Recipe: S'mores bars

Let me start off by saying I can in no way take credit for this recipe but it's so good and very easy to make that I thought I'd share it anyway. My friend Cassondra gave me the recipe and she got it from a cookie swap party.

I also saw a version of this online where everything was made from scratch- the crust, the brownie layer, etc., but really, I think I'm more of a boxed mix kinda girl and that's why I love this recipe.

You will need:

Graham crackers ( I used about 1/2 of a 14 oz box)

Boxed brownie mix ( any brand you like, prepped according to the directions on the box)

2 cups mini marshmallows

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

2/3 cup peanuts - optional ( I think walnuts or macadamias would taste great also)

Directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees

arrange graham crackers in a single layer on a greased pan

prepare brownie batter according to package directions and pour over graham crackers

bake according to package directions minus 5 minutes

Sprinkle the marshmallows, chocolate chips and nuts and finish baking for the remaining 5 minutes or until marshmallow tops brown slightly.

cool completely before cutting. ENJOY!

note: my husband reheated them in the toaster oven the next day which browned the marshmallows a bit more and gave them the freshly baked taste again.

Christmas Tea ( Part 2)

Seeing all the amazing tables at the Christmas tea, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Each table had its own unique personality, reflecting the styles of more than 100 women.
The following are just a few of my favorites. I really wish I took pictures of each table.

More pictures of some gorgeous tables are up on my Facebook page.

What a clever way of adding some style to clear plates

I like how this host used silver with touches of gold

The beautiful place setting was set on top of scalloped edged cake boards

The silver branch in the silver urn was stunning

I was completely in love with the contrast of the subtle tones of the nativity scene and the big, glittery star

This table reminds me of the children's book series Fancy Nancy

This table used origami birds and stars

Christmas Tea (Part 1)

Christmas Tea at my church is a wonderful annual tradition that I was so blessed to take part in for the first time this year. More than a thousand women gathered this weekend to kick off the season with tea and friends for the afternoon.

I (along with dozens of other women) signed up to host tables for the tea. Hosting a table required us to provide all the plates, cups, glasses, etc and decorations for our table. I am still amazed at all the beautiful and creative tablescapes (which I will share in another post).

Shopping for my tableware, decorations and linens were so much fun and I did it on a budget. I found some amazing deals!

- white salad plates from HomeGoods: A set of 12 plates $10

- all purpose goblets from Crate & Barrel : $1.50 each

- butter knives : A set of 6 for $5 at Ross

-teaspoons: a party pack of 12 was $10 at Ross

- satin overlays from efavormart.com : $ 7.99

- cloth napkins from efavormart.com- 5 pack for $ 2.79

-tea cup saucer rental was $.40 per set at my local party rental company

I hosted two tables, one for my personal guests and the other for women who signed up to attend through the church. The church provided each table with a plate of scones, tea, cream and sugar and each guest was asked to bring a plate of tea sandwiches or sweets to share. The treats the guests brought were collected upon arrival and distributed to each table.

We started the afternoon with a service in the sanctuary that included singing and a reading of A Cup of Christmas Tea. The service was followed by the tea where the men of the church served as our butlers.

I had a red and silver theme for both tables. My centerpieces were inspired by the mod table tree centerpiece on Hostess with the Mostess.

My awesome husband folded and ironed the napkins. Didn't he do a great job?!

Tea sandwiches and sweets await my guests coming from the sanctuary