Event Banter Blog

moving.... come follow me

2012-06-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

(buffet arrangement)

Thank you for stopping by. I'm moving please come join me at my new home....currently under construction at http://www.eventbanterblog.com/.

embracing change

2012-06-08T05:06:00.000-07:00

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I will be spending mine re-thinking this blog and finding a way to create better content related to event planning. It seems I've been focusing on eveything but my original intent.Thank you for stopping here. I hope you will stop by again soon. In the mean time have a splendid weekend. Cheers!

Happy National Running Day!

2012-06-06T06:27:00.003-07:00

2005 the year my running addiction began. This is me following the finish of The Twin Cities Marathon. I have run it every year since. Running is my refuge. Everything can be worked out on a run or close to it. The best part of running is the people I meet along the way. Marathons are events of marathon proportions. Imagine what it takes to care for all the runners. Poor weather on event day can be an uncomfortable inconvenience. On marathon day weather can be a factor of dangerous proportions. Thankfully the Twin Cities Marathon is put on by real pros.

the super boring truth

2012-06-05T05:29:00.001-07:00

I want everything to be glamorous and clever and fun on my blog. I want to be so interesting that you just can't stand the time between my posts. But the simple truth, the bare bones reality of it is... sometimes I'm boring. I painted my garage this weekend. I painted my little old ratty garage white. Now the impressive thing about it is that I ran 10 miles and bounced on home with excitement to actually do it. I prepped the night before so this seemed like a super doable task. I love painting... or maybe the real deal is that I love the difference a good coat of paint can make. I estimated that it would take about one hour and a half. It took THREE hours and I wasn't slacking. THREE valuable Saturday hours and it was only one wall, the one with the garage door. We aren't talking about major square footage here. Now it's a clean slate. I'm tempted to add some fun numbers. It's clean and fresh and probably makes the neighbors happy. It is what it is and white and only white is all it is and I don't want it to be anything else. This is the absolute boring truth about my weekend. Now just wait until I write that post about break apart my cement steps. You are going to love it. Until then here are a few photos.

ready to paint

finished

any suggestion on how the house numbers should look?

images & my running addiction

2012-05-31T05:10:00.001-07:00

I'm obsessed with Minnehaha Falls. I just wasn't feeling motivated yesterday to get out the door and get a run in. I saw a quick news clip on the high water and suddenly I found myself bounding down river road. I was so jazzed I forgot to start my GARMIN.

STEPS! They say they are good for us!

up, down, repeat

happy memorial day

2012-05-28T07:16:00.004-07:00

grateful for your sacrifice

oh those beautiful big brown eyes

what's to come at the cabin

2012-05-28T06:24:00.001-07:00

blackberries in full bloom

lots of friends are reaping the benefits and helping the process

Will we make this?

blackberry caipirinha

(via FOOD52 by MissGinsu)

serves one

6-8 plump blackberries

1 teaspoon white sugar

1/2 lime, cut into 3 wedges

2 ounces cachaça (or substitute white rum)

3/4 cups ice cubes

or this

peach & mountain berry pie

(via FOOD52 by Lapadia)

serves eight

A total of 3 cups fruit - see the following combination I used

2-1/2 cups fresh peach slices (I leave the skin on)

1/2 cup wild mountain blackberries

1 tablespoon flour - I like wondra for this

A little nutmeg

2 tablespoons honey

crust

3/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1/3 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 to 4 tablespoons milk

more from the cabin

2012-05-27T15:50:00.002-07:00

fiddlehead recipe

images & my running addiction

2012-05-26T13:49:00.002-07:00

I've been running by these abandoned cabins for the past four years. I keep hoping someone brings them back. They need work but definitely have potential. Nature's taking it's toll.

I really want to open that door.

Today was an easy 4 mile recovery run before the rain had a chance to come in.

Yesterday I logged 14 miles under vanilla skies and a lush canopy of green.

Northwoods Escape - Cabins

2012-05-16T12:48:00.002-07:00

(via http://www.hemloft.com/)

On my quest to find cool cabins for show & tell, I came across the HemLoft. Of course the sight of it is amazing, a beautiful organic shape in the trees reminiscent of many of the biodegradable birdhouses I'm seeing out and about. The object, cabin in the trees, hemloft, or whatever you want to call it is stunning, the location extraordinary. The thing that pulled me in, the hook that got me deep down on that visceral level is the story behind it. A romantic notion about retiring at the age of 26 to pursue a life off the grid is kind of a super amazing thing to me. I have that spirit in me... at one time I acted upon such notions fully believing that anything I could possibly imagine for myself could be an absolute reality. I am at a place in my little bubble that allows me to feel this way again. Here is the thing... you are never too old to live everything you believe to be possible. Joel's very nature is inspirational...I hope he finds a way to buy the land that this lovely egg occupies. Help Joel with your advice. He's letting us vote. Raise a glass people! Cheers to the adventurer in us. Follow this lovely example of doing.

Happy Mothers Day

2012-05-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

(via frank skitzski)

My mother circa 1955, always a women of style. Her ability to look stunning no matter what is lost on me. I struggle to pull an all black outfit together. I am getting better and worse with age. Now I rely on an almost all black work wardrobe. My black Banana Republic is more of a union form. It always works and makes me feel pulled together even when I am not.

(via frank skitzski)

I may be all about black but truth be told color makes me happy. Over done lush gardens, ornate jewelry all my mother"s influence. Her philosophy .....more is more. From jewelry to flowers more is more. I may not wear it but I can appreciate it, all thanks to my Mom.

My strongest memories of my mother are of her in the garden and coming home from work late in the evening. Yep it's true she was a working mother with six children at home to worry about. I like to say she was a working mother & my dad a stay at home dad before it was a thing. They made it cool. Still I wanted a Mom that was around and I longed for her to be the cookie baking type that hovered over us, helped us with homework. I just didn't have the perspective yet to understand that if she could choose she would have chosen to be with us more. She made the best of her situation and she was a hard working Mom who loves shoes & jewelry almost as much as her children. Thanks Mom for being fabulous in every way.

( via frank skitzski)

(via harold davis)

One has to admit she really knows how to strike a pose.

Pictured here on her Honey Moon, Niagra Falls.

Images & Addiction

2012-05-10T12:15:00.001-07:00

Minnehaha Falls

(The Song of Hiawatha)

“In the land of the Dacotahs,
Where the Falls of Minnehaha
Flash and gleam among the oak trees,
Laugh and leap into the valley.
... And he named her from the river,
From the waterfall he named her,
Minnehaha, Laughing Water."

Henry Wadswoth Longfellow

The falls are so worth the run. I never tire of being near water. I feel blessed to have this sweet spot near my home. This run makes for a nice easy six mile loop with lots along the way to take in. You just never know what beautiful thing will present itself.

Spring Garden

2012-05-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

(day lily after heavy rain)

(fern)

The rain today left everything fresh and green.

oh monday monday wish it were a sunday

2012-05-07T05:30:00.002-07:00

(stone lake wine store)

( but mom i didn't get to play yet)

Friday Fun

2012-05-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

~ Happy Weekend ~

Meet Curious George the DOG, not the monkey. Occasionally acts like one but definitely not one. For information about the MONKEY. This pooch is pretty jazzed about our trip to the cabin this weekend. A post about the cabin and our "cabcation" fun is coming soon. Yes, it's a word in my bubble. In the mean time check out these super cool cabins, Scandinavian Modern Cabins. Our little get-a way is a bit more modest but LOVED just the same.

(via: trendir)

(via: the style-files)

(via: emma's design blog)

Images & Addictions

2012-05-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

One of the things I appreciate about running is all the beauty I would otherwise completely miss out on. This cluster of trees is located along Minnehaha Creek in Minneapolis.

Blue

2012-05-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

(endless bridge)

(photo via Ryan Desiderio)

The endless bridge provides unlimited possibilities but I find myself gravitating toward platnum or white linens for this space. The blue glass wall is the wrapping paper on a view that can only be considered a precious gift from mother nature.

Art In Bloom ~ Art Instititute of Minneapolis

2012-04-30T20:01:00.000-07:00

Inspiration

Interpretation

Inspiration

Interpretation

Inspiration

Interpretation

Inspiration

Interpretation

Doing - Art in Bloom

2012-04-27T06:40:00.000-07:00

So what's the weekend plan? Mine is Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Art Institute. Local designers are asked to interpret the art using flowers as their primary medium.

The 2011 Winner:

Cornelis Jacobz Delff
Allegory of the Four Elements
Floral Artists: Candace McCloskey, Matt Bierwerth, and Courtney Ashby, MCM Design
Art in Bloom Program Number 95

This orb is a small piece of a much larger entry by one of may favorite local florists Arts & Flowers for the 2011 Art in Bloom Event.

Images & Addictions

2012-04-24T05:44:00.002-07:00

Mississippi River

City Scape

Lake Street Bridge

Running allows me to appreciate all the beauty that surrounds me.

These images were taken on April 23, 2012.

7.29 miles

RED

2012-04-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Jo Larocca

Photo Credit: Jo LaRocca (above & below)

Design Credit: David Stark (below)

http://www.impulseenterprises.com/StoreBox/buffettrays/iacr102tryimp.htm

Elie Saab Fall/Winter 2011/12
Red, love.
(via garavani)

Hello Cupcake!

2012-04-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit: Food Network

I recently read that the cupcake may be returned to it's humble beginning by doughnuts or Caneles (think Bordeaux, France). I don't know...I just don't think so. It can't be.
Tell that to Kevin VanDeraa - Owner, Operator of http://www.cup-cake.com/, the most recent winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars, http://www.foodnetwork.com/cupcake-wars/index.html. Truth be told I am very pro-cupcake & a huge fan of the show so my opinion is very biased. Everything mini is here to stay. Cupcakes aren't going anywhere. And that makes me happy. I dare you to go and check out Kevins wares and not smile. http://www.cup-cake.com/

Photo Credit: Kevin VanDeraa

A winning recipe ~ Toodee Fruity Blueberry Cheese Cake

Graham Cracker Crust Ingredients
½ cup graham cracker crumbs
1.5 oz melted butter
1/1/2 tablespoons sugar

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Toss ingredients together and place a heaping teaspoon in the bottom of each of 12 cupcake liners in the pan. Tap down with the back of a whisk to make a hard flat surface in the bottom of the cupcake liner.

Bake 5 min at 350

Cheesecake Batter Ingredients
4 oz cream cheese at room temperature
¼ cup sugar
dash of salt
½ egg
½ cup fresh blueberries

In a medium mixing bowl cream together the cream cheese, salt and the sugar, when all lumps are gone add the egg and mix to fully incorporate. Fold in the blueberries using a rubber spatula and set aside

Pound Cake Batter Ingredients
6.5 oz all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
4 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
11.5 oz sugar
3 eggs
4oz sour cream
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt – set aside. Cream together butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time scraping down between additions. Alternately add the sour cream and dry ingredients in three batches ending with the dry. Add the vanilla and mix to fully incorporate.

Baking
Fill the baking cups with the graham cracker crust about ½ way with the pound cake batter. With a teaspoon make a well in the middle of the thick batter. Spoon about a teaspoon of cheesecake batter into the well. Place into oven and bake until the top of the cupcake begins to turn brown and the cake portion feels firm to the finger. Remove and cool completely.

Lightened Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
2 oz. butter at room temperature
3 oz. 10 x confectioners sugar
blue food color
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup heavy whipping cream

Cream together cream cheese and butter scraping down and ensuring there are no lumps. Add the confectioners sugar and blue food color and mix to fully incorporate. Set aside
Make a whipped cream with the vanilla and heavy whipping cream.

Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture

Decorations
2 oz White fondant
1 oz Black fondant
egg white

Roll out both fondants to 1/8 inch thick. Cut large ovals from the white fondant and small circles (pupils) from the black fondant. Affix the pupils to the eyes – make 24, 2 per cupcake.

Assembly
With a round pastry tip using a circular motion frost the cupcakes with the blue frosting. Affix the eyes in the center.

Yield: 1 dozen cupcakes
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 40 min

If you give it a try, send your pictures. I will post the results.

ORANGE

2012-04-17T19:56:00.001-07:00

A pop of color. This staged event was for a shoot with http://www.mspmag.com/. I wanted to do something to elevate the safari theme and the orange table cloth pulled the whole set up a level. The linens were on loan from my good friends at http://www.lineneffects.com/. They like to call this linen cinnamon.

Sweet Flavor Florida

2012-04-13T04:58:00.001-07:00

Sweet Flavor Florida is one of my favorite sources for super cool disposable wares. Think of it as fashion for food. These little vessels are affordable and make styling hors d' oeuvres for large events (500 +) easy and affordable. Clients want more than great food. They want great presentation as well. Sweet Flavor Florida makes it easy for you to be on the cutting edge of cool details that charm guests.

These little gems are perfect for a black & white event. In addition to butler passed hors d' oeuvres I can see this vessel used for a starter or dessert.

These little sippers are a great way for a non-profit event on a budget to add a sparkling toast .

Check out more of Sweet Flavor Florida right here.

YELLOW

2012-04-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

Not my best photo but definitely one of my most rewarding events. The color palette is the client's favorite. The tables were lit from underneath. Everything seems to float in sort of a dream state. The room is unmistakably the Pholad Lobby of the Guthrie Theater. A view of the Mississippi like no other. Designing for this space can be a challenge since the glass is tinted a very optimistic yellow. Why fight it?