We had FUN!!!

We had so much fun tonight!! I don't know how I have cooked for so long...and I cook so much...and no one has ever invited me to a Pampered Chef party before!

I had a lot of things ready before anyone came. Jeremy was gone today so Siah and Elijah picked flowers to match our tablecloth (really just a sheet!). Who needs a florist....be one instead!! Everyone should grow zinnias and cosmos!



Then Brandy came and told me that at a P.C. party you use the table for demonstrations...who knew? :) So, we quickly, moved the food to the counters and got ready for guests.



Lots of people came...some brought a friend...and then the cooking began!



Here the pizza crust is in the pan. It was topped with onions, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese. I got to use the chopper that so many of you recommended....very cool! When so many of you recommended it, I sort of poo-pooed the idea.



I have knives...I can chop! But..I admit it....I was wrong and y'all were right! I couldn't believe how quickly and easily it chopped and the best part was how it came apart so easily and went right into the dishwasher. My kind of tool!

I also got to use their micro-planer. We grated Parmesan cheese and zested limes. I have to admit that I have one that isn't made by Pampered Chef and EVERY TIME I use it I scrape knuckles, fingers...something. So I liked the fact that it was wide, it protected my hand AND was adjustable AND stored flat....really cool! Jeanne demonstrates for y'all! Now...how come no one told me about this?



They had the COOLEST garlic press (can you tell I've never been to a Pampered Chef party before?). You don't have to peel the cloves!!!!! You just pop the whole thing in and press...the garlic comes out and the skin is left in the press....just look...

I think Brandy was tickled by how tickled I was. I just had to try it and I still can't figure out why the skin didn't press through with the garlic but...it didn't. I tried it twice to make sure. Then it also had this nifty little cleaner to get the garlic leavings out. No more using a toothpick ladies!!

By the way...you can read the writings of the lady in pink (behind Brandy) here. She is one of my boys favorite people. I watched Elijah idle closer and closer...I knew what he was after...one of her hugs! (She's one of my favorite people too, I dearly love her!).

Then we got to play with a mandoline. Now, I have a mandoline but it is nothing like this fancy thing! Here my friend Ginny is giving it a whirl.



I like the fact that it had a built in stand and that there was a storage box for the extra blades. It was really neat that the storage box fit onto the mandoline when it wasn't being used. But the best part is that there is a safety built into the machine...if you aren't using it properly then you can't cut yourself. I use one of these a lot for cutting cukes into pickles and for cutting squash and zuchinni for the dehydrator . Julie and I thought it would be good to slice Roma tomatoes thin, sprinkle them with Italian seasoning, add a little parmesan and then dehydrate - bite sized pizzas!! We also figured out that it was SO safe we could assign slicing to children!!! Many hands... :)

Here is Willa covering the pizza just before baking. I'll send a free bar of soap to anyone who can guess where we met!!!!) She has the most adorable 2 yr. old grand-daughter! My boys spent the evening playing with her, reading to her and lamenting the fact that they didn't have a sister and want one just like her...and the golden curls are a must! She's been gone over an hour and they are still talking about her and how much fun they had!



I did find out that I have two (count 'em two!) Pampered Chef things in my kitchen. One is a round stoneware dish that I make cinnamon rolls and deep dish pizza in. I love it.

And the other....one of my most FAVORITE kitchen things in the WORLD...is this nifty little tool...ta...da!!



I have two of these and use them everyday...I'll probably order a couple more. This is THE best little gadget. I use this little springy, whisk thing to heat sauces, mix gravy, beat eggs, melt butter and more. But the MOST important thing I use it for is making salves for y'all! It is the BEST tool for whisking the beeswax into the other oils as it melts. And it cleans up like a dream!! Gotta have it! And at $3.95...I can afford to love it! (Can you tell that Brandy thinks I've lost it?).

We laughed, talked, ate and laughed and talked some more. I think we all had a great time. Then it was time to clean up....notice the medicinal herb i.d. book? Seems that the interest in medicinal herbs is growing...I almost always need one when I am with a group of people. Someone always has few questions. Around here I am known as "The Herb Lady" :)



We began cleaning....many hands pitched in to help. The boys walked Grandma home across the drive way, helped Brandy carry her huge and heavy bag to her car and before you know it we were back to normal...



Everyone found something to order so I think we were able to bless Brandy. If anyone still wants to order you can do so by following the directions here. Don't forget! I am still sending out a free bar of soap (no shipping even!) to all who place an order with Brandy...so be sure and email me with your request! I think she said you can order through Thursday.

I wish you could have all been here! I got to see old friends and new friends. I even made new friends! Good food, great friends...what a wonderful evening!

Thanks Brandy....you did a GREAT job!!