'My People'

My sister hosted a fantastic bridal shower for me last Saturday. The guests were comprised of my family members and long time family friends. My mom refers to our family friends as 'my people'. Although she claims them in her life - they have been in my life since I was a little girl. They are just like aunts to me and I am glad they were able to celerate last weekend.

The shower food - Sangria (white and red), Vanilla Cake from Dolce Bakery and a Fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements. She had some appetizers too that were delicious!

She also thought up fun games - she made a poster board of me throughout the years and included pictures of me at different ages. Everyone had to guess my age in the picture. The other game was on a sheet of paper - everyone had to think of words to make out of the letters of my name and the fiance. They were very fun!

                                      Thanks Kate for a fun day!!!  You're quite the hostess!!!



Oh Peony!

My mom has these amazing Peony plants in her backyard.

My brother gave them to her for Mother's Day a few years ago.

I am not sure how I failed to know this because Peonies are my favorite flower.

I really wanted them for the wedding and reception.

But they are not in season in July.

Bummer!

Yesterday while she was picking me lettuce out of their garden,

she said I could take a few with me for my kitchen table!

I was super excited!

Field Trip - Shatto Dairy

On Sunday afternoon the fiancé and I along with Libby and Tom took a road trip to Osborn, MO to visit the Shatto Dairy. I am not entirely sure how Libby found out about the event but we managed to sign up for the tour arranged by Slow Food KC. SFKC is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment. They focus on food, local growers and the food preparation practices within different cultures.

 
Our tour guide R. Leroy Shatto has been milking for 37 years. Due to the bureaucracy of being a dairy farmer - it was making it more and more difficult for the small dairy farmers to stay existent and make money. As the price of milk increases one would think the dairy farmer would see that in his/her wallet. But that is not the case. Many dairymen do not even see that money in their pocket – which led Mr. Shatto to think outside the box. He had an idea to start selling his milk in local grocery stores. So one hot day he came home from milking, got cleaned up – took out a glass bottle and filled it with white sugar to look like milk. He took sugar because it was way too hot out to carry a gallon of milk around. He pitched his idea and had the grocers sign a letter of intent to purchase his milk. He visited 6 stores that first day – the first one was the Hy-Vee in Liberty, MO. All 6 signed the letter. The next morning he figured he should try 6 more stores. So he made his way over to Price Chopper – which he ended up pitching his idea to Mr. Cosentino himself. He accepted and wanted him to be the sole milk provider for the store - this sort of worried Mr. Shatto because at the time he only had 80 cows.

Now, a couple years after pitching his idea of selling farm fresh milk in glass jars – he has over 300 cows that are milked a day. 2 groups are milked 2 times per day, 1 is milked 3 times per day. He has one cow that can produce 16 gallons in one milking session. They have 32 employees which consist of 2 full time crews that milk and then a part time crew for the cows that are milked 3 times per day. Mr. Shatto shared the process that they use to pasteurize and homogenize the milk. They are currently bottling milk every day but Wednesday and Sunday but occasionally due to demand will have to bottle on Wednesday.

I was in awe of this man. He took an idea that he believed in and rolled with it. It was a huge risk for his family. And he has made it a success. They have started to develop their prodcut line -using the main ingredient - milk. They are now selling cheese, cheese curds, butter and ice cream.  Also you'll probaby notice that they are bottling lemonade and teas. If you're in a Hy-Vee or Price Chopper in the KC area you'll probably see their product.  (check out their cheese!)

If you're interested in taking your kids on fieldtrips this summer -  I would check out their webpage for tour dates and times. Or - if you need an adult outing it is super fun.

Hurley-girl is 5

Our fun loving pup turns 5 years old today.

We love you Hurley!

Maifest 2011

This past Saturday friends and family gathered for the 2nd Annual Maifest!!! The Fiancé, along with 2 buddies  home brewed 29 different beers to share with their guests. It was a BEAUTIFUL day in May, high of 88 and full sun! With every donation a token pint glass representing the day was handed out and T-shirts were sold to commemorate the day. A local KC coffee roaster was also on site to share his craft. There were burgers and sausages for lunch - along with all of the necessary bbq side dishes.

Here are some pictures from the day. I went picture crazy and took about 500-600. Here are just a few.

holy smokes

60 Days till the Wedding!

extended family

my fiance's family hosted a bridal shower for me recently and it was just lovely. i am so lucky to be joining such a great family. i am going from a 3 aunt / 1 great aunt family to more aunts/uncles than i can even count. 3 of my new aunts hosted the bridal shower in Netawaka, KS which is not far from where the fiance grew up. they incorporated 2 of my favorite colors, sea shells because of hawaii and cupcakes - my favorite! here are some pictures from the shower.

Thanks aunt tammy, sherry and marie. everything was wonderful.

keep calm

my lovely friend erica threw a 'keep calm' royal wedding watch party last friday evening. our bookclub met to watch the pre wedding festivities and the actual wedding. good news for me - i was able to watch it a second time...on purpose!

erica went all out and even set her table with her wedding china. lovely of course.
(did you see her new awesome sage green buffet table. nice one - mission antique mall)

her menu was divine and thoughtful. the drinks of choice were delicious.

The guests had a blast! Even the little ones.

This is one of my favorite erica parties. She is quite the hostess with the most clever ideas. Thanks for inviting me! check out the adorable party favors!