Birthday Season is Upon Us

And wouldn't you know, we are behind posting everything. I still need to wrap up our retreat and spa night entries. I know, right? The retreat? That was in November friends and it is still not finished. But never fear - birthday season is here! We can always go back and pick up the rest of the stories.

Amy Stamy is the first birthday Queen and this year we are doing small questionnaires to help better acquaint you with each Kitchener. So please, join us at the winery for camaraderie and reverie and drinkery and...okay I'll stop.

Question the First (Faith): What do you like most about being in TCK?
Amy: Mostly I like the company of other female civilians, who are not only humorous and educated, but skeptical, silly, crafty, and cool.

Jenn: If you were to describe yourself as a drink, what would it be?

Stamy: I would be an amaretto sour because it is sweet and you need 1000 of 'em to get you drunk.

Mel: If you could go back to high school and choose your clique, what would it be?

Stamy: I was the hybrid. I was the jock softball player. I was on the math team. I was a math-lete.

OP: What is your favorite activity to do when your husband is not home and when he is?

Stamy: My favorite activity to do at home without James is spooning with my Mama! and taking a nap. [When he is home] I really love, on Sunday, when we get our foods and snuggle on the loveseat. But I like snuggling with Mama! better because James is too hot!

Faith: If you were a constellation, in the sky, what would you be?

Stamy: Well Faith, that's easy. I would be Orion's Belt.

Jenn: I knew that's what you would say.

Stamy: Well, I mean, what is Orion without his belt?

Did I mention there is video of parts of this interview? Well, it's coming. Stay tuned to find out Amy's favorite song to sing along with. I couldn't get it out of my head for a few days. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAMY!

Spa Night Prep

We had the ingenious idea to invigorate our spirits between the chaos of the holidays and the onset of Spring. Hence our first annual spa night, hosted by yours truly because I missed my calling as a full body technician.

We had nail polish in almost every color of the rainbow. I used Martha Stewart's recipe to make bath fizzies for the hand soaks.

Note: The first batch I made, I forgot to add the sugar, but they held together much better than the second batch which included the sugar. Just store in a jar, like so...

The fizzies that did hold together were given away as spa favors to recreate the experience at home.

Faith created our tablescape for the food:

I always feel better when Faith helps me get setup for an event. Entertaining guests is one of her fortes!

Now we just have to wait for the guests. ~Caesar

Getting Ready for Spa Night

Preparations are underway for our first spa night! Manicures, massage, mimosas, and more. Should be heavenly!

TCK Off Washington

We are gathered here today (well, Saturday actually) to witness the matrimony and smooches and all that other lovey-dovey stuff of Micah and Betsy (Honorary TCK Girl)! Congrats friends and thanks for having us. What a fun evening!

The Happy Couple

TCK Shuffle

Us trying to look like we were invited and Betsy scoffing at the notion...he he hee

Arm-in-arm and in luv

From the left: OP, Bets, Angel, F-Bomb and The Kuhn

Where the night ended...getting a jump. Luckily this was not the wedding-mobile.

We hope you guys enjoy your honeymoon and all of your gifts. Betsy, I think it might be time you host The Catty Kitchen to your new digs...just saying.

RetroBlogging - Wing Ding 2011

Back in April, F-Bomb and her hubby decided to throw a party to honor an American favorite - the small and succulent chicken wing. Several tantalizing entries were prepared and not all just your typical HOT wings. There were chili wings, smoked apricot, sesame and FIRE to name a few.

Judges at the ready.....GO!

 There were also some snacks to help soothe the heat, compliment the flavors and satisfy the non-meat eaters at the event. The chili or bean soup or whatever it was, was amazing by the way.

While the votes were being counted the Dingers in attendance filled their gullets further with a chicken snack...

This loony rice krispie concoction was a hit and welcome follow up to the savory services of the day. What's that? Oh wait, the votes have been counted.

 And we have a winner-winner-chicken dinner! The "Chile Wangs" took home the prize. Gigantic bottles filled with ranch dressing and a vat of hot sauce. Woot!

Now, technically, this is not a TCK event. It was all Faith and Tim's, but it got me to thinking. Why doesn't the Catty Kitchen host an event? I mean, we would obviously be really good at it and how cute would it be? I know, right. New Year's kind of seems like a natural option for us, but I would love to be in attendance at any event we host. Mud-wrestling and slip-n-slide anyone?

Birthday Mojo

 If you wanna come and take a ride with me, I can take you to the place where the Catty Kitchen will be...

Rolling with the homies

 Hooray! Jenn turns 26 today and is finally out of diapers. To celebrate her new-found adulthood we took her to Mojo's Tapas restaurant for some good eats.

The menu and drink selection was more extensive than I think we all anticipated and it was fun to try some new things. I drank my first mojito and feel like a total hipster now. Jennifer actually tried some food with mushrooms on it and didn't gag.

Edamame Hummus and Billy Goat Chips

Our night was undeniably tame in comparison to other events aside from Jennifer opening her gifts which was a riot. We did, however, look amazing (duh) and were certainly the most exuberant group in the house.

Amy is quickly becoming one of the funniest people I've met.

Beautiful mommy Mel and OP swapping tales.

Unfortunately there were so many pics of the gifts I feel it needs its own spotlight so look for that. In the meantime, if you love you some Jennifer holla atcha gurrl and tell her happy birthday!

Birthday Girl

A Birthday Song

Make it happen on yo berfday

If yo name is J-Fer Kuhn

We ain't bring no damn pinatas

And we popped all dem balloonz

Count up seven teddy bears

and drink yo liquor straight

god has got her "eye" on you

and mushrooms on yo plate

Next year on yo berfday

we may not even sing

But bust a move and shake yo thing

if you love TCK!

Get Cho Cookie On!

 Cookie Bake 2010 was a quiet affair this year, but a winner nonetheless. We ended up with a low cookie count, but all the dough was baked which doesn't always happen.

As usual we had one attendee who was sick...A petite attendee to try all the goods...and the rest of us baked and drank until we were Mary, I mean merry.

 Also this year we opted for a random gift exchange with $15 limit instead of buying for everyone. It was a hit and somehow we all chose the number of the most appropriate gift for ourselves. Weird.

 Sadly, there are no pics of our sick friend or our honorary Cattee (love you Megan). We were also short one member this year, but I can't wait to see her back when life gets on track. I also heard the Pfuhn's are getting down on New Year's and TCK was invited. Should be a hoot. And on that note we look forward to seeing you in 2011. Faith will be a farmer, Jenn is trying a new schedule, I turn 30, Jenna will earn her Master's degree and Mel will be a mommy. It's a big year.

XOXO,

The Catty Kitchen

Great Wedding Reception Idea!

So we look dreadfully tired, but what a fun idea for a reception.

One copy goes to the picturees...

...and another to the happy couple in a keepsake book.

Great idea and icebreaker for a reception.  Keeps it from being a stuffy event, ya know what I mean?  And everyone gets something to take home.  Love it!

Happy Very Belated Birthday to Faith!

Sooooooooooo, whilst we did celebrate F-Bomb's birthday in person, we neglected her very own birthday blog post and for this we are deeply sorry.  Time to make up for lost time and time to start getting our blog on more often.  I mean really............

Look at how precious she is.

One of several gifts hand-picked especially for our dear hostess with the mostess.

(no, we did not make her host her own soiree)

A new book of cook which included the recipe for her yummy cake.

Cookbook stand assembly is easier done when you are working with two functional thumbs.

Homemade crochet art for her guest bedroom...this had all the potential to go very wrong, but I think the birthday girl likes it.  What say you?

A good luck crochet sea stone and a goodbye kiss from the Lovely Lady LaBeaume.

Happy birthday Faith!  We love everything about you!

Whooooo's Turning 25?

J-Fer is!  Huzzah!  Welcome to our celebration.  The evening was begun with the birthday girl's favorite meal...

...followed up with spirits and presents

...frames to go with her new camera from Jay and a homemade abacus for our quirky math major.

Sweet Melissa supplied our hooty dessert....

...is that "Impale the Owl on a Branch"?  I love that game!

Make sure give our birthday girl a shout out wherever you are to help make her day a little more special....just like her!  ***Bonus Feature:  Click here to visit our kooky pics from the evening.