Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Odds & Ends

The Oreo shaped cake was found at William Sonoma here. The cow pinata was found at Oriental Trading here.

To Interupt Your Party

Halloween has come upon us... the Milk & Cookies Party will have to wait.

If you haven't seen these yet, start looking. Martha came out with some cake stencils that are pretty fantastic. This is my shot at using them. I was quite pleased at the ease! I used a box carrot cake and a can of cream cheese icing. "Don't tell anyone."

Week of the Milk & Cookies Party - Favors

Who can argue that one of the best classic cookies is the chocolate chip? I might hurt someone if they get between me and the bowl of cookie dough!

This is my favorite recipe courtesy of Rhonda:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 sticks butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated [white] sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 eggs
12-ounce package Giradelli semi-sweet chips
6-ounces of mini semi-sweet chips
1 box of instant vanilla pudding


COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt and instant vanilla pudding powder in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE in preheated 375-degree oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.

Mod Gourds

photo courtesy of www.ruckusridge.com

photo courtesy of Michelle Flessner

photo courtesy of Michelle Flessner

Take plastic gourds found at your local craft store and use a semi-gloss spray paint. Walaa! You have a beautiful fall decoration that won't rot like the pumpkins on the front porch.

Week of the Wedding Shower - Party Time

The bride made out like a bandit and recieved all sorts of goodies to use in her new marriage. We had a great time putting it all together!

Week of the Wedding Shower - Odds & Ends

 Throughout the house I took several glass containers (from pitchers to vases) and filled them with white sand and sea shells or starfish. The sign in book was put on its own table with a white runner and custom made tag.

Week of the Wedding Shower - Menu

Madeleines in Store Bought White Cookie "Sand" (tin was purchased at Williams Sonoma)

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting and White Cookie "Sand"
White Chocolate Covered Almonds, White Chocolate Covered Raisins, Dried Mango, Cheesecake Squares

Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting and White Cookie "Sand"

Salmon Cream Cheese, French Bean Dip, Hatch Pablano Dip (all purchased from Central Market)

The beautiful "Present Cake" was made by Mel! The fondant job was fabulous.

Marinated Mozzerella Balls (purchased at Central Market)

The theme centered around the beach due to the fact that the bride was having a destination wedding. It also centered around the white-on-white theme. This was a challenge... how many white foods could I find? The foods pictured are mentioned in the captions.

Week of the Wedding Shower - Favors

Sugar Cookie Wedding Cakes

Who doesn't love a mini wedding cake? I just couldn't resist these stacked sugar cookies. Here's the recipes if you would like to tackle these for your next wedding event:

Sugar Cookie

350 F for 10 minutes (do not brown)

2 c. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 c. unsalted butter (room temp)

1 c. sugar

1 large beaten egg

2 tbs. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla (I prefer mexican vanilla)

**use square cookie cutters**

Whisk first three ingredients and then set aside. Then in mixer cream butter and sugar, add dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. With mixer running add vanilla, egg, milk. Transfer dough to work surface. Shape into two discs, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick, cookie cut using parchment paper on cookie sheets. HINT: keep the dough as cold as possible before baking this keeps the shape of the cookie cutter the best.

Royal Icing

1 lb. Confectioners Sugar

2 large egg whites

In electric mixer combine sugar and egg whites. Avoid over mixing and over exposure to the air. This icing will harden as it dries. The final product acts as a glue between your cookie layers.

You Are My Sunshine - FREE

DIY - You Are My Sunshine

The wall it was meant for 

White on White Room

This is a DIY artpiece I did one afternoon for my not-yet-born daughter. I used only materials I had around the house. 

MATERIAL USED:

Plywood (preferred size)

Acrylic Paint

Ruler

Pencil

Burlap

Hot Glue Gun

Ric Rac (white ribbon shown)

I drew out the design lightly with pencil then painted it in with watered down acrylic paint. I wanted the texture of the plywood to show through. The next day after it had dried, I applied the burlap to act as a frame. I was sure to neatly tuck in the corners and glue generously. The last step was to add the ric rac with more hot glue and hang. Presto! Decor for FREE!