Birdie Baby Shower

Mindi is Adding to Her Nest!

My friend Mindi is having another baby girl so Jill, Mary, Amy and I put together a bird themed baby shower for her and little Kaitlin.

Mary's famous strawberry doughnut kabobs.

This salsa is to die for. 

Like the white platters and basket?  John got them for me. 

 They form a tower if you set them up that way.  I love them!

We were going to use the baby's breath to make a garland but we ended up liking the little nest we made instead.  I love this drink tower (or whatever you call it) of Jill's it's so pretty!  I want one!

No party is complete without some completely adorable cupcakes from Amy. 

Amy and Mary spent the morning decorating these beautiful, delicious treats.

Some eggs I made using some Styrofoam eggs I got from G.G. Cutts. 

I just twisted, and wrapped and glued fabric onto them and laid them in a nest of raffia.

Baby birds waiting to be eaten be fed.

This was the main centerpiece that I created.  The tornado and storms weren't all bad - I was able to go to a neighbors yard and collect a bunch of these beautiful dark branches.  I then sewed and stuffed little bird ornaments using fabric scraps and hung them from the branches.  This now sits in Maggie's room and goes with the bird theme I have for her decorations.

Mindi opened presents (my goodness I forgot how cute baby girl clothes are!) and each of the guests got to take home a delicious chocolate dipped cookie that Jill made and put in a cute little package.  Baby showers are so much fun!



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Pork Pot Stickers With Dipping Sauce

Yummy, addictive, pot sticker recipe that makes about 100 - 150 pot stickers that can be kept frozen until ready to cook and serve.

Don't pay attention to the ONE burned one!  Why didn't I flip it over for the picture???

Ingredients for the Dumplings:

• 2 Packages Pot sticker Wrappers (I used the one pictured below)
• 2 Pounds Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
• 2 Cups Napa Cabbage, Thinly Chopped
• 4 Green Onions, Thinly Sliced
• 2 TB Grated Ginger
• 2 TB Soy Sauce
• Water
• Oil

Directions:

1. Mix thoroughly - pork, cabbage, onion, ginger and soy sauce. 
2. Take about a teaspoon size amount of meat and place in center of  one wrapper.
3. Dip your finger in water and wet half of the circle of the wrapper.  This will act as your "glue" when you pinch the wrapper closed.  (See photo below)
4. Pinch the wrapper closed.  Flatten bottom of pot sticker which will allow it to stand.  Repeat with remaining meat and wrappers.
5. Place on a cookie sheet and place in freezer.  Once frozen, the pot stickers can be transferred to a freezer bag for storage.
6. When ready to cook heat skillet on medium heat with enough oil to coat bottom of pan.
7. Place pot stickers in pan and let fry for about 1 minute.
8. Add water to about 1/3 the height of the pot sticker.  Place lid on skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, checking to make sure the meat is cooked and the bottoms aren't burning.
9. Remove lid and allow pot stickers to fry again about 1 more minute.
10. Remove from pan right away and serve with dipping sauce.

Ingredients for the Sauce:

• 2 TB Soy Sauce
• 2 TB Water
• 2 tsp Balsamic Vinegar
• 2 tsp Brown Sugar
• 1 Large Clove of Garlic, Chopped

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Increase amount as needed.  Will easily store in fridge.