Birthday week continues with a fun party . . . but not for me! It was a beautiful bridal shower I helped host for a dear, sweet girl.
From left to right, Kay, Bride-to-be Ginny, me and Harriet. The three of us hosted a bridal shower for our dear Ginny because we love her and her family, and also because we love throwing a good party!
Harriet hung billowing swaths of white tulle on her porch that gave everything a romantic, dreamy touch.
Just before entering the front door, there was the welcome table, and instead of holding a traditional guest book, there was a copy of “The Spirit of Fairhope” written by Dean and Megrez Mosher. Each guest chose a page and wrote a little note to the bride. I loved that idea!
The party was held at Benulee, Harriet’s fabulous house. I’ll show you more of the house tomorrow, but for today, I’ll focus on the party. This little bit I’ll go ahead and share, the house is an exact replica of the house where Harriet was born in Mobile. I know! Amazingly cool! The neighbor’s dog was kind enough to come over and pose for me on the front porch. (Then she came over and licked my leg while I was signing the book).
Guests were welcomed with candied Baldwin County Pecans next to a wedding invitation and a cool, bubbly Mimosa.
The entry hall is large enough to double as the dining room. Kay and Harriet have been friends since elementary school, and I’ve always loved being around them. Everything they do is just wonderful.
We used old glass “trays” for plates, and lots of shiny silver with white linens. Ahhhh. Just what my welcome reception will look like in heaven!
The brunch menu consisted of; ham and cheese croissants, mini quiches, pinwheels, breakfast bread pudding, cheese wafers, deviled eggs, creamy cheese spread and fresh fruit. There was also a dessert table with cookies, petit fours, and chocolates.Â
You may remember last week I went to Mary Esther to pick up a package far too precious to mail. Well, this is what was inside . . . antique bride dolls!
The three dolls above, were on the fireplace mantle over the spot where Ginny sat to open her gifts. Harriet put billowy white tulle and sparkling lights around them to make them look like they were floating on clouds.
My Mother kindly loaned the treasured collection to me. She received her first bride doll from the jewelry store when Daddy bought her engagement ring. After that, she just slowly started a collection. They are displayed in a beautiful cabinet my husband built for her years ago. I always said I would use them for my “daughters” weddings someday . . . therefore ensuring I would have two boys.
Here are more dolls on the serving table. Each one has a different personality and is so beautiful.
It was fun to see the different styles of dresses and veils that have been popular over the years. The dolls sparked conversations amongst the ladies who chatted about their childhood dolls and wedding dresses.
The gorgeous sideboard held the drinks. Southern sweet tea, ice water and ginger ale punch. Harriet has the most stunning serving pieces!
I made the cheese wafers in the bottom right of this photo (I don’t know why the fork is there). I was going to make traditional cheese straws, but at the last minute couldn’t find my cookie press! Who the heck would run off with a woman’s cookie press?Â
As I was tearing my kitchen up looking for the blame thing, I suddenly remembered my mother’s recipe for crunchy cheese wafers, which is almost the same thing as cheese straws, with the addition of one extra ingredient. I love these wafers so much, my Mother will make them for my family, and I’ll hide them and eat them all myself. Hey! don’t judge me! They’re that good, and I’m sure my family doesn’t need all that cheese anyway! I’m doing them a favor.
Here’s the recipe. Save some for me!
Alabama Cheese Wafers
4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (don’t use pre-grated)
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 – 1 ground red pepper to taste
2 cups Rice Crispy cereal
Preheat oven to 350° Mix cheese, flour, butter salt and red pepper until it forms into a soft dough. Stir in cereal by hand. Form small balls of dough, place on baking sheet about an inch apart and flatten with the bottom of a drinking glass dipped in flour. (that’s just how we do it). Bake 10 minutes, remove and using a spatula, flip each wafer over and continue baking another 5-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
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*Most similar recipes don’t require you to flip these over, but my Mother said it makes them extra crispy and crunchy which we love.
Enjoy!