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?
Recipe: Nutella Berry Bruschetta {ReluctantEntertainer.com}
Summary: Bites of creamy Nutella chocolate with fresh berries on buttery, crunchy toast. Goodness gracious.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 12 baguette slices, about 1/4 inch thick
- 1/2 cup Nutella
- 4 oz. berries (either blackberry or raspberry or sliced strawberry)
- Toasted sliced almonds
- Tiny mint leaves for garnishing.
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Place the bread in the pan and fry on medium-high until toasted on one side. Flip to the other side for a total of about 6 minutes.
- Place the toasted baguettes on a serving plate; cool.
- Spread Nutella on each piece of bread.
- Top with the berries and sprinkle with the nuts.
- Add a tiny leaf for garnishing. Optional: lightly sprinkle with sea salt.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 6 minutes
Number of servings (yield): 6
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
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
Oh YUM! This looks heavenly, Sandy!
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Yum, yum, and double yum! Sandy, the nutella on it’s own is divine, but the combination you’ve made looks absolutely scrumptious. Thank you for the inspiration!
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Nutella Brushetta – genius!
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These are so darling Sandy!
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I have a friend who is bonkers for anything Nutella, I’m sooooo going to make this for her!
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I have a friend who is bonkers for anything Nutella, I’m soooooo going to make this for her! Thanks for sharing
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I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to stopping eating these. They look addicting!
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THANK YOU for this GREAT idea!!! Love it! Can’t wait to try it. And I’m thinking of some other possibilities toooo now.
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fabulous recipe!! Can’t wait to make this one
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I LOVE this. Like really, really love this. It’s like a dessert appetizer! Anything with Nutella I love and the berries are so delicious right now. Can’t wait to try it!
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Oh my goodness Sandy…I LOVE this recipe!! I can’t wait to make it for anyone! The photos are fantastic too!!
Loved my time with YOU and MARIA…very special ladies. That photo makes me smile.
Congrats Maria and Josh!!
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Sandy, I am speechless! You are all too good to us! Thank you so much! I love the bruschetta! It is perfect! Thanks for being such a wonderful friend! Please come visit us when the little pea arrives. I am sure I will be asking you for lots of advice. You are a great example of a wonderful mother! xoxo
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What a wonderful post, Sandy! Not only does the bruschetta look wonderful, but so do your photos.
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looks DELICIOUS Sandy!! beautiful post!
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They look delicious!! Can’t wait to make them. Thanks for sharing
Marti
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What a delicious & creative treat for such a wonderful celebration! Looks delicious and your gift to her is so thoughtful as well.
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I know Maria would LOVE this recipe!! I’m really getting hungry now after checking out all of these shower recipes.
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Wow, buttery toasts and Nutella?! These are perfection.
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wowee kazowee! Yummy. My girls love nutella.
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A GORGEOUS way to celebrate Maria and Josh miss Sandy. Your daughter is a wonderful photographer too. These little treats look amazing. So glad you participated in the FUN
xxoo
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Never thought Nutella looked good until now! I’m trying this one for sure!
…And Abby is an amazing photographer!
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Just hosted a bridal shower this past weekend and served lemon-mint water — yep, that simple, but it was a hit! Folks loved the clean, refreshing hint of flavor in the water and it was perfect for those avoiding sugary drinks. Just thought I’d share as it would be great for a baby shower too
Congrats to Josh & Maria!
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Nutella on baguette with fresh berries?!?!? Yes, please!
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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! FUN FUN FUN! I have so enjoyed all these bebe shower posts!
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I just came across your blog and love your recipes! and especially the nutella bruschetta what a delcicious idea – and beautiful photos as well!
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WOW! Love everything about this one!! Especially the Nutella, of course!
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OH these look delish! How creative!!
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I had to quick let ya know I made this tonight for some friends who came over…wow, what a hit indeed and SO easy!! It is so tasty, and looks pretty….can’t thank you enough – I needed something different with a little “wow” factor!
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Sandy, these sound and LOOK amazing!! Such a beautiful post for Maria, I love it. Thank you again for joining the fun
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Wow – those are absolutely beautiful. These must come to cooking club with me soon. Thank you for the lovely recipe.
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Gorgeous combination! Thanks for such a creative recipe-
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Yummy!! What a great idea! Beautiful presentation and wonderful flavors
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Hi Sandy, boy that nutella really caught my eye-I love all things nutella, -this may have to be served at my next dinner party summer, winter, spring or fall!
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