Summertime, Summertime

I have not been around much lately.  Summer has been good to me.  Many trips to the beach.  Lazy days and fun nights.  Boat trips and boat drinks.  The kids entertained themselves with sandcastles and swimming pools.  Some days I just sat at the edge of the surf and stared out to the ocean.

Life is good and in the summer life is very good.

It will all end soon and that's ok.  The school bus will come, football will start and I'll dust off the crock pot.  All the while dreaming of next summer...........

So much to do!!

This is going to be one busy week.  I have two parties this weekend.  Not to go to.......parties here at my house!! My husband scheduled one, I scheduled the other and miscommunication occurred.  Actually, he told me about his and I forgot to put it on the calendar.   At least they are not on the same day!  

Thanks to everyone who gave advice on my beach cupcakes.  I think they will turn out so cute. If so I will take pictures.  If not I'll just chalk it up to another cupcake experience.  So a party on Friday and a party on Sunday and then Father's Day on Sunday.  Yikes!  I have a lot to do. 

I saw these on Martha and I think they will be perfect for the older kids to make. 

I also have a bucket left over from Liam's party.  I thought we could either write something on it or draw pictures on it and then fill with car wash supplies and he can keep it in the garage.  It's a twist on a gift idea I also saw on Martha. 

In more relaxing news, just two weeks till our Outer Banks vacation.  Fun, fun times around here.  Parties, crafts and packing for the beach.  I couldn't love summer more than I do right now.

                   

“My life is like a stroll on the beach...as near to the edge as I can go.”

--Thoreau

Grass or Sand..........

I'm working on my "End of School" party next week.  Having a little cupcake dilemma.  I'm doing little fondant flip flops as the cupcake decoration.  Perfect.

Now for the hard part.  Make grass out of icing?  Ice them regular and put brown sugar for sand?  Umbrella or no umbrella?  or I was even thinking of piping the icing putting the flip flops on top and then using sprinkles.

Isn't summer great?  My only dilemma involves flip flops. 

images: cocoa and fig and flickr and cupcaketakesthecake.com

Smores for Everyone

I have Smores on my mind.  The weather is getting warmer.  People are going camping.  People who are not me that is.  I make my Smores with a little indoor Smores table my sister bought me.  It's great.  You make smores without sitting on a log and eating off a tree branch.  I'm sure the outdoorsy thing is part of the Smores experience but I just really like the chocolate and melted marshmallow combo.

So here are Smores three ways.  One packaged up very pretty for a great summer hostess gift.  Next, a Smores cupcake.  Lastly, just because it's Friday, a Smores Cocktail.  Cheers!

Smores Cupcakes

Smoretini

32 ounces Vodka

16 ounces Chocolate Liqueur

1 64-ounce pitcher

1 sleeve of graham crackers or more if needed

1 jar marshmallow creme (Marshmallow Fluff)

16 martini glasses

1 bag wooden skewers

1 bag miniature marshmallows

Pour vodka and chocolate liqueur into pitcher and stir. Refrigerate for several hours until very cold. Crush a graham crackers and place into a small bowl. Rim martini glasses with marshmallow crème. Dip glasses into graham cracker crumbs and shake gently to remove excess. Place marshmallows on skewers and toast over an open flame (grill or fire pit preferably). Pour 3 ounces of cold drink mixture into each prepared glass and serve with toasted marshmallow as garnish.

Liam's Baseball Party

Smooch

We are huggy-kissy types in these parts.  What's better than kissing a chubby baby cheek or a hug from a friend you have not seen in a while?  That's why last week something painful happened. It was Liam, my little blond love muffin.   He asked me if I would kiss him before the bus comes not as the bus is pulling up.  Oh no.  It's the beginning of the end of smoochville for him and I.  How many more kisses can I get in before he won't make eye contact with me and locks himself in his room for six hours? 

He's turning six next week.  I'd like to say I've been away from the blog because I'm so busy party planning. Not at all.   The truth is I have so much to do and I'm going to have to work like a crazy woman to get it all done.  It's May.  I'm tired of packing lunches and checking homework.  I need a vacation. I need a beach and a Margarita.  I'm so not in party planning mode.  I need a swift kick of motivation!! Help!

A Mexican Cutie

Is this the Mexican cutie Jimmy Buffett is speaking of?  Most likely not but how cute are these Margarita Cupcakes?  They are my contribution to tonight's Cinco De Mayo fiesta at my girlfriends house.

I have no idea why Cinco De Mayo is even celebrated but I will take any excuse to drink a margarita on a Wednesday night. Chips and salsa too, what a great holiday! Back to the Margaritaville lyrics.....we have no Mexican cuties in our house but we have plenty of Irish cuties.  Here is one of them.  I love the pudgy little face!!

cupcake recipe and source

All You Need Is Love

My "Love and Ice Cream" themed gift is finally together for wedding on Saturday.  The bottom gift has ice cream sundae cups (from Homegoods) and a scoop.  The second box has ice cream toppings and sprinkles.  The top box contains a visa gift card for "a trip to the ice cream store or somewhere else...."  All inspired from the free printables at Eat Drink Chic.

I think it turned out pretty cute!

Have a great weekend!

Wedding Bells

I'm so excited to be going to a wedding this Saturday.  Not only is it a date night but we stay at a hotel so we don't have to wake up at an ungodly hour with the little people!!

How many weddings have I been to?  Lots and Lots.  So why is it I have absolutely nothing to wear this Saturday?  Nothing.  I actually tried on a few things yesterday with my three boys in the dressing room.  That is how desperate I am.  I need a new dress.  A new dress and new shoes.  Some highlights would help too but I only have three days.

So before I go I'll post the ice cream themed gift I put together for the bride and groom.  It's super cute!  Happy Wednesday!


picture source

Tears, Tears, Tears

Before I was a Mom I only cried when something bad happened.  Breakups, work problems, bouncing a check.  The usual.  Thankfully, I wasn't crying very often.

Now I seem to be crying all the darn time.  Friday night the school had a program and they did a video montage for the fifth graders involved.  They showed their kindergarten picture then faded out to their fifth grade picture.  I know not one fifth grader in the school.  I cried though the whole 20 minute montage.

Thursday I was at the bus stop just like I am every day.  The bus pulled up, opened the doors and off comes my seven year old.  This day was different though.  She was dressed with paper looking like the statue of liberty.  She even had a torch that she held up as she bolted toward me.  Tears came and only partly because I didn't have my camera.

You are told a million times before you have kids and after about how fast time goes, how quickly they grow up.  The first few years seem to go quickly but manageable.  Once they turn five it moves at warp speed.  That is when the heartache comes. It's a weird heartache though.  It's mixed with happiness.  Another reason being a Mother is so hard.

What if they didn't grow up?  What if my three year old had never turned four and stayed three forever? (three didn't agree with him so well)   Now that would be something to cry about.

image:bakerella

Love and Ice Cream

I have a wedding to go to next week.  I saw these tags on iDiY that were made by Eat Drink Chic and was inspired!   So cute.  I'm putting together a love and ice cream themed gift for the new couple.  I'll take a few pictures once I get it all put together. 

Happy Friday!

Testing, Testing

I'm trying out different recipes for Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes.  I made these last night.  I like them but don't love them. Needs tweaking.  I'm going to try a few more recipes till I find one I love.

Speaking of cupcakes here is my smallest one.  He wanted to be my taste tester but he isn't very discriminating when it comes to desserts.  He loves them all.

I wrote last week about my cupcake problem.  The one where I need to get in shape but I'm eating cupcakes daily.  Saturday my four year old put three cans of diet coke in the freezer when I wasn't looking.  A few hours later I opened the freezer to find a cola explosion of massive proportions.  Every frozen cupcake left from all the parties was ruined (and two tubs of ice cream).  Cupcake problem solved. 

Today we are going craft shopping.  I'm working on favors and lolly jackets for the baseball party.

I'm also searching for a cupcake to make for the kids on friday.  Two of them are in the school variety show so I want to have something for after the show.  I'm leaning toward these strawberry lemonade cupcakes.  Happy Tuesday!

Cupcake link

Party Peek

Here are the invitations for Liam's party that my friend Janell made for me.  She did a great job! 

I realize the clock is ticking so my procrastinating tendancies have been set aside.  The invites go out today.  I've been working on the buckets.  As soon as I have one done I'll post a picture.  I also changed my mind on the favors. No more burlap bags.  What else??  Oh, I was addressing the invites yesterday and my husband walked by.  He looked at one and said  "Were having a birthday party for Liam?"   Oh.   Whoops, forgot to mention that I guess. 

Pina Colada Anyone?

I'm having a cupcake issue. Last month I made a lot of cupcakes. Three birthdays X two dozen cupcakes. All the extra ones I wrapped and froze individually. Why did I do that? Every morning over the last month I have defrosted and ate one cupcake with morning coffee. Every morning. This is not a good situation.

On Monday I start Jillian Michael's shred. I keep saying I'm going to start but if I write it here I feel obligated. It's just 20 minutes a day for 30 days but it works. It only works if you do it 30 straight days though. Until Monday......

Here is what I'm making this weekend for a girl's get-together. Pineapple cupcakes with pina colada frosting. A Pina Colada cupcake!! All you need is a cherry and a straw for decoration. Could they be cuter?

Recipe

Lollipop Jackets

Last Thursday I posted a recipe for Tilapia. It was one of Paula Deen's recipes. I went to the grocery store to buy the tilpaia and other ingredients. Halfway through shopping I made my way to the restroom and who do I see? Paula Deen! True story. I think she was autographing books or something. Anyway today I have decided to post a recipe from Bradley Cooper. Well.........you know I would if he had any!

So I'm going to make these lolly covers for Liam's party. Super easy and using the different papers adds to your decor. Love them. I'm thinking they are also great when your kids need to take in something to school for different holidays. So easy, so cute.

Happy Thursday!

pic source

Thinking About...

Yesterday I realized a few things. One is that aside from the 20 minute run to Target here and there I have been with my children every waking moment for the last 2 months or so. This can't be good for the head, can it? Secondly, because of the lack of any solidarity I have somewhat started to resent the 20 minute commute my husband has. Twenty minutes alone with no one asking you anything at all. Sounds like heaven. Lastly, I have come to realize as soon as I start feeling sorry for myself I immediately start feeling guilty. That's what kids do to you. Even bad days are good because you have them.

In party planning news I went to the craft store yesterday to see about fondant. I saw a girlfriend in the aisles, talked about nothing and everything for thirty minutes and then forgot why I had even came. It was very productive.

I did make a semi-decision on the favors. Baseball makes me think of peanuts and peanuts makes me think of burlap? Burlap sacks? Somewhat like this picture. Not filled with coffee of course....




pic: weheartit.com

Gifts for the Grandmas

I can't believe it. One month early and I found Mother's Day gifts for my Mom and Mother-in-law. I'm always desperately searching a few days ahead of time and then end up sending flowers. These silhouettes are custom made by Le Papier Studio. So I'm getting one done of my kids and I actually may need to order one for myself.

Too cute not to share. Don't you love them?

Decisions, Decisions

A baseball party seems so easy but I'm somewhat stuck on a few things. Actually I'm stuck on a lot of things. One is the dessert table.

Over the weekend I was looking at the Chasing Fireflies catalog and saw these buckets. I was thinking that since Liam's name is so short having 4 buckets spelling out his name will make a great center point on the dessert table. Also you can get galvanized buckets at Home Depot for cheap, cheap, cheap. I can raise them up on a box that is wrapped in plain paper (another cheap idea). So it's just my painting skills that are up for a test. But I keeping go back and forth and I can't decide!! Hmmm.......buckets or no buckets?

TGFM: Thank God for Margaritas

It's been one of those kind of days. I spent two hours matching socks only to have 30 singles left over with no home. I have a 4 year old who had a royal fit because I said no to Pokemon. My daughter missed the bus so I piled 5 of us in the car, in the rain, in our jammies to take her to school. Oh and one of the kids took a bath and splashed so much that the water leaked down into the kitchen.

So TGIF and I'm thinking it's a Margarita kind of day. I was thinking of going a little non-traditional so here is the Prickly Pear Margarita!! Cheers!

PRICKLY PEAR MARGARITAS
Cafe Terra Cotta Restaurant
3 oz. Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
2 oz. Triple Sec
4 oz. Lime Juice
1 oz. Orange Juice
2 oz. Prickly Pear Syrup
On rocks: Mix ingredients, pour over ice into 4 glasses.



Link to card

A Master Plan

Since this is the weekend of the Masters, the major golf tournament in Augusta Georgia, we are having a little theme party. We do this little theme party with almost everything-- the Kentucky derby, playoff football, Cinco De Mayo. Any reason for a party and we will come up with one! So here is the menu for the Masters Party:

Main Course: Grilled Tilapia with Peach BBQ Sauce from Paula Deen

Dessert: The Peach Pound cake pictured above from the only food blog I read, A Yankee in a Southern Kitchen

Drink: The Broken Down Golf Cart, which is a drink made of equal parts midori and amaretto with a splash of lime.

Of course if your have some time you could whip up a batch of these cuties from French Kiss.....

Figuring out Fondant

I took cake decorating class, Level 1, with a bunch of girlfriends. I basically learned how to ice a cupcake. I failed at making roses and piping stuff. It was a lot of pressure too. You had to do homework--bake a cake, decorate it and bring it in to class. So that was my education in frosting.

Well I'm somewhat addicted to the website The Frosted Cake n Cookie. She makes all kind of cute fondant toppers for cupcakes. She also gives you step by step instructions. It looks fun. It looks like play-doh. Is it as easy as play-doh? I'm going to have to test it out.

Dairy King

I love all things made with milk. Cream cheese, buttercream, ice cream, whipped cream, pizza, cupcakes, pie. Everything.

Tomorrow my little pumpkin gets tested for a milk allergy. Peanuts, shellfish, red dye #50. I can live without those things. Living without dairy-- oh my. Of course I don't have to give up all things dairy. However I can't even imagine cooking for 5 of us and then cooking something seperate for # 6. Life will be a lot easier if I just keep it out of the house.

It's not such a big deal I guess. Many little ones get handed much worse so we will deal.

Oh, those are vegan cupcakes up there. They don't look so bad, do they?

Is it summer yet?

Every year on the last day of school I give my kids a new pair of flip flops. To me flip flops represent summer so it's a little tradition we do.

Now that my kids are getting older I look forward to summer so much more. No more trips to the bus stop. Girl scouts, gymnastics, soccer, and other activities come to an end. SO...this year on the last day of school I'm going to invite a few friends and have a little party. A party for the little people and a party for the big people!

I'm going to give all the kids who come a pair of flip flops. I've been inspired by this unseasonably nice weather and I'm thinking of all things flip flop. I found these cupcakes from cocoa & fig. They are just too cute!

I'm counting the days till summer!!

Arnold Palmer with a twist

I'm sure most people have heard of an Arnold Palmer. It's a drink half sweet tea and half lemonade. It's named after the famous golfer of course. Well now there is a cocktail called the John Daly. He is also a golfer but a sometimes drunk golfer. The John Daly is two parts lemonade one part sweet tea vodka. Yes, they now make sweet tea vodka!

I'm not big on cocktails but I promise this is a good one! Just don't drink them while coloring the eggs or anything-- they are sneaky. They taste just like a tea/lemonade mix--no vodka taste at all. So great!! Happy Weekend!

Baseball On My Mind

I have 6 weeks till my soon to be 6 year old has a baseball theme party. I need to get moving!!

Ideas so far; mason jars with lemonade, blue and white decorations with a touch of red, baseball printed lanterns and traditional ball park treats.

Yet to be decided; invitations, cupcakes, favors and pretty much everything else. Lots to do!!


Photos: 1st Row: Pic 1,2. 2nd Row Pic 1,2,3,4. 3rd row Pic 1,2.

Delaney's Parisian Candy Party

Here are the pictures from Delaney's Parisian birthday party!! Thanks to all my friends for all their wonderful comments on the party. Thanks so much to Jessica for the tags and toppers, they looked great!



a few more pics...



The favors. Little purses filled with candy.



When the girls came in they each made a hat. I had hats, ribbons, buttons, flowers and the girls got creative!



and this is the "before" picture of the table. It went from zero to trashed in 10 minutes! Twelve 1st graders and a whole lot of sweets makes for a giant mess!







Delaney selected the theme all on her own. She loves Paris and the Eiffel Tower. It might not look like it but I did everything on a budget. I got all the candy at the Farmer's Market. I made my own cupcakes. All the decorations are paper; pom poms, party banner, favor boxes and table decor. All the craft materials are from the dollar store and I got the glasses for the candy for $1.99 at Ikea. You can have a beautiful party on a budget!!

The candy was the big hit for sure!! We even had candy theme games like "Guess the Jelly Bean Flavor" and of course lots of dancing to burn off all the sugar!