My sister, Jessica, hosted a Girl's Night / Fondue Party at her house the other night... and, I am proud to say, she made her first tablescape!! More pics can be found here. It was a delightful black and white theme with a burst of cheery yellow!
Here I am making a Strawberry Salad with Candied Pecans.
Carlie and Debran getting the warmers started...
Maria posing while warming up the chocolate. ;)
Maria posing while warming up the chocolate. ;)
My cute table setting...
Jessica and Me.
Carlie and Me.
Debran and Maria.
Another sister shot.
We had a visitor! A creepy claw hand!!
Ella couldn't resist coming downstairs to see all of the marshmallows and chocolatey goodness...
To good friends and good conversation.
Such a fun night. :)
Since I had a few requests for the recipe to the strawberry salad... and I don't really have a recipe (I kind of made it up as an excuse to eat candied pecans without feeling quite as guilty haha)... Here is how I make it:First, make your candied pecans.
-Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
-Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spray cooking spray generously on the wax paper.
-Combine one egg white, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and a dash of vanilla. Mix.
-Add 3 cups of whole pecans (or chopped if you prefer bit size pieces)
-Lay out across greased wax paper and bake for 10 minutes.
-In a separate bowl mix some cinnamon and white sugar together... after removing pecans from oven, slide pecans off wax paper and into cinnamon and sugar mixture. Coat. Place pecans back on wax paper on baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
-Remove from oven and set aside.
Make the salad.
-Combine a spring mix with spinach leaves.
-Add sliced cucumbers.
-Add shredded carrots.
-Add sliced Strawberries.
-Add Pecans.
-Add shredded cheddar cheese to top.
-Raisins and sunflower seeds are optional.
-Individually add a vinaigrette dressing... I think a berry blend is the most complimentary...ie Strawberry or Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing.
Serve extra chilly. I usually make the salad as I'm making dinner and put the bowls (with all the salad ingredients minus the pecans and dressing) into the freezer. When dinner is ready, I pull them out, add the pecans and dressing and serve. I don't know what it is... but an extra cold, crisp salad makes such a difference to me. I especially like to make this on hot days... something about the cold salad and strawberries is the perfect summer salad to me. :)
Hope y'all enjoy!
-Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
-Line a baking sheet with wax paper and spray cooking spray generously on the wax paper.
-Combine one egg white, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and a dash of vanilla. Mix.
-Add 3 cups of whole pecans (or chopped if you prefer bit size pieces)
-Lay out across greased wax paper and bake for 10 minutes.
-In a separate bowl mix some cinnamon and white sugar together... after removing pecans from oven, slide pecans off wax paper and into cinnamon and sugar mixture. Coat. Place pecans back on wax paper on baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
-Remove from oven and set aside.
Make the salad.
-Combine a spring mix with spinach leaves.
-Add sliced cucumbers.
-Add shredded carrots.
-Add sliced Strawberries.
-Add Pecans.
-Add shredded cheddar cheese to top.
-Raisins and sunflower seeds are optional.
-Individually add a vinaigrette dressing... I think a berry blend is the most complimentary...ie Strawberry or Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing.
Serve extra chilly. I usually make the salad as I'm making dinner and put the bowls (with all the salad ingredients minus the pecans and dressing) into the freezer. When dinner is ready, I pull them out, add the pecans and dressing and serve. I don't know what it is... but an extra cold, crisp salad makes such a difference to me. I especially like to make this on hot days... something about the cold salad and strawberries is the perfect summer salad to me. :)
Hope y'all enjoy!
That looks like too much fun. You are giving me some ideas for my next girls night. Love the decorations! ~ Wendy
thank you for making my mouth water and be completly jealous ha looks like you had an awesome time! good job jess
I can't wait to make this yummy salad for stephane! Such a fun fun night!
ah gee, melissa! another blog to add to my addiction :) so so cute! i'm craving fondue now...but not the chocolate kind, the steak kind. i have problems ;) xo.
What a fabulous ladies night and that salad looks delicious! This party puts the melting pot to shame ;)
This looks like it was sooo much fun! and what a great tablescape!
I think your new haircut looks fabulous!
happy holiday weekend!
;-D
I can't wait to make the salad!!! It was delicious!!! how do you feel about sending me the pictures you took that night??? please!!!
what did you do for drinks?