Birthday Number 9!

On Sunday we celebrated our sweet Eva's 9th birthday.  She had her friends over for a dance party.  Yes, we turned our basement into a disco for the afternoon.  The girls *loved* it!  Eva was thrilled.

This year Eva requested a Candy Land cake. The seed was planted about 1 year ago when I showed her one that I'd pinned on Pinterest.  She remembered it.  And wanted one.  She told me the themes for her party were dancing and candy.  Does that sound like a 9 year old girl or what?

 

So a Candy Land cake was joyfully created with plenty of creative input from Eva.  She was over the moon with the cake and that made me over the moon.  

 

What I used:  1 box cake mix, 1 can of frosting, green sprinkles, starburst, candy letters, conversation hearts, Mike and Ike's, Nerds, Swedish fish, mini candy canes, Dots,  M&Ms, rainbow sour candy,  blue frosting, 2 candy lane game pieces, 1 mini cup cake.

Post Party Let Down

Well, it's over.  We planned/anticipated/worried/compromised for months and on Saturday we hosted our 40th birthday party.  65 people.  DJ, dancing, photo booth, hot dog cart, beer, wine.  Whew.  I think people had a good time.  We seemed to pull it off.  Being who I am, though, I'm still going over the parts I would have done differently, worrying about the friends I didn't talk with as much as I wished, and regretting that last glass of wine or two . . . .

Bryce and I really had no idea what we were getting into when we decided to have a party.  We just thought it would be super fun -it would be great to have our friends together and it would give them a fun night out.  We didn't realize it would be like planning a small wedding.  It wasn't so much the actual work that was hard it was all the decision making - decorations, food, glassware, music.  Then it was the worrying (my department) - will people have a good time, is there enough food, wine, good music, dancing, is there someone for everyone to talk to?  Then there is the risk of putting yourself out there which if you think about it too much is daunting. 

I'm so glad we did it, though.  I think it was a fun night.  Now Bryce and I are tired and cranky.  I kinda feel empty.  Bryce informed me that in the last 5 weeks we've hosted a Halloween party, Thanksgiving, and our 40th.  Not to mention work, school, illness, and the fact that the girls still want dinner even when I'm tapped out.  It is a lot.  Life is a lot.  But these memorable events are so worth it.  These are the things we'll take with us and reflect upon for years to come.  This party has turned me into a sappy mess - I feel so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family.  So lucky.  Life is so much better shared don't you think?  Ah, I need to find someone to hug.  What's happening to me?  I'm softening.  Gah! 

My mind is ready to jump into Christmas crafting and baking with you all but my body is still reeling and recovering.  I've given myself until Monday.  Monday I'll be ready to engage in the holidays.  Yes, Monday.  Until then have an excellent weekend.

xo

photo by good friend, Sullivan Hester

6 Years Old!

Waiting for guests to arrive

 In late July we celebrated my sweet Audrey's sixth birthday.  We held her party at a local Frozen Yogurt shop, invited a few friends and set about the happy business of celebrating her.

We decided that since Eva had a special cake on her 6th birthday Audrey would have one too (although, really, they are all special.)  She went back and forth about what kind of cake to have but kept coming back to one - an Angry Bird cake! Naturally I wished she'd picked something less commercial (mermaids, cats, candy, pony) but this is what she really wanted.  Strange as she'd only played the game a few times but for some reason these angry little birds captivated her.  So, an Angry Bird cake it was.

 I really enjoyed planning and making the cake (see notes below).  The girls loved it too and were very proud of my endeavor.  It was sweet.  We played a little Pin the Beak on the Angry bird as well as some Angry Bird Bingo.  I also had some Angry Bird coloring sheets for the kids to work on while the guests arrived.

The girls made Angry Bird goodie bags.  We put a pen and 2 packs of fruit snacks in each.

 The kids seemed to enjoy themselves and Audrey felt very celebrated.  An Angry Bird party for a very happy girl.   Who is now 6!?! Gah!

 Cake Notes:  To make the cake I made two 8-9 inch circular cakes.  Used one for the bird and cut the head feathers and tail feathers out of the other.  The eyes are sliced jumbo marshmallows that I then rolled flat with a rolling pin.  Pupils are chocolate chips.  Eyebrows are black licorice.  The beak is made of yellow candy melts which I formed on wax paper (template underneath the wax paper) and then "outlined" with melted chocolate chips and a toothpick.  The tail feathers are unfrosted pieces of cake.

Birthday Girl

I'm the mother of an 8 year old as of today.

Happy Birthday, Eva!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Mom!

We love you. xo

I've heard it is great . . .

being 38!

I disappeared on you again, this time to have a birthday. Bryce and the girls made it very special. Bryce and I met for a nice lunch on Monday. That evening we all had dinner together and enjoyed the cake that Bryce and the girls made. They *totally* surprised me with a bicycle, a beautiful silvery-blue cruiser. I was the only in the family not to have a bike. Now, as Eva informed me, I can ride my bike down to the bakery anytime I want. Good thinking, my sweet girl!

To my fellow Americans I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I think I said this last year, but enjoy the holiday chaos. You'll notice it if it's gone. xo

The Castle Cake

Ah, the castle cake. Yes, it was all my idea. I suggested it, knowing Eva would respond with an enthusiastic YES. But, I was looking for a challenge, looking to try something new so it truly was a win-win situation. I only started kicking myself after I realized I'd have to frost the damn thing. I have zero skills in the cake frosting department. Zero. And let me tell you, this cake required frosting skills.I'm restraining myself from criticizing how it turned out. I so badly want to point out how lop sided, lumpy and, well, homely it is. But I won't. And I won't because Eva helped me to see it as it should be seen. A lesson I hope I remember.
Since it's inception, Eva has been in love with this cake. When it was just a stack of brown squares she declared it the most beautiful cake in the world. After I applied the crumb coat and the cake was just plain ugly she said it was the most perfect cake ever. And after I slathered it with vanilla frosting she yelled, "I LOVE my castle cake." Oh, it made me feel so good. It was so encouraging.
The magic really happened when the 3 of us girls began to adorn the cake. Their goal was to make it pretty. My goal was to cover up all the unsightly parts of the cake with anything I could get my hands on. About this time I realized the cake was not going to turn out like I had envisioned. But as I placed more and more candy on the cake and watched my girls do the same, I realized it didn't matter. My vision didn't matter. To the girls, to Eva, this was a perfect cake. It was big. It had silver candies. It had ice cream cones covered in sugar. It was a castle. They loved this cake. They were so proud of this cake. Then I saw what they saw. It was beautiful. It was special. It was our castle cake. It was homemade. It was wonky and charming and perfectly imperfect. It shouldn't look like anything other than what it did.

Cake Details:
:: I followed these directions.
:: It took 2 boxes of cake mix, 2 containers of frosting and 1 batch of icing.
:: The ice cream cones had uneven tops so I used kitchen shears to make them level (ish).
:: The ice cream cones are dipped in white chocolate and rolled in colored sugar crystals.
:: When leveling the cakes before frosting, cut more off than you think you should.
:: Freeze the cakes before attempting the crumb coat. I couldn't do this as my freezer is the size of a children's shoe box.
:: Buy an off-set spatula
:: I covered a cutting board with foil and a doily to use as the cake plate.
::I bought the snowflakes, fawns, silver trees and edible glitter here.
:: I bought the sugar mushrooms at the grocery store in Luxembourg.
:: If you try this cake, for goodness sake DO NOT use chocolate cake like I did. The crumbs are so much more noticeable.
:: There are sugar cubes and wafer cookies on it.
:: Have a stiff drink sitting next to you as you frost it.

:: I probably will never make another castle cake, but if you do I'd love to see it!I added a comment to the previous post with a more party details.

Snow Fairy Scenes

They came, they frolicked, they floated and flitted about - 6 little snow fairies. Here are a few images from the party:

This was my first themed party - not sure I'm a convert. What are your thoughts?

She did it

she turned 6! We celebrated with a Snow Fairy Party on Saturday. But today is her *real* birthday. So we sent cookies to school and we'll have her choice of butterfly noodles with Parmesan cheese for dinner. Such a big girl. Such a joy.

A Boxing Day Birthday

The 26th was Bryce's birthday. The girls and I had a breakfast birthday party for him - meaning we gave him his gifts along with his morning coffee after he slept in (a gift in and of itself.) Just before noon we joined some friends on their annual Boxing Day walk through the woods. The weather was cold and clear but the conversation was lively. The girls loved running around with their friends. We then joined our friends for lunch and got to taste a few traditional English holiday foods - Christmas pudding, mince pies and parsnip & apple soup. I think Bryce would agree it was a joyful day, perfect for a birthday.

Do you celebrate Boxing Day? Do tell -

Today I turned 37

Even as I write it I can't believe it's true. How did I ever get to be 37? Must have been the same way I came to have 2 little people living in my house calling me mommy. Being an adult is strange. When do you start feeling like one? Anyway. Today I'm 37. Other than turning a year older, it was a very lovely day.

Bryce took me out for a wonderful dinner last night. The restaurant itself was gorgeous and romantic, cozy and special. It was in an old barn and had a vaulted wooden ceiling. I was reminded of the barn we got married in. It was decorated with huge silver candelabras. It was amazing. The food was great too. I had sole. I started with an aperitif of champagne splashed with mirabelle brandy. {Insert contented sigh.}

Today I got to sleep in. I awoke to frantic squeals of "don't come down yet!" The girls were writing my cards. Around noon we went to an arts and crafts fair (called a Hobby Maart) and finished the day on the St. Nicolas Train.

In between all that I received calls from my mom and sister and enjoyed some birthday cake. The girls were bursting with excitement about the cake - "It has macarons on it!!!" Yes, other than the aging part, the day was lovely indeed.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Wishing you a year of peace and healing. We are looking forward to your visit. Eva insists we take you to Germany so, "GG can talk her German."

We love you!

Photo of me and my mom - 1974

Dear Eva,

Now you are 5. But I remember when you were wee -

:: with a head of black hair and the sweetest face I'd ever seen

:: and at 1, with wonderfully chubby legs and a big smile

:: at 2 there wasn't a book in the house that hadn't been read 100 times

:: 3 saw independence and friendships

:: 4 has been filled with silliness, imagination and lots more independence.

Now you are 5. I can't wait to see what it brings.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Love, Mom

Snowy Birthday

It is snowing here. REALLY snowing. We've had a dusting for the past few days, but this evening it got serious and hasn't stopped yet. It is beautful. The girls are so excited. There was a snowball making frenzy in the backyard right before dinner. Eva is tickled about the prospect of her first snow day. These pictures were taken this morning, before it really started.

My birthday was yesterday - still technically in my mid 30s (whew!) We had a quiet, enjoyable day. Bryce and the girls gave me a beautiful cashmere scarf. Around lunch time, we went to the city center to walk around and see the sites. There was a farmer's market going on which we meandered through. Can't wait to go again when it's not freezing. We had lunch out. The strangest thing about my birthday was being in a different time zone. My birthday here was over when it was just beginning at home. Sorta seems like 2 birthdays. Happy Birthday to my FIL who celebrated his on the 21st!

Oh, are you wondering about my grocery shopping tutorial? It was very helpful. I was introduced to the organic part of the grocery store where skim milk, humus and falafel patties are located - all good things! I was also shown where the canned beans were located and introduced to some Indian simmering sauces that will be useful for a quick dinner. Mostly, though it was just nice to visit with someone.

Rumor has it that our air shipment is arriving this week. So very happy as it has our Christmas gear. I almost have a quilt top finished (I bought an inexpensive sewing machine.) It just needs a border. Hoping to share photos this week.