It might surprise you to learn that when I was younger, I shunned all things domestic. I didn’t enjoy crafts, and I certainly didn’t want to learn to cook. I never, ever thought that I would enjoy the prospect of making things. My mom is insanely talented at all things domestic, and I grew up surrounded by delicious homemade food, and a lot of different crafty projects, and yet, they never piqued my interest. When I moved out of my parents house, I finally had my own kitchen and room to explore and play. I slowly got into crafting. These days, I love nothing more than making something with my hands or preparing a nice meal. I especially love it when I get to host people I love in my home.
Yesterday, I hosted my mom, my sister-in-law Lauren, my cousins Sarah and Anna, my Aunt Julie and my Grandma Carol in my house for a little girls day brunch. It had been awhile since we’d all been together for a non-holiday occasion. I thought I’d give you a little peek into a really fun day of hosting.
A few years ago, my grandma gave me a box of vintage tablecloths, napkins and handkerchiefs. I’ve saved them for all this time and thought it would be fun to pull them out. Also, I didn’t have enough matching dishes, so I blended my two sets. I thought the green and tan went well together, and with the napkins. The pink tulips were a gift from Andrew earlier this week, and I thought they made the perfect centerpiece.
I donned my favorite apron:
I broke in my Joy The Baker cookbook with her recipe for Coffee Cake (sorry y’all…you’ll have to get the cookbook for this gem of a recipe. The price of it is worth it for this recipe alone!)
It was magical. I also made Baked Egg Boats from Spoon Fork Bacon (that Drea introduced me to when I visited and she hosted brunch) and everyone brought things to share. TOO MUCH FOOD:
My cousin, Sarah, is a phenomenal gardener, and she brought me some tulips she grew that are stunningly beautiful:
And since I firmly believe that no one should leave a brunch empty handed, I made some of Joy the Baker’s Salty Sesame Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies (which are AMAZINGLY AWESOME) and tied ‘em up in little bags to say thanks for coming:
After eating too much food, we sat around and visited. It was so nice to spend time with my family. I am one lucky girl to have such amazing ladies that surround me.
It was a great weekend.
This looks like so much fun and the food looks delicious. Very cute dress too!
That sounds absolutely lovely! Now I’m dying to have a yummy brunch with all the ladies in my life.
Lovely idea; good for you and yours!
Amy, this is so lovely! I want to do this now!
That looks like SO much fun Amy! I don’t really have any family close by but this made me want to host a brunch for my girlfriends :)
That spread looks delectable!
Holy. Food! I’m so hungry right now and definitely should have held off on reading this until I had eaten ;) LOL!
It was a beautiful time! Thenk you so much for hosting. You went above and beyond with all the special little touches! The egg boats were awesome! And those cookies are the best!
Love you,
Mom
This makes me want to host a brunch immediately! I’m so impressed with your little to-go gifts, and all the adorable touches. Those linens are to die for.
Looks like lots of fun, Amy! Where in the world did you get that awesome dress? It’s fantastic.
aw i love brunch and seriously that just looks like so much fun. i can’t wait to have a place that will fit more than four people comfortably, haha.
Sounds like SO much fun. I live for things like this, but I still live at home so I don’t have many opportunities. The biggest thing I look forward to when I move out is hosting lots of brunch/dinner parties!
Everything looks wonderfully delicious! I love that you used vintage napkins (and I adore the teapots behind you all in that last picture).
Everything looks absolutely amazing! I’m the same way with cooking – I used to never want to do it but getting my kitchen and the chance to explore has been so much fun.