:::MILKandCOOKIESforTHEprego:::

 
:::::cookies.cookies.cookies.cookies.cookies.cookies.cookies:::::
 
:::::watering hole{fully stocked with soy.chocolate soy.2% & H20}:::::
 
:::::my dear friend elisa{from elisayork.blogspot.com}created these invites!:::::

:::::african clouds{giant meringue}:::::

:::::chunky monkey{banana oatmeal}:::::

:::::elephant ears{french pastries}:::::

:::::crocodile bites{gingerSNAPS}:::::

:::::elephant snacks{peanut butter}:::::

:::::zebra bites{chocolate crackle cookies}:::::

:::::cheetah chunks{chocolate chunk}:::::

 
:::::lionsandtigersandbears{oh yum!}hope you had a roarin' good time:::::
 
:::::it was a safari party after all:::::

::a few more of the milk jugs..they were such a hit.
::favors::sewn brown parchment w|cute brown labels
::assortment of jars filled.labeled and wrapped with
brown+white bakers twine.
::oops..and lined with brown polk-a-dotted
fabric{that was heavily starched}

::thank you to all the bakers..what a team effort!

..some GLITZandGLAM..

 
hey..decided to throw a new years party after all.  
{seriously who even throws parties any more?}
todd and i decided two nights ago12.26.08...hmmm..lets throw this party!

so since the appetizers will be covered..i'm working on:
decor.drinks.&dessert.
any ideas??i'm thinkin glitter..metalics..& modern.
no more of that gauddy brass and crystal. ugh!
and p.s. i didn't die..but i did have party overload this month.
just be super excited to see all the shots..promise.they're coming.

happy 2009!

  
 
just sewed straight through the metallic paper..and random scraps of any silver|gold paper i had..including leftover wall paper.nordstrom ads.and invite mess ups.
 
lets ring in this new year!
 
the winning amuse bouche: nikki's manapua{super sweet hawaiian pork wrapped with sweet hawaiian bread..is that right?}whatever it was... was dang good.
 
mini dessert trio:
flourless torte
gingersnap-honeycomb cheesecake
hazelnut-vanilla bean creme brulee

i really wanted to find some seriously awesome frock{like in neon yellow!} wouldn't that be rad!?
i'll have to save that for next years' masquerade.

.christmas deliveries.

 
this year i delivered cinnamon swirl bread..
with a killer recipe for french toast.

..christmas brunch..

 
..mascarpone+berry stuffed challah..recipe found here.can you tell i need bigger plates?..hmm...birthday ideas??..
 
mini puff pastry-mexican-quiches..by request.{a few eggs.green onion.1/2C. favorite salsa.good cheddar.topped with pepperjack-muenster}..don't worry. i'm done with making these stinkin quiches.

.a night of bliss. {for 20.}

 BYRON-im·pec·ca·ble-1.so [perfect or flawless] as to be beyond criticism. 2."she had impeccable taste."

 
1st course:
Black sesame cornets filled with smoked salmon tartare.whipped dill cream cheese & a tomato tartare with shallots.basil.creme fraiche.{byron had me prepare the tomato tartare..so fresh and yum!}
 
Yukon gold blinis with eggplant caviar{i helped make the caviar..}and sweet roasted red and yellow peppers

Spicy Artichoke Soup with handmade artichoke ravioli and Croatian cold pressed olive oil (byron bought this oil from an old lady selling it from her cart in the heart of Dubrovnik. She pressed the oil herself at her family's mill). It was dang good.+Kalmata Olive and Rosemary Bread
   
Roasted Kabocha {Japanese Pumpkin}Ravioli with butter glazed brussels sprouts with brown butter, sage and amaretti crumbs.
  
Cara Cara Orange Rolls (Chessa made these dessert-like rolls... They are ri.dic.u.lous!)
 
Tilapia cakes with sauteed tilapia, clam chowder-vegetables and parsely oil
 
Palette Cleanser:
Pomegranate Sorbet with a Kiwi Jus{bron+brit collaboration..}seriously.it was a perfect 10. 
Beef Tenderloin with Caramelized French Shallots on Crimini Mushrooms.Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.Fresh Micro Greens{a new favorite find at Traders}

The "fromage" course...
Triple-Cream French Cows Milk Cheese "Le Delice de Bourgogne" with fresh Orange Blossom Honeycomb.Turkish Figs.Blackberries.Red D'Anjou Pears.taste of aged balsamic
 
Passion Fruit Pot de Creme.lighter than a creme brulee..but richer.simply amazing.

Petite Meyer Lemon Chesse Cakes with Fresh Blueberries
 
the menu..i should have stolen this and framed it in my kitchen for inspiration. it's going to be worth big bucks one day.byron is honestly so incredible.he puts us all to shame.well..anyone interested in attempting to learn how to cook like this..? he's starting to hold classes on the weekends..contact him here..or here.

i snuck out of a wedding..came early to prep things..and photograph the event.  i begged byron just to let me sit in the corner and watch his madness..but i got there & he put me to work!!
what a dream huh!?to see more..click here.