Wait For Me!

Okay, so something terrible happened to me a few days ago! I had to send my computer away to be fixed! :o(

I bought this really awesome program for my computer that would allow me to do different page layouts for my scrapbooking fetish and many other things as well! I also bought a program that would install about 500 new fonts on my computer! You can only imagine how exicted I was!

I got home from the store, ripped open the packages and popped the first CD in my drive. Apparently, my CD played decided it no longer likes to read CDs. So, needless to say, I took my computer to the store and it's not something they will fix in house.

So, here I am now. I've been without my computer for almost a week and the store claims it could be up to 14 days before it's back to me.

Without my computer and my hundreds and hundreds of pictures, I am put on hold with my blogging. But, please hold tight while I wait to get it back. Because when I do, I will be blogging up a storm!

-Vicki

Hungry Anyone?

What's it people say? "Call me whatever you want. Just don't call me late for dinner!"

Some would say having a vegetarian to feed can make it difficult to come up with meals for everyone to enjoy. Well, I beg to differ! Although, that's probably because I'm the vegetarian! :o)

In all reality, it's actually very easy. The only difference is that you may have to dirty an extra dish or two. For example, when we have spaghetti for dinner at my house, I take a small pot to heat the sauce. In a larger pan, I brown the meat and add the sauce. The noodles don't get mixed in with the meat and sauce. It's that simple!

Now it is time to share one of my favorite meals with you.

Hickory Honey Smoked Veggies & Chicken

What you will need:

• Green Peppers
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Mushrooms
• Chicken Tenderloins
• Kraft Hickory Honey Smoked BBQ Sauce
• Egg Noodles

As for quantities of each ingredient, I will leave that up to you. I base how many of each ingredient on how many people are eating. But, as a general rule of thumb, 1 of each vegetable is usually more then enough for every 2 people.

Now for the "how to" part and, to be honest, it's very easy...

- Cut up vegetables and place in aluminum tin. (Why an aluminum tin you ask? Two words: easy clean-up)

- Trim fat off chicken and place in separate aluminum pan.

- Add one bottle of Kraft Hickory Honey Smoked BBQ sauce to each tin.

- Once sauce has been added to veggies and chicken, cover (aluminum foil or plastic wrap) and place in refrigerator and allow to marinate over night.

Note: You don't have to marinate the veggies and chicken over night. I like to do it because it allows the veggies and chicken to really soak in the sauce!

- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

- Cook veggies for a hour and a half. Stir every 20 minutes or so.

- Cook chicken for a hour and fifteen minutes. Flip chicken half way through cook time.

- For the noodles, follow directions on package.

Time to eat! Enjoy!

I know this meal takes some time. But, it is so worth it. Plus, it really is very easy.

I hope you like it as much as I do!

Bon-Appetit!

-Vicki

Surprise!

Remember when I told you I love that my job allows me to use my creativity in so many ways? Well, I still stand by that 110%! But, every now and then I get a theme to work with that really does test my creativity and imagination to the limits. Thankfully, I have one heck of a team behind me to work with.

So, a few weeks back, we did a surprise party for a man turning 50! His wife gave us a list of his favorite things and told us to incorporate them into the decor elements. Sounds easy enough, right? Well, here's his list of favorite things and why.

• Tomatoes - Because he grows them in his vegetable garden
• Vegas - Because it's his favorite vacation spot
• Marbles - Because he likes to collect all different ones
• Crabs - Because he's from Maryland and, well, who from MD doesn't love them!

I must say, trying to come up with a look that incorporates all these ideas and keeping the look classy and appealing took some real creativity. If not done right, it could have been a disaster.

Here, take a look at what we came up with!

The entrance to the backyard : The entrance to the tent

The buffet tables

Cocktail Tables & Centerpieces

The Vegas Bar

The Crab Buffet Table

The Final Product!

Like I said, while this may seem like an odd combination of "favorites" to use as decorative inspiration, I really am happy with the way it all turned out. I sure hope you feel the same way!

Cheers,

-Vicki

OH... I ALMOST FORGOT!

This last picture is too cute not to share.

After we were all done setting up and in the process of getting ready for the party to start, the family dog decided to make himself the center of attention and sat down right in the middle of the red carpet entrance to the tent! It was so adorable!