Last Minute Baby Shower

I had been invited to a BABY SHOWER Saturday afternoon. Between the three (or was it four?) other commitments we already had that day and the rain - which was coming in buckets at that point - I decided not to go. I figured I would drop my gift off later and just sit and visit with the mom to be then. Apparently, I am not the only one who felt that way because, as it turned out, no one showed up.

Julie T decided that was just not how the story was going to end for Patricia so yesterday she made some phone calls and threw together a suprise shower in 24 hours! There was a nice turnout and Patricia and her baby girl got some great gifts. There were the requisite cute outfits, the practical diapers, wipes, lotions and potions and a couple of fun toys. Mindy makes amazingly cute bows for little girls and she put a couple of those in her bag to match the little polka dot outfit that she had picked out. Sooo cute.

Homemade Bows were one thing I just NEVER could get to turn out cute.

I pleated some burp cloths into a fan shape and tucked them into the top of my gift bag. It was a fun way to add a touch of practicality.

Julie had her house clean and had thrown together a nice little spread for a luncheon. She had a yummy pasta dish, a plate of carrots & cucumbers, some chips & salsa and some amazingly good chewy oatmeal & caramel bars. She also made a pink sparkly punch and picked up a cake from the bakery. I offered to bring something and she said to bring something savory since she had sweet already covered. I decided that deviled eggs would be just the thing (easy to make and I had all the ingredients). It's funny, I always think of deviled eggs as being an old-fashioned dish but they were all gone by the end of the party and several ladies told me they'd eaten two or three.

I thought they turned out yummy and to help myself remember what I did for next time I make them...here is my recipe.

9 eggs (hardboiled and cut in half lengthwise). Carefully remove the yolks and add to them 1/3 cup light mayonnaise, 1 tsp yellow mustard & 2 tsp stone ground mustard (I was afraid that would be too much, but it ended up being just right), and 1 tsp white wine vinegar. Mash and mix together well until the filling is smooth and creamy. You don't want any lumps or dry spots.

I used a decorating bag to pipe the filling back into the shells. It makes it look fancy but it is also easier and less messy. Then I sprinkled a little bit of salt & pepper over the top and then I sprinkled just a little bit of paprika over them too.