SPRING FLING

Today was the day of my Spring Fling, which is this year's March replacement event for the February Blues Bash. Everyone came dressed in Ladybug colors to fit in with the theme. In fact, thanks to Jackie's grandaughter, we even had a giant ladybug as our special guest!

The first photo shows Joan, Jan and Joyce enjoying their lunch fare. The second photo shows Lucienne, Ruth, our Ladybug friend, Carolyn and Lorraine. The others who attended, but not in the photo, were the two Nancys, Jackie, Ann, Doreen, Dot, Sandy, Linda and me.

The food preparations took a full day yesterday and last night with Jackie's help. (Thank you, Jackie!) The pink platter in the foreground held tuna/lettuce rollups held together with tiny cocktail forks. There were little cups of baked goat cheese with herbs and a small pretzel rod on square plates either side of the centerpiece. Next, I made puff pastry triangles with cream cheese and caramelized onions (white rectangular platter) and another rectangular platter of pulled pork in corn dippers. The round glass plate held smoked turkey, swiss cheese and pickle rollups, secured with red cellophane toothpicks. (Click on photos for a closer look.)

For dessert, we had chocolate cake squares over a raspberry/white wine reduction sauce with whipped cream and fresh raspberries for a garnish. As an extra treat, there were giant chocolate-covered strawberries.

Notice the absence of snow out the window! It was a sunny day, with temps in the upper sixties. The beverage for today was a mix of peach tea and seltzer served with a sprig of fresh mint and lots of ice, sipped through a straw--delightful!

We played some ladybug games: guess the number of spots on the Ladybug guest, Ladybug Bingo using cards Jackie and I made with my Build-a-Bug stamps, Ladybug Wordsearch and a contest to see how many words could be made from "Ladybug." Since some of the ladies are very serious competitors, we had to promise a car for the winning prize!