Today’s the day! A virtual “surprise” baby shower–organized by Marla from Family Fresh Cooking and Lisa, from With Style & Grace–is happening throughout blogland for our good friends Josh and Maria, of Two Peas and Their Pod.

I met Maria and Josh last year at Evo ’11 and since then we’ve attended several blogging events together. It’s been an honor to get to know this couple (below in Park City this summer with Aggie and me and Maria) and actually, I kindof think of Josh and Maria as “family!”

Josh and Maria are expecting their first baby, a boy! He’s going to be the cutest little “sweet pea” and I can’t wait to meet him. I already sent Maria her gift through snail mail, but today I’m happy to participate in their shower from afar.

The recipe I prepared for today’s shower, one I fixed for my family earlier this week, is a recipe you’ll want to file away as a “favorite.” Especially if you love Nutella in your household as much as we do, it’s delicious and elegantly presentable at the same time!

(photo taken by my daughter, Abby)

My family loved the creamy combination of sweet berries and Nutella on a buttery crunchy slice of bread. It’s so fantastic, I’ll probably be making it for company … soon!

Blackberries are coming on strong right now, too. I’ve been picking them, eating them, baking with them, freezing them.

Here’s a big Congratulations to Josh and Maria

We are praying for your family!

We love your very much!

the Coughlin Family!

Festive napkins for the shower.

A little journal to help record all the gifts that the “shower couple” will be receiving.

Flowers in a jar.

And Nutella Berry Bruschetta treats to share from our house to yours.

(photo taken by my daughter, Abby)

Do you have a bruschetta recipe that is your all-time favorite?

The “shower pack” gift I sent Josh and Maria for their new baby boy was from Earth Monkeys, an online biz that sells wonderful eco-friendly baby and toddler gear. If you want to read more reviews about Earth Monkeys, you can, HERE.

I’d love for you to read all the amazing ideas and recipes from my friends who participated in the “shower” today. Follow along and be inspired! And a big thanks, again, to our beautiful hostesses, Marla from Family Fresh Cooking and Lisa, from With Style & Grace.

Drinks

Simple Bites – Lemon Balm infused Lemonade

Ingredients, Inc. – Healthy Fruit Punch

Food for My Family – Lemongrass Soda

Heather’s Dish – Mixed Fruit Punch

She Wears Many Hats – Mini Pistachio Smoothies

Georgia Pellegrini – Watermelon Agua-Fresca

 

Appetizers/Savory Bites

With Style and Grace – Truffle Popcorn

Family Fresh Cooking – Baby Peas & Cheese Frittata

Barbara Bakes – Creamy Orange Fruit Dip and Fruit

Aggie’s Kitchen – Pasta Salad with Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette

Reluctant Entertainer – Nutella Berry Bruschetta

 

Dessert

Dorie Greenspan – French Lemon Cream Tart

TidyMom – Blue and Chocolate Cake Balls

i am baker – Baby Pea Baby Shower Cake

Brown Eyed Baker – Pavlova

Picky Palate – Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich

What’s Gaby Cooking – Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

Cookin’ Canuck – Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies

Kevin and Amanda – Baby Blue Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Cups

Sweetopia – Decorated Sugar Cookies

Mountain Mama Cooks – Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Sweetapolita – Little Pea Sugar Cookie Pops

Bake at 350 – Petit Fours with fondant pea pods

RecipeGirl – Baby Button Cookies

RecipeBoy – Mud Cups with Gummy Worms

Add a Pinch – Blackberry Tartlets

Dine and Dish – Oven Baked Cinnamon Apples

 

Crafts

Wenderly – Handmade Sweet Pea Cards

Our Best Bites – How To: Make a Diaper Cake Centerpiece