The Dessert-Only Reception

!±8± The Dessert-Only Reception

Do you love sweets almost as much as you love your fiance? Are you looking for ideas for a reception that is both unique and affordable? If so, a dessert only wedding reception may be just what you have been looking for.

The name pretty much says it all: instead of having a cocktail hour followed by dinner and then cake, cut right to the best part: dessert! This is an idea that can work for a guest list of any size in virtually any type of venue. Your guests will love the novel and delicious concept, and you will love having a wedding that is much less expensive than one with a full menu.

The first thing that I would suggest for a dessert only reception is to make note of it on your invitation. Guests need to know that they will not be served a full dinner, so that they can plan to eat something before the ceremony. Or if they are anything like my family, so that they will know not to eat beforehand to save room for all of those glorious desserts! On your invitations, simply change the phrase "Reception immediately following the ceremony." to "Dessert reception immediately following the ceremony."

Now, to the fun part: the desserts themselves. Depending on the size of your guest list, you will want to have an array of easy to eat desserts followed by wedding cake. Ideas include things like: mini cheesecakes, key lime tortes, petit fours, tiny crème brules, bon bons, lemon squares, and opera bars. For a large reception, the desserts can be both elegantly displayed in stations (perhaps one that is chocolatey, another for fruit tarts, one for homemade favorites like Rice Krispie treats, etc.), and have single bite treats such as chocolate covered strawberries passed by waitstaff for an elegant touch.

If you really want to make a splash, you can take the dessert theme even further. A chocolate fountain is always a crowd pleaser. Another fun idea would be to have a build-your-own ice cream sundae station with all of the toppings. You may also want to have a chef making dessert crepes to order. It would also be nice to round things out with some less sugary complements to the desserts, such as a display of fresh fruit and cheese.

As at any wedding reception, having Champagne on hand for toasts is a good idea. Beyond that, it is up to you. A full bar will not be as expensive as at a seated dinner reception, because the dessert only party will not last as long. Alternatively, you could offer one or two signature cocktails, along with ample soft drinks. One thing that always goes with dessert is coffee, and it would be terrific to set up a coffee station serving coffee, decaf, espresso, and cappuccino.

A dessert only reception will not require a seat for every guest, as they will be circulating and mingling, not all sitting down to eat simultaneously. Do be sure to have some seating and small tables available for those who want to relax. Since you will not have place settings at this type of wedding, yo will need to set up a separate table for the wedding favors, usually by the entrance.

You should also give special consideration to the wedding cake, which at a dessert only reception will certainly be the star of the evening. Many brides like to decorate their cake with accents to match their wedding jewelry. For instance, if you will be wearing crystal wedding jewelry, a sparkling crystal monogram would make a spectacular cake topper. Brides who favor pearls can have each tier of their cake trimmed with frosting "pearls" for a classic and pretty cake.

The dessert only reception is a very fun idea that your guests are sure to enjoy. After all, everyone loves sweets! It can be an enjoyable and unique experience that you will find more pleasant to plan than a traditional dinner reception, and even more fun to attend.

The Dessert-Only Reception

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Five Great Gift Ideas For College Students

!±8± Five Great Gift Ideas For College Students

Missing your son or daughter? Rest assured that although they may not show it, they are missing you too. There are numerous occasions where getting just a little something from Mom & Dad is the boost your college student needs to trudge ahead, cheer them up and ease them into the transition from home to college. Here are just a few gift-giving, cheer-spreading ideas:

1. With many students living miles from home, you won't get to share family holidays together such as Easter and Halloween like you used to. Send them a basket full of goodies or some fresh-baked cookies to let them know you care during those holidays away from home.

2. Final exam care packages are always a big hit. There really is nothing better than food and drink to energize someone studying for finals. Care packages today come in many varieties ranging from caffeine items for the coffee lover, to all-natural nutritious snack choices including fruit and energy bars.

3. Birthdays are always big celebrations amongst friends and family. You can join in the fun by sending a fresh-baked birthday cake or party in a box that includes candles, party blowers and party hats for several people. We always suggest that you send enough food for them to share with their friends because, believe it or not, all parents are not as considerate.

4. Study break gifts are a fabulous way to encourage your student to put the books down and have some good, clean fun with their friends. Perhaps send the game Cranium or Taboo. Both are great games for a group and outrageously fun. Throw in a few snacks and your student will be all set. I can't think of a better way for your son or daughter to build camaraderie. My hall in the dorm used to sit around many nights playing games or watching TV while enjoying snacks. They will be thrilled that you thought of them and score some points with their friends too!

You can either shop online or locally to find some of the above items or you can put together your little gifts yourself. Some great ideas of things to use are a container from the container store or Target. Items such shower totes, nested boxes or crates can be used after all the enclosed items are gone. Fill the container with things like high-liters, pencils, note-pads, aspirin, energy bars, granola bars, pretzels, cracker jack, chips, chex mix, buttered microwave popcorn, candy bars, jelly beans, rice krispie bars, cookies, crackers, coffee, cocoa, tea and fruit juice. Basically, fill it with whatever your son or daughter enjoys. After all, you know them best!

Five Great Gift Ideas For College Students

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Modeling Chocolate Wrapped Cakes - Gift Wrapped Presents

!±8± Modeling Chocolate Wrapped Cakes - Gift Wrapped Presents

Create gift wrapped present cakes flooded in ribbons, bows and roses all from modeling chocolate.

Modeling Chocolate Wrapped Cakes - Gift Wrapped Presents

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What Is Your Favorite Marshmallow Recipe?

!±8± What Is Your Favorite Marshmallow Recipe?

There are not many people who do not love the sweet, light taste of marshmallows. Although this candy is great by itself, it can also add a special touch to recipes. If you have never tried a marshmallow recipe before, it will not take long for you to choose a favorite.

When plain cake frosting will not do, it is the perfect time to try marshmallow fondant. For any special event, it is the ultimate cake topper. While fondant has been a specialty in some cultures for generations, a marshmallow fondant can be made in the microwave. The only ingredients you need are miniature marshmallows, confectioners' sugar, butter or Crisco, and vanilla extract. It can be a spectacular centerpiece for birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries.

Childhood is not complete without Marshmallow Krispy Treats. For your own children or for parties, they will be the center of attention. You can choose between traditional Rice Krispies or chocolate. As they do not take long to prepare, they are also a nice snack for your family.

Creative moms might like to make their own candy. You can try a marshmallow recipe suited to your tastes and skill level. If you have never thought about making your own marshmallows at home, it is something you and your kids can have fun doing together. Marshmallow fudge is another option. While some moms find it relatively easy to make, others consider it rather complicated. Either way, it is something you really should try.

Marshmallows in hot chocolate are great, but trying new recipes bring them to an entirely new dimension. Whether they are a staple in your home or not, you will always want them on hand for whenever the creative mood strikes. They can make any day a special occasion, and any occasion a creative experience

What Is Your Favorite Marshmallow Recipe?

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Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too Kids Party

!±8± Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too Kids Party

Who's everyone's favorite lovable, huggable bear? Winnie the Pooh, of course! This popular bear is used for many theme parties, not just for babies. Kids and adults all love Winnie the Pooh as the theme for their party. If you have a big tree in your backyard, you can pretend it's in the Hundred Acre forest and keep your party outside.

Party supplies for Pooh bear come in many different styles. They can be specifically for a one year old birthday or generic for any age birthday party. There are Winnie the Pooh shaped balloons, plates, wall hangings and invitations. His group of friends - Piglet, Tigger, Eyeore and Rabbit - also have coordinating party wares. Balloons and crepe paper come in every color to match your theme exactly.

Games to play for your Pooh Bear theme can include pin the bee on the honey pot, pin the tail on Eyeore or give Pooh his nose. With small kids you can play hide the honey pot. Winner gets a prize! Another fun game is musical chairs to Winnie the Pooh's theme song music.

Cookie cutters in the shape of Pooh bear's head can be used for any type of treat. Make cookies, brownies, rice krispie treats or pancakes in the shape of the bear. They can also be used for tracing on paper making decorations and gift wrap. Cake pans are available in both the honey pot shape and Winnie the Pooh. Special candles and frosting sprinkles are also made to coordinate with the Pooh bear gang.

Every party supply store will have favors to award as prizes. They can be bubble solution holders, trinkets, stickers or tattoos. Stuffed animals also make good prizes for any age party attendee. Winnie the Pooh thank you cards can also be sent to guests with a picture following your party.

Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too Kids Party

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REPUBLIC OF CAVITE RESTAURANT Dishing Prime Filipino Foods

!±8± REPUBLIC OF CAVITE RESTAURANT Dishing Prime Filipino Foods

REPUBLIC OF CAVITE RESTAURANT All Event All Occasion Place Dishing up the Best Filipino Foods HISTORICAL ROOMS Republic of Cavite looks almost like the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit with red roofs symbolizing the provinces resistance (to the colonizers). It also has a watch tower and a stately balcony with the Philippine flag and two cannons installed at the center (of the balcony). The ground floor houses Plaza de Armas, another historical place in Cavite where the provinces 12 martyrs were executed. The three "meeting rooms" dubbed Silid Mapagtiis (a political party in Gen. Trias), Silid Magdiwang (in Noveleta), and Silid Magdalo (in Kawit-Gen. Aguinaldos party) are likewise found here--perfect venues for small gatherings. Bulwagang Cuenca, named after the ancestral Cuenca House in Bacoor,Cavite where Gen. Aguinaldo once held office, is situated on the second floor. This hall is ideal for big events such as weddings and venues and can accommodate a maximum of 100 (seated) guests. Sala de Gobernador (Seat of Supremacy) meanwhile is located at the attic. This is patterned after Gen. Aguinaldos living room or sala where private meetings were held. However, on a normal day, this room serves as Towns Delights showroom complete with table settings, floral arrangements, cakes and other wedding decorations. On the other hand, those looking for an outdoor venue can rent out Republic of Cavites spacious garden, which according to Pacumio is a popular venue for weddings and debuts ...

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Crazy Chocolate Clusters

!±8± Crazy Chocolate Clusters

These chocolate clusters are sweet, chocolaty, have a delicious peanut buttery taste, and with only 4 ingredients plus no bake directions why wouldn't you just love these little clusters! These chocolate clusters have been around since the 1940's and even to this day they are as popular as ever.

These bite size snacks are convenient for any occasion; whether it be a party, an afternoon snack, or the perfect solution to the midnight munchies. This is also a great kid-friendly recipe. These chocolate clusters only take a few moments to make, so what's there to lose? Go on, get in the kitchen!

INGREDIENTS:

1 (6-ounce) package semi-sweet chocolate morsels

1 (6-ounce) package butterscotch morsels

2 tablespoons peanut butter

4 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal

DIRECTIONS:

1) Melt chocolate morsels, butterscotch morsels and peanut butter together in top section of a double boiler over hot but not boiling water or in heavy saucepan over very low heat, stirring constantly until well blended. Remove from heat. Add Rice Krispies; stir until well coated.

2) Drop by level measuring-tablespoon onto waxed paper or buttered baking sheets. Let stand in cool place until firm; makes about 4 dozen crazy chocolate clusters, 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

3) *optional* you may also press the mixture into buttered 9 by 9 by 2-inch square pan. Cut into squares when firm. Yields 3 dozen 1-1/2 by 1-1/2-inch crazy chocolate clusters.

Once your clusters are firm, they are complete. When they cool off, gather your friends, and then it is time to enjoy. So push up your sleeves and dig right in. These crazy chocolate clusters are a guaranteed winning recipe!

Crazy Chocolate Clusters

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Irresistibly Cute Ideas For Baby Shower Decorations and Favors

!±8± Irresistibly Cute Ideas For Baby Shower Decorations and Favors

Want to plan a cute and memorable shower for a mother-to-be? These ideas for fun baby shower decorations and favors will help you get started. Decorating doesn't have to be expensive or exhausting to be cute and effective. Most of the items required for a successful shower are affordable and easy to find and can end up being useful gifts for the mother-to-be that that will come in handy after the birth of her child.

Coming Up with a Shower Decorating Theme

The first step you must take to create cute, unique items and favors is to come up with a theme for your party. This is usually the most difficult step in planning a shower but having a theme is essential if you want the whole party to look elegant and not like it was thrown together at the last minute.

The easiest way to decide on a party theme is to find out what theme the mother is planning to use to decorate the nursery and go with that. For example, if a mom-to-be is decorating the nursery with an angel theme, you can give small angel dolls as favors for the guests and decorate the walls with paper cut-outs of angels.

Ideas for Baby Shower Decorations

While it's best to stick with your central theme, there are some DIY decorating ideas out there that are universal and can be used no matter what theme you decide to go with. Items that can serve both as decorations and gifts for the mother-to-be include baby bath tubs, diapers, bottles, booties, baby clothes, pacifiers, and baby bottles.

If you want to make use of a baby bath tub at your shower, fill it with punch and let a little rubber ducky float on top or fill it with useful gift items like baby shampoo, soap, and lotion. To decorate the ceiling or walls, hang baby clothes and booties on a clothesline. Diaper cakes work great as a decorative centerpiece and gift. Baby bottles with nipples cut at the tips and straws poked through can be used to serve drinks while pacifiers can be used as napkin holders.

Food and Favors for Your Shower

When exploring food ideas for your shower, consider going along with your central theme. For example, if you are using a ladybug theme, make ladybug cookies or a ladybug cake to go along with the decorations. If pacifiers are a part of your decorative theme, make small pacifiers out of two wintergreen lifesavers and a jellybean. Stick the candy together with vanilla frosting and you will have little candy pacifiers that can be used both as decorations and snacks.

If you are decorating your shower with pastel-colored decorations, use food coloring to make pastel green, blue, yellow, or pink rice crispy treat as color-coordinated snacks. Use cookie cutters in the shapes of pacifiers, buggies, and rattles to make cute cookies as snacks to serve at your shower. These cookies can also be placed in colorful cellophane bags and used as favors for baby shower guests. Some other ideas for baby shower favors include bath bombs, flowers, candles, small potted plants, and baby booties filled with candy and tied with ribbons. Use tissue paper, cellophane, small boxes, and sachets to package favors elegantly.

Now that you are armed with these ideas for your shower, start brainstorming themes, decorations, food, and favors so you can plan a special, personalized event for yourself or a loved one. Planning a shower can be a very fun experience and your imagination is your only limit for coming up with new and interesting ideas. Use these baby shower decorating and favor ideas to help you get started. With the right amount of preparation, creativity, and planning, you are bound to have a shower that is fun, elegant, and memorable for the mom-to-be and guests.

Irresistibly Cute Ideas For Baby Shower Decorations and Favors

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Common Types of Cookies

!±8± Common Types of Cookies

Everyone loves home-baked cookies. Nothing is more welcoming than the smell of freshly baked cookies or the sight of them cooling on the counter. It's my favorite kind of aromatherapy.

Cookies have a long history, dating back to 7th Century Persia. By the 1800s, cookie recipes began appearing in cookbooks as 'small cakes.' In fact, the term 'cookie' comes from the Dutch word koekje or koekie which means little cake.

Recipes for cookies in a variety of styles and flavors increased in the early 1900s and continues today. Cookies are the most common treat baked in home kitchens and it's estimated that more than half of all home baked cookies are chocolate chip.

But there are a lot more kinds of cookies out there waiting to be baked. Most cookbooks classify them by how they are formed into the following categories or types of cookies:

Bar Cookies, Squares, or Pan Cookies
The quickest and easiest type of cookie to make. Batter or dough is pressed or spread into a pan and cut into bite-size pieces after baking. Brownies are the classic example of a batter-type bar cookie but they come in a variety of styles and flavors.

Drop Cookies
By far the most common type of homemade cookie created by dropping or pushing cookie dough from a teaspoon or tablespoon onto a prepared cookie sheet. Just mix, drop, bake, and enjoy -- definitely an easy cookie type. Popular examples of drop cookies include oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, and chocolate chip.

No Bake Cookies
Another easy cookie, no bakes don't require an oven. They are a great way to introduce kids to the fun of cookie making. Some of my favorite no bake cookie recipes include rice krispie bars, coconut date balls, rum balls, and peanut butter bars.

Ice Box or Refrigerator Cookies
Originally referred to as "ice box cookies," made from stiff dough that is refrigerated and usually formed into a cylinder before slicing and baking. Contemporary cookbooks may categorize refrigerator cookies as sliced or slice and bake cookies. You can keep a log of cookie dough in the refrigerator or freezer then slice, bake, and enjoy a warm, fresh from the oven, homemade cookie whenever a cookie craving strikes.

Shaped Cookies
These cookies are shaped by hand or with molds or extruded from a cookie press or pastry bag. Shortbread is a classic example of a hand shaped cookie. There are also lots of popular holiday "spritz" cookies that require a special cookie press.

Whichever type of cookie you choose to make, friends and family are sure to applaud your efforts.

Common Types of Cookies

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