Once a quarter my company comes together to acknowledge our accomplishments, review our goals, and look towards the future as a unit.
And after that 30 minute afternoon meeting – we party! 
I already told Christine she needs to step up the beet selection for our next meeting.
Its really refreshing to spend a random afternoon once a quarter catching up with co-workers while enjoying a drink and various other treats.
I slowly sipped on a bit of Merlot while mingling.
(My boss really wanted to be in the background of this picture. He was uber impressed with my camera, in fact I had quite a few people quizzing me on my new Rebel and its functions)
A big part of the meeting after party is the celebration of birthdays for the quarter.
There was a white cake with chocolate icing and a carrot cake. Both from Publix and both looked delicious! I saved a piece of the carrot cake for dessert after dinner.
Instead of having a piece of cake right then and there, I opted for the yogurt and granola I had brought.
I love the way yogurt and granola photograph. So pretty!
Earlier in the afternoon Megan from Mezz Wins at Life tweeted me looking for a creative way to spice up a typical stir fry. I tweeted back that she should try a creative sauce. For instance right at that moment the idea for Cranberry Sauce Stir Fry popped in my head.
The idea stuck with me and when I was standing in front of the fridge wondering what to have for dinner I knew I had to give it a try myself.
I started with an assortment of beautiful, yummy veggies that were just so colorful in the pan.
Red Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Onion, Mushrooms, Snap Peas, & Carrot.
My Cranberry Stir Fry Sauce was a mix of Cranberry Sauce, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, and Red Pepper Flakes.
I topped it all off with sesame seeds and a few Kashi Crackers for crunch.
If I were to recreate this dish I would go a little lighter on the cranberry sauce and a little more heavy handed on the soy sauce. Besides that it worked pretty well.
As hard as I try to correct her, Maddie still believes the other seat at the table is hers.
For dessert I pulled out the slice of Carrot Cake I had snagged from the office party.
Publix makes pretty damn good carrot cake.
Messy Update…
Thank you for all of your comments today regarding My Big Fat Mess. Each one made me smile. It was good to know there are others out there in the same boat as me.
I especially loved all the suggestions for a KERF make over. Kath is already checking flights! I’m crossing my fingers she can find a cheap flight for February!
I did get a start on my mess this evening. You should be happy to know I put all my clothes away and emptied the dish washer. Baby steps. Baby steps.
Don’t forget to keep the votes coming for the Sam-e Good Mood Gig!
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
Go Babs Steps, they go along way. love the dish tonight.
so funny that kath might do a makeover for you. y’all should film that.
and.. by the way… carrot cake envy, girl. yumm.
Carrot cake is always my favorite
Wow wish my office was that cool!
those pictures of your messy apartment are hilarious (can I use this word for an apartment?) anyway, sooo funny! and even funnier that KERF might help you on a makeover! She’s so cute!
Mmm, cake and wine!
I have to say that I’m a little jealous about the carrot cake because I’ve been craving some for awhile now. I need to go find some.
Baby steps are a good thing when it comes to cleaning
o my gosh the stir fry was amazing!! Thanks for the idea of adding the cranberries!! I LOVED IT!!! I thought I was going to have leftovers but ended up eating the whole thing!! and thanks for the shout out girl
love carrot cake! i haven’t had it in so long though!
http://saladdiva.wordpress.com
What a cool office!
Congrats on making a dent in the mess! I was hoping to do the same (my apartment looks VERY similar to the pics you posted earlier!), but unfortunately I’m sick! Guess the cleaning will have to wait until tomorrow…boo.
Man, Maddie is just the cutest!!
carrot cake is the best! Glad you enjoyed
Our office does the same quarterly birthday parties too only we don’t get to have the luxury of alcohol mid work day! How luck are you!
Your stir fry looks awesome. I was just thinking of using my leftover Cranberry sauce to make some kind of savory dish (like a stir fry or pumpkin cranberry pasta).
Our pup has his own seat at the table too! We eventually just gave up and now he sits like a little human every night at dinner. He actually gets quite upset when we have people over and someone sits in “his” seat.
Enjoy your cake and your night!
Mmmm….I miss Publix!
Great looking party food! Sometimes it is so nice to ‘catch up’ with workmates in a social environment and not talk about work!!
haha I love the KERF makeover idea!
I want your puppy! She is sooooooo cute!
My cat also thinks she gets one of the seats at our dinner table. I’m cool with it as long as she doesn’t jump on the table
I LOVE the Maddie picture, as did my little Peachie:)
I am amazed at your discipline during office food gatherings. We do a once a month lunch and I have been very good the last 2 months as I am trying to lose anohter 15 lbs, I like the idea of taking home the treat for later!!!
Publix makes awesome carrot cake, I used to love it in my pre-vegan days. Maddie is so adorable!
That stir fry looks amazing! Yum.
I’ll be out there in January, if it’s not cleaned up by then, I’ll help out.
I miss Publix cakes!! I miss Publix in general actually. When I come down for the Disney Half I will most likely make my friend take me grocery shopping
http://eatventures.wordpress.com
seeing that cake makes me want to work in an office just for the free food!
Your pictures are looking great!
Out of curiosity… What kind of lens are you using?
I would totally come help her if i could.
I am a total neat freak and would have that place pretty in no time.
by the way I made your split pea soup last night….it was FAB!!
I wish my office would serve alcohol, ha.
Carrot cake = my favorite cake ever
Love the picture of Maddie! Our cats like to sit on chairs at our table while we eat, too– but most of the time we “bore them to sleep” by the end of the meal
Your meals have been so pretty lately– I think I need to pick up some red cabbage to brighten up my table, too!
Hmmm, I think that gorgeous cranberry stir-fry sauce is going on next week’s menu! It reminds me of a sauce (for stir-fry, topping veg, etc) that I used to make all the time–it had raspberry or guava jam, lemon juice, a bit of soy sauce, and some chopped chipotle chili for smokiness and heat. But I never thought of making something like it with cranberry
wowza. I am an organizational freak..maybe I should come visit for a weekend and you can show me around in return for a little help getting orgainzed
ooomygosh carrot cake = heaven/death for me. love it! and that one looks particularly fabulous
First, your cranberry stirfry looks delish! Second, as a recovering “ignore my mess” person, I commend your desire to get organized!!! I promise it gets easier once you get going!
Haha, I took someones advice today and made my bed as soon as I got up. Sort of. I was really tired still so it’s a bit messy, but better than nothing!
your Cranberry Stir Fry made for a beautiful picture!! could be in a magazine :O)
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I have to try the cranberry sauce you made! It looks so good
Dinner looks great! I am curious about how cranberry sauce and soy sauce would taste together!
fun office party! That dinner looked scrumptious!
love your creative meals! good job workin’ on the mess!
jenna
definitely isn’t a party if there isn’t a decent “beet” selection.
(i really don’t intend to nitpick about typos…i laughed out loud imagining a selection of beets at a party!!)