First birthday party inspiration and ideas

I work a 3-day workweek these days. I go to the office Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Those three days are a whirlwind. My work tunnel. I emerge from that tunnel each Wednesday with many things needing my attention on the home front and in my personal life, and of course, in my sewing nook. I spend the next days digging out, getting things back in order and attempting to rediscover my creativity and balance... And then I do it all again.

And so, here I am, emerging from my tunnel this week with a big deadline headed my way. JJ's first birthday party is Saturday.

Here's what I've actually accomplished: I've been dutifully collecting ideas on Pinterest. And I ordered the cake for the adults. Now it's on to finalizing plans and getting things done! First, I thought I'd show you some of the things I found that I want to try. Don't know that I'll get to all of these, but they're my inspiration for the party, for sure. Wanna see?

Original source: etsy.

 I can't decide what kind of applique shirt to make, or whether to make one at all. This one, with the "O-N-E" spelled out in nice big letters, is cute. I'd love it to say "JJ" somewhere. And another idea we had was to make one that says, "Cake, please!" That's be cute, but maybe too many letters to deal with in applique.

Original source.

 I want to keep the decorations simple. (Ha. Famous last words.) I love the ballons tied onto the highchair here. Sweet. Simple.

Maybe something cute like this for the door. Probably the last priority though.

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Cute banner with month-by-month photos of the first year, marked with clothespins. This I really want to do. I've been taking his photo each month, and I've printed out a bunch of them to display. So this one should be on the to-do list for sure.

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I die of cuteness with this one. Definitely doing this. Who comes up with these ideas? Thank you internet for being so awesome!

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For food, these ham and cheese sliders with poppy-seed sauce looked so mouth-watering, I decided I must try them. They're something you can assemble before the party and then cook once guests arrive. So they'll be nice and warm and won't make my kitchen a big mess. Yay! I will do some turkey and provolone too, for the swiss-haters (i.e.: myself.)

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Both sets of grandparents are bringing a side-dish to pass. So my only other worry are some nibbles. Pita and hummus, cheese and crackers and I think these cute fruit kabobs. Kid-friendly, you know?

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As for JJ's smash cake, I want to do something simple. Small chocolate layer cake with a little confetti sounds about right.

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All I really want.... is this photo opp! Luke didn't really tear into his smash cake. He just gingerly touched its sides and then got weirded-out by the feeling of frosting on his finger tips. He's still a dainty eater, so I guess this was just our first clue. But JJ has a much more, um, voracious appetite. I have high hopes, little one! Please. give mama that messy show she craves!

Oh, and look! The first project is underway!

Thankful

If you need a Thanskgiving-y dessert for anytime soon.... try this one. Paula Deen's Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle. Oh boooooooy. So good!

I am so thankful today, For online recipe Web sites. And Paula Deen.

Oh, and for online fabric stores. Those too! Look what came in the mail yesterday.

New fabric! Mostly for Christmas presents.Yay!

Thankful for all the pretty fabric, and all the awesome inspiration in the online sewing community.

Oh and for these two snotty-nosed friends of mine, too.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Recipe: Strawberry-Banana Smoothie

 Hot enough for you?

Yeah, me too. And I bet you're sick of it -- and of people saying things like, "Hot enough for you?" Don't you hate weather cliches and how it is near impossible not to say them to everyone you see?

It's like a bazillionty degrees here in metro Detroit. The NPR weather guy tells me it is the hottest two-day period in 50 years. I think that calls for a "Woooooow!" Right?

Woooooow!

To stay cool, I whipped up a batch of my favorite smoothie yesterday. It's fruity, cool, delicious. And really kinda healthy! You should make one, too.

Strawberry-banana smoothie

Ingrediants
2 cups frozen strawberries
1 banana
3/4 cups light coconut milk
2 Tbs. sugar

Directions 
 Dump everything into a blender. Blend like the dickens. Adjust to your taste by adding more sugar, more milk, another banana, more strawberries. It's a smoothie -- it's casual! Blend some more.

Enjoy!

And hey.... stay cool out there, ya hear?

Linked at....

Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote

 

On Saturday, we walked to the Farmer's Market and came home with a bundle of fresh rhubarb. Something I have never really baked with. And still haven't! Because on Sunday, it was my husband who made this delicious Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote for Mother's Day breakfast. It was so tasty, summery and sweet. And very easy. Easy enough for a man who really never cooks to make without incident.

 

See it back there? Simmering away! It takes about an hour to simmer.

It tasted great on the pancakes, which he also made from scratch. I was impressed. I also ate some on a piece of toast, and I think it'd make a great topping for vanilla ice cream, too.

The rhubarb breaks down and softens along with the strawberries, forming this almost jelly-like consistency. Kind of amazing considering how hard raw rhubarb stalks seems. Don't you wonder how these things were originally discovered? Who would look at a hard, unappetizing rhubarb stalk and thinks, I bet I could boil this with some sugar and strawberries and it would turn into deliciousness?

But yes, it does!

Want to try it yourself?

Here's all you need. This is for a full recipe. We halved it, which gave us what you see in the photo -- that gravy boat full of compote.

2 lbs rhubarb, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 lb. strawberries, quartered
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup apple juice
1 tbsp. grated orange zest
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Step 1: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, combine the rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, apple juice and orange zest. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Step 2: Reduce heat and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rhubarb has brokwn down and the mixture has thickened, 55 to 65 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in the vanilla.

That's it! Serve warm, at room temperature or chilled on toast, pancakes, waffles or ice cream, or with goat or ricotta cheese.