Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Bridal Shower Adventures

Last weekend was a busy one since I was involved in two prenuptial parties with a surprise 50th birthday sandwiched between. It was busy but fun since I love to host showers and teas.

Saturday morning was my favorite of the two bridal events because my fellow hostesses were the sister and a favorite friend, and not a one of us is fond of minimalism.


It was a morning drop-in shower so around here, it would be called a Coffee. I love morning events because of the food and beverage. Carbs and coffee make a powerful duo.



We chose a toile tablescape because the wedding has a black and white color scheme.


 OK…it didn’t hurt that it looked nice against the sister’s red and white room as well.

We chose our hostess stations, and in my infinite wisdom, I chose to be the greeter. This means that I opened the door and helped older women up the steps in that hot Georgia morning for two hours. By the time they remembered to take the hostess picture… which will live in perpetuity in the bride’s scrapbook… my hair was a victim of the HHH: heat, humidity, and hormones. Even the Hair Crack gave up the ghost. Oh well, it’s not about me anyway, right? right?

The best thing about a Coffee in the dead of the southern summer is that you get to substitute coffee punch for the hot stuff.



The stuff is beverage bliss.
Miss Whimsy loves it so much
 that she intends to have a morning wedding
just to serve it.

The base is a coffee extract* made by combining a pound of coffee with about a quart of water and letting it stand overnight. Then, you drain the liquid, first through a sieve and again through a coffee filter or cheesecloth.

Coffee Punch

coffee extract
1 pint whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Dash of salt
1 quart vanilla ice cream
1 quart chocolate ice cream

Combine the coffee extract and the next three ingredients. Scoop vanilla and chocolate ice creams into a punch bowl; add the coffee and cream mixture, gently stirring until ice cream slightly melts.

*On a side note: I never have to do the extracting step because we keep coffee concentrate on hand 24/7.  It's the only way that we brew coffee. We got THIS GIZMO for a wedding shower present.


 ...and have been using it ever since.
It has a filter









And plug
.
You put the water in the top and a whole bag of coffee in the bottom. Let it stand, and out comes coffee extract. We keep regular and decaf at all times.

We use a shot glass to measure out custom cups of hot coffee.  It's great for coffee milk and our summer coffee smoothies as well.

Ah, coffee bliss...

Meanwhile, back at the Coffee...




Great fun. Hormone hair and all.

Do you like to throw showers?

*****
Sharing this on Foodie Friday.

15 comments:

Ann said...

LOVE the setting ..... LOVE the flowers ..... LOVE the fabric and I will have to try the coffee punch. Wonder if it will work with low fat ice cream?

Jennie said...

COFFEE PUNCH. One of the first beverages I partook of in my adopted hometown. Love it. Want some RIGHT NOW. ;)

You ladies know how to do it right. It makes me smile to think about it. And you sure know how to make a bride-to-be feel like the world revolves around her. Thanks for that gift!

The answer to your question is a resounding yes! I love to throw showers, parties, anything! And I KNOW you and your cohorts over there do too! I wish I had the opportunity to do it more often.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a lovely party! And I love Coffee Punch. I am now officially starving after looking at that party food. Why is it so much better than regular food???

XO,

Sheila :-)

FrouFrouBritches said...

I loooooove coffee punch!!!! It's so fantastically yummy!!! All the food looks wonderful!!! love the toile with the red and white too! I need one of those Gizmos. So cool! So glad y'all had a great time. congrats to the bride to be.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

I do love a good party!!

Renée said...

What a lovely party...this coming weekend, do put your feet up!

Anonymous said...

You know I love to host parties. I'm having another shower next weekend. So sorry you're not helping...just invited. Although the newlywed will be good help this time, you could pinch hit if need be!! LOVED all the pictures.
Hugs,
Denise

Linda W said...

This southern gal has never had coffee punch and I'm wondering why. Now it's on my 'must have' list!

You and your sis get my vote for the Best Party Givers!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Thanks for stopping by! That punch is like none I have ever seen! OMG I bet it was the hit of the shower! It looks like a milkshake. Boy, you did have a busy weekend! That was a lot of work.

Carol

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

What a beautiful day you must have had--did you like, sleep 12 hours straight after that?
I love throwing showers and coffees (brunches), too!
I might love your sister's red dining room!
Cold-brewed coffee?
Who knew--never heard of it!
Glad you yakk so much ;)
I am going to check it out!
Hugs,
~me
P.S. When I serve coffee punch, I make sure I have double or triple batches! It IS a HIT!

Manda said...

My oh my, you know how to throw a gathering... I'm hosting a Bridal Shower here tomorrow night. Can you catch the red eye and help a gal out??? LOL :)

Unknown said...

What fun!!!
WHERE do you get a coffee extracter-majig??? It's PERFECT for iced coffee, which my eldest and I love, love love. (I bet we would lovex3 that coffee punch, too.)
Do I love to throw showers?? You know, I haven't had reason to for a long, long time. I think I like just having friends over better. No silly games.
xoxo
lynn

Debbie said...

Lynn, I think you can order it online. Check the link.

Alicia said...

Oh my goodness, that coffee stuff sounds sooo wonderful! This is the second time I've read about brewing coffee the way you describe...I'm going to have to try it.

Judy said...

That coffee punch really sounds good. Wish I could have some right now.
PS Please stop by my blog (http://judyskitchen.blospot.com) and enter my $70 giveaway. Deadline is Sun., 7/25, midnight, and it 's open to all.

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