Spa Party Friends

I only invited 7 people in hopes that 5 would come and I gambled correctly!  There was too much food for five guests, but I think it made it luxurious. Besides, my family is so big, we are having NO problems finishing off the leftovers. (The wine, I'm savoring.)

These photos need no words. Smiles say everything.

 

Spa Party (August 25, 2013)

Sarah was lighting all of the candles

As I was conversing with my lady friends at the party I realized that I owe all desire and drive to be hospitable to my father, who, it seemed to me as a child, was the epitome of hospitality.  He would have our close friends over for dinner for sure, but it was really special when he invited others we weren't close with and he was so generous with his affection that they would leave feeling like family.  I think I achieved that at my spa party.  I kept it small, and intimate and we had a wonderful time bonding. Isn't that what we've been encouraged to do, even more so now?  I really hope to do the party again with another small group and I hope the ones that came to my party will return the love to others.

First blessing of the day was clearing the house of anyone not involved in the party.  Madison took her dad on a date to the Cinema Cafe and John took off with friends.  The girls and I prepped the last of the food and stressed a bit about one person coming early (she didn't).

Isabelle is prepping the chocolate covered strawberries!

I took photos of the table before I placed the food and I really wish I had done it after because there was SO much and it was beautiful!

 

Facial Station

Hot Face Cloths

 

Pedicure Station

I will post pictures of the happy faces and good times later! This was probably THE most successful party I've ever thrown!

Chicken Pot Pie

My sister requested the recipe for the Chicken Pot Pie, and here it is!

                                 CRUST

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 shortening (lard, or butter will do)
5 tbsp ice cold water

Sift together flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.  Add shortening and mix in with pastry blender or a fork until it looks mealy.  Add water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until the dough sticks together, but not sticky.

Wrap pastry in wax paper or Saran Wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.  Remove from wrap and roll out on a floured surface.

(makes enough for a 2-crust pie or 1 - 9 1/2 x 11" pan)

                             CHICKEN PIE FILLING

1/2 cup butter                               1/2 cup finely chopped onion              1 bag mixed frozen vegetables
1/2 cup flour                                 3 cups chicken broth
1 tsp salt                                       3 cups cooked chicken
black pepper to taste                    3 potatoes, peeled & cubed

Roll out crust and set in pan if you are doing a 2-crust pie.  Otherwise, cover with a towel until the pan is filled. Set aside.  Preheat oven to 400º.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter.  Cook the onions until translucent.  Add flour, salt, and pepper and mix with a whisk until fully incorporated.  Gradually add chicken broth, stirring continuously.  Cook and stir until smooth and thickened.  Add chicken, potatoes, and vegetables, mixing to combine.  Pour into your prepared pan and cover with crust.  Make holes in the crust to allow it to vent.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.  The temperature is "lava" at this point.  If you love your family, let it cool. :-)


The crust recipe is based off of Ida Bailey Allen's recipe in the cookbook "Best Loved Recipes of the American People".  I stole it from my dad because when he downsizes "best loved recipes" get tossed.  I use this recipe over and over for dessert and savory dishes.

The pot pie recipe is based on a recipe by Wendy L on AllRecipes, "Chicken Pot Pie VIII".  Her recipe has the best sauce/soup for the filling!

Working Hard

I have been so busy I haven't had a chance to update.  Today I finished #2 test in Media.  I hope I did well.  I am a bit freaked out because so many have been plagiarizing.  The professors have sent out very stern emails and posted on the message boards.  I'm terrified to write anything for fear the information has become so burnt in my brain that I might plagiarize without knowing!  I have overcompensated, but better safe than sorry.  School is tough and I can't have some simple mistake cost me.

With that test out of the way I had the time to focus on the deck again.  I needed to see something accomplished on it; not just the little bits here and there.  Since Isabelle and I cleaned off a portion of the deck, I worked today on sanding and staining that area.  I am so pleased!  24 hours of curing and I can put the furniture back on.

I was so fortunate to find two gallons of Behr Deck Stain in the mistint section at Lowes.  Each gallon was only $5.00 versus the normal $40.00/gallon I would have had to have spent.

The project is so painstakingly slow and it's not perfect by any means, but I am so happy with the results (of this corner, at least)!

Dinner tonight was a chicken pot pie from scratch, of course.  I had to fight the kids off to save a section for Sean!

Silver Linings

How can you cry with a face like this staring back at you?