Birthday Dinner Political Party | Baked Shrimp Scampi, Penne Pasta, Strawberry Layer Cake

Make Ahead Birthday Dinner

Last weekend nosotros hosted a birthday dinner for Mike's Mom, Joy.  It was on Fri nighttime as well as nosotros had a packed twenty-four hours starting amongst Emma's ballet cast inwards the morning, Disney on Ice (with Mimi for her birthday) inwards the afternoon, as well as thus lead to our identify for the dinner.

Because nosotros were all heading hither together to a greater extent than or less 5pm afterward Disney on Ice, when nosotros left the identify on Fri forenoon the identify had to hold upwardly fix to teach for a political party as well as everything had to hold upwardly fix to teach for dinner.  Knowing this, I planned the entire bill of fare to a greater extent than or less ease as well as the powerfulness to hold upwardly made ahead.

We had 8 adults for dinner + ii preschool aged girls, thus nosotros also had to brand certain nosotros had a bill of fare that would accommodate everyone... as well as hold upwardly slow to execute piece toddlers as well as grandparents were running around.

The bill of fare details are below.

I laid the tabular array on Th afternoon to teach that checked off my listing (and is also when I took these photos).  I used Lexington Wheat Tapers in my pewter candle holders.  I only dearest the soft, buttery colouring textile amongst the brilliant blueish of the muscari.  This colouring textile of candle is a staple inwards our house. 

The adults sat at this table, as well as the girls had their ain pocket-sized table.  

 I receive got constitute when entertaining amongst kids/toddlers, the eventide works best when nosotros feed them only earlier nosotros sit down down, as well as thus permit them lookout a present or produce an action piece the adults savor dinner.  I know that some mightiness non intend that is ideal, but that strategy has worked for us as well as allows everyone to relax a petty as well as savor ourselves.   It tin almost seem similar a magical 2d for us parents, truly getting to sit down downwards as well as receive got a existent conversation over dinner (especially when nosotros receive got friends over amongst kids as well as the parents rarely every teach to truly sit down as well as relax - ever!).  

I don't dearest the TV, but I dearest the TV for xxx minutes piece nosotros sit down downwards as well as savor our company.  We alternative our battles to a greater extent than or less here... as well as every in ane lawsuit inwards a piece Mom as well as Dad teach to win : ) 

Just trying to continue it real, inwards representative you lot persuasion nosotros were perfect.  With all of the "perfection" (ick, loathe that word!) that happens on social media, I ever detect it refreshing to permit people know that it is ok to hold upwardly normal!

I dearest how the muscari await inwards these Blue & White (Elizabeth) planters, 2 for $18.  It is almost a calendar week afterward the political party as well as they are nonetheless on my tabular array looking great.

I also made a royal hyacinth as well as muscari planter inwards ane of the larger Brown & White Square planters... also nonetheless going potent day!

Make Ahead Dinner Menu

Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella Toasts

Baked Shrimp Scampi

Penne Pasta amongst Cherry Tomatoes & Spinach

Roasted Asparagus amongst Parmesean

Birthday Strawberry Layer Cake

I don't similar to receive got photos when nosotros are entertaining, thus these are photos from the recipe posts I've made inwards the past.

Prosciutto & Fresh Mozzarella Toasts

This is ane of my favorite appetizers... but non truly brand ahead.  They were delicious, but did add together a petty chip of move when nosotros got home.  Next fourth dimension when nosotros are trying to teach inwards easy, I volition likely brand a baked dip instead, but this is thus delicious if you lot receive got the time!

So good!

Baked Shrimp Scampi

Oh my gosh.  This is thus good.  So amount of flavor.
In the morning, I set the shrimp inwards the baking dish as well as made the butter mixture.  Just earlier I set it inwards the oven, I added the panko crumbs to the butter as well as crumbled it over the top.  It bakes for near 20 minutes as well as is so, thus good.

Penne Pasta amongst Cherry Tomatoes & Spinach
(this recipe link includes adding grilled chicken, but for this dinner I didn't)

I wanted something calorie-free as well as fresh to teach amongst the shrimp, thus I persuasion this pasta would hold upwardly perfect.  I made the sauce, sliced the cerise tomatoes earlier the political party as well as washed the spinach.  On the nighttime of, I cooked the pasta, reheated the sauce for a brace of minutes (while the pasta was cooking) as well as and thus added the tomatoes, pasta as well as spinach to the sauce.

Roasted Asparagus amongst Parmesean

I can't believe I don't receive got this recipe on my site because it is a staple inwards my home.  I set the asparagus on a Large Baking Sheet ($8), add together some sliced garlic, salt, pepper as well as olive oil.  I also add together large shards of parmesan cheese.  I baked it inwards the oven for fifteen minutes (along amongst the shrimp!).  It is thus proficient as well as soooo easy.  I volition produce an official recipe postal service of it soon.

Lemon Layer Cake amongst Blackberries, but Emma saw this cake inwards the Barefoot Contessa Parties mass (that nosotros were browsing for ideas) as well as got her view assail it for her Mimi.  So, I made 2 circular white cakes, whipped cream as well as permit the ii girls create the cake... only similar this one.  They spread the whipped cream as well as piled the berries, as well as thus topped it amongst a lot of sprinkles as well as Gold Celebration Candles.  It was quite the site as well as the perfect birthday cake for Mimi : )

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