3rd Annual PUMPKIN PLAYDATE 2013!!!

Soon enough....the sun came out just in time (oh why oh why, mother nature, must you mess with me on big event days at my house!)....and so did the following over here at The Playdate Playhouse:

*Diva Pumpkins for the girls 

*Monster Pumpkins for the boys

and even...

*MINI Diva & Monster Pumpkins for the babes!

 

*Lots of Glitter
*Lunchables for the kiddos
* Appetizers, Katy
*SpiderWeb'd Butternut Squash by yours truly
*Big Ol' Crusty Bread
*Yummy Salad, Brittany
*My Pumpkin Lattes
*Mini Carmel Apples
*Pumpkin Pie, Kristen
*and the new climbing dome from JoNannie & Peeto, of which the kids loved!  (Thank you Justin for deciding to put that thing together for the playdate, that was awesome!)

Stella & Tucker had such a great time with all of their friends.  Having a 2nd child at the toddler age does make hosting this event a bit on the challenging side....however I happen to be one very lucky girl as my husband could just see how crazy it was getting and he was able to stay home for the day, I thought that was really awesome.  Took the load off for sure and allowed me to enjoy it more and visit with all my friends!

 This year we had the pleasure of having Shelby, Preston & Bella join us :)  So happy they could come.  Next year, mark your calendar, ok Shelby! :)

 Stella helping make the Diva & Monster Pumpkins for her guests to Glitter Up on Playdate day

We put Hot Pink Fuzzy on top for Diva's and Black Monster Fur for the Monsters

and 

Googly Eyes with pretty eyelashes or angry eyebrows

 Stella, Tuck/Jen; Lydia, Hannah/Katy; Brooklynn, Adalynn/Kristen; Sienna, Cora, Brady/Brittany; Preston, Bella/Shelby
Special Thank You to Shelby for all the pics you took - THANK YOU I didn't have the chance to get all the ones I wanted, you saved the day :)

 Getting ready to glitter up Pretty Smiles or Zig Zag Smiles 

(Stella was all about the Zig Zag)

Katy, great idea - "let's bag the paint and do just glitter"  

 The Mini Carmel Apples 

 Tucker glittlered up his Mini Monster Pumpkin later that night

Thanks you guys for another fun year here at The Playdate Playhouse - look forward to our little tradition every fall.  XOXO


JEN'S
SPIDER WEB'd
BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP

Serves:  4

NOTE:  You can buy Organic Cubed Already Butternut Squash in Fall at COSTCO!

• 2 lbs. Cubed Butternut Squash

• 1 Onion, chopped fine (sweet recommended)

• 2 TBSP Butter

• 3 TBSP Sour Cream

• 1 Can Chicken Broth (15 oz)

• 1 Orange (for the juice & zest)

• Garlic Pepper to taste (don't use alot at first, sprinkle, taste, sprinkle taste)

• Onion Powder to taste

• Garlic Salt to taste (not much)

• Fresh Minced Garlic, 1 Clove

Sautee the Butter with the Chopped Onion & Minced Garlic

Pour in Chicken Broth, Juice & Zest from Orange Squash Cubes, Bring To Boil 

Then Simmer till tender  (15/20 Min.)

Once tender, transfer it all into a blender and Puree in batches if necessary, returning the Pureed Soup back on the stove top.

Stir in the Sour Cream now once it's all Pureed & back on the stove

Season to your liking with the following: 

Onion Powder

Garlic Pepper

Garlic Salt

Squirt two rings of Sour Cream in the center once each serving is poured into a bowl

 (1 large ring/1 small ring inside the large ring)

Take a butter knife and drag from the center outward, do this all around the circle of sour cream

Walah!  You have one very festive bowl of Spider Web'd Butternut Squash Soup!

ENJOY

Saute