A Simple Handshake; Veteran's Day

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 2 comments

Two years ago, we were strolling through a local theme park enjoying the cool crisp air of an autumn evening. It was holiday season and the park's Christmas parade was rounding the corner. The group of us was caught up in a hectic frenzy of finding good seats and marking our viewing territory with bags, purses, and jackets within the chaotic crowd of eager parade watchers. For a split second within the whirlwind of chaos, I glanced over my shoulder and watched a total stranger reach out and shake the hand of a Vietnam war veteran who is now in his 80s. His blue eyes flickered within a blanket of tears as he sat silenced under his war veteran ball cap reflecting the stranger's gratitude. Flashing lights, parade music, and crowds laughing and devouring powdered-sugar drenched funnel cakes circled around the seated man, but the immense jolt of simple gratitude from a stranger left him quiet and propelled into a storm of memories and deep thoughtfulness. 


I couldn't imagine what pain and horrific images those twinkling blue eyes of Stan Potoshnik had seen so many years ago, but one thing is for certain, I will never forget the memory of that day and my own heart-felt gratitude for him and the long list of heroes that have given their lives for me and my loved ones. To Chris Junkerman's grandfather, Mr. Potoshnik, who served in the U.S. Air Force, to my own grandfather, Rex Ayers, who served in the U.S. Army, to Jeremy Galloway who is a freshly graduated Marine, and to all the men and women from the past to the future who have or will serve in the US Armed Forces, we say, "thank you". 

Thanks from the bottom of our hearts.  Happy Veteran's Day.

Sincerely,

Junkerman + Jones

Cocktail Hour {recipes you can't boo at}

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 1 comments

If you haven't already selected a costume for this weekend's Halloween festivities, one thing is for certain: you don't have to dress like a sous chef to create dazzling treats when playing hostess with the mostess this holiday season.

With Halloween sneaking around the corner, we're sharing three spooky drink recipes that'll leave your party guests bewitched, bothered, and bewildered by your cauldron of creativity!

Enjoy!

Black Widow

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

Ingredients: 5 oz black vodka, such as Blavod (or vodka + black food coloring)
 + 1/2 oz Pernod


Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add black vodka and Pernod. Shake vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a Sugar Spiderweb and Licorice Spider (recipe below), if desired. In a hurry? Top off your black widow cocktail with a gummy spider or plastic spider ring to save on time!

Garnish

Sugar Spiderweb

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

Ingredients: 1-1/4 cups sugar
 + 1/3-cup light corn syrup
 + 1/4 cup water

Directions: Spray 2 large sheets of parchment paper with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water; cook over medium-high heat, occasionally brushing down sides with water to prevent crystallization. Continue until mixture reaches 320º on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Working quickly, drizzle caramel with a spoon onto prepared parchment paper, forming spiderwebs. Cool completely or until set. Using a small offset spatula, carefully remove web from parchment paper, and place on top of glass.

Licorice Spider Garnish

via Phyllis Hoffman Celebrate

Ingredients:  black licorice wheel

Directions: Unroll a 9-inch strip from licorice wheel*. Using kitchen shears, cut strip in half lengthwise along scored line. Cut each strip into 3 (3-inch) pieces, creating 6 legs. Reserve remaining part of licorice wheel for spider body.

On a flat surface, place licorice wheel. Using tweezers, insert 6 strips in center of reserved licorice wheel, bending strips to form spider legs. Carefully place Licorice Spider on top of Sugar Spiderweb. Serve immediately.

Candy Corn Cocktail

by Alex Straus, Suite 700 at the Hotel Shangri-La

Ingredients: 2 oz. SKYY Infusions Pineapple
 + 1.5 oz. Orange Sherbet, softened
 + 1 oz. Pineapple Juice
 + 1 oz. Milk
 + 1 oz. Simple Syrup

Directions: Combine SKYY Infusions Pineapple and pineapple juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain over fresh ice into a clear Collins glass. Combine softened orange sherbet and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain, and pour over bar spoon to layer in the rocks glass. Then, combine simple syrup and milk in cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Layer milk mixture on top of sorbet mixture.

Bleeding Heart, Grape Punch, & Black Lagoon

from Martha Stewart‘s Spirited Celebrations (Halloween 2009)

Black Lagoon: a lemony vodka libation garnished with black ice cubes and a licorice stick.
Spiked Concord Grape Punch: this one’s spiced AND spiked!
Bleeding Heart: a martini with a pickled beet that “bleeds” from a wound caused by a cocktail spear.

{Thanks to HWTM for sharing these fabulously festive recipes. Happy Halloween!}

**DO YOU HAVE A GREAT RECIPE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

PROUD OF A HALLOWEEN OR FALL TREAT THAT YOU CREATED?

Send us your creations and get featured on the blog! Can't wait to see your submissions!

Email us at junkermanjonesevents@gmail.com!

Be Inspired {Carnival Season}

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 0 comments

Fireflies + funnel cakes.

Striped tents + multi-colored magic.
Late summer air + age-old tradition.
It's carnival season in Downtown, USA.

It's the sight, smell, and sound of carnival season coming into view and we're feeling inspired! Whether you're planning a unique wedding, festive baby shower, or just need a dose of creative visual medicine, jump on the carnival wagon and browse through these inspirational images that scream, "summer bliss".

concept board {merry go round}

paper goodies {fabulous fonts + lovely layering}



treats for the senses {candied eats and visual treats}

tickets to love {admission: bride + groom} 

Talk about sweet treats, sweet romance, and sweet summer air! Please come again for more delicious inspiration. For now, however, we're off to find a to-die-for caramel apple recipe or the closest cotton candy machine; thanks for stopping by and happy summer!

{credits}

ferris wheel photography, merry go round inspiration board 

paper goodies: ferris wheel invitation , elephants invitation , admission ticket

treats for the senses: sweets buffet , colorful lanterns , bunting seating chart, candy apples, candies and cake, comfort food, fries in cones, popcorn treats, lemonade jars in ice, cotton candy, table setting, tablescape + floral, tickets to love: photobooth + games, carnival tickets, lollipops + love, bride + groom photo

Inspired Highlights: {Sweet + Simple}

Posted by Junkerman Jones, Wedding and Event Design 0 comments

Casual + refreshing. So often we see weddings get so wrapped up in glitzy drama and dripping, shimmering extravagance (and, we admit, more is usually better in our eyes), but sometimes a wedding comes along that shreds the bling in exchange for simple, understated elegance.
Simple, yes, but Natalie + Chris' real wedding is layered with sweet, delicious, approachable charm that would make any would-be bride jump up and squeal!

{Thanks to Gabriel Ryan Photographers + 100 Layer Cake for the gorgeous details below!}

Enjoy.

"Natalie’s veil has been in her mother’s family since the early 1800′s. It was brought over from England, worn up until the Civil War, and then stored safely and forgotten about until the early 1900′s. All of the women on her mom’s side of the family have worn it at their weddings. Isn’t that amazing?"

We hoped you enjoyed this quick snapshot of a wedding as much as we did.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time, continue to live large. dream BIG!