Birthdays are for FRUIT CAKES

I love celebrating birthdays, but too often find myself struggling over what to give as a gift.  My husband tells me I just over think things, I like to think I just put a lot of thought into it.

Finding it hard to top our Hawaiian celebration (I mean who can top Hula girl decorated water bottles, and an office decorated like Hawaii complete with leis and pink flamingo's?) just meant I had to really think outside of the box for Dr. Calls Birthday this year.  Dr. Call has been on a serious health and fitness kick, so I knew the challenge was to celebrate without ruining his hard work and Viola....the "FRUIT CAKE" was born. 

The base of the cake is constructed from some watermelon that I carved and the remaining fruit was just attached using toothpicks. It was served with yogurt fruit dip too (not pictured).  It was a hit!  Dr. Call loved his gift.  Now the wheels are spinning, I am thinking next time, chocolate dipped berries, more layers, kiwis, peaches, oh the possibilities!

Homemade Fondant

My new Tween had high aspirations for her Birthday cake this year, especially as she has become a fan of such TV programs as Cake Boss and the likes. My skills at cake decorating are novice to say the least. Having gone to the school of learning by doing, but having a tradition for homemade Birthday cakes, I thought I would give it a try (and have Sams club on speed dial just in case.) Not being a fan of the taste of traditional fondant my first order of business was to find a recipe for some better tasting fondant. I think I did okay. We used buttercream icing for the body of the cake and the fondant for decorating. This recipe was not too difficult, and tasted good enough that we ended up making two different cakes using the fondant. Even Mike got in on the fun, making the bow for one cake and helping to run the fondant through the pasta machine.



INGREDIENTS:
1 cup light corn syrup 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
1 cup shortening 2 lbs powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, stir together the shortening and corn syrup. Mix in the salt and vanilla flavoring, then gradually mix in the powdered sugar until it is a stiff dough. If you are using a stand mixer, use the dough hook attachment. Otherwise, knead by hand. If the dough is sticky, knead in more powdered sugar until smooth. Store in airtight container at room temp. or in the refrigerator.
2. To use, roll out on a clean surface that has bee dusted with powdered sugar until it is 1/5 inch thick or thinner if you can. Drape over frosted and chilled cakes and smooth the sides down, or cut into strips to make bows and other decorations.

From All Recipes.com Submitted by Kelley

Popcorn Bar

This birthday is kind of bitter sweet. The days of princess parties seem to be in the past. Alas, what is a mother who thrives on themed parties to do? My new tween wanted something fun, unique and full of color.



And thus was born the popcorn bar. I took bags of microwave popcorn, emptied them into fun bowls and let the girls go to town with lots of fun mix-ins. I used a large lazy susan for displaying the mix-ins, and it worked fabulously. Some of the mix-ins we had were:
Cinnamon Sugar, Mini M&M's, Parmesan Cheese, Spanish Peanuts, Mini Marshmellows, Pretzels, Cinnamon Hearts, Gobstopper Hearts, Sweet Tart Hearts, Craisins.

Birthdays, Peanut Butter and Tights

So I woke up today all excited to go to work, because my sister had stopped by last night and gave me my Birthday presents a day early. I could hardly wait to get up and wear one of the fun new tights and shirts she gave me.



Aren't they so cute? I love fun tights.

Then Landon woke up and made me a Birthday peanut butter and jelly sandwhich.





I ask you, does it get any better than this? I hardly think so.