(Re)joice!---Robbie's Birthday Bash

It was Robbie's 26th birthday last week, and what better way to celebrate his being closer to 30 than 20 than with a surprise party! If you know me, you'd know that keeping secrets from Robbie is not an easy task for me. This surprise was no different than any unfortunately....I managed to ruin the surprise pretty early in the week. Oh well! He acted surprised for the guests so they could all hide in the dark and sing when he walked in the door. Another reason why I love'm! ANYWAY! I took the opportunity for a party and ran with it. The spinach, artichoke, AND crab dip was a hit (probably because I didn't tell anyone how many calories there are per serving...) roasted tomatoes, yummy bread, olives, an ice cream sundae bar, and a jug of tequila-ginger ale got the guests there. I'll post recipes for ya'll under the pics! Enjoy, celebrate loved ones, and eat A LOT. Cheers!

SURPRISE!! He blew out all the candles!!

Roasted Tomatoes

1 package grape tomatoes

1 handful lightly chopped fresh basil

1 large clove roughly chopped garlic

1/4 c freshly grated parmesan cheese

Olive oil

salt and pepper

*Heat oven to 400 degrees

 *Wash tomatoes and place in small glass pan

*Pour olive oil over toms until about halfway covering them.

*chop basil and garlic and mix into dish

*Sprinkle parmesan

*Lightly dust over with salt and pepper

*Put in over at 400 degrees for 20 mins

*Turn oven down to 350 and let cook about 15 mins more

*Serve with toasted french bread or crackers

Spinach, Artichoke,& Crab Dip

16oz Cream Cheese (2 packages)

1/2 c mayonnaise 

2 T. Lemon juice

1 tsp. pepper

2 tsp minced garlic

1 T. parsley
16 oz. crab meat (can be artificial)
2 c. shredded 5 cheese blend(all white cheeses)
1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese
2 cans artichoke hearts (in water, not marinated)
2 lbs. frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and drained

*In a large bowl, stir the cream cheese until smooth

*Combine the rest of the ingredients and mix well

*Transfer mixture into crock pot and cook on high from 2 hours

*Turn to low and serve hot with sliced french bread

The birthday boy with the ice cream sundae bar!

Ice Cream Sundae Bar

Tub of vanilla ice cream

Brownies

M&M's 

Gummy worms

peanuts

Wafer cookies

cherries

whipped cream

chocolate syrup

Hot caramel

You can really get creative with your presentation for the sundae bar. I used martini glasses to display toppings, and used clear plastic cups for the guests to make their creations. 

Spring Tequila/Ginger/Lime Cocktail

In a large drink dispenser mix:

1 parts tequila (Jose Quervo Gold)

2 parts ginger ale

2 limes squeezed

Keep cups and extra limes by the dispenser for guests to help themselves. This cocktail is a refreshing taste of spring! You can also use the raspberry ginger ale to give the cocktail a beautiful pink hue! 

Thanks to everyone who came to the party! It was so much fun celebrating Robbie's day with such fun people, good food, and lots of laughs! xoxo

UPDATE!!

Leftovers!! 

I made a wonderful lunch today with the leftovers from the party.

After toasting some bread, I spread on some basil pesto, piled the leftover dip and tomatoes, and sliced some onion to top it all off. Mmmmmm what a lovely Monday treat! Now all I have to do is try to resist the left over ice cream! 

Happy Monday!


UPDATE #2!!

More Leftovers!!
I feel like we'll be eating leftovers from this party for weeks! Here's my breakfast made from 2 eggs, left over roasted tomatoes, and parmesan cheese. Mmmm garlic-y-protein-filled goodness! 
Happy Tuesday!




UPDATE #3!!

MORE Leftovers!!!
This is the never ending meal! I just watched Eat Pray Love for the first time and was inspired by the Eat section. Here's my carb filled version of the leftover party food! 

*Boil whole wheat pasta

*On medium heat saute mushrooms and left over roasted tomatoes (no need to add olive oil, the toms have enough!)

*Add left over artichoke dip when mushrooms are soft.

*Stir in a couple tablespoons of basil pesto 

*Add noodles and toss!

*Enjoy your the leftover meal that tastes anything but leftover!