Oh Baby!

My sisters and sister in law helped me host a baby shower for our daughter in our home recently.  The weather cooperated as if we had ordered it special for the garden brunch.  Beautiful bright blue skies and a cool breeze accented the shower theme perfectly.  The guests enjoyed a brunch on the patio and then visited with each other before the gift opening began.  It was such a fun day, and I talked with old friends and made new friends.  Now we can relax (ha ha) until baby Beth arrives.

The inspiration for the party came from these adorable invitations I found on Etsy at The Find Sac.  The design and papers were perfect for the event.  The Find Sac team was also one of the easiest groups I have ever worked with through Etsy.  (A few vendors are great at creating, but not so good at business and service.)  Look at their creations next time you are in the market for printing.

I used the invitation to select the flowers for our center piece.  The Gerbera daisies brightly dressed the main serving table.  Flowers were purchased at Fort Worth Flower market.  I ordered baby's breath in advance but took a risk and waited until the day I needed flowers to venture into the market and make my selections.  Glad I went early that morning because the daisy selection was minimal.  I was lucky to get enough in the different shades to make an impact in this vase.

The entry table greeted guest with a baby book custom made by Way Cool Designs.  Again the quality and service from this vendor were impeccable.  I have covered binders before but I will tell you that never again will I attempt to do it after seeing this product.  The attention to detail is obvious, and my very particular daughter was elated with the gift. Check out this vendor for all of your custom embroidery occasion books.

Because the August summer morning was so calm and cool, I could open the french doors to the patio and leave them open for the entire morning-a rarity in Texas as the heat is oppressive, but more invasive is the wind.

Brunch menu selections included foods selected by my daughter.  Her special request was for her Aunt Beverly's fruit salad.  We make the same one, but my sister must add a bit of magic to hers. Also  requested by her were Angel biscuits served with ham and Jezabel sauce.  The biscuit and sauce recipes were old family recipes, but they can be found on Southern Living's web site.  French Toast Muffins with warm maple syrup (Pinterest) and Paula Deen's Hashbrown breakfast casserole were also served.  Additionally a spinach and strawberry salad topped with almonds and dressed with a poppyseed dressing (Pinterest),  and mini cupcakes from Leah's Sweet Treats in Fort Worth were served.

Two drink stations, one with non alcoholic beverages and one with Peach Sangria made with peaches from our trees, and a classic Martha Stewart sangria complimented the tasty foods.  My sister in law whipped together the sangrias while my sister Vickie made sure the tea with peach and raspberry syrups, lemon water and coffee were ice cold or piping hot.

I made the banner from wooden letters and complimentary papers and ribbon.  The sangria station was highlighted with more Gerbera daisies, a framed copy of the quote I wrote for the invitations and a painting I did of our daughter.  The shoes were the shoes she wore in the painting complete with scuff marks.

 Just a few more shots from the backyard.  Baby's breath filled several containers on the back patio as well as the entry.  The fragrance wafted across the yard adding just one more special touch to the day.

 The beauty of this event was that I purchased very little for decor.  Instead of trying to match my daughter's nursery color scheme (although she is using navy, tangerine, and fuschia), I stayed with my own thus many of the vases, napkins, ribbons were items I owned.  I can also use the table cloth I made for this event and reuse ribbon and papers.

I hope all who attended had a good time.  I know I did.  And I appreciate all of the help with the event.  Thanks to Vickie, Beverly, Belinda, Stephanie and Mackenzie.

Enjoy!

Lana
Country Fare