Monday, July 4, 2011

July Celebration


HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!
  

 Party Celebrations!!


In honor of Independence Day we hosted two glorious events!
A surprise party for my beloved friend and a
weekend extravaganza with my sisters and their families!!!
I am showcasing the surprise party first!


SURPRISE BONNIE!!!
She thought it was our Gourmet Club...ha ha...gotcha!
There she is...the beautiful and most incredible Bon Bon!
She is also known as Boncetta - we are the "Cetta Twins"
A lot of you may not know that my true name is Concetta -
but my nick-name is Connie. 
Those that are closest to me always call me Concetta!

The guests....
Don't you just love that face?  I do.
Diane & Bonnie
Stan & Lori
Pastor Fred & Phyllis
Gordon & Teresa
Fred & Tanya
Art & Debbie
Nancy & John
EDDIE & BONNIE

I decorated my front porch for the festivities.
~*~
RED
~*~
WHITE
~*~
BLUE 


I set up 3 tables to accommodate all of our guests.
The Beverage Bar was also displayed outside. 

  

The Beverage Bar

 Berry Infused Ice Water
~*~
I made star-shaped ice cubes with blueberries
and little ice cubes with fresh mint and raspberries!


Decadent Desserts 


Food Feast



Boncetta's Pasta Salad
***
3 lbs. Penne Pasta
(cook & cool)
Veggies
(4 bags of frozen, Italian or Roma Blend-defrost)
1 small bag Broccoli Florets
Mix all together until blended then add:
2 cans Black Olives, sliced
6 Fresh Tomatoes, cubed
2 Containers Feta Cheese, crumbled
1 large Red Onion, diced fine
Mix together the following and add to salad:
1/3 c Salad Oil
1/4 C Red Wine Vinegar
1 c Parmesan Cheese, grated
3 T Oregano
Garlic Salt to taste
***
One hour before serving pour on 2 (8 oz.) bottles of Creamy Caesar Dressing.
Mix well and chill.
(This quantity serves 20-25 people and can easily be halved.) 

~*~
Tanya's Creamy Cole Slaw
3/4 c Mayo
1/4 c Dijon
1/4 c Brown Sugar
3 T Apple Cider Vinegar
4 t Celery Salt
1/4 t Black Pepper
1/4 T Red Pepper
1 Whole Cabbage, shredded
1 large Carrot, shredded
1 Onion, grated
***
Whisk dressing together until blended.
Pour over veggies and mix well.  Chill. 



 3-Bean Dip
Tanya Wilbon
 ***
1 can Refried Beans
1 pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix
1 can Black Beans, drain
1 8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 can Navy Beans, drain
~*~
Spread refried beans on the bottom of a 10 x 13" pan.
Mix cream cheese and taco seasoning until blended.
Spread over refried beans.
Mix beans and tomatoes together and pour over the top.
Chill for 4 hours. 


Mini Candy Bar
Starlights ~ Lifesavers ~ Twizzlers ~ Bite Size Peppermints 
Cinnamon Hots ~ Cherry Slices


 I made this delicious birthday cake in honor of Bonnie.
This recipe comes from the wonderful site - Life As A Lofthouse.
I love this blog - there are so many amazing recipes there! 
~*~
White Texas Sheet Cake
 • 1 c Butter

• 1 c Water
• 2 c Flour
• 2 c Sugar
• 2 Eggs, beaten
• 1/2 c Sour Cream
• 1 t Almond Extract
• 1 t Baking Soda
• 1 t Salt


FROSTING:
 • 1/2 c Butter
• 1/4 c Milk
• 4 1/2 c Confectioners' Sugar
• 1/2 t Almond Extract


 In a saucepan bring butter and water to a boil.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl add flour and sugar. Mix.
 Then add in eggs, sour cream, extract, baking soda and salt.
Slowly pour in the boiling butter/water mixture.
Stir with a spatula until well combined and smooth. 
 Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking sheet.
Bake at 375 for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool for about 20 minutes.


FOR FROSTING:
In a large saucepan, combine butter and milk. Bring to a boil.
Remove from the heat, and then stir in sugar and extract.
Stir until smooth and all combined. Spread over warm cake.


 This was my birthday cake that Bonnie made for me!
Mmmmm....so yummy!!
~*~
Italian Love Cake 
1 box Marble, Chocolate or Fudge Cake Mix
2 lbs. Ricotta Cheese
4 Eggs
3/4 c Sugar
1 t Vanilla
3.4 oz. box Chocolate Pudding, instant
1 c Milk, cold
8 oz. Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9x13" pan.
Prepare cake mix per box directions.  Pour batter in pan and set aside.
***
Mix together: ricotta, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Spread over batter.  Bake for 45-50 minutes until cake is set.
COMPLETELY COOL CAKE!!!
***
Mix the pudding mix, milk and whipped topping together with electric beaters.
Spread over cooled cake.  Chill before serving. 


I am linking to the following parties:

StoneGableLark's Country Heart

Hearth and Soul Hop at the 21st Century HousewifePhotobucket Bird's Party

11 comments:

  1. Happy Independence Day! Any gal with the name "Concetta" (aka Connie) I believe has to be at least part Italian?! I had two close friends growing up by that name. I have lost contact and haven't met another one since. This is some party, the food,the decorations, just wonderful. I am visiting from StoneGable. I will stop by again. xo,

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  2. Fabulous photos of what was, no doubt, a wonderful celebration. Your Italian love cake is similar to the ricotta on the bottom cake that I make. I love the addition of the chocolate pudding. Great food and decor.

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  3. I love everything you did and I must say my favorite is how you decorated the tables. You can cater for me, any time. Actually, you whole blog is in such good taste, beauty everywhere.

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  4. Awesome food, nice table and wonderful 4th of July celebrations. I love it.

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  5. Hope you had a great 4th...but from the looks of things everything was quite spectacular!!! I love your table setting and especially the Berry Infused Ice Water. What a great, unique idea! Love it...happy 4th to you!

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. Looks like you had a very festive holiday! Oh and that cookie.. Oh my! :)

    Following you back! Thanks for stopping by! http://www.peacelovepoop.com

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  8. Hello and thanks so much for bring these great recipes to Cookbook Sundays!

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  9. Wow, you are the best hostess! All the decor looks wonderful And the food looks delicious. Thank you for sharing all these wonderful recipes with us. (I always know to check your blog when I am looking for something good to try.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!!!

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  10. What a wonderful post, Concetta! Such a lovely party, and such beautiful decorations and food! I love the delicious assortment of recipes - they will make a great addition to our parties here this summer. Thank you so much for sharing them, and your lovely party, with the Hearth and Soul blog hop!

    ReplyDelete

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CONCETTA'S RECIPES

The Kitchenettes ~ A Hospitality Club

Romans 12:13
Pursue the practice of hospitality.

The Kitchenettes is all about teaching and mentoring young girls in the art of hospitality. It is so much more than cooking or doing domestic tasks ~ hospitality is the very heart of God ~ a demonstration of pouring His love onto others. This group of young girls are learning the very nature and character of God as they serve people and sharpen their skills in homemaking.

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