Registry: China, flatware, and stemware

So with only 4 months left Danny and I finally registried and decided on china patterns, flatware, and stemware. I was glad he actually had an opinion and joined me in selecting, helps me not second guess myself. There are so many nice choices out there it was hard to narrow it down, I found 4 I liked and Dan vetoed two of them, then we agreed on one. Since we already have everyday and fine china, both very light, we decided to register for some with a little more color.

Here is the stuff we have now.

Vintage in Ivory
Royal Doulton Naples Platinum

And for especially girly events, like tea parties and showers, and for Christmas I inherited these...
Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles

Lenox Christmas

The New Ones

Pfaltzgraff Villa de Luna

Lenox Vintage Jewel

And as an engagement present we already got 3 sets of the Villa de Luna and all the cute matching stuff...a napkin holder, canister set, salt and pepper shakers, trivets, cookie jar, cream and sugar, butter dish, pasta jar and my favorite the parmesan cheese server, so cute, I love when china has a ton of matching stuff!

We also got our everyday flatware as an engagement gift(they discontinued the one I already had) so we are all set for Thanksgiving!

Lenox Esquire Everyday Flatware

Gorham Ribbon Edge Frost Fine Flatware

Lenox Firelight Platinum Crystal

What we already had
Wallace that was discontinued

Pier 1 clearance special, cheap but they worked for now

Cant wait to have a nice dinner party with all our new stuff!

Our First Thanksgiving

Dan and I are hosting our first Thanksgiving this year and we are so excited! Since its our first attempt we decided to make it a small one, my mom and dad, my sister, her husband and their three girls, and my grandmother will be the guests. We got a Turkey roasting electric oven to keep the oven empty for everything else, brand new Lenox flatware from our registry and a beautiful harvest table runner to go on the second table since we will be having one for the food and one for the guests. The menu is set and all the shopping is complete.

The Menu:
Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Stuffing
Corn Pudding
Squash Casserole
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Onions Au Gratin
Crescent Rolls
Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Pie
Peanut Butter Pie

We also took this opportunity to stock our bar, which is the perfect time since all the gift sets are out for the liquors! Vodka, Rum, Whiskey, Gin, Tequila, white wine, red wine, 4 kinds of beer and all the mixers, plus what we need to make the pumpkin pie martini again. And couldn't forget the eggnog!

Hope it all goes well, as does everyone's Thanksgiving!

The Engagement Party

The Henwoods threw us an amazing engagement party November 7th for the entire wedding party. It was so nice, they did such a great job and we had such a wonderful time...as did everyone! All the groomsmen and bridesmaids and their significant others made it and everyone got to meet each other. I thought that would be nice so the rehearsal wasn't the first time. Great food, great drinks and great friends! Cant beat that! Thank you so much for such a great party Amy! It was so sweet and the attention to detail was amazing, the mini chicken cordon bleus, petite quiches and the yummy Cabernet were just perfect, you guys know me so well! And thank you to Carrie for making the gorgeous wedding cookies! What a wonderful party that we will never forget!

Dan and I enjoying the party.

The hostesses my bridesmaids, Carrie and Amy

Everyone having a good time

All the bridesmaids

All the groomsmen with Danny and my brother-in-law

My girls Tara and Carrie and I having some fun

Pumpkin Pie Martini

We had a cocktail party for my friend Tara's birthday on Friday and I made this fabulous drink for it! It was such a hit I will be making them again when we host Thanksgiving for the first time this year! It was such a festive orange color and really tasted just like pumpkin pie! Yummy!!

Pumpkin Pie Martini
Mix 1 oz. Vanilla Vodka, 1 oz. pumpkin liqueur, ½ oz. Bailey's Irish Cream, a splash butterscotch Schnapps and ice. Shake, then pour. For added "pie" effect, rim the glass with fresh lemon juice and crushed graham crackers.

I found pumpkin spice liqueur at ABC liquors and it was perfect for this recipe! Next time I will not put so much vodka in, they were a little strong, not that anyone complained!