Valentines Day and the People I am grateful for

Last Sunday I invited the gals from LaBelle to consume the samples from my Valentines Day photo shoot. We had a fantastic time reminiscing, getting caught up and swapping catering war stories ! Plenty happens behind the scenes ( we hope ) you will never know about. Power outages, blizzards, extra guests, food you thought you requested but didn't, event time changes,rain flooded tents, working out of unheated or unairconditioned garages,rain flooded tents, out of control dogs, broken ovens, ...... the list is endless( did I mention rain flooded tents ??? )  Somehow we always seem to make it work.. usually without the guests knowing a thing and having a fantastic time !

 As the snow piles up and the sky is gloomy happily we have something cheerful to look forward to VALENTINES DAY !! Whether you have a one true love, a child you love, a parent to cherish , a work pal to appreciate or  best friends for xx years Valentines Day is the day to remember them ..I keep a gratitude journal in my car and as I'm driving along at the end of the day I like to turn off the radio and think about all the great things that have happened to me and the fantastic people who have touched my life that day...granted some days I have to stretch ( see list above ..OK this is the LAST time I mention rain filled tents !!!) I somehow know that I will be blessed on a constant basis by wonderful people. They deserve a little bit of love too. My list consists of my close friends,my accountant(boy is SHE a Good friend !),my boys and their fantastic girl friends  my brother and sister, my mom,my sister-in-law and niece, my cousins,my boss,the gals I work with,my neighbor,my chiropractor & assistant,the gal who is KIND enough to walk my moms dog,the gal who cares for my mom and keeps us organized, my FANTASTIC customers, the table and chair guys,my mechanic, the HH housekeeper,snowplow guy,W.D.and many more.   Take the time to make your own list of people who love ,support and care for you. Maybe you can start your own gratitude journal and when you are down or stressed you can take a minute to flip through the pages and remind yourself how lucky and blessed  you really are.
I have created some gifts to show the people in your life how much you care for them. Every gift is baked fresh just for you with lots of love using the finest and freshest ingredients .If you would like items from our regular menu I'm sure I can arrange some Valentines Day special decorations and packaging.

Seven pieces of Heaven Assortment.Contains turtle,mini raspberry linzer cookie,milk and dark chocolate covered coconut macaroon, white chocolate with apricots and pistachios, Peanut butter truffle,Grand Marnier truffle, white chocolate dipped fudge bite. Delivered in a heart shaped glass dish, wrapped in celophane and tied with a red bow. $15.

Linzer Cookies.Melt in your mouth cookies filled with raspberry and dusted with powdered sugar. Delivered to you on a keepsake plate.Wrapped in cellophane and tied with a red bow. $ 18.

-

12 Piece Valentines Day Cake Pop Assortment.Chocolate fudge cake filled pop dipped in White Chocolate. Pops are arranged in a bucket tied with ribbon.Wrapped in cellophane and tied with a bow. Decorations may vary as each pop is hand decorated piece of art you pop in your mouth.  $ 28.

 

8 Piece Valentines Day Cake pop bucket. Chocolate Fudge Cake dipped in white Chocolate.Arranged in a bucket tied with  ribbon. Wrapped in cellophane and tied with a ribbon. $18

Red Velvet Mini Whoopie Pies filled with Cream Cheese frosting wrapped in Valentines Cupcake wrappers. $ 15

Grand Marnier Truffles with double frosted Chocolate and Cherry Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes decorated with a Valentines Day pic.

White Chocolate with Apricot and Pistacios

Chocolate Fudge Brownie bites

Turtles filled with Caramel and Pecans topped with Chocolate

          Coconut Macaroons and Peanut butter Truffles.

Please call if I can assist you in spreading the love this Valentines Day. If you don't see something that tickles your fancy I will be happy to help you create a special item. I am grateful you took the time to read my Blog and look over my creations !!!

Baby Rattle Cupcakes

Baby Rattles for a baby shower . I had an excellent time making these ! I look forward to doing the shower. As you all know I am  jimmiesaholic ...any time I get to use them is a good day .If it's a party for a precious new baby what not to like ?!

New Years Eve Chihuly Exhibit

Instead of the Chicago cows OKC decorated buffalo. This is Chihuly's answer to the challenge

This is part of the Chihuly in the Southwest. The exhibit combines Vintage Indian woven blankets and photos of the people who produced them.

The OKC exhibit has the largest single collection of  Chihuly in one place.This is a small part of their collection. It is shown a few pieces at a time. Isn't it Fantastical ???

Fine Italian Cuisine in Edmond OK

Jim's Italian Restaurant, Edmond, Oklahoma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While on our way to eat the "Best Tortilla Soup in the State of Oklahoma" Cynch insisted we stop in at a new restaurant in downtown Edmond. The restaurant is owned by a glassblower who blows glass in the style of Chihuly. On the way to our table in the main dining room we passed several private dining rooms featuring beautiful paintings as well as a board room furnished with dark comfortable furniture.The main dining room had nooks set into the walls filled with a variety of glass pieces.There were also hand blown light fixtures over each table. The booths gave the room warmth and absorbed sound in the carpet less, open ceiling  room. A skylight filled the room with natural light.

We began our repast with hot Spring Jasmine Tea by Leaves Pure Teas . There were 9 teas presented in a velvet tea box.The restaurant currently has no liquor license but features soft drinks by Lost Trail served in frosty mugs  With that we were given hot garlic bread sticks served with Balsamic Vinegar and Olive oil.These were freshly baked and they were kind enough to bring us a refill.
All of the selections looked very straightforward but the Pesto Shrimp Capellini caught my attention.The food came quickly and piping hot. The shallot Pesto Cream Sauce was delightful.The flavors of the fresh basil and garlic were subtle and pleasant.The food was pleasantly presented in a large pasta bowl.

 As we were basking in the afterglow of the meal the chef, Chris Harvey, came by the table to visit with us. He is a very pleasant young man who seems to have a real passion for cooking.He has worked in a variety of restaurants and brings with him an overwhelming desire to bring fresh , seasonal ingredients to his dishes. Just a block from the farmers market he is looking forward to using locally grown foods as they start to come in providing the best available products and supporting local farmers. I wish him well and look forward to dining there again when I return to Edmond in the spring. If you are in the OKC area it is well worth the drive to sample the fare here at Jim's Italian Restaurant.

 We had been looking forward to watching glass being blown at the McGrahan Signature Glass Studio when we came to the restaurant
but it was the glass blowers anniversary. We were allowed to peek in the studio. I look forward to seeing the artist in action when I return!!