Party Perfect

As much as I would like it to be different, I am not one of those people who easily writes about things and services. I get offers to review stuff and I turn them down, not because of any superiority or anything, but because I suck at writing reviews. I have a review blog, I could use it if I wanted to. I'm just more comfortable writing about my feelings and emotions. However, there are times when you'll just have to forgive my horrid writing.

When M turned 1, I was a wreck. I wanted everything to be perfect. I wanted to be the mom that threw the best parties. While the cupcakes were good, and everyone survived, it sort of made me not want to do parties again. Fortunately for her 2nd birthday, we had a good excuse. It was on Easter last year and we decided it would be best if we just had a low key family only day. It was then that I realized that among other things I am no good at birthday cakes/cupcakes.

Fast forward to this year. Well, maybe late last year. Basically I finish Christmas and then start worrying about M's birthday, in April. I was determined to have a different kind of party this year. Fortunately I had a lot of really good help in pulling off a good party. This is my half-ass attempt at thanking those responsible.

First, my sister-in-law. The woman throws a great party. She has a house made for entertaining. She can bake a cake too. This year she dealt with the challenges in our family for scheduling weekend parties by having a Sunday morning brunch for the youngest niece's first birthday. It was brilliant. Breakfast/brunch foods are easy to make. You can clean the night before, not worry about the house getting dirty, and everyone leaves early enough you still have most of the day. It also accommodates those who still need naps (M and the youngest niece) and my FIL who doesn't really drive after dark. She also told me how she invited the in-laws up an hour before everyone else. This gives them extra time with the kids (being her out of town in-laws) and keeps the kids entertained while you finish getting ready. I made my famous Creme Brulee French Toast, cut up some fruit, made a simple quiche, and grilled some killer sausage from Kramarczuk's.

Second, Salty Tart Bakery. There is a reason that Michelle Gayer is a national finalist for a James Beard award. For those of you that care, those are the Oscars of food. Also, Minnesota rarely has national finalists. We tend to get shoved in the "regional" section most of the time. They did an amazing job on M's Pinkalicious cake. Their butter cream frosting is creamy, smooth and not overly sweet. The vanilla bean cake was laced with strawberries, and there was so much strawberry compote between the layers that the middle of the cake basically broke down into strawberry heaven. The richness meant small slices so if anything, I would say we could have gotten away with a 6 inch cake instead of an 8 inch. The party was on Sunday, I've given away two larger slices, and we still have cake left. They also did nice matching cupcakes for M's daycare classmates that I picked up two days later. At my request, they had less frosting to make them more young kid friendly.

Third, Litin Everything Party & Paper. They are a local paper warehouse type place that has every color of paper/plasticware imaginable. They have paper decorations to match. We were able to make a very pink party at a very reasonable price. When we catered out own post wedding party (we went to Vegas), we got serving dishes, spoons, etc from them. I even got balloons that were able to pick up early on the day of the party.

Fourth, the husband and his Pink Flamingo punch. This one was also initiated by my SIL, but he rose to my challenge to make it HFCS free. (it is not dye free unfortunately) Based on Froggy Punch, from A's childhood friend. (Froggy Punch - 7UP & lime sherbet) His recipe: 1 bottle Strawberry Jarritos. 1/2 a bottle of Simply Raspberry Lemonade. 6-8 scoops of Wild Strawberry Sherbet. 1 tray of ice cubes. The sherbet melts a little and it makes a nummy and not overly sweet punch.

Last, Mother Nature. Seriously, best weather. Considering it snowed the day she was born, the kid is continuing good weather karma for us. We had close to 80 on October 1st when we had our reception. It was risk to have something in our back yard, but we totally lucked out then too.

My SIL mentioned yesterday that I seemed relaxed, and I was. My house was clean, I had the food ready on time, everything turned out. I hadn't bitten off more than I could chew, I had outsourced to the best where I knew I needed it, and I got to actually enjoy M's birthday party. I really think she did as well. She cried when everyone left and she had to take a nap.

PS. Everyone/everything written about above was paid for with my own money. (except my sister-in-law, she came with the family when I married in to it) (the husband too for that matter) I was not asked to write about any of them.

Birthdays, tornadoes and fresh salsa

My birthday on Friday was overall a good day. A relatively slow day at work in the morning, and an afternoon trying to nap and finally giving up and going to buy myself shoes. I had every intention of trying to find some cute low heeled shoes for work. (all of my pants are just enough enough I can't wear flats with them) Instead I got two new pairs of flats and I need to take my pants to a tailor to get them hemmed. Good thing I got that extra pair of jeans.

After dinner it was out to my favorite neighborhood restaurant, (locals would be wise to try it out) which may also be my only neighborhood restaurant. I should mention them here every day because of how much I love them. Not only for the most delectable Reuben made with large slabs of home made corned beef, but also because they have the most respectable children's menu I have ever seen. Grilled chicken, grilled cheese (with high end cheddar), or a burger, all child portioned with either green beans or peas, fresh fruit & french fries. They bring the fruit first and have always left of the fries for me. Too bad M didn't finish much while she was having a potty emergency. I ended up eating my cake alone while A took her home to go potty. I walked back in a drizzle, but the quiet was nice.

Saturday we had a child Dr. emergency that turned out to be a slight waste of 25 bucks, but maybe not in that it came with some good advice. I will refrain from blogging about it for her future embarassment and the search terms that it could create.

After that drama, my dad came over to babysit so I could drag A to a chick flick. We saw Julie & Julia. Good movie, the blog aspect was interesting, but mostly it left me wanting to go out and buy all of Julia Child's DVD's and watch them and cook. Also, I need to improve my knife skills.

I thought I was in for a relaxing evening, but a tornado had other ideas. It seems to have not touched down near here, but the hook was just to the north of us. We woke up M, contained the dog, and headed for the basement. By far the most frightening storm we've had in recent memory. Especially since if they come in from that direction there next stop is the BIL & SIL's house. Fortunately it passed by them as well.

Finally today M and I braved the Minneapolis Farmer's market for fresh veggies for the week. We left with a head of broccoli the size of a oversize dinner plate, lots of Michigan blueberries, cucmbers, tomatoes and other assorted veggies. I've already made fridge pickles and roasted poblanos for chili rellenos laster in the week. There should be one legitimately ripe tomato out of my garden soon, but that just isn't enough. I bought four more and now I'm off to spend the rest of M's nap making salsa.

Happy Birthday Little Sprout

M turned two today. It is an hour past her bedtime, and she is still talking away in her crib. It may have been the cupcake.

In an odd turn of events for a toddler, that cupcake scared the crap out of her, and she requested a smaller one.

We started off our morning with breakfast at the famous Mickey's Diner in St. Paul, an Easter tradition. After presents at home, and a nap that was too long (which may explain the STILL talking), it was her first little cupcake and a trip to the park.


We ended the day with Easter dinner (despite not really celebrating Easter at all) and the terrifying cupcake. It was a good day, a good weekend, and I'm glad that it is over.



*Well, not really over, we are going to the Zoo tomorrow.