Thursday, October 21, 2010

Shower Power

Tomorrow, my friend Sara is getting married. Two weeks ago I threw a bridal shower for her at my home. This is a picture of her (in the center) with her sister Kristen and her mom. They are all good friends of mine. And yes, they always look that beautiful.


While I have never hosted a real dinner party (except for my gourmet dinner night) I seem to throw a lot of showers. When you attend a shower at my home, (no matter the season or the time of day) you can always expect the exact same thing.

Photo of my kitchen before the food was put out. Notice the bazillian croissants in the background. We only ate a 1/3 of those.


The decor may change a bit but I will always serve chicken salad sandwiches on croissants with my favorite punch. Other guests bring the salads, chips and treats. Showers at my house are always open house style and there are never games. No one has to write in an advice book or give up an entire afternoon of their life they will never get back. (I'm not bitter or anything about showers I've been to in the past...)

Action shot from the beginning of the shower. I always wish I had more seating but I got over that a long time ago and do showers anyway.


Since it is October, I wanted the treat table to reflect the season without being too overtly Halloween. My candy jars came in handy as the perfect centerpiece.


Here is the recipe for my chicken salad. I know I didn't actually invent chicken salad, just like Al Gore didn't invent the Internet, but I did invent this chicken salad. It contains all my favorite things and none of the things I hate. Here it is:

1 10 oz can chicken, drained (from Costco)
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup low-fat mayo
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup sweet pickles
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup grapes halved
salt and pepper to taste

Combine and serve on croissants (from Costco)

And my favorite punch (from the Ivory cookbook):

In large punchbowl combine:

1 (2 liter) bottle Shasta Diet Grapefruit Soda (Fresca will do but Shasta is better)
1 (12 oz) can frozen white grape juice undiluted
1/2 bag Sonic ice

I usually double this. Mix with no water, just ice.

Enjoy!

14 comments:

Jill said...

I like your brand of shower! I really hate playing games at showers and I hate being held hostage all afternoon at showers also. I just had a flashback of a horrendous baby shower I went to for my next door neighbor a couple years ago where I was the only non-family member...it was awful and game filled!

You had me at pebble ice.

Ashley said...

It boggles my mind that games are still being played at showers. It's like wearing socks with sandals--it's totally out there as horrendous and yet it happens across America each and every day. Your showers sound great and I'm sure the brides are always so grateful, as well as the guests. Good for you for getting over the seating issue--that is very Nester of you. Did you return the extra croissants to Costco? It's impressive to me that you have a go-to punch. That is very Mom and grown up.

Elizabeth said...

You are a font of knowledge!
and your friends are indeed gorgeous.

SewSara said...

I wish I could go to more showers like yours. Oh man I hate those advice games. Especially when they make you go around and TELL the bride the advice. ugh!

thanks for the recipes.
not sure i can agree on the canned chicken but i'll try it ... ;)

alexandra said...

I love and covet your kitchen. I am sort of shocked that anyone does games at adult parties. Diapering other women, feeding women bottles in "bottle chug" contests and the like are horrifying.

The DeVito's said...

I like how you do showers! That's my kind of showers, I hate stupid shower games. I love in your punch recipe you specify Sonic ice - there's is the best!

Raderstorf Family said...

How many bags of cancy corn did it take to fill that jar?? Seriously.

brooke said...

Only about 4. Candy corns are cheap. They are the way to go with large glass jars!

The Mostess said...

You should have made us all guess how many candy corns it took to fill the jar--then sent the winner something amazing in the mail.

This is my kinda shower. The only thing I don't do is the open house style. However, I have a hard start and stop time so no one's afternoon is wasted, including mine. It's win-win.

I'm going to have to try your chicken salad. My go-to is Holiday Breakfast. It's so tasty and easy!

HAPPYHANERHOME said...

Totally awesome! SO doing this! I have a gathering tomorrow and look forward to the simplicity of this format (and getting over my lack of seating.) I threw a shower without games once. The guests practically threw tomatoes at me when I told them. I think they all just wanted some free prizes. Love you lots fellow traveller.

Liz said...

So very classy! Can't wait to try that recipe. Love the black plates....very fun.

lindsey said...

Looks delightful! I love your shower rules! :)

Megan said...

Sounds good to me. I can't wait for the shower you are throwing me when I come out next month... :)

SaraSue said...

I can't believe I made the famous blog!! I feel so honored...and like a celebrity :) It was the best shower. I am lost out here in Michigan and miss you and everyone in Utah!