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Monday, April 28, 2008

Shower Me, Baby

I've hosted a handful of showers in the ten years (has it really been that long?) since I've graduated from college. This by no means makes me any kind of expert, particularly since each shower has been pretty different. I've hosted showers at a restaurant with just a few guests, at other people's homes with a lot of guests, and at my current home during the holiday season because my good dishes, which I love, are Christmas china.

Sunday, I threw a shower with two other women for a friend who's due with her second child next month. We decided to have a tea. I was quite excited about it. About once a year, I decide to embark on a journey of self-discovery. It leaves me feeling like I know myself a little bit better and have given myself a full mental workout. I think the everyday word for this is baking. That's right. Before packing for this journey going to the grocery store, I conjured up images of hairnets, safety goggles, bio-hazard suits and Bunsen burners. Maybe that was a little extreme. I did announce to the Big Giraffe though importantly that I was off to bake. He inquired what I was baking first, and I announced sandwiches. He looked puzzled. I clarified that baking to me means having to deal with anything that makes a mess on my counters. Placing school projects and mail on the counter also falls into that category. Wow, I really do have a lot of experience with baking!

I had fun with my baking. That's why I like to keep it as the rare treat: it allows to me fully enjoy the experience leaving me wanting to do it again, but not anytime soon. That and the fact that I munch on the extras and thus always leave a baking session feel slightly ill and exhausted.

I'll leave you in suspense regarding the menu for a moment longer. We used several people's tea cups and saucers so that every guest had a unique cup. We also used four different tea pots including mine. In addition to coffee, an assortment of teas, punch and water with limes, we had the following menu straight out of Barefoot Contessa Parties! cookbook which I definitely will be adding to my Amazon wish list.

  • Herbed goat cheese sandwiches*
  • Cheddar and chutney on mini-brioche*
  • Lime curd and strawberries*
  • Lemon bars*
  • Mini fruit tarts
  • Ganache cupcakes
  • shortbread cookies half dipped in chocolate





*Denotes items made by yours truly.

Labels: ,

posted by Alex Elliot @ 7:52 PM   10 comments
10 Comments:
  • At 4/29/2008 4:06 AM, Blogger Goofball said…

    Wow impressive table! That's a lot of effort you've put into it.

    ...but can you explain to me what exactly is a "shower". For me it is simply a bathroom activity, but clearly it has other meanings as well :p. What makes a shower different from a party or guests coming over?

     
  • At 4/29/2008 7:26 AM, Blogger Heather said…

    That's so nice that you threw a shower. I only had a baby shower with #1, I guess people don't think you need stuff for subsequent babies around here!

    Looks like yummy goodies!

     
  • At 4/29/2008 9:32 AM, Blogger Mayberry said…

    Wow! Beautiful table and everything looks delicious. I love the idea of a tea.

     
  • At 4/29/2008 11:17 AM, Blogger Jen of A2eatwrite said…

    How absolutely lovely! I'm sure it was a delightful shower.

     
  • At 4/29/2008 11:28 AM, Anonymous Suzanne said…

    Hey Goofball - A shower is when you "shower" a woman with gifts. Generally, these are when someone is going to have a baby (a baby shower helps them get all the baby gear they need) and a bridal shower (to help equip the bride to set up her new home). Please note that showers usually denote that women are resposible for providing gifts to their female friends, while the guy who is usually on part of the reason that a shower is thrown does not require his friends to give gifts.... (Of course, generally the men do not get to attend the party, either.) Many women, however, are not crabby bitches like me and more appreciate the tradition because it allows them to bond with other women and support them, which is the nice part of the event.

    Anyway, Alex, you did a great job with the shower! Everything sounds and looks scrumptious.

     
  • At 4/29/2008 11:45 AM, Blogger JulietteMerry said…

    Your friends are very lucky that you are their friend. You can have a tea for me anytime. That food sounds delicious.

     
  • At 4/29/2008 12:10 PM, Blogger Trenches of Mommyhood said…

    Color me impressed!

     
  • At 4/29/2008 2:14 PM, Blogger Goofball said…

    @Suzanne, thanks for the info!!! Bridal or baby showers do not exist in Belgium. We just bring a gift when we go to the wedding or when we visit the baby.

     
  • At 4/29/2008 5:04 PM, Blogger skiplovey said…

    That table looks gorgeous and delicious. This post was so funny, I love the way you talk about cooking as if it's a science experiment. Looks like everything turned out great. Maybe you'll try it again next year then?

     
  • At 4/30/2008 12:42 PM, Blogger Sally HP said…

    I am one lucky girl! :)

     
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Name:Alex Elliot
Home:MA, United States
About Me:Professional Mom of two cats, a dog, an ant farm, and oh yeah...two boys: a 6 year old and a 3 year old. Also found in my house is my husband who is known on this blog as The Big Giraffe.
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