with me and love me. They are precious gifts God has given to me because no matter how hard life may get, this is when it all comes together and I see truly how blessed I am!

Of course, there was the food! I love prepping and working the week before because it gives me time for pray for each of these women and reflect on the last year. My menu this year included my favorite quiche (ham and veggie) which is a recipe from my mom's best friend, Millie; hashbrown casserole; two different types of dip; cinnamon rolls; and pumpkin cheesecake trifles.

So thankful for these girls!!!! Love that so many could make it and celebrate the holiday!!!

And, then my sweet hubs! Every year, he has to get praised because I honestly could not pull this off without him! He's right there with me all week helping me get the house ready. But, he also takes care of the dogs while all of us girls hang out and he's our photographer. :) The first year, he went out with my dad, but after that he realized there are way too many beautiful women at the house, so he usually sticks around. ;) I'm so thankful that he loves my friends so much that he likes to come hang out and visit too. We may have to make this a couples brunch one year!

The fellowship this year was so great. I had already planned in my head a few questions to get conversation started ("favorite holiday tradition" or "what are your Christmas plans") if it got too quiet. However, this room did not stop! Not everyone got to visit with everyone, but there was never a gap in conversation. Just another blessing that I am so thankful for...that I can bring all of my friends from every part of my life together and they all have a good time. I've learned over the years to not limit what God can do. He's taught me not to manipulate who comes because He is big enough to handle it.

The babies definitely had to make an appearance. :) They think its their party anyway. Ruger is pretty chill and can just enjoy being in the room, but Rossi is a handful (despite what you think by her posed picture).

As people were leaving, I had their gifts ready. For some reason this is always my favorite part. I love the goodies and getting the bags all ready for people to take home. I made some of our favorites - peanut butter truffles and molasses cookies. YUM! The mulling spices were an idea I got from one of my favorite bloggers. She used it as a favor as well and at the last minute I changed my gifts because this was perfect! It made our house smell AMAZING! (You can find out what's in it here)

I love how every year is just a little bit different. As I look through the pictures this year, there are faces missing that I wish could be here. New friends and old friends. My mom and Michelle who graciously make the drive every single year. Friends that God has brought back to me. And, friends that are moving away. I can't help but be a little emotional out of gratitude for each of them, sentimental of the season and already knowing that I will miss having a few in my life because of geography. However, what I do know is that we all serve a faithful God! He orchestrated our lives to intertwine and I will be forever thankful!

2nd Annual Ladies' Brunch

One of my favorite new traditions, thanks to Jenn! She encouraged me to start this little brunch to give back to those who give so much to me. She also had her brunch this month and you can check it out here.

I can't believe its already over!!! I prep all week for it and then its over in a few short hours. However, those are a few hours I will never forget! I love the time I get with my girlfriends. They are such a blessing to me in many ways. Each one touching my life differently. God is so good to us. One of the ways I'm continually amazed by His goodness is the relationships I have. They encourage, build up, understand, sympathize, empathize, love, listen, lean, offer courage, enforce accountability, allow girl-talk, lend a shoulder to cry on, grow, and make me smile and laugh. This day is for these ladies who walk this walk with me.

Sadly, I had my camera out, but missed out on prime picture taking as I'm sure you are all so disappointed to miss the spread of food. I went back later to take what I could. I had WAY too much food last year, so I tried to cut back this year. My main table includedItalian Brunch Casserole.Cheesy Bacon Biscuit Pull-Aparts (which were HANDS DOWN the favorite savory dish of the morning). Apple-Cheddar QuicheJalapeno Roll-Ups (its 4oz cream cheese and a jar of jalapenos diced and mixed together).Chile and Cheese Spirals.And, the sweets were milk and donuts (in the back) and Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits (in the front. And, these were definitely a favorite!!! If you decide to make the recipe, know that I added quite a bit more brown sugar to the pumpkin mixture. I added it 2 Tbs at a time until it was to my liking). Everyone loves the food, but my favorite part is definitely the fellowship. There were so many ladies from different areas of my life in one room and they all had a great time together. Its fun to see them interact and hear what they have in common. There is nothing like the friendships that come into our lives. They definitely make a difference in mine. I prayed for each one of these ladies all week as I prepared for the big day. I thank the Lord for allowing me to know them and then specifically for the needs I know they have. (Sadly, in the midst of the last group leaving we all missed out on the individual pictures...seems to happen every year). I was so blessed to have my grandmother in town this year! I loved having her here and to celebrate Christmas with her. And, one of my favorite parts. A little something for each person to take home. I got each of the ideas from Pinterest: A personalized ornament, hot chocolate stirrers, and chocolate pretzels (not pictured). I couldn' have done ANY of this without my sweet husband! Seriously. I start planning about a month out and prepping an entire week out for this. He was so sweet to let me have the evenings to work on this and helped me get all our decorations out and the tree set up. He also spent the entire night before cleaning the house while I was still cooking and prepping. It was awesome b/c I didn't have to worry about the house. The next morning, I let him sleep while I was up getting ready...but once he was up, he was working right along with me. It was raining and he stuck around to help people in and get them parked. He even came back early to "crash" the party. haha! He loves my friends and that is a blessing in and of itself. He helped take pictures and visited with everyone the last part of the party! I love that he knows how much this brunch means to me. He is incredibly amazing and I am so blessed to have him!

Christmas Time Is Here...

This is my most favorite time of the year!!!! I love it! :) And, this year, I was encouraged to start a new tradition. My friend, Jenn, has an annual ladies' brunch every December. She encouraged me to do the same. She knows how much I love Christmas...just like her...and this is her way to give back to women that serve her. I was so encourged by her servanthood, that I decided to do the same thing. I was excited to have a little ladies' get-together! There are so many women who do so much for me and this was a perfect way for me to give back to them. This year, being my first, I kept it small and intimate. I hope that it grows every year!!! I hope that one day, I can invite every single woman who touches my life. I had such a wonderful time prepping all the food and praying for the women as I did it. I had something to bake and prep everynight!

My menu:

Tortilla Bread PuddingQuiche Noel (a recipe from my mom's best friend, Millie)Pumpkin Cinnamon RollsRaspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake (recipe from my friend, Judith)Raspberry Habanero Cream Cheese DipThe Dessert:

Coconut Cream Cake, Molasses Cookies (recipe from Ken's mom), and TurtlesWe got all of our decorations up for the holidays and all the food was ready for Saturday! It was so fun to have my friends over and just visit! I loved every minute of it.And, there were favors, of course! I did my sugar cookies...and I love William-Sonoma's cookie cutters!!!! I have the traditional ones, and they came out with Christmas ones this year!!! YAY!!!!And, my dad came with my mom, so he and Kenny hung out! They had lunch and did a little shopping before coming back to raid the left-overs.Here are all the ladies that came (except my sweet friend Lorinda and her daughter, Allie. I'm SOOO sad I forgot to take pictures before she left!!!!). I think my first brunch was a success! I made a little too much food, but I already figured I would. It was such a blessing for me...and I hope to these women too! We all need some girl-time, a little time to celebrate the holidays, and just some time to relax! Can't wait for next year!!!!!