Do you remember me telling you about that cooking club I joined with one of my favorite friends?
You know, the dinner party I went to where said friend choked on a giblet of corn?
You can read about our enchanting evening here.
Well, this month it was our turn to host and prepare the meal.
And Brittney and I were pretty “into” our theme: Farmers Market.
Which means that nearly every item we used in our dishes, we actually hand picked at the local Underwood Family Farm.
Basically, we got poked by thorns, had dust caked between our toes and nearly broke our backs in 100 degree weather all in the name of a fresh and yummy meal for our dear friends–and it was totally worth it!
Because there was so much that went into this evening, I’m going to break things up into two posts. This post will show you our prep-work for the dinner. And tomorrow I will post the results and final presentation–with some good stories that include a smoke alarm, a feta cheese incident, and a nearly raw dessert.
Our trip to the farm to pick the produce the day before. We even brought the kiddies.
We filled an entire wagon with produce. People were staring.
Then Brittney and I went our separate ways to put the kids down for a nap.
Brittney worked on prepping all the food, because she is pretty much a pro chef {if you ask me}, and there was no sense in having me ruin everything.
The beginnings of our Mediterranean salad.
To die for stuffed peppers. I’m not gonna lie–at first I was skeptical–but then Brittney introduced me to this version of stuffed peppers, and I am a fan for life. I even had a dream about them the other night–they are that good.
And a from scratch cheesecake with fresh picked raspberries.
And while Brittney was busy slaving away in her kitchen, I was at home cleaning, crafting and organizing for the big event. Menu design, place settings, finding enough seats, drinks, flowers, candles, moving furniture–you name it.
I made each guest a custom vintage yo yo brooch that I attached to their napkins,
Stay tuned tomorrow to see how it all came together, and for more details on our menu and recipes.
50 Comments
Aileen Billdt ~ Lil' Buckaroo Designs
September 1, 2011 at 7:03 amSO cute!!! LOVE what you did for the napkin rings!! Excited to see the post tomorrow because I think you may be convincing me to attempt a similar shindig for my besties!!
Rosalyn
September 1, 2011 at 7:17 amcan’t wait to see!
Mindy B.
September 1, 2011 at 7:20 amAwesome! Can’t wait for the next post! I love farmers markets and fresh veggies! What a great thing to do for the sweet ladies in your life, I am sure they LOVED it!
Shealynn Benner
September 1, 2011 at 7:29 amHow fun!! Looking forward to seeing how it all came together!
Salena Lee @ A Little Piece of Me
September 1, 2011 at 7:50 amWow, I love that! Everything looks so good and fun. I really like those brooches!
Michelle Parrott
September 1, 2011 at 7:53 ami was just going to ask for the recipes!!!! those stuffed peppers look AMAZING!!!!! It’s 9am over here in England and my stomach wants them for breakfast!!! lol. i’ll have to read your next post next week as we’ll be out of town – but now i have something to look forward to!! 🙂
JessicaLynn
September 1, 2011 at 10:51 amI am soo jealous I want to though an adorable dinner party with all homemade foods =] I wish I had the energy and time to cook all natural, maybe as the boys get a little older… And I would love the recipes too
Becky
September 1, 2011 at 11:17 amLooks like a fantastic start. Can’t wait to see the rest!
kristi quill
September 1, 2011 at 11:26 amhow fun! everything looks amazing and i can’t wait to see how it all comes together!!
Jennifer
September 1, 2011 at 11:45 amI am lusting over that food now!
alicia @ la famille
September 1, 2011 at 11:51 amhow fun! that’s a LOT of produce 🙂 excited to see the rest!
Melissa Hinkle
September 1, 2011 at 1:32 pmthat looks like so much fun and I can’t wait to see the final pics! adorable matching aprons btw..
Mel
September 1, 2011 at 1:41 pmI need to pick me up some of these kind of friends. The you kind that make homemade brooches for napkins and cheesecake from fresh berries. Where can I find your type? Do you hangout in co ops and flea markets? Can’t wait to see the rest!
Aleyta
September 1, 2011 at 11:04 pmHAHA, I was thinking the same thing! Where so I find friends like this? 🙂
Jamie
September 1, 2011 at 1:46 pmThe napkin rings are ADORABLE! Great idea. I hope we get to see the recipe for the stuffed peppers. Yum.
Rebecca ~ Raige Creations
September 1, 2011 at 2:00 pmI so love those napkin rings! How fun to shop and plan for such an event. IT is great you have a good friend to do this with. Can’t wait to see the results. 🙂
~Rebecca
Shannon
September 1, 2011 at 2:18 pmI am not a stuffed peppers fan but those look AMAZING, and I would absolutely try one. This party already looks so cute!
lori
September 1, 2011 at 2:35 pmeverything looks great, cant wait to see the finished product! where are your dishes from?? i loveee those! i am looking at getting some new ones myself and those are simple and classy. and love the aprons 🙂 too cute.
Ashley @ Little Miss Momma
September 1, 2011 at 11:29 pmI got the dishes at Home Goods last year, but they almost always have them in stock.
Laura
September 1, 2011 at 3:39 pmhow stinking cute!!! i can’t wait to see your table all decorated and the meal. you will have to post some recipes for us. 🙂
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
September 1, 2011 at 4:13 pmThis looks AHmazing. The cheesecake I must have the recipe for! And I’m not a huge fan of peppers but those stuffed ones could sway me :). Will you be posting recipes??? Making everything with fresh produce hand-picked will no doubt have been more work but I bet it made it all taste phenomenal!
Suzanne
September 1, 2011 at 4:22 pmThis is a great idea! Can’t wait to see the final products!
Chene
September 1, 2011 at 4:32 pmEverything so far looks amazing– those peppers– I have to try!
Can’t wait to see the next post!
Maureen Polderman
September 1, 2011 at 4:34 pmWhat a fun idea! I love going to our Farmer’s Market…this might have to happen in the very near future now!! Thanks for bringing a smile to my day Ashley….you rock!
Kelsey
September 1, 2011 at 4:49 pmI don’t think you could have picked a better theme! With your shabby chic crafty side and the farmers market food – I just can’t wait to see the final product!!!
Meli
September 1, 2011 at 5:11 pmWow, you two ladies are beyond impressive!!!! And cute. Those stuffed peppers do look might awesome….go ladies go!!!! And the brooches? I.die. Just a lil…
Shona
September 1, 2011 at 5:14 pmI can’t wait to see the rest of the pics! The stuffed peppers look gorgeous! I love how you guys go all out with lots of little details…..that’s what people notice at these get togethers. You guys look like you did a beautiful job, thanks for sharing!
sarah
September 1, 2011 at 5:53 pmYummer’s! By the way… Your blog look’s fabulous! Great design !
Libby
September 1, 2011 at 7:42 pmI looove stuffed peppers! so good! and my fiance and i are officially taking our engagement pictures in September at Underwood Family Farms! We’re getting married at Walnut Grove (directly behind it) and they’re letting us in to Underwood for pics! I hope they have a lot growing by then!
Jackie
September 1, 2011 at 8:46 pmthat looks like so much fun! it kind of reminds me of the Finer Things club pam and oscar and toby had on the office that jim would always try to join. having a nice night just for the fun of it. cute:)
Meredith
September 1, 2011 at 9:04 pmYo yo broach slash napkin rings… BRILLIANT! I can’t wait to see part 2! 🙂
allison {live love small}
September 1, 2011 at 9:15 pmi love the theme and may have to steal the idea for a party! everything looks amazing..
Carolyn
September 1, 2011 at 9:35 pmWow, can’t wait to see the rest tomorrow. You guys look like you worked hard, and it looks fabulous. If you get a chance, post the stuffed-pepper recipe!
Denise
September 1, 2011 at 9:59 pmGreat – great – great ideas! Fun on so many levels. I may steal your ideas! I would like to ask about your dinner plates. They are beautiful. Where did you find those?
Sherrel
September 1, 2011 at 10:25 pmThat looks like the most delicious, healthy dinner party ever. Nice job.
Jen
September 1, 2011 at 10:53 pmLooks like SO much fun! What a great theme! Can’t wait to see how it all came together. 🙂
Aleyta
September 1, 2011 at 11:03 pmOh my goshhhhhhh!!!!!! Everything looks amazing!!!!!
Andrea Merrigan
September 2, 2011 at 12:19 amI just recently found your blog and love reading it! This is such a fun idea and cant wait to see more on the event!
Stefanie
September 2, 2011 at 2:19 amEverything looks delicious!!!
Christi
September 2, 2011 at 2:35 amyum, looks like you guys did a lot of hard work!
where did you get the adorable aprons?
Rachael
September 2, 2011 at 3:16 amAhhhhhhh!!!! I can’t wait to see the pictures from the party!! I’m planning a farmer’s market party for my CK’s 2nd birthday (in February- I’m ridiculous) because she loves VegieTales and I’m not so much for cartoon birthday parties. Probably going to have to steal some inspiration from your post tomorrow. This was a fab and super cute idea.
Wendy Orme
September 2, 2011 at 3:36 amWow…you guys really went to a lot of work and it all looks so fantastic! As a side note: I think you meant a “niblet” of corn, maybe…a “giblet” is chicken guts.
Farmers Market Dinner Party, Part 2 - Little Miss Momma
September 2, 2011 at 4:22 am[…] Dinner Party Part 2 September 2, 2011 By Ashley @ Little Miss Momma * Leave a Comment Click HERE for Part 1 of the Farmers Market Dinner […]
Angie
September 2, 2011 at 10:05 amI LOVE your aprons!!! Everything looks great, especially those stuffed peppers. Can’t wait for the recipe.
Farmers Market Dinner Party, Part 2 – Little Miss Momma | dinnerpartyideas
September 2, 2011 at 10:43 pm[…] HERE for Part 1 of the Farmers Market Dinner […]
Sheri
September 6, 2011 at 4:27 amWhat an amazing party! (just read part 2 as well) Everything looks gorgeous! What dressing did you use on your mediterranean salad? It looks so delish!
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September 2, 2012 at 4:31 pm[…] pesto (as much as I DREAM of being a gourmet chef like my friend Brittney and making DIVINE pesto– I am not, so Trader Joe’s is going to have to be good enough […]
Barbara @ DIY Home Staging Tips
November 12, 2012 at 5:24 pmI loved those adorable napkin rings so much I included the photo and a link to your site on my blog today when I rounded up a group of diy napkin rings suitable for home staging.
http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/11/staging-dining-room-table-diy-napkin.html
I had to send my readers to KoJo Designs for the tutorial, but I think some of my readers will become your followers because your site is lovely and creative and smart and inspiring, and and and…
Thanks and best wishes.
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March 22, 2016 at 8:17 pmSO cute!!!
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