An afternoon at the Farmer's Market

When we started talking about a shower for our sweet friend Kristin the first thing that came to mind was a Farmer's Market.  Kristin was the first person I knew to get a canvas bag for her groceries, so it seemed fitting to me! The planning crew had such a great time gathering items to make this shower come together.  

Our table was simple ... daffodils in milk jars with bags of farmer's market pretzels.  Each bag had an idea for something fun to do with the pretzels.  (I found this idea in Martha Stewart - oh Martha!)

Grow Baby Grow!  Kristin has been on bed rest for a good portion of her pregnancy - so this has been our prayer for her and the sweet baby girl growing inside!  

The drink station. 

Mason jar mugs with straws, BURLAP (oh how I love burlap), twine and yarn! 

Some of my favorite decorating items :)

This was our table!  I loved how it came out.  Fresh produce canvas bag with produce coming out the top, galvanized watering cans with heather, crates, burlap (of course), baby food jars as votive candle holders and a "Come and Get it" sign.

My sister found this idea on a website and it added such a fun touch.  Each set of silverware was wrapped in a napkin with a radish and some twine.  We used a lot of twine that day!

Melissa had the idea for a flower station for a shower we threw a couple of years ago, but it didn't work out. It was the perfect idea for a parting gift to go along with our theme.  We were super excited to make it happen for this shower!  Here is what we got:  

- 8 bunches of different flowers (from the local Farmer's Market of course)

- seed packets (sweet peas) to tie up the bunch with

- newspaper from our hometown to wrap with

- a sign "Furst's Flowers"

-BURLAP!!

And there you have it!  Your very own flower stand and a great take away.  Each guest came and picked a bunch to wrap up and take home.

The game: "What's for lunch?" 

Guests had to guess what was in each jar of baby food.  The ground rules were you could look and smell but you couldn't taste!  Believe it or not - our guest of honor got them all right!  Confirmation that she is ready to take on this mom thing!

Our menu!

- cucumber cups filled with a shrimp mixture

- caprese salad skewers

- chicken pesto pasta salad

- fresh fruit

- fresh bread

and for dessert ... individual blueberry cobblers

This is Katie! I changed her diapers and now she is a beautiful high school freshman.  

Funny how that happens...

The girls!  The Momma-to-be is second from the right.  Kristin and Melissa were in the same first grade class when we moved to Oak Park.  They became friends and then our parents became friends and now 25 years later they are family! 

The planning crew, the Momma-to-be, the Grandma-to-be, and one very cute little boy who was along for the ride.

- Melissa, Kristin and I - 

Grade school friends to Mommas with babies!

Lil' Peanut

Here is the peanut.  The size of a mango this week and growing each day!  I know - my pants don't fit anymore...The top pic are two little feet.  See the toes? I can't wait to eat them :) The middle is the head resting on its shoulder.  See the ear?  I can't wait to tell it the story of God's grace.  The bottom is the face...a little alien..but cute.  See the nose, cheeks and lips?  I can't wait to give it kisses. 

We made it through the sonogram without seeing if we have a little rambunctious boy or a sweet and sassy girl on our hands!  

Any guesses?

Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

Over the summer we had dinner with our friends the Zuetels and Lacey made this chicken that we loved!  It ended up being so easy and Matt and I have enjoyed it a number of times since then.  So, I'm sharing it with all of you!

Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken

4 chicken breasts (pounded - for even grilling)
1 package prosciutto - or 2 slices per breast
salt and pepper to taste
olive oil

That's all!  Pound the chicken and brush lightly with olive oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Wrap the prosciutto around the chicken.  Grill over low heat until prosciutto is crisp and chicken is firm.  The recipe says you could do this with halibut too - sounds yummy!  Another variation - I used chicken tenders and wrapped one pice of prosciutto around each.

Bon Appetit!

Breckenridge, CO

Breckenridge... It was...

- cold..to cold to take any good pictures -

- relaxing -

- a place for lots of games of hearts -

- yummy..we ate at some great restaurants -

 - good skiing for Matt -

 - cute shopping town -

and that about sums it up...

 Here is Em with her homemade apple pie she made for Dad's birthday

Notice the shop sign - CHEESE and CHOCOLATE!

One store with both of our favorites..pretty amazing. 

 Lunch with Katie and Eric - they live in El Segundo and we had to go to CO to meet up for lunch.

And here we are..just a tad bit frozen

Even though it's the new year it's not too late to remember Christmas!

It started with shopping for a tree..the perfect tree!  Louie came too. 

We got it up and decorated..then left for 2 weeks!  Oh well - we really enjoyed it while we were home

On Christmas Eve we went to dinner with my dad's side of the family.  The cousins were sneaky this year and had photos taken for Gram.  She loved it!

Gram's FAMOUS brisket!  It would not be Christmas without it..it just wouldn't.

 All the Mama's got pictures of their kiddos.  

We then headed out to spend the rest of the evening with the extended Poladians and started a new tradition.  Gift exchange with stealing and everything!  It was definitely fun and entertaining! 

Christmas morning was a different experience with this cute toosh joining us.   

 Matthew read us the Christmas story..my favorite part of the day.

The preggo lady loves Ice Breakers Sours hidden in her stocking..BUT 

 She LOVED even more and was SURPRISED by the jewels the hubs secretly put in the bottom.  I think the line was something like "my goodness, mom really stuffed my stocking full this year" before pulling out the box only to find the most beautiful necklace.  LOVE HIM!

 Mama and Pops got creative this year with a gift for their girlies.  Their neighbor is doing a renovation on their home and mom found they were going to throw out parts of their old french doors. She asked if she could have them and put my dad to work roughing them up, taking out the screen and replacing it with cork, adding a back and hooks for hanging. What a cool gift!  So fun, creative and thoughtful. Kind of wish I could steal my sisters and have two. Still deciding on the perfect spot. Babies room??

The next morning we had a precious few moments with our friends the Burdetts, in town from Chicago. Danice, one of my oldest friends, is so dear to me and it was such a blessing to see them. These are her cutie-patootie kids (minus one)! Totally bummed we didn't get a group shot...

And for the last event! Matt's mom's side of the family.  We posed for a picture.

THEN right before the next picture, Nathan, Matt's cousin said "Marie is pregnant!!!" So that is the chaos you see below.  What a fun way to tell the fam and capture the moment!

The three preggos.  Due in August, June and May.  There is one more too..but sadly she isn't in the pic.

Isn't that fun - 4 little babies all within 4 months..destined to love their cousins as much as we do!  

As if that wasn't enough...we left the next day for Breckenridge, CO!  That will be the next post.

Merry Christmas!! Can I still say that in the new year? 

The Lil' Man is ONE today!!

Happy Birthday Cade!  Uncle Matt and Auntie Jenny love you so much and have loved watching you grow!  You are a precious gift from the Lord and we thank Him for your sweet life often.

The boy definitely enjoyed his birthday cake!

THANKFUL

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving and have so much to be thankful for.  We started with Thanksgiving dinner with the Cooper family.  My mom pulled out all the stops as usual and it was a delicious meal.  Complete with the traditional tri-tip for yours truly. 

We then headed out to Santa Fe, New Mexico to join the Poladian family for a little fun New Mexico style.  An added bonus was breakfast with the fabulous Duncan family.  

We missed Louie - but apparently he has already been to NM!

We took a cooking class to learn traditional New Mexican Cuisine.  

Want to know the hint? Just add peppers!

If you want to know what Santa Fe looks like - here it is. A lot of buildings just like this one.  Look closely..we are perched on the roof!!

and now the Christmas season begins!!!