a party

This last weekend was my mom's birthday so of course, a party was called for. Since we got to host the happy event i also got to pick the menu. My natural inclination is unimaginative, simple, easy and fast like hamburgers or pasta salad- and that's even kinda branching out for me! However, i happened to flip through an old martha stewart "FOOD" magazine and came across a 4 page "Tex-Mex" dinner party spread featuring menu, timeline, gorgeous pictures, recipes etc. It looked so beautiful and fun i decided we just had to be a little adventurous and go for it. And thanks to Handy Andy, I'd say it was a success! 

hey ben! thanks for looking at the camera, buddy! :)

sophie and nana- joined at the hip

Handy Andy very nicely headed up the Watermelon Margarita task. Mind you this included cubing huge watermelon, pureeing huge watermelon, straining all of the pulp, making an orange sugar syrup, juicing tons of limes, and then making a tequila run 30 min. before the party. how did that not make it on my grocery list? Anyway, the end result was festive, fun and pretty but to give you a little inside scoop; in my opinion, it wasn't worth it. A plain ol' original mix would have been just great. ;)

Will- showing off his new toothless smile

It's amazing how awful great food can look if its not "plated' nicely. My sis and i looked over everyone's plate (including our own) for one that was picture-worthy and i'm sorry to say it, but Handy Andy's was the only one that fit the bill. So glad at least one of us has an aesthetically organized brain. :)

Here was the MENU:

Pineapple Marinated Skirt Steak

Poblano and cilantro relish

Pinto Beans with bacon and green onion

Lime cabbage and Spinach

Spanish brown rice

Birthday girl with her adoring crowd