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Gals That Brunch- Spokane Newsletter - Summer 2019

Gals That Brunch- Spokane Newsletter – Summer 2019

In this issue we have event for June- August 2019

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During the summer in the Army there are a lot of changes. You have friends that move away to go to the next duty station and there usually is new people to meet and new Commanders to units. I was asked by the Epstein family to plan their event in celebration of CPT Epstein taking command. Mrs. Epstein decided on a mexicana themed lunch buffet. This buffet fed around 150 people.

My girlfriend Tanya (Photography by TanyaLynn) took so many awesome photos, here are a few of my favorites.

Photo by Tanyalynn

Photography by Tanyalynn

Photo By Tanyalynn

Photo by Tanyalynn

Epstein Change of Command During the summer in the Army there are a lot of changes. You have friends that move away to go to the next duty station and there usually is new people to meet and new Commanders to units.

#Buffett #Change of Command #Mexicana #military

This double birthday party was a boot stoppin’ hoot of a time. Sisters Josie & Scout wanted to celebrate at Ropes Ranch. Scout loves horses and Josie loves hearts (little hearts to be exact). Friends were able to take horse rides as well as feed the all animals on the farm. The kitten on the farm was the biggest hit, as all the kids took turns picking it up and playing with it. Unfortunately I was not able to grab a picture as the kids and kitten were moving way to fast. Activities for those who were not riding the horses were making stained glass hearts, decorate cowboy boots, personalized hearts & horses coloring books as well as a photo booth to take fun pictures.

The menu for this event was a simple BBQ with kid favorites.

Hearts & Horses Menu

Pulled BBQ Pork Hot Dogs Mac & Cheese Southern Potato Salad Watermelon Pops Sweet Tea Sun Tea Pink Lemonade

Birthday Cakes were made by Cynthia Lugo a local baker here.

All in all I think everyone had a rootin’ tootin’ kick of a time!

Horses & Hearts This double birthday party was a boot stoppin' hoot of a time. Sisters Josie & Scout wanted to celebrate at…

#Birthday #cowboy #cowgirl #hearts #Horses #ranch

I was asked to assist in a baby shower for a mother who is expecting twins! This was so much fun to prep for. The theme we decided upon was Dr. Seuss and follow the Cat and the Hat book. Also since Mom was expecting twins the first thought was Thing 1 & Thing 2.

Decorations were those of the graphics from the book as well as the fun plush animals that I was able to get on loan from the local library.

The Menu was the following :

Thing 1 & Thing 2 I was asked to assist in a baby shower for a mother who is expecting twins! This was so much fun to prep for.

#Baby Shower #brunch #Cat in the hat #Dr. Seuss #Thing 1 and thing 2

10 for 10 Challenge Join me in this challenge to take better care of yourself and find ways to focus on your well being.

I was asked by the local chapter of the USO to provide a cooking class on cooking on a budget. So this past week my self and about 6 individuals got together and made meat loaf, mac n cheese, garlic green beans, oven roasted potatoes, and brownies for them and a few others. here are some of the pictures from that class.

Budget Cooking with the USO I was asked by the local chapter of the USO to provide a cooking class on cooking on a budget.

When I first came to Italy I befriended this charming couple. When asked to cater their event we decided to go with a classy barbecue theme as both have lived in the south for a period of time and missed the food from there. The event was for the special occasion for the husband taking on his second command of a new unit. To see soldiers oohing and ahhing over how good the food smelled and tasted. Then the best part was to hear from those who have been to a few of these events over the years to see that this was not the same ol’ same and see how we stepped it up a notch, was pretty cool.

The Menu:

Smoked chopped Pork

Smoked chopped Chicken

Baked Beans

Southern Potato Salad

Northern Potato Salad

Deviled Eggs

Cowboy Caviar

Pasta Salad

Cole Slaw

Cup Cakes provided by my friend Q’s Custom Cakes

Midwest Charm to Italy

#Catering #Change of Command #Events #Large event

One of my best girl friends was celebrating her birthday early and we were looking forward to an event outside, however mother nature had other plans. So our back up plan was a casual night in with a few of us just being silly and enjoying each others company. I made some tasty treats and we had a great time singing and dancing our night away in doors.

Our girls night in menu:

Skirt steak sandwiches with caramelized onion and fig jam with brie

jalapeño poppers with raspberry and lime dip

mozzarella sticks with marinara

loaded mac n cheese

cookies and cream cup cakes best

buffalo bites with blue cheese and celery & carrots

lots of prosecco and mixed flavored soda pops

Girls Night In One of my best girl friends was celebrating her birthday early and we were looking forward to an event outside, however mother nature had other plans.

#Birthday #girls night in

I was honored when asked to cater for a promotion ceremony. On this typical rainy spring time day we celebrated the promotion of LTC Limjuco. Many jokes and stories were told in his honor along with smiles, hand shakes and hugs. Once the congratulations were all said everyone got in line to fill up on sandwiches, salads and baked goods.

The menu for this is event is as follows:

Poached Salmon with Dill Havarti Cheese

Northeast Crab Salad Sandwiches

Buffalo Chicken Salad Wraps

Roast beef, Arugula, Caramelized Onion and Horserddish cream sauce

Greek Salad Skewers

Ham and Swiss Rolls

Mixed Fruit Platter

Salmon Mouse

Mixed Mini Cakes

Mixed Cookies

Tea Bar

Aqua Fresca Bar

Springtime Promotional Luncheon I was honored when asked to cater for a promotion ceremony. On this typical rainy spring time day we celebrated the promotion of LTC Limjuco.

I was asked to plan and cater a cinco de mayo baby shower. No since this not the mom to be first baby we titled it a sprinkle. She was so sprinkled with love and thoughtfulness. We kept it very family friendly with drinks and food for the kiddos too. The fruit was the hit with the kids for the Aqua Fresca bar and the adults enjoyed the fux margarita bar.

Cinco de Mayo Menu

Chili relleno bites

Green chili chicken empanadas

Mini Bean and cheese burritos

Steak fajita kebabs

Shrimp & chorizo skewers

Cilantro& lime slaw salad

Quinoa fiesta salad

Fresh guacamole

Southwest salsa

Queso Blanco

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes

Churro Bites

Margarita cakes

Enjoy the photos of this splendid day and the looks of surprize from the mother to be while opening her gifts.

hand made teething necklace

Someone likes the cup cakes

The berries were a hit

Who doesn’t need more baby wipes?

It’s not easy finding gender neutral clothes here in Italy.

So Cute

A Sprinkle with a side of Cinco de Mayo I was asked to plan and cater a cinco de mayo baby shower. No since this not the mom to be first baby we titled it a sprinkle.

#Baby Shower #cinco de mayo #mexican #sprinkle shower

I hosted a impromptu greek dinner at my house to celebrate the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2. This buffet fed over 15 people. While eating we caught up with the first movie and then went to see the second.

Greek Night I hosted a impromptu greek dinner at my house to celebrate the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.

#food #greek #themed party

My friends son came from Korea to celebrate his 21st Birthday. We celebrated the best way with going to a local bar /restaurant called The Big. I provided cup cakes infused with alcohol. Also celebrating was a close friend who’s birthday was the same weekend.

Cup cakes were Jack & coke, Lemon Drop, Fireball and last but not least Gin & Tonic.

Dad’s Band played and fun was had by all.

A Big 21st Birthday My friends son came from Korea to celebrate his 21st Birthday. We celebrated the best way with going to a local bar /restaurant called The Big.

#21st #Alcohol #Birthday #cup cakes

Spring has Sprung!

What a beautiful day to spend the day at a local farm. This time a year local farmers are ready to start selling their strawberries, peas and asparagus. I love this time of year as flowers are blooming everywhere and life it just a bit more colorful.

On a Saturday afternoon my good friend Sal and collaborated in helping out the Fattoria Palma Verde to get more Americans to visit their family farm. The Father started the farm and now it is a family affair.

Sal and I had workshops for those who attended. Flower arrangements from flowers picked from the garden, infusing olive oils with freshly picked herbs, homemade and fresh focaccia bread, decorating cakes with edible flowers, and so much more. After the workshops we enjoyed a family style lunch. Dishes were made by Sal, Father Farmer and myself using the ingredients we collected from the farm.

MENU

Curried Egg Salad ( picked fresh eggs from coop)

Spinach Salad with Pears, Walnuts, gorgonzola with balsamic and Olive oil dressing

Fresh tomato and Basil Bruschetta

Fresh Pea Risotto

Polenta

Homemade Hummus

Focaccia

Chicken Satay Skewers with peanut sauce

This was such a pleasure working with a good friend, but also was wonderful meeting all the participants.

Enjoy the photos!

Fattoria Palma Verde

Fattoria Palma Verde Spring has Sprung! What a beautiful day to spend the day at a local farm. This time a year local farmers are ready to start selling their strawberries, peas and asparagus.

#Farm #Italy #Peas #strawberries

On a beautiful April afternoon I was apart of an effort to raise money for children’s cancer research. Joining forces with Ropes Ranch and the Dusty Saddle Boys we were able to raise over $1000. This was a donation only event for me. Planning this event was fun but also taught me some lessons. It’s always good to learn something from each event. This time I learned that Italians and Americans alike love Barbecue and all the fixings that go with it. Also there is no need to buy the same amount of buns to grilled meats as many people are now going bun free.

Ropes Ranch used this event to host and have an open house to offer discounted horse ridding lessons and trail rides for the upcoming season. The Dusty Saddle Boys used this event to raise money for their philanthropy.

Our initial interest was about 150 people, but once we took a step back I fed almost 300. I have learned it is always better to make more than not enough. and to provide portion controlled serving spoons to spread out the food. So overwhelmed with all the complements and smiles I received that day.

A big THANK YOU to the A.S.D Ropes Ranch and The Dusty Saddle Boys for this awesome opportunity and a chance to give back to a great community and wonderful charity.

On a beautiful April afternoon I was apart of an effort to raise money for children's cancer research.

#Catering #DSB #Event Planning #Fundraiser #Horses

This event was for my husbands birthday. We went for a classic house cocktail party with a dress up option for the 50’s style.

There was a full bar with cocktail recipes from that era. Also I made classic horderves from some of my grandmothers cookbooks. I opted to make two diffrent cupcakes to celebrate the event. One was a whiskey sour with a white cake base and the other was a bourbon bacon with dark chocolate cake.

Here are some of the fun pictures from that evening.

Classic Cocktail Party This event was for my husbands birthday. We went for a classic house cocktail party with a dress up option for the 50's style.

#Birthday #classic #cocktails #madmen

The momma to be wanted her baby shower to have the theme of owls as it was the same in her nursery. So we still went with the pink scheme as Momma was expecting a baby girl. We added some other fun colors too.

This baby shower was a brunch so there

was a fruit tray along with bite sized snacks. Two beverages were provided, one kid and Momma friendly and one available to those who wanted to indulge in an adult beverage.

A Hoot of a Time The momma to be wanted her baby shower to have the theme of owls as it was the same in her nursery.

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