The Painted Apron

I know, I know, everyone is on a diet, eating healthy and shedding holiday pounds…

We put off our diet resolutions for a few days because we had a few more parties after Christmas, watching the Cotton Bowl and my son in law, NG’s birthday

Even when you are all cooked out, you can still throw a festive bash~  and with these dessert skewers, portion control is a breeze

Each skewer had 1/4 of a small brownie, a 1 inch cheesecake cube, and 1/2 of a mini Snickers bite- enough to satisfy without throwing your eating plan out the window

Oh by the way, those beautiful delicious raspberries…1 calorie each!!   Eat them up!

Nicest Guy loves sweets so I decided the perfect birthday dessert for him would be a combo of the very best things, walnut brownies with cream cheese frosting, chocolate marbled cheesecake, topped with a snickers

It only took a few minutes to make the kebabs and refrigerate until serving

I drizzled some caramel ice cream topping over them at the last minute

He smiled a lot…there might have been some swooning…

A party can come together with the simplest touches, a little pile of bright packages and a printed menu, made in PicMonkey

I also made my own gift card using PicMonkey and the  overlays found in the “celebrate” category.  Use this poem for your own gift card and change the date

I slipped it in a gift bag, letting him know a gift was going to be delivered to his house on his birthday.  I selected a gift assortment from Omaha Steaks*.   With 2 children in diapers, and both parents working full time, they need all the help they can get!

With a little “lipstick” you can dress anything up, and a printed or handwritten menu just says  special occasion

Our menu looks fancy and complicated but it’s really not…

Smoked salmon was purchased already prepared and was served with crackers

Bourbon and Bacon Brussels was a tweak on my favorite Bourbon Glazed Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Kebabs

I actually cut the bacon into 1 inch pieces and placed them around and on top of the Brussels sprouts and roasted them together at 400 for 35 minutes.  The bacon was perfectly crispy and the fat seasoned the sprouts.  After cooking I put them in a bowl and tossed everything with a little caramelized brown sugar and bourbon.  Easy and fabulous

I didn’t take a picture but the result was similar to these Lucky Croutons

Why, oh why,  didn’t I take pictures!   😱   😩  😵  😭

Okay, that’s probably why…

Onions with Chopped Peanuts is an old family tradition for the holidays…it sounds weird, but it’s very delicious.  A simple creamy white sauce blankets the onions and the peanut topping adds great flavor and crunch.  I made it in 10 minutes during the afternoon, and it was ready to bake and serve.

The guys grilled the steaks, and the Texas Toast got popped in the oven

Then gifts and a little celebratory nibble…

Last year NG got Cheese Cookies in a Jar with Painted Lid,  Bacon Jam with Painted Heart Cards

CC turned 2 and her decorations included Chalkboard Flower Pots

DD had her birthday bash with an Ice Box Cookie Cake

Another super simple birthday treat are Birthday Bars

I hope you have a celebration coming up!  We will now be fasting….  🐷 

*Omaha steaks is not a sponsor of this post, I just happen to like their products and service.  They often offer free shipping packages, and other great value deals

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I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs

Celebrate and Decorate, It’s Overflowing, Rustic and Refined,

Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, Project Inspire, The Scoop, Something to Talk About,  A Stroll Thru Life    Inspire Me Monday

Crafty Staci,   Tickle My Tastebuds,  Wow Us Wednesday

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Home Matters, Idea Box,  Weekend Retreat,