| I was going to take Mom out for Mother's Day and | | | | choose from. Whatever you choose, make sure it's |
| then I got this brilliant idea. Why not throw a brunch for | | | | ovenproof though, because you will be baking in these. |
| her right in my own backyard! | | | | Take each ramekin and spray the inside with Pam. |
| I believe the details of a successful party can be | | | | This makes clean up much easier, since for some |
| broken down into six elements, and I'll walk you through | | | | reason eggs really stick to ceramic. Put them all on a |
| all six step by step so you can throw mom a beautiful | | | | cookie sheet, which makes handling much easier. |
| garden brunch in her honor. I have no doubt; after | | | | In each ramekin put a layer of bread cubes or one of |
| reading a few of my articles or books, you'll learn my | | | | the following: |
| simple formula for creating parties people will | | | | · Cooked rice |
| remember for a lifetime. | | | | · Cooked noodles |
| Here's something to keep in mind as you read this | | | | · Mashed potatoes |
| article. This brunch is planned for Mom, but you can | | | | · Cooked polenta |
| use all these ideas to honor almost any special person | | | | Then layer a variety of sauteed vegetables cut up into |
| in your life! | | | | small pieces: |
| Element #1 - Theme, Mood & Color: Carry Them | | | | · Asparagus |
| Out In Everything You Do | | | | · Mushrooms |
| There are many ways to come up with a theme for a | | | | · Broccoli |
| party. This exercise is called "Filling the Senses" and it | | | | · Spinach |
| uses the guest of honor and everything she likes as a | | | | · Or any other favorite vegetable Mom likes |
| starting point. | | | | Break one or two eggs gently on top of this layer. |
| Think about the five senses; seeing, hearing, smelling, | | | | Then sprinkle on some shredded cheese, like cheddar, |
| tasting and touching. Now think about them in this way, | | | | jack, Swiss. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook in a |
| writing down as many of Mom's favorite things as you | | | | 325-degree oven until eggs are set...about 20 minutes. |
| can think of: | | | | These will be REALLY hot when finished, so set each |
| Site - Everything your Guest of Honor sees is pleasing | | | | one on a ceramic or glass plate to serve. Top with a |
| to her eyes. | | | | few tiny pieces of lox or other exotic |
| Sound - Everything she hears is music to her ears. | | | | garnish...whatever would be pleasing to Mom. |
| Scent - Her nose is tickled with her favorite smells. | | | | For the final touch, when everyone's done eating, |
| Taste - Her mouth is delighted with her favorite foods. | | | | wash and dry the ramekins, and have each guest sign |
| And Touch - the tactile sense - she enjoys everything | | | | the bottom of the dish with a message using a |
| she feels and touches. | | | | ceramic pen. Follow the pen's directions, but usually it |
| When you're done with this exercise, not only will this | | | | simply requires you to put the items back in the oven |
| list include things like her favorite foods and music, but it | | | | for a few minutes. When they're done curing, Mom will |
| might also include things like her favorite flowers, colors, | | | | have a complete set of ramekins signed by those she |
| and favorite people. Thinking of this party as a gift for | | | | loves to always remind her of this beautiful day. |
| her may help you get in touch with who she is for you | | | | Another really attractive and simple trick to do with |
| and the things that make her happy. | | | | fresh fruit is to pick five of Mom's favorites, and cut |
| Next, choose one thing as your theme. For the | | | | them in bite-sized pieces as needed, and skewer them. |
| purpose of this party plan, I have chosen flowers to | | | | In my example, I used strawberries, pineapple, grapes, |
| build my theme around. For example, my mom's | | | | raspberries and blueberries, threading them on the |
| favorite flowers are lilies and orchids. Using lilies and | | | | skewer in a pattern. |
| orchids as our theme provides us with a built-in color | | | | Have fun with this...but do them ahead of time, up to |
| scheme and mood for our party. Now I can use these | | | | one day, wrap them tightly, and refrigerate. When it's |
| flowers in my invitations, centerpieces, table decor and | | | | time to serve...pull them out and place one or two on |
| party favors. An EasyPeazy theme the guest of | | | | each plate, or stick them into half a watermelon or |
| honor is sure to enjoy! | | | | cantaloupe, turned upside down. This makes a lovely |
| Element #2 - Invitations: Make Them Inviting | | | | centerpiece or display. |
| Whoever said that an invitation had to be a paper | | | | Element #5 - Activities: Engage Your Guests In |
| one? I love this idea; it's so simple and unique. | | | | Something |
| Because we're using a flower theme for our Mother's | | | | How cool would it be to read a book called "I Love |
| Day Garden Brunch, we can use a flower for our | | | | You Because..." and know that it was all about you? |
| invitation too. Using artificial lilies to coordinate with my | | | | As a mom, I think that would be awesome! So that's |
| theme, I chose a matching ribbon and opted to use a | | | | why I decided to do it! You'll making Mom an "I Love |
| simple note card embellished with an orchid since I | | | | You Because" heartfelt Keepsake for this party, and |
| couldn't find anything pre-printed with my flowers on | | | | here's how... |
| them. Later, I'll mail it in a simple Kraft paper 8 1/2 x 11 | | | | Before the party, look for some pens that have a |
| mailing envelope. | | | | flower attached to them preferably ones that match |
| Choose an artificial flower that Mom loves that will | | | | your theme flower because these pens are going to |
| coordinate with your theme, setting the proper mood | | | | double as your party favors for your guests. If you |
| you're going for. Many flowers come in several colors, | | | | can't find any in stores or online, you can make some |
| especially daisies, hydrangeas, tulips and roses. Be | | | | up yourself with artificial flowers and some ribbon. |
| careful not to choose too somber a color or too | | | | Simply hot glue the flower onto the top of the pen and |
| sophisticated a flower for the type of party you want. | | | | wrap the pen in ribbon, using a dab of hot glue to |
| Flowers go a long way in helping create a mood and if | | | | secure at the top and bottom. Place the pens at each |
| you're looking to create a fun and playful setting then | | | | guest's place setting along with the note card. |
| keep your colors bright and happy. | | | | For the 4 x 6 note card you'll need, I recommend you |
| For the note card you can simply write your invitation, | | | | hand-write "I Love You Because..." at the top of each |
| or print things off your laser printer. I wasn't blessed | | | | or run them through a laser or color printer. This will |
| with a talent for beautiful, consistent handwriting, so my | | | | give each card a cohesive look. |
| secret? Clear mailing labels and a handwriting font to | | | | Before the meal is served, ask your guests to take a |
| print the Who, What, Why, Where, and When of my | | | | few minutes to write out their sentiment for Mom, |
| party. | | | | finishing the phrase "I love you because..." Be sure they |
| Next, tie the ribbon onto your flower, hole-punch the | | | | sign their names, collect the cards after a little while, |
| card with a single hole and thread the ribbon through | | | | and let them know the pens are theirs to keep. |
| the card. Make a bow, pop it in your envelope and be | | | | Then it's an easy assembly job for you...just insert the |
| sure to hand-cancel these at the post-office. | | | | cards into a 4 x 6 photo book. You may want to |
| Using real flowers is an impressive way to get your | | | | make up a title card ahead of time that says "We |
| guests excited about what's to come...and it is a really | | | | Love You Because..." and includes your mom's name |
| nice touch for Mom. Since these invites really should | | | | and the date of her Garden Brunch. Of course, you |
| be hand delivered, think of the possibilities of who might | | | | can always make this project more elaborate by |
| deliver them. A messenger service would be notable. | | | | including photos and filling all pages. I'll leave those |
| A singing telegram would be amusing. Or you could | | | | details to you. |
| hire a musician, actor, or comedian, although those | | | | Just be sure to give mom the gift during her Mother's |
| might get a little expensive. You could have one of | | | | Day Garden Brunch when all of her guests are still |
| your children, or a relative deliver them? Or how about | | | | gathered and can enjoy the moment too. |
| delivering them yourself? Wouldn't that be a really nice | | | | Element #6 - Special Touches: Set Your Party Apart; |
| touch? | | | | Give Them Something From Your Heart |
| Element #3 - Decor & Ambiance: Remember Set | | | | This project is really fun and will blow your Mom away. |
| and Setting Are Everything | | | | I call it the "Menu Photo Place Card." |
| We're lucky because the garden provides such a | | | | Make sure you have a digital photo of Mom. Then |
| beautiful backdrop for our Mother's Day Garden | | | | using your computer's word processing program, insert |
| Brunch, so really, all you want to do is make sure that | | | | the photo about 3/4 from the top of the page in the |
| there is something pleasing to the eye everywhere | | | | center. Below that put mom's name, the event name |
| you look. Be sure to weed, maybe plant a few extra | | | | (Like Mother's Day Garden Brunch) and the date. |
| flowers and spruce things up a bit, or bring in some | | | | Under that, list the menu. |
| potted plants or flowers for added pizazz. | | | | Make sure you create one for each guest, substituting |
| Then, direct your attention to the table. For this party | | | | out Mom's name. (You can have your local print shop |
| start with a tablecloth to create an elegant look. If you | | | | do this if you aren't computer savvy.). I recommend |
| use a patterned cloth then use solid plates. If you use | | | | printing them on a heavy, glossy, card stock for a |
| a solid cloth, then use patterned plates. Or mix it up a | | | | high-end look. Make sure your printer can handle heavy |
| bit by using both. | | | | paper because the paper has to be heavy in order for |
| I used a solid tablecloth as the first layer on the table | | | | these to work. |
| and then folded the patterned cloth into a runner and | | | | Now, here's the trick. Cut around the photo with a mat |
| placed it down the middle. To set the table, I liked the | | | | knife and metal ruler... across the top and a little bit |
| idea of using patterned dinner plates with solid side | | | | more than half way down on each side. Then trim |
| plates, a wine glass for water, and a tall green glass | | | | each side of the paper however much you want, |
| bud vase for cocktails. | | | | making sure not to cut off any of the menu items. The |
| The final touch once you've placed your glasses; take | | | | thinner the place cards are, the more professional they |
| a special scalloped napkin called a Rondo that you can | | | | look. Then fold each card in half. See how the photo |
| buy online, open it to a full circle, gather it in the middle, | | | | pops out of the top? |
| gently place your theme flower inside and rest the two | | | | You can also do this all by hand, writing the information |
| in your wine glass. This is a beautiful inspiration to top | | | | on each folded over card, and gluing a photo on each |
| off your tables. | | | | one so it extends above the fold. You could even use |
| Element #4 - Food & Beverage: Never Stress | | | | different photos of mom for each guest if you wanted |
| About Food and Drinks | | | | to. Again, I'll leave those details to your imagination. |
| For Mom may I suggest you make a special baked | | | | These really make the guest of honor feel special, and |
| egg recipe that can be varied to her tastes? What's | | | | add a wonderful touch to the table. Best of all, if you |
| cool about this recipe is that the dishes you're serving | | | | decide not to throw a party at home, these make |
| them in will become Mom's Mother's Day present. Fun, | | | | great place cards that you can take to a restaurant |
| huh? | | | | and place around the table. |
| First, find ramekins (or baking dishes) and purchase | | | | As you can see, it's easy for you to throw a great |
| enough for each guest. Think about Mom's everyday | | | | brunch to make Mom, or other important person in |
| dishes and try to make your selection complimentary. | | | | your life, feel special with these heartfelt ideas. |
| The easiest color to buy is white since it coordinates | | | | I'm Shelby Phillips. Thanks for coming to my party! |
| with almost everything, but there are many options to | | | | |