I love this simple, cute appetizer idea. Do you need more instruction? I’d dress the Baby Greens and Tomatoes with Olive Oil and Salt and Pepper or Italian Dressing to thoroughly enjoy it all. And I might add a dollop of Caramel Sauce at the base of the Apple for dessert.
Nibbles of Tidbits’ Food Coloring Series continues with a combo platter aka its first popular color combination — Red & Green in time for December. Have you seen our series? FOOD in magnificent shades of orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, red, white, black, brown and pink, have previously been celebrated here. See respective links. The Red & Green Color-Combo begins with Chocolate Cups filled with Whipped Cream, Raspberries and Kiwi. A nice start.
Do I want to go back to Paris? The above might make me think so, but… Let’s continue on.
Tomatoes, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar is all that’s needed.
Watermelon Jellies — Similar to Shelly’s Jellies. Wait, Shelly’s Jellies are better!
Though the painting looks like Black Olives to me, it’s Green Apples. Either way, I like it.
I plan to make Caramel and Salted Caramel soon and love it best with Apples and Ice Cream.
Can you find the FOOD above? A table filled with homemade goodness awaits inside.
Strawberries at a Christmas Party.
Life is short indeed, but I’d opt for King Crab Legs and Filet Mignon — More savory than sweet.
Though a basic, easy dessert to make, it takes time to wait before adding the next layer.
Christmas Cupcake and Cookie decorating ideas.
Looks like a table set for a Christmas Brunch in California — Photo Credit.
Apples and Grapes I didn’t paint, but would give it a try.
It’s Red & Green Season and it’s good for our hearts too — Eat up! What Color-Combo should be covered next? Black & White? Red, White & Blue? Silver & Gold? Let us be told.
A formal THANK YOU to Cost Plus World Market for the lovely prizes and party supplies.
All were pleased by the smart kitchen tools, house decorations and gourmet Chocolates.
Thanks also go to my friends who contributed the appetizing FOOD, even the Jack in the Box Tacos cut in half, disguised as an Appetizer — That’s funny Michelle. What do you call ’em? Ironically several were happy to eat them, and it was fast, easy and cheap for her. So be it.
Always look forward to the Chocolate Dipped Oreos from Loretta — Wish I had some now.
Merci, Gracie, Danke Shoen, Mahalo, Arigato, Gracias y mas Cost Plus World Market.
A wave to you for making this 17th Annual Christmas Par-Tay a success.
I tour the world at CPWM.
Preparing for a Christmas Par-tay by shopping at my favorite store, Cost Plus World Market.
How old are you? Did you ever have a metal Lunch Pail? We love the variety and nostalgia at Cost Plus/CPWM. Would you believe this girl (me) doesn’t like to shop, but it’s always fun and interesting shopping there. This visit Chef Nieces, Bailee and Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen model a few goods. Bailee liked the mini Tabasco Bottles — I do too and told her that I used to carry one with me all the time, until one leaked in my purse. That was a bummer.
Some things just need Hot Sauce, but that’s another story.
We’re supposed to be shopping for a Par-tay, better than a Par-tee.
Too many cool, stylish things — Is it the models? 🙂
Today we set out for a Gift for the Christmas Par-tay exchange, plus 10 Prizes, 4 kinds of Beer, 4 Bottles of Champagne, 4 Bottles of Wine, Munchies, Candy and Wrapping Paper.
And former Miss Downey Contestant, mi Madre still has it — Sorry Mom for writing that, hahaha.
Stay tuned for more about my 17th Annual Christmas Par-tay. It’s always the first Friday in December. We filled two carts with unique prizes, beverages and snacks — Ready to dig in.
A Christmas Party and Cost Plus World Market go very well together. This year I hosted my 16th Annual Girl’s Christmas Party for several long-time dear friends (and the best sister in the world), and Cost Plus fit right in, since my relationship with it spans equally long. My first apartment in Belmont Shore was basically furnished by them — I was so proud of its style and still have several cool imports and dishes from way-back when. For this Sweet 16, CPWM generously provided a Gift Card that was used to purchase all snacks, prizes, drinks, wrap, and most stylish and tasty party supplies. What a great thing!
Each guest brings an Appetizer, Salad or Side Dish, plus a GIFT for a wild gift exchange with plenty of opportunities to steal what you really want — And this year, as always we enjoyed an abundance of FOOD, fun and laughs.
A PRIZE is awarded to the person bringing the Best Voted Appetizer, an incentive to bring something good. Guests cast anonymous (and sometimes padded and made-up) votes that are tallied to choose a hopefully legitimate winner.
Desserts are always baked by my treasured friend Loretta, whose goodies can’t be beat.
Having one person bring the Dessert is also strategic — In earlier party days, guests/friends were asked to bring an Appetizer or Dessert and I learned that it would produce too many Desserts and not enough Appetizers. Now, Loretta automatically receives a prize for her award-winning Desserts and there’s always enough savory stuff to eat. This year, Patty aka Tricia won a prize for her Salad pictured at top. All tasted fantastic — And I’m now trying to obtain the recipe for the Tapenade pictured above, which was made by my friend, Nora’s husband Brian. If allowed, I’ll share it here, as it was truly outstanding and a runner-up to the Salad.
Wouldn’t you know that I had technical difficulties with my camera this evening, which resulted in mostly blurry and poorly lighted food dishes that can’t be shared. 🙁
Cost Plus World Market recently to stumbled upon Nibbles of Tidbits, and me who is already in love with them — The result is continuous adoration and perfect party supplies (from around the world) for my Sweet 16th Annual Girl’s Christmas Party. We girls appreciated it ALL!
Because I like handing out prizes and laughing at people playing the stupid games I come up with, each year we play several new and old favorites — This year Nora won the red and white votive candles, Arlene won the Oil & Vinegar Cruets, Loretta won the colander, soap and bath fizzies, and Heidi won the Chocolate Champagne bottle and more.
The pictured snacks were chosen from CPWM‘s seemingly endless selection of international goods. It was hard to decide, as one could host a variety of party themes with Cost Plus food.
And a BIG SHOUT OUT needs to go out for the White Cheddar Snowball Puffs! They have a perfect amount of tasty Cheddar flavor and a nicely crisp puff. They were a hit and I want to go back for more before they disappear.
Cost Plus is the only place I’ve seen thus far with Red & Green Tortilla Chips that taste and look good. I served them with a favorite Salsa determined during a Salsa Taste-Off.
And if you don’t know already, Cost Plus World Market offers an amazing selection of Beer and Wine. We enjoyed Stella Artois, Corona Extra and Skinny Dip New Belgium — Had to get it for the name and we were pleasantly surprised by its likable flavor.
To keep our drinks straight, we used the above drink markers, also from Cost Plus. I turned ’em into a game by awarding a prize to the person picking the prized adjective — Whomever chose DESPERATE won.
Photo of this year’s party attendees and BFF’s.
Although I’ve shopped at Cost Plus for years, I haven’t purchased much of their Beer, Wine or other imported beverages, which is probably a bit odd, since many shop there specifically for it. Since CPWM sponsored most of this year’s party, it was a great opportunity to sample their infinite offerings — And ultimately there was an overwhelming response to the Cristalino Champagne. It’s terrifically bubbly, fresh and not too sweet. It’s an excellent inexpensive Champagne. Other photos reflect prizes happily won by guests.
Do you like my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree? It’s easy clean up, but I’m starting to miss a real one. Maybe next year. Also pictured is a giant bottle of the Champagne noted above. The large bottle was fun and oh so good — We went through it too fast. And I probably talked on the microphone too much, but had to get the attention of the rebellious crowd to participate in the next silly game. There were cool prizes to be won.
Cost Plus is an old friend that made my Sweet 16th Annual Christmas Party extra special and tasty — All friends were joyful about it too! Merry Christmas to YOU.
Every first Friday of December, I host a Girl’s Christmas Party and this year was my 15th annual. Guests are asked to bring an appetizer, salad, soup or side dish and a $25 value gift for a crazy gift exchange. A prize and ribbon are awarded to the person bringing the best voted appetizer. This year’s winning appetizer is posted above and the runner up is below.
In addition to the winning appetizers, we’ve posted several others to provide a few ideas for your Christmas Party. Everything was yummy and I’m much appreciative for all contributions.
We enjoyed baked Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil and Balsamic Vinegar, homemade Guacamole and Chips, Antipasto, Vegetables with Ranch Dip, Chips and Onion Dip, Chicken Wings, Hummus with Pita Chips, a Chopped Salad, Spring Rolls, Buffalo Mozzarella with Tomato and Basil, and much more. Some dishes aren’t pictured due to photo quality.
Dessert preparation is deligated to the best baker in the bunch, Loretta of Nibbles of Tidbits’ Cookie Decorating fame. She made a few of our old time favorites for all to enjoy.
Dessert included a homemade Chocolate Cake with Frosting piped using my favorite decorating tip (hair tip), Magic Bars and Lemon Squares. Loretta receives a prize every year for her amazing efforts.
The past couple years money was saved on a tree, due to the display of our adorable Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. Champagne flows along with the availability of a semi-full bar and lots of Bottled Water. And poster boards are accessible to view party photos from all previous years.
This year I pulled out an American Idol Microphone to facilitate the party along. We (I) had a fun time with it — It’s a great way to get your guest’s attention to coordinate the games, the gift exchange and appetizer vote submissions. We usually end the party with a group photo to be viewed on next year’s poster board. Unfortunately two left before we remembered to take our 2009 photo. To view last year’s par-tay highlights, click here. Merry Christmas!
Thanks to my cherished friends (and sis) for delivering the wonderful Appetizers and Desserts to my 14th Annual Christmas Party. It was a blast like always. Michelle’s Pesto Loaf (above) was voted Best Appetizer. Congratulations! The recipe is linked below.
And every party needs a Fresh Vegetable Platter — Ours was over the top good with Yellow and Red Bell Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers and more. And continuing on down (L-R), this year we enjoyed Artichoke Dip and Chicken & Lemongrass Spring Rolls.
Chicken Tamales with Colorado Chili Sauce, Salami, Brie and Smoked Cheese with Crackers, and Fresh Homemade Salsa and Tortilla Chips. The Salsa deserves an honorable mention for its restaurant quality flavor. I’ve got to get the recipe.
Egg Rolls, Pesto Loaf, and Cream Cheese with Blueberry Preserves and Crackers. Then moving on to the bakery quality Desserts prepared by Loretta — She took the prize for that category with her Lemon Bars, Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Icing, Magic Cookie Bars, and Chocolate Dipped Oreos and Graham Crackers as the Cake presents.
We had more than pictured here, but some photos didn’t quite make the quality cut. I do appreciate ALL the food! We mostly enjoyed Champagne, Chardonnay, Juice and Bottled Water, but many options were available.
This year I have a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree — It’s cute, don’t you think? Here we are in a rare people picture on Nibbles of Tidbits. I didn’t get my friend’s approval for the posted photo so it could come down if someone doesn’t like the way they look. You know how some girls can be – HA. 🙂
Related Link:
Winning Appetizer Recipe (Pesto Loaf) – pesto-dip-appetizer
I’m busy getting ready for my 14th Annual Christmas Par-tay, whereas each guest (close friend) brings an appetizer. I award a PRIZE and RIBBON for the Best Voted Appetizer — It’s a super fun and yummy party. It’ll be interesting to see what comes this year and every first Friday in December. Check back. 🙂
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