Bug Themed Baby Shower

Diaper Wreath

I had the honor of co-hosting a baby shower this weekend for my friend Erin.  When she said she was doing a bug theme for the nursery, I was really excited!  Most bug-themed ideas I found on Pinterest were either ladybugs or for a baby girl.  So, we had to be a little creative but what we came up with was really cute!  

The Food

The spread!

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on whole wheat bread
Chicken salad sandwiches on croissants

 Chicken Salad:

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cooked and diced
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonaise
• bunch of red grapes
• 2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced almonds (or any other nut)
• salt & pepper

The proportions are just an estimate as you may want your salad more dry or creamier based on your preference. You can easily substitute different nuts rather than almonds.

"Snail" wraps: tortillas, little bit of butter, salami, and green leaf lettuce.  Use a gherkin for the snail.

Southwest Spinach and Artichoke Dip (recipe here)

White cupcakes (recipe here)

"Dirt cake" with gummy worms

 Dirt Cake:

• 1 package Oreos
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1 container cool whip, thawed
• 2 packages chocolate pudding
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 package gummy worms (regular or sour)

Cream together cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar.  In a separate bowl, mix together chocolate pudding, milk, and cool whip until smooth. Mix the pudding mixture with the cream cheese mixture.  Place in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or until set.  Meanwhile, crush Oreos using a rolling pin or food processor until "dirt" consistency.  Layer Oreos, pudding mixture, then Oreos again in individual cups or a trifle dish.  

Pesto Pasta Salad

 Pasta Salad

• 4 cups uncooked pasta
• 1 cup fresh basil pesto
• 2 tbsp chopped green olives
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 1 cup frozen peas, defrosted
• 12 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
• several fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil 
• salt and pepper

Cook pasta according to instructions.  Make sure water is salted.  Drain pasta when it is al dente.  Toast the pine nuts in a small pan over medium-high heat until most of the nuts have a golden brown on them.  Move them to a cool bowl to rest.  They will burn if you leave them in the pan.  Put pasta in a big bowl, mix fresh basil pesto, olives, and pine nuts.  Gently mix in cherry tomatoes, peas, basil, and olive oil.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve at room temperature. 

Fruit Salad

The Craft: Necktie and Bow tie Onesies
I used the same idea from my sister's baby shower (post here) to create necktie and bow tie onesies for Erin's little boy.  Use Heat Bond n' Lite iron-on permanent bond paper for the appliques.