The French Open Cupcakes

Today was the 4th Annual French Open.  In case your were busy watching the Little League World Series, I'll recap.  A good friend, Chris French, started a ping pong tournament where each contestant represents a randomly assigned country.  Each year the tournament has grown, and it's now it's of epic proportions.

I wanted to make a ping pong-themed dessert to bring, so I made ping pong paddle cupcakes.  Considering the 90+ degrees it's been in California this week, the thought of turning on the oven was actually pretty unappealing but it was worth it.  I'm pretty pleased with the results (before the cupcakes and I started melting).

I may not be wonderful at ping pong, but I'm the world champion of cupcake eating.

Party Proposals

Georgia's birthday party is coming up faster than I'm ready for.  I've been trying to get her to decide on a theme.

First, it was Snow White.  I brainstormed, I toiled, I shopped.

Then she changed her mind and the party theme was Hello Kitty.  I gained three pounds eating at Yogurtland a couple of times a week gathering their collector's edition spoons.

Yogurtland's Hello Kitty Limited Edition spoons.
Hello Kitty, My Melody, Chococat, Kerropi

Now, it's Tangled.  I'm afraid to do anything in fear she'll change her mind again.

Oh, My Darling Incredible Hulk?

Williams Sonoma is to me what the bike shop is to my husband.  But these cookie cutters are something we both can love.

The set of four is $19.95 and can be found here: Marvel Superheroes!  Also available are cakelet pans & cupcakes decorating supplies.  They'd be perfect for a superhero party!

It also happened to be a cookie decorating event, raising money for No Kid Hungry.  My girls (already toting balloons) decided they could be troubled to eat a cookie or two, as long as it were for a good cause.

Oh, My Darling Mason Jars

Summer's almost over, and now is the time to stock up on mason jars.  For you non-canners, mason jars are typically only available during the summer months when fruits, like strawberries, are in season.

Walmart sells a 12-pack for $15.68 on their website, but my neighborhood grocery store had them on sale for $8 not too long ago.

I use mason jars for everything.  They're centerpieces, dessert jars, props for a western general store, and great marble storage for when you're bribing your child to stay in her own bed at night.

Need a super easy mason jar centerpiece?

We Live to Serve

That's a quote from the book "Each Little Bird that Sings."  It's the story of a young girl named Comfort who lives & helps out in her parents' funeral home.  It is a sweet and funny story, mixed in with etiquette tips & recipes for funerals.  Did I mention it's a kid's book?

It got me thinking about the party you don't want to plan (a funeral wake) and what I've learned about catering them.

Oh My Darling, Dressed Up Party Guests

 Guests can be fully entrenched in the party theme really inexpensively by giving them (forcing them) an opportunity to dress up.  Plus, it makes the party so much more fun when everyone's involved!

Normally I don't buy a whole lot of commercially available products, but these Winnie the Pooh headbands were super cute.  ($3.99 for 4 at Party City)

One in a Melon

Harper's One in a Melon...and so that's the theme we went with for her first birthday

Gram Cracker made a crown for the birthday girl.  Amazingly, it remained cake free.

My Love Affair with the Dollar Tree

The Dollar Tree just gets me.  I threw a Tinkerbell party for my daughter.  What did the Dollar Tree get in stock just in time?  Fairy wings and pirate costumes.  Considering their cost ($1, of course), I was thrilled they made throughout the duration of the party.

Dollar Tree, we're doing a Cinderella ball in 14 months.  Any chance you'll be getting in glass slippers?

Winnie the Pooh Picnic

My niece love, love, loves Winnie the Pooh.  For her first birthday, I was lucky enough to help through a picnic-themed Winnie the Pooh party.