Question:

Does the post office still mail
brown paper packages tied up with string?



Answer: yes

An Evening of "Cookery-Bookery"

This month our bookclub read "My Life in France" by Julia Child.  Everytime I picked it up I escaped into a such a fun place.  Her positive enthusiastic writing about such wonderful experiences in France. 
So, for our book club we all brought a french dish to share.

I set the table with my finest...

and cut sprigs of rosemary from my backyard for the place cards

Wild flowers are so beautiful right now here in TX.  The kids and I went and cut flowers for the table.

I spent the evening before following Juila's very famous "BEEF BOURGUIGNON" recipe, and also her "Pate Choux" (eclairs)

Other Ladies brought Quiche Lorraine, French Bread, Gruyere Puffs, French Fries, creme puffs, a sorbet mold and Ratatouille!  Needless to say, we sat chatting at the table for nearly 3.5 hours!!!

Cheese Straws

My favorite little SL bakery is Normandy Cafe. One of the yummiest things there are these cheesy breadsticks.
I was flipping through "Barefoot in Paris" (Ina Garten) and found a recipe that is SO easy and SO yummy.
So, here it is...puff pastry, my best friend, and cheese!

2 sheets puff pastry
1 egg (beaten with a tablespoon of water)
1 cup grated gruyere cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced thyme leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
ground pepper

preheat oven to 375

1. roll out your pastry to 10X12
2. brush with egg mixture
3. sprinkle cheeses, thyme, s & p
4. use pizza cutter to cut into 12 strips

5. twist strips onto parchment lined pan
6. bake 10-15 minutes until brown (turn and bake 2 more minutes...I didnt, but it says to)

WA LA!!! Yummy with salad or actually with anything at all!

*You can make these and spread basil, or tapenade, or tomatoe sauce on them instead of cheese mixture.

Easter Kid Table: my Lollipop tree!

So using that lollipop tree tutorial, I made a couple lollipop trees for the girl and boy tables. 
It was easy to find the styrofoam cones at the craft store...and they were fun to make!

This year I went with really simple little favors, and just personalized them to make them a little cuter!