Casey's Christmas-Themed Bridal Shower (Part One)

Gifts for the bridal shower under the tree.

When I was planning a bridal shower for Casey who is marrying my grandnephew Adam, I decided to use a "Christmas in October" theme.  I think it was fun for everyone---especially the bride-to-be.

The invitation specified the Christmas theme and asked guests to bring a gift that could be used at Christmas.  Well that could be almost anything actually.  But many did bring Christmas y things.

The Shower Invitation. 

Christmas decorations were used throughout our Chatfield house including a decorated aluminum 1950s Christmas tree.

1950s aluminum Christmas tree.

When the bride-to-be arrived, I presented her with a corsage that was pinned on by her grandmother, Margaret.  The corsage included a crocheted Santa ornament that had been crocheted by my mother.  Casey never knew my mother who would have been her great grandmother (by marriage), but she will have an ornament made by her. 

The corsage adorned with a Santa ornament made by Granny Greene.

Casey's grandmother pins on the corsage. (Photo by Peggy Rhyne)

At our house on Christmas eve, we always play what we call "Dirty Santa" also called "The White Elephant Game".  As an ice breaker, we played this game at the shower.  I  bought and wrapped the gifts---Christmas ornaments.   For picking numbers to decide the order of play, I had each guest choose a small box that contained a numbered Westmoore Pottery ornament that could be taken home as a party favor.

Each box contained a tiny pottery ornament with a number to determine the order of play.

Westmoore Pottery ornaments. (www.westmoorepottery.com)

 In turn each guest opened a "Dirty Santa" gift based on her number, and ornaments could be taken away from someone rather than choosing an unopened gift.  Several of the ornaments did change hands.

Wooden birdhouse ornament. (Photo by Peggy Rhyne)

More Christmas ornament gifts.

Everyone had a lot of fun with this game. 

Refreshments followed the Christmas theme:  Lottie Lane Fruitcake (homemade), spiced pecans (homemade), fruit kabobs, cheese florets (Southern Supreme) and hot spiced apple cider to drink.

The food. (Photo by Kelly Cabaniss Snellings)

Lottie Lane Fruitcake.

Table set up on screen porch.  (Photo by Peggy Rhyne)

After refreshments, Casey opened her gifts.  (To be continued.)

Good Eats in Cape Breton Summer 2014

Baked haddock over spinach, rice, French lentils and mushrooms.  (Photo by Anthony Benson)

One of the nicest things about vacationing in Cape Breton is the good food that we have there.  I'm listing a few of our favorites for this summer.

We usually head over to Whycogomagh for a bowl of seafood chowder at Chalene's Bay View Restaurant.  This is said to be the best seafood chowder in all of Nova Scotia.  We certainly would agree with that.  It is always chocked full of seafood and not dominated by potatoes as many chowders are. 

Charlene's famous seafood chowder.

Although the Ela Restaurant in Halifax isn't in Cape Breton, we usually have a meal there if we are in Halifax.  Alice tried the grilled octopus at my recommendation and she liked it as much as I do.

Alice enjoying grilled octopus. 

While we were over in St. Peter's we discovered a new little bistro, and the corn chowder and toasted pimento cheese sandwich were special.

Corn chowder with a pimento cheese sandwich on homemade bread.

The fresh Arctic Char that we bought at Masstown Market was a hit with the three of us.  We poached it just enough so that it separated from the bone nicely.  Dan is very discriminating when it comes to fish, and he declared it fresh and delicious.

We're always happy to see Laura and Anthony arrive.  Laura is an exceptional cook and the haddock dish she prepared was one of the best things we had during the three weeks.  She prepared a bed of rice, French lentils, and mushrooms, with steamed spinach and topped with baked haddock.  So scrumptious.

Laura's baked haddock. (Photo by Anthony Benson).

Laura made blueberry pancakes for breakfast several mornings.  Her pancakes are the best I have ever had.  They are made with a multigrain batter and loaded with fresh wild blueberries.  We ate lots with maple syrup and with grape jam.

Dan ready to devour Laura's blueberry pancakes. 

We did not have as many desserts as usual because Alice doesn't like desserts, and she was a good influence on me.  I did make a delicious Manitoba blueberry pie with fresh and cooked blueberries topped with whipped cream flavored with almond. 

Manitoba blueberry pie.

One of the best food at the birthday party for Michealette was the fruit kabobs.

Beautiful and tasty fruit kabobs at Michealette's birthday party.

We celebrated a belated birthday party for me at the Dundee Resort noted for its great restaurant.  Several of us enjoyed a half rack of lamb that was cooked to perfection and the spinach salad starter was good too.  

Spinach salad with strawberries, eggs, citrus and red onions. 

Half rack of lamb.

The last evening we were there Laura made steamed mussels.  She steamed the mussels in a broth of chicken stock, onions, chives, tomatoes and yellow squash.

Steamed mussels.

   Yes, we always enjoy eating when we are in Cape Breton, and this summer was no exception.