Bitches be brunchin'

A couple of years ago, I was talking with a friend about why I love to cook and entertain. I love being able to sit around a table and catch up with friends without having to worry about sitting at a restaurant's tabletop too long. I lamented how in this foodie age, people love going out to eat but not enough people host, cook and in turn share it with friends.

I'm a dork and even had tanks made!

That's how my brunch club was born. I extended the invite to five friends -- all of us have a TV news background. Our club meets the first Sunday of every month and the hostess for the month rotates depending on who is available to host. If the first Sunday lands on a holiday, etc. we sometimes slide it into the second Sunday. 

Ever since we've started, we've only skipped a couple of months and I know I've only missed a couple! While everyone can't make it every single month, it's still fun to have a smaller group of girls to chat with. In some cases, we'll go out to a restaurant if there's only a few people available for the month. 

When I host brunch, it gives me a chance to try new recipes. I know some of the members will see a fun brunch recipe somewhere and save it so they can try it for their next brunch! 

Besides the food, the best part is just being able to settle in with a mimosa and catch up with friends for hours! We talk about work, relationships, politics and the moms in the group talk about child rearing things. 

Sometimes we'll have our significant others attend, but most of the time it's just 'bitches be brunchin.'  On some occasions, if we have other friends in town, we'll invite them to join the party as well. 

In the nearly two years we've done this, people have had life changes but brunch has been a constant and for me, it's a job and something I look forward to. Even though I initiated the club, it's our group and our energy that has kept it going!

A baby shower brunch for Sarah when she was preggo!

Thank you to Larissa, Erin, Mandy, Alicia and Sarah for all being awesome women who I love to spend lazy Sunday mornings with. 

What's one of the best things I've made for brunch club? This Potato Basil Frittata from Ina Garten. It's delicious. I usually ramp up the greens by adding fresh kale or spinach to it!

I also tried a few of Ina's recipes from her Party cookbook for another brunch:

I made her raspberry french toast and mini Italian frittatas.

I was thinking it'd be fun to have a future brunch be based on a new cookbook. Everyone would pick a brunch recipe from the book and make it for that day. OR everyone picks recipe from a new book, make it and bring printed copies of the recipe for people to take home. So many ideas!

Erin made this beautiful fruit tart the last time she hosted:

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I’ll admit, I needed my first fruit tart to look good for Insta {Sunday Brunch Club perfection} • #fruitpizza #fruittart #figs #brunch #sundaybrunch #instaready #mynewkitchen

A post shared by Erin Cargile (@erincargile) on Jun 4, 2018 at 9:09am PDT

Brunch for the Baby Bump!

One of my closest friends is going to be a mama in less than 3 months!

The idea of me throwing a baby shower for her 6 months ago would have been laughable! But it's funny how life works its magic!













My friend, Frida, is a vibrant, strong, and amazing woman -- I could not ask for a more awesome friend!

Frida has been documenting her pregnancy at her blog and giving readers a little glimpse into her world. Read it! :-)

Back to the shower. Frida was hesitant about a baby shower to being with -- too many baby things! But I told her it was happening either way! Frida made it very clear she didn't want the party to be too baby-ie. Thankfully, I couldn't agree more! I hate baby games! Why do people insist on melting candy in a diaper is beyond me. We just wanted an adult party with some bubbly!  Doing so would allow Frida to chat with all her friends without being forced to sit down to open gifts and have toilet paper wrapped around her belly.

After numerous emails, between Frida, Cris, and Ericka we managed to have a baby shower that was beautiful and FUN! Frida thought of the Dia de Los Muertos theme (not morbid!).We all chipped in and I think everyone had a fabulous time!

{the lovely ladies who helped make this happen!}

Thanks to Ericka for letting us host at your house. Thank you Houston weather for cooperating!

We decorated the backyard with fun pompoms, Frida's pics and colorful flowers. Frida had the genius idea of giving away her framed photos as raffle gifts. YES! I was able to get the tables for a good price via a man on craigslist. Double YES!

One of Frida's co-workers made this awesome centerpiece table! Love the pumpkin and the banner!

In lieu of games, I put together a "Decorate a Onesie/Bib" table! I went on ebay and got tons of iron-on appliques (so much cheaper than buying at a craft store). I also got some fabric markers and paint! I also bought various sizes in the onesies so the baby would have crafty clothes all year!

Now the food! Since it was a brunch, we had a mixture of delicious goodies!

I made: turkey sausage/cheese biscuits, fruit plate, blueberry muffins, and a berry lemonade punch. 

Cris made Mexican hot chocolate and pan de leche

Ericka supplied us with a bountiful supply of oj and champagne for mimosas!

Frida got awesome tamales from a lady in her neighborhood. I don't love tamales but these were kind of delicious. She also got platanos!

My sister didn't want to be left out so she made chicken salad croissant sandwiches. Thanks sis!

{awesome spread!}

Needless to say, no one left hungry! As the sun was shining and people were mingling I think we all came to the consensus that it was a successful baby shower for one of our favorite ladies!

I can't wait to meet baby Gael in 2013 and see him grow up! I know Frida will provide him with all the support and love a mom can give -- and it will be beautiful! I love you both!

P.S. I am offering to babysit every now and then... in Austin. :-)

Courtesy: all pics were taken by Ericka Hernandez