Space Party

My kids shared a birthday party this year because I am feeling too pregnant to do 2 parties only 1 month apart. We did a space theme because my 5 year old has been interested in the Sun and 3 year old is obsessed with the Moon.

 The dedicated father he is, my hubby blew up and hung LOTS of balloons and stars on the ceiling to create a "heavenly" effect to the party room.

I was in charge of the foods and especially enjoyed making them their own cakes based on their favorite objects in space... the sun and moon! The sun was topped off with cake pops on skewers that represented all the planets that orbit it.

Then there were other yummy treats too.

The party wouldn't be complete without some astronauts so we bought them costumes to wear as their party outfits.

When it was time for the cake launch we lit sparklers on each cake to create an explosive blast off.

Happy birthday kiddos!

"Celebration de la Bebe" | A French Themed Baby Shower

So my long time pal Tiffany is having her first baby! So I teamed up with my partner in crime, Rachel, to throw her a baby shower. She is having a girl and I wanted to make a nod to one of her many hidden talents which is speaking French. Not many of her friends know she once lived there and speaks the language so well. So with a party theme decided away we went and came up with a really fun event!

I  printed the invitations on water color paper and used gold envelopes, which was the accent color for the party along with pink and peach.

Here is the beautiful "La Mere" to be! She's standing in the entry way which we filled with hanging balloons. A very festive way to enter a home don't you think?

I made a peach/pink colored cake with different shades of cake layers and frosting. Then 12'' white candles topped it off. The best part was that it also served as our game for the night. I thought it would be fun to have a traditional french "King Cake" game. Usually played on new years but it fits perfect for a baby shower. I just hid a little plastic baby inside the cake and whomever got the piece of cake with a little baby in it won a gift basket!

Here is our winner showing off the baby she found in her slice. And the french themed basket that she won. The basket was really fun to pull together. It included things like Brie cheese, chocolate truffles, Grey Poupon Mustard, the current issue of Bon Appetite Magazine, a bottle of Perrier sparkling water etc...

Another activity was a French Photo Booth. We left out props like mustaches but more importantly thought bubbles that guests could fill with their baby advice for the new Mommy. The collection of images turned out really cute! Here is a sampling....

And my mouth still waters thinking of all the delicious french food that was served. Très Bon!

 Mini crepes with ham, asparagus and swiss cheese, ham and brie sandwiches on a baguette, and a Niçois salad on croissants. There was also baked Brie, and stuffed chocolate covered strawberries. I was in heaven. We drank pink lemonade in cups with little french labels wishing guests "A Votre Sante!"

Everyone left with a clear square box of Almond Macaroons or chocolate dipped Madeline cookies. It was my first attempt at making Macaroons and to be honest I'll be just fine if I never have to make them again :)

Au Revoir!

Italian Food is perfection!

Finally sharing some photos I took while eating my way through Italy last June. Don't have any recipes to share but just wanted to show you how beautiful the food was and tasted even better :)

The Bufala Mozzarella along the Amalfi Coast was divine. This Caprese salad included roasted lemon leaves.

Sorry Grandma It pains me to say it but this Gnocchi is the best I've ever had.

Ahhh...Gelato. How do I love thee?

Orange infused Cannolis

Me enjoying my daily dose of Gelato

Valentines 2012

I made some fun Valentine photo cards with my kids this year. We used our little chalk board easel at home to create a backdrop for their photos. For my son we wrote the words " I Think I Love You!" in a thought bubble that he could stand next to.

For my little love bug I drew heart shaped antennae that I had her stand in front of so that they look like they are coming out of her head. She had so many fun expressions that I made it into a story board of images because I couldn't choose just one.

 And we made Oreo pops again this year to hand out with each card as a treat. My son had so much fun doing it last year he wanted to do it again. It's so easy, who am I to argue with him?

Hungry Caterpillar Babyshower

Some of my friends got together to throw two new mamas a baby shower. We chose one our favorite baby books called "The Hungry Caterpillar" on which to base the colors and food. The entire menu was based on the foods talked about in the book. Here are some examples:

I bought copies of the board books for guests to sign for the new mommies. Now they can remember all their friends when they read the story to their little ones when they arrive!

 Decorations were easy. Lots of multi colored balloons and lanterns!

At the end of the book the caterpillar turns into a beautiful butterfly so I made butterfly cookies for each of the guests as a thank you gift.

Congratulations Megan and Rebecca!

Hazelnut Lemon Curd Kisses

 I made these beauties for our annual Relief Society Christmas cookie exchange. And I learned something new... Hazelnuts are also called Fillburts, just in case you find yourself looking at 3+ stores to find them like myself.

Hazelnut-Lemon Curd Kisses

adapted from Cook’s Country Magazine (January 2011 issue)

Makes 4 dozen

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups whole Hazelnuts, toasted
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup lemon curd – can buy premade in a Jar
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
•  

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Place the oven racks in the upper and lower middle of the oven for even heating
2. Place the raw hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven during the preheating process.  When the oven is at temperature they will be toasted enough.  I ground the toasted hazelnuts in a coffee grinder (the recipe called for a food processor with the flour and salt, but I only have a very small food processor, and this was just as easy).  First I made sure all the coffee grounds were out by adding raw nuts to the coffee grinder and processing it and then wiping the coffee grinder out with a paper towel.
3. I lined my cookie sheets with silicone sheets, but parchment paper will do the job nicely as well.
4. To prepare the dough: Beat the softened butter with the 2/3 cup of sugar at medium speed in a large mixing bowl, and beat until it is light and fluffy about 2 minutes.  Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract and mix to combine.  Add the flour, ground hazelnut and salt mixture one third at a time.  Mix on low until just combined and add more until the flour is combined.
5. Scoop out the cookie dough and form into a 1 inch ball (mine were closer to 1 1/2 inches).  Use the back of a (greased) spoon to make an indent.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Remove them from the oven and put about 1/2 teaspoon of lemon curd in each indent of the cookie.  Return to the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are starting to turn golden brown.  Remove from oven.  Allow cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.  Before serving. Dust with powdered sugar.

Cookies will keep in an airtight container for 2 days.  Or make ahead and freeze them if you wish (allow them to freeze on a cookie sheet for a few hours and then remove the cookies to a container – this will keep the lemon curd from sticking to other cookies.  To thaw remove them to a plate or platter and allow to thaw completely.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.)

Strawberry Freezer Jam

This was so easy I wouldn't even call it cooking! But yet is still insanely delicious. I used this mix which comes with directions on the packaging. The only change I made was adding the zest of 1/2 a lemon. I like my jam with a little punch!

ABC Shower

 My friend Rachel and I hosted an ABC themed baby shower. We picked a red and teal color scheme to go with our carnival ABC styling.

A welcome sign

The inspiration for the party was Rachel's Funny collection of Alphabet blocks which we decorated the tables with.

I made little flash cards with labels for all the food. And even random cards all over the house to label things. ( T is for Toilet, F is for Floor...)

W is for Water

I is for Izzie

T is for Truffle ( red velvet cake ones!)

Q is for Quiche

Let them eat Red Velvet alphabet cake!

We set out lots of candy jars and cookies labeled "C is for Cookie" for party favors.

We played some great games and all the winners got an adorable red polka dot apron!

A is for Apron

Congratulations Kristy! She was such a sport and wore her label " P is for Pregnant" like a champ!