Happy Tuesday! I got the photos edited for my weekend and baby boy brunch shower recap on Monday but due to teaching, some meetings and appointments and a special Monday date night, I didn’t actually get the post written. Excited to do that now. 😉
Last night we were invited to enjoy dinner at Gallery Restaurant at the Ballantyne Hotel. I’ll be writing a post about our dinner experience later this week but it was six courses of deliciousness. When I rolled out of there at 9:30 last night I thought there was no way I’d wake up hungry after all that food…but I did! I decided my matcha ginger smoothie would be a great choice for a light and green breakfast.
On to the weekend…there are many photos to share!
We stayed in on Friday like we usually do. We had a good amount of food in the fridge so opted to use what we had rather than do Postmates. I made bunless burgers with kimchi and sriracha lime aioli and served it over sliced tomatoes. Avocado, roasted cauliflower and roasted sweet potatoes on the side.
Saturday morning brought a trip to the Matthews Farmers Market. I wanted to stock up on produce…especially tomatoes. I am all about tomato sandwiches at the moment.
While the Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is still my fave, the Matthews market is growing on me because it’s a) easy to navigate and get to, b) downtown Matthews is just so quaint and cute and has the best small-town vibes and c) THE DOGS! The SPCA does an adoption event in downtown Matthews on Saturdays and I love going to pat the dogs. I’m also looking into volunteer opportunities with them. <3
After the market I taught hot yoga and then came home to make a quick lunch before heading back out for an acupuncture appointment and errands to get ready for the baby shower. How beautiful are these tomatoes!? (I did put a top on the sandwich but wanted to photograph it this way!)
We thought we’d go out on Saturday night but prepping food for Sunday’s baby shower took us past 8 p.m. Tanner and I tag teamed the prep and I was so glad to have the help. We did pause at 8 p.m. while the quiche was baking to take all three of the dogs for a walk. By the time we got back, it was Postmates or cook. I’d just gotten a Blue Apron delivery that day so we decided to make the Caribbean chicken dish. I made a few changes to the BA recipe, mainly pan sautéing the plantains instead of baking them so I didn’t have to turn the oven on again. I also made cilantro lime rice instead of plain coconut rice because if you haven’t figured it out by now, it’s kind of my current favorite food. I’ll post the recipe soon!
Sunday morning I was up early to bake muffins for the shower. I made this recipe for blueberry banana muffins because I had so many ripe bananas on hand.
Of course I was rushing around so much putting the finishing touches on my food, wrapping gifts, etc that I literally had 15 minutes to get dressed. I opted for hair in a ponytail because it was all I had time for and it ended up being for the best because it was 90+ degrees outside and kept my hair away from my face while working with the food at the shower. Our shower began at 11 a.m. and was brunch themed.
Here’s a sample of the spread…vegan yogurt, granola and fruit trifle, mixed greens and blueberry scones.
I brought these two quiches. They are both spinach and gruyere using this recipe but I added artichokes and sundried tomatoes to one. Love this quiche recipe. Would make it again and again.
I also made two pans of overnight blueberry french toast and it was indulgent and delicious. Here’s the recipe I used and I used challah bread in the recipe.
Two different sausage breakfast casseroles, one was vegetarian. Also, mixed fruit and unpictured pasta salad, spinach and quinoa salad and chicken salad croissants. It was quite a spread but we were anticipating over 40 people so we needed a lot of food! 🙂
My plate…yum, yum, yum!!!!!
On to more shower details and photos. Here is the cake. It was so cute!
(Wanda Koch photography)
I loved the simple but sweet decorations and flowers. We did a blue, brown and white theme.
The shower was for our teacher Angie who is also on our management team so this was a “ladies of Y2 Yoga” shower and we had a great group of both students and teachers attend.
And of course Tanner…he’s always invited to the baby showers. Haha. Can we take a moment to appreciate Angie in all her mama-to-be glory? She’s due on September 4!
(Wanda Koch photography)
The shower was full of tender moments, quite a few tears and a lot of love.
(Wanda Koch photography)
Angie is truly one of the most beautiful people I know and I’m so excited for her as she takes this next step into motherhood.
(Wanda Koch photography)
Hostesses and mama!
(Wanda Koch photography)
Y2 ladies!
(Wanda Koch photography)
Finally, this is the best baby shower photo ever! This is our friend and long-time employee Joy’s baby girl. After the group shot she made her way onto this giant ottoman to be the star of the show. She was all sorts of hamming it up for the camera.
Such a special day and grateful for our community and to know so many amazing and supportive women.
Do you wake up hungry after big meals? I think I just wake up hungry no matter what….
Have you hosted a baby shower? If so, what was the theme?
Current favorite summer food that you can’t get enough of?
