Monday, July 19, 2010

Housewarming Success, Mac & Cheese Recipe, Sunday Vegday

SO GLAD you guys liked the video too! haha It seriously cracks me up - like, can't get enough of it! While obviously it was an over exaggeration, which to me made it all the more funny, parts of it did truly ring true but to me in funny ways - sometimes it's a blast to be silly like that with your girlfriends!

So Saturday was such a great day! I got lots done at the house, ran errands for everything from new shoes to bachelorette party gifts to birthday party gifts and then it was time to get ready for my sister's housewarming party! We got ready, loaded up the car, and me, Austin & Reuben headed over to East Atlanta. Stacy and Shane came early, too, and we all set up, got my mac & cheese going in the slowcooker, made chocolate strawberries and before we knew it it was 6 p.m. and guests were arriving! They had such a great turn out and everyone really seemed to enjoy seeing their house! They had done SO much work in the yard and it looked awesome. The food went over well and everyone self served on these cool vintage cafeteria-style trays my sister had found. Very cool! As it got later we got our drink on, played some cornhole and hung out. Here's some pics!

Cornhole!
Peeps checking out the backyard!
Me, Devon & Stacy!
Stacy, Crystal, Me and Mar!
Me & Austin - i'm getting better at remembering to take pics of us!
Dinner time...
Great turn out! And I loved the punch containers - can't wait to use mine!
Zach grilled up SO many kabobs in this awesome marinade from Trader Joe's
Stacy & Shane!
Lots of food!
Chatting
Late night group shot with self timer - love it!
Devon got artsy!
Dev & Crystal!
These trays are so cool - they went over great
Devie & Sadie girl - I didn't think she was looking but I caught her!
Austin, Shane & Jason!
Loved the outdoor lights - SO cute!
Cornhole time - little blurry but I think they came out cool
More cornhole

GREAT night! I estimated that I ended up at 1,940 calories, 125 carbs, 59 fat grams and 103 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Here is the Slowcooker Mac & Cheese Recipe I used (closely based off of Paula Deen's):

1 cup fat-free milk (she used full fat)
¾ tsp dry mustard (she used less)
1 tsp salt (she used less)
4 tbsp light butter with canola oil (she used full fat)
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream (she used full fat)
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can campbell’s Cheddar cheese soup
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese (next time i'll try light)
1 16-oz. box elbow macaroni (she used less)
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Boil macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until cheese melts. In a slow cooker sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, combine cheese/butter mixture and add sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Add eggs. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Whole Recipe: 3,293 calories, 395 carbs, 228 fat grams and 137 protein grams. Makes 20 "side" servings: 165 calories, 20 carbs, 12 fat grams and 7 protein grams; Makes 10 "large" servings: 329 calories, 40 carbs, 23 fat grams and 14 protein grams.

Sunday we got up early at my sister's and headed back home. My picture (prints) I had ordered had come in, so I set out and framed everything - YAY - one thing down. Then me and Austin hung out, watched 24, and rested. Then Austin left for Counting Crows at Chastain and me/Reuben held down the fort watching Cheerleader Nation. What a cute little show! I thought about blogging. Or doing laundry. Or working out. Or doing something creative. But instead I just vegged out and I have to admit - I enjoyed it! Wonderful Sunday! I ended up at 1,778 calories, 224 carbs, 43 fat grams and 118 protein grams. Here's what I ate.

Q: Have a mac & cheese recipe? If so, what's in yours? This was my first time making this but you guys - it was a huge hit! I will definitely make it again, but plan to try it with light grated cheese rather than full fat! (i'll let you know if it works!) I LOVE this recipe mostly because it's slow cooker - easy peasy!

Q: Ever hosted a housewarming party? I haven't - I enjoyed helping out with this one though!