February 2013...the Elizabeth's

Elizabeth and I were the first ones to host Gourmet Club for the 2013 "season", kicking off a new year!  We chose a Valentines Day/Love theme.

 We had fun at Paper Source finding inspiration for our invitations and menus.  We kept it pretty simple but used glitter and a cute new mason jar stamp and I got to use my calligraphy.

 Elizabeth sewed these custom table cloths and Brandon and I dyed them ombre/tie-dye.

Placecards.  Yep--taped to the glasses. 

 Wrapped ribbon and lace around the mini mailboxes and tucked the cloth napkins inside.

The menus were meant to look like Valentines. :)

We used Mason jars on the tables, too, and conversation hearts to stabilize the candles.

Another view of the table.

 We taped glitter hearts on the back of the mailboxes.

The sideboard and chalkboard.

 Our favors were homemade chocolates--molded chocolate hearts and chocolate peanut clusters.

ROSES!

The appetizers.
Shrimp cocktail.

 Izze drinks.

The shrimp cocktail had two sauces--cocktail sauce and horseradish sauce.

These are called Romaine Hearts and feature hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, avocado, pomegranate, and fresh mint.

The Elizabeths!  We had a lot of fun putting this together.  

Mali and Niki.

Lauren and Karene.

Adrianne and Hannah.

Kastell and Kim.

Merianne and Julie.

The salad.  Mixed greens with strawberries, pecans, and goat cheese and vinaigrette.

Main.  A tender, juicy steak with sauteed mushrooms, rosemary carrots, and one-hour rolls.

Dessert.  Coconut mini cakes and homemade strawberry ice cream.

Group shot.

 I hope everyone had fun!  It seemed like they did, and I know I did!

:)

Good Food, Good Friends, Good Fun

Thanks for such a great 2012 season!  Our inaugural year was a success and you helped to make it that way.

We will miss Hillary, Mali, Rachel and Gentri and wish exciting cooking adventures for them in the future.  I am delighted about the 4 new members who are going to join us in 2013.  Three of whom are complete strangers to me, but their reputations precede them!

Thank you for being a part of an idea that I have wanted to bring to fruition for a long time.  I hope that you have as many great memories as I do; and a new, fantastic stash of recipes.  Make sure to look at the updated Lemons and Limes recipes...I know you have all been asking about, "THAT chicken"!

Can't wait to see you all in February when The Elizabeths will kick off our new season.  I will send out the final calendar soon.

Until then,

Happy Holidays and Happy Hosting!

Niki

Highlights from the 2012:

Niki and Kastell

Gentri and Rachel

The Elizabeths

 

Hillary and Mali

Kim and Olivia

Emily and Merianne