We had so much to celebrate today! Our first stop was a baby shower for Jess + Matt. We have actually never met, but Karen is good friends with Jess’s mom, Chris, [who also writes a blog!], and they discovered that Jess and I have the very same due date at their weekly crochet class!! Jess and I also have a lot in common: we are married to Matts, Jess went to Duke for undergrad, and she lived in Cville while she was in UVA med school. Too bad she now lives in Nashville or we could be mom friends with babies nearly – or perhaps the very same age!
The shower was held at Chris’s house and was a lovely affair filled with baby things and delicious food.
I started out with a lemonade punch
And filled up on a variety of delicious salads and BBQ –
Including several deviled eggs!! My fav!
There was an adorable baby there who provided lots of fun “practicing” entertainment for all of the parents to be –
Plus bubbles for the kiddos
And arts and crafts for all ages!
Baby clothes decorating –
Chris had stencils which was brilliant for getting nice designs
The bumble bees even had a grand ole time:
Before presents, we feasted on strawberry short cake, fruit and…
Chris’s famous carrot cake, which was topped with toasted coconut and may have been the best carrot cake I’ve ever had!
Matt and I shared both desserts
Presents!
Lots of cute stuff <3
We wished the couple a Happy August 31st and headed down the road to another special event: Drake’s 3rd birthday party! Drake is the son of our stellar sponge + dough guy, Nathan, and his wife, Stacy.
There was some pool splashin’
And playin’
And brews for the parents
Stacy and Nathan had a grand cookout planned, but sadly we could not stay since we already had dinner plans with Robert, who is visiting our bakery tomorrow from Great Harvest Newark!
We took our guest downtown for dinner to the brand-new Citizen Burger Bar! So exciting when new restaurants open.
The inside was very modern and cool, but of course we requested outdoor seating on the mall
Grass-fed beef, local cheeses and produce = two thumbs up
![IMG_0594Blog_thumb[1]_thumb](https://www.katheats.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/IMG_0594Blog_thumb1_thumb_thumb.jpg "IMG_0594Blog_thumb[1]_thumb")
I ordered a regular grass-fed burger topped with pimento cheese, pickles and tomato. I ordered a multigrain bun, but was served brioche instead – which was ok because it sure tasted good. The pimento cheese wasn’t my favorite, but overall, great burger.
I had a salad on the side…requested no onions and was unpleasantly surprised. But I’m willing to forgive a new restaurant for a few mishaps during their opening month. The house dressing was good!
But the best thing I ate were the Citizen fries off of Matt’s plate – really crispy and good!!
We talked business all over dinner and then walked our merry way back home.
It’s been a long day and I’m ready for bed!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
burgers and babies, what could be better??? my best friend is due around the same time as you – i’m excited about her shower!
polly says
Kath,
you are just adorable in that green dress, girl!! beautiful and just your color and anyways… loved all the baby stuff and yummy food and all of it. happy happy stuff! XOXO
KathEats says
Thanks Pols!
Sana says
I went to a baby shower as well today 🙂 I feel like Aug is a common birthday month 😉
Lindsay @ Lindsay's List says
gah! I could drown in a pile of carrot cake! That was our wedding cake flavor!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
NO WAYYY it was my parents wedding cake, and my birthday cake every year until I could choose for myself! haha.
Karen says
I third the praise for carrot cake…unbeatable! I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but super dense, rich carrot cake w/extra frosting has always been and always will be my one and only dessert of choice – yes, even at 6 am as I read this. YUM!
Kath – another awesome day of (kiddie) event snapshots…you impress me with energy and talent shining bright day in and day out, no matter your likely physical exhaustion. Hope you got some good zzz’s last night!
Macy says
Ahh I had no idea you went to Duke! That’s so awesome that you made a new friend and have so much in common already. I seriously think that school pride brings people together 🙂
KathEats says
I didn’t, but my parents, grandmother, uncle and future brother in law did/ do. And we had our wedding there!
Cait's Plate says
That burger bar looks AWESOME. I just ate dinner and you’ve got me craving a burger now!
Glad you had a good time at the parties!
Katelyn @ Chef Katelyn says
There is NOTHING like good, homemade carrot cake. It was my parent’s wedding cake flavor!
Eileen says
Newark, NJ?!? I’m trying not to get my hopes up but this would be AMAZING.
KathEats says
Delaware!
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
The Carrot Cake looked divine…love, love, love it! Looks like you had a very fun filled day!
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
Yay Duke!!!! Awesome photo of the bubbles!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
This was a super picture-filled and long post…I know you’re a speed blogger but it still must have taken you awhile! Thanks for the great pics of all that food at the shower. The carrot cake. wow. I love carrot cake & if you say it’s the best you’ve ever had…huge statement.
The baby clothes decorating idea…too cute!
Angel7 says
What a fun-filled day with friends & good food 🙂
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Jessica says
All that shower food looks so good! What gift did you give the happy couple?
Your burger and Matt’s fries look awesome.
KathEats says
The Boom grass bottle rack (on my registry too!) and some cute sleepers
Carly says
That carrot cake looks heavenly! And I don’t even like carrot cake!
And don’t even get me started on those fries :).
Kylie @ immaeatthat says
I’m working at a place this Summer that does fresh, healthy fast food that’s all prepackaged and ready to go. One of the snacks we offer is a version of deviled eggs that is stuffed with hummus instead of the egg yolks. Kind of a fun idea:) Thought you might like it!
KathEats says
That’s fun!
Katie says
Woohoo! Delaware represent!!! Love Great Harvest in Newark, DE 🙂
Jill says
LOVE the kiddy pool beer cooler!!! Also-the green dress u have on is very purty! 🙂
Kristen says
Wow, looks like an amazing day! I have to say — the carrot cake really caught my eye because carrot cake is my FAVORITE dessert in the world. Do you think Chris would be willing to share the recipe with you/us?!
Khushboo Thadani says
So much good food, especially that carrot cake…wow!
Roxanne says
That is a cute green dress. And it looks like you had loads of fun!
Mom says
What a day! All children darling and the food looked wonderful. Love the crafts!
Simply Life says
wow! a full day with good food and friends- sounds pretty perfect!
Amilja says
You look so cute. I love your dress. Looks like you and Matt had a lot of fun.
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don't Count says
What a busy day, but it looks like lots of fun! Who can resist deviled eggs and carrot cake?! The garbanzo bean dish at the shower looked good too!
Navya says
Lovely dress! May I know where you bought it?
KathEats says
Loehmann’s!
Becka @ simplybecka.com says
The party looked like so much fun! Wow, that burger you got at Citizens Burger Bar looks great. Now I am hungry for a burger. LOL Have a great week.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope says
What a fun day! All of the food looks fantastic! 🙂 I love a good carrot cake. It’s definitely one of my favorites.
Molly @ RDexposed says
This reminded me of the Grey’s episode where Merideth squeezes a crap ton of puff paint on a onsie and calls it a day during a baby shower. That’s what I think about doing about 15 minutes into onsie decorating.
Kimberly says
You look so pretty in that green dress! You have that glowing pregnancy look 🙂 Looks like you had a lot of fun!
Meagan says
What a GREAT looking burger! How’d you fit that in your mouth? LOL.
I attended a baby shower for my sister in law this Saturday too! She’s having twins with due date July 30th. I’m going to be an aunt!!
Hillary says
That carrot cake is the carrot cake of my dreams!
Lauren says
I can’t help but notice a Rumson blanket in their living room. I am from Rumson, NJ and I recognize that blanket and my high school building! Is someone from their family originally from NJ? I’m trying to see if I recognize anyone in the pictures, very funny! I read your blog daily and thoroughly enjoy it. Thanks for taking the time to share everything with us! Best of luck starting your family, I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful mom!
KathEats says
They are from NJ!
SkinnyRunner says
man, you guys have a serious social life with all those parties, presents, and cake. im sorta jealous over here.
Lindsey @ Pas de Deux says
Glad to hear Citizen Burger Bar is good! I’m always hesitant to try a new restaurant in the first month of operation… I’ll have to put this one on my list for later this summer 😉
Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See says
Gorgeous food, photos…everything! Looks like a wonderful time 🙂
Stace says
Newark, DE great harvest is the closest to where I live (in PA) but just this past week i was going by an old bldg that was an MRI medical place that has been in the renovation process forever to become a fresh seafood place and saw a great harvest sign is now there too!!! they must be turning the space into 2 businesses…. i started freaking out to my fiance when I saw it hahaha. I think it is considered Glen Mills or Concordville PA
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
What a busy day!! I love the picture of the dads at the craft table!!! Also love the Dad’s diaper tool belt! What a cute idea!
Vivi @My.Beautiful.Air says
Awesome day! That carrot cake looked killer. And you always look good in pics – but you are particularly glowing! Will you be at Blogher in August?
KathEats says
Unfortunately, no. Too close to my due date to travel
Dennis says
That’s one nice looking spread for a baby shower. I was sitting here looking at those pictures ith my mouth watering.
meg says
This must be the 300th comment on the carrot cake, but the fact that you said its the best you’ve had has kept it in my mind since originally reading the post. I went to Chris’s blog (via your link) to see if she had the recipe on there – nope! Just that the secret is extra carrots. Any way you might be able to get the recipe out of her? 🙂