Carillons and Circus Clowns

So this Thursday I went to Carillon Historical Park in Dayton with the grandparents. I had been there before when I was in 5th grade for a field trip. But all I remember is the wright brother's bike shop and some other historical buildings. I have lived in Dayton all my life and thought that "Carillon" was someone's name. Did anyone else know that this is not so and that a carillon is a musical instruments containing at least 23 cast bronze cup-shaped bells. The deeds carillon in Carillon park has 50 bells. It is played just like a pipe organ by a carillonneur. He plays it in a little room in the bell tower. They are really popular in Belgium and the Netherlands and France. Mrs. Deeds was visiting Europe and was enamored by the beauty of this musical instrument she wanted to bring it to Dayton. So the Deeds family had the Carillon built in Dayton in 1942. How did I not know this. Did anyone else know this or am I the only one. I always knew the bell tower was there but I thought that it just chimed like a clock tower...which it does but that is not all apparently.

Moving on the Antioch Shrine Circus is in town and my grandpa is a Shriner so I get special coupons and get to go in a special entrance for the "Nobles" It makes me feel like a kid again once a year. I have gone since I was just a wee thing. It's always a good time.

A Bridal Shower for my Cousin

This Weekend my mother and sister and I threw a bridal shower for my cousin. She requested an "outdoor theme" because she likes to camp and enjoy the great outdoors with her soon to be husband. So here are some photos of the wonderful spread we had. First is the glorious cake I made to resemble a log. White cake rolled up with chocolate frosting and decorated to look like wood with the tines a fork. Thanks to my wonderful mother in law for the recipe for a "jelly roll cake" and the tips...this was my third cake the other 2 fell flat...literally. Amanda made the flower cookies to garnish my masterpiece.




That brings us then to the stuffed mushrooms, two kinds to be exact that simply melted in the guests mouths. One of my favorite appetizers my mom, sister and I make. We enjoy them frequently and enjoy the aromas that fill the house when preparing them. Notice the delicate scattering of smooth stones, fern and baby's breath to add simple elegance and girlish beauty to a theme that may be considered masculine by some.

Another shot at the glorious mushrooms and a simple pinwheel that I made that day. It is simply two 8oz packages of cream cheese, one packet taco seasoning and one small can of green chiles. Spread on tortillas...roll up and slice....yummmm. On the top tier of our perfectly fashioned stumps (my idea for our outdoor themed shower brought to life by my mother's boss who had the tools to perfectly slice and sand these beautiful creations) is the favor which we will get to in a moment. Peeking out the bottom of this photo below is our sliders....nothing says outdoors and camping like hamburgers but to fancy up this pastime we added a special sauce topped with cheese and pickle.



Next we have the favor a mini s'more kit to make at home to remember this fun day.



Other menu items included a delicious cheese tray, a veggie tray, the ever popular buffalo chicken dip and little smokies. Refreshing beverages included a Pink Lassie (a delicious punch including orange juice, cranberry juice and vanilla ice cream) and my homemade sugar free (sweetened with Truvia) raspberry ice tea and a vanilla nut coffee...there wasn't much left overs from this day. My cousin went home with an awesome assortment of gifts. It was considered a success and it was super fun to plan this party and come up with creative ideas to express the theme. What party should we plan next.