Happy Birthday!!! Gabriel's 3rd Birthday Blast off!

Now I do not have the typical 3 year-old. And I am so thankful for that. Why? He never asks for anything in any store, not the grocery store, not candy, nor…the toy store. Seriously. Yes, he loves his toys. Yes, he has his favorite snacks. But he is seemingly content with what he has. And, on the same token, he didn’t make any specific birthday requests. Don’t get me wrong, he loves Sesame Street & Donald Duck, to name a couple of popular kids’ themes but he is also adventurous. He has fun at the aquarium, the zoo, the farm, the science center… just about anywhere we take him.

So with that in mind, so far I can create a birthday out of an amusing idea & turn it into a wonderland. For Gabriel's 2nd birthday last year, I created a Blue Bird theme to coincide with his love of birds & nature. This year, for Gabriel’s 3rd, we blasted off to the Planet G…, Gabriel’s Aeronautic Space Academy was a one-day astronaut training camp for his little cadet friends since he loves stars so much.

uniform 

Every birthday boy needs the perfect uniform… I made his tee (there’s also a dangling “3” sewed on beneath the astronaut body) Gabriel did not want to take this off that night!!!

 

Rocket Booster!

Rocket Man

invitation

And Jen from Jar of Designs, created his awesome invites, once again. She is the “go to” if you want to set the perfect tone for your event! Remember the invitations are very important! Just look at these!!! And, because we made up the Planet G (well, it took Pluto’s place ;) ) Jen also devised the beautiful round stickers to apply to the envelopes! Just add a flag stamp & perfect!

 

Signage

  I am always saying I get lost in the details & yes, again I did. I want the children to have a good time & remember it. What I do remind myself (constantly), is kids do NOT look for perfection. And I am very thankful for that… Here is some of the signage I whipped up… Thank you to Hostess {with the Mostess} for the paper plates as a wall hanging background idea. All else was from the deep black hole that is my mind! Ha! All crafted by me. The Space Shuttle signs are printed from NASA's actual web-site & the GABRIEL banner is from Oriental Trading Co.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Gabriel!

A friend has a latex allergy so a little smattering of balloons was perfect for G… Every child’s party needs some balloon-age!

  Potties

Space capsule

I asked the guests to sign inside this book as gabriel's "space" time capsule

Food!

I printed out Name tags & affixed them to Giant nut & bolt robot erasers I found to match my theme & color scheme (love when that happens!)

The Moon Cake

Cookies & Cream Cake

So for the cake I created a moonscape, complete with a little astronaut G, a shuttle, American Flag & Planet G flag + 3 candles (a “3”, a star & a “G”) & oreo cookie craters. The cake was shared with family later but for the party, we used it for “happy birthday” & to blow out the candles then…. And this was my hubby michael’s brilliant idea… swapped it out for carvel flying saucers!!! They were a huge hit. Huge.

flying saucers

 

 

Asteroids

Cake batter rice krispie treats

area 51

marshmallow pops w/ googly eyes!

 

 

Tang station

What is a space training party without tang?!

And wow, was it a huge hit!!! We had to buy more because my hubby wanted it!

Food served but NOT pictured:

Rocket Fuel

Soda & apple juice boxes

Planet Pizzas

We ordered a bunch of pizzas, freshly made & delivered from a local pizzeria. YUM.

Vegetation

Carrots, celery, broccoli & cauliflower served with hummus to dip.

Space junk

Chips & pretzels

Birthday boy traveling on an Inflatable space shuttle!!!:

Games & Fun!

The kids were greeted with their space folder (confidential!)…

It contained An astronaut name badge & a space shuttle coloring book

They were immediately pointed to a craft table for:

 

Space Crafting

Creating their own planet

Coloring

Getting glow sticks

Grabbing a “telescope”- a repurposed paper towel holder

Shooting Star Toss!

I drew this game on foam picture-board then cut out the holes. Bought yellow & orange bean bags separately. The kids had tons of fun throwing the bean bag “stars”

 

Space shuttle pinata

 

Piñata swag

Includes milky ways, glitter star bouncy balls, flag mints, plastic paratrooper men, robot finger puppets, robot pencils, lollipops & more candy!!!!

Games not shown:

Tandem Planet jump

I affixed colored, cut planet printouts to foil stars, swapping Pluto with the planet g & had the children two-legged jump from planet to planet. Again, this easy game went over so well, the children lined up two & three times to do it!

 

Alien hunt

Guess the number of rubber aliens in the jar

I just forgot to take out the jar. Oops. 

These Area 51 guys:

Photo id

We didn’t get a chance to hang it, nor the time. Oops.

 

Completion!!!

Checklist

 

Favor

Giant robot eraser

Foam space shuttle glider 

 

Certificate of completion 

 I am pretty sure everyone had a great time!!! We sure did!!!

And wow, Gabriel received the most throughtful gifts. What an amazing birthday!!!

Thank you all for looking!!!

Come back for recipes!!!

<3 Lishie

 

Sugar Cookie Bars

My baby is turning 3. My.baby.is.turning.3. How did this happen? I cannot believe it! Well, since it is happening, let the celebrations begin! 

I decided to make a sugar cookie bar "cake" for Gabriel to bring into his school class. I am really over the cupcake & cookie pop craze. (Well, ok, I never really bought into the cookie pop craze. Just how do these trends start?) I have always been known to be the piper rather than follow anyway. No cookie cutter mom nickname for me! So I used Six Sister's Stuff's recipe for sugar cookie bars & their mama's frosting. Have you seen their blog? I love them!!! Nothing like sisters <3
Gabriel loved helping me mix the frosting with the spatula too! And does that say optional below on the sprinkles?! To me & G, they are mandatory!

Happy almost real birthday, G... Stay tuned soon for his Astronaut Party. It's sure to delight.

<3 Lishie

Six Sister's Stuff Sugar Cookie Bars & Mom's Frosting Recipe 

Sugar Cookie Bars:

• 1 c unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 c granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

1. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter & sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Mix in vanilla.
2. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt & baking soda. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased, rimmed baking sheet (use a 13x18x1" pan/cookie sheet).  The dough will be just like cookie dough- heavy & sticky- so it’s best to spray your hands with a little nonstick spray and use them to help mold the dough into the pan.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Mom's Frosting:
Frosting:

• 1/2 c (1 stick) margarine or butter, softened
• 1/4 c milk
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 4 c powdered sugar (more or less depending on how thick/runny you like it)
• A couple of drops blue food coloring (or any other color) to get desired blue color (optional)

Combine all ingredients until well-blended. Spread on top of bars. Top with sprinkles if you want! ...if you want??!?!?!?!? Why wouldn't you!??!?! <3 L

... And, the Winner is...

Thank you all so much for entering... Please stay tuned for more recipes & another GIVEAWAY soon (from OXO)... 

And now, without further adieu, the winner of the Ruby et. Violette Chenonceau gift box is...

Brooke!!!

 

Brooke said, 

"Good old chocolate chip cookies are definitely my favorite! And I "like" DeLish on Facebook!"

I am pretty, pret-ty sure you'll get a sample of Ruby et Violette's

"PERFECT"

Brooke, please email me at Lishiedemaria @ googlemail .com with your address/information.

Congratulations, Brooke!!!

<3 Lishie

Winner was chosen fairly through the help of Random.org

Chenonceau gift box

~REMINDER post~ Ruby et Violette Cookie Giveaway~

Ruby et Violette Cookie Giveaway

Would you love to win a Chenonceau gift box from Ruby et Violette (with a baker's selection of cookies)?  

 

WELL GO 

HERE.

NOW.

~ Ruby et Violette Cookie Giveaway ~

Ruby et Violette Cookie Giveaway

Have you ever received something in the mail, that was wrapped so beautifully you did not want to open it?! Well, the Chenonceau gift box from Ruby et Violette is that beautiful. Of course, knowing what awaited me in the contents of the box, I wasn't stunned for too long! And when I untied the gorgeous bow & pulled off the top, the aroma was magnificent. 18 cookies in packs of two per flavor awaited me. My favorite? The "P B & J" Cookies & the "First Kiss" Cookies. Yes, some of the names are the taste of a memorable moment rather than an outright description which makes them even more, well, memorable.

Funny, you know how things happen when they are needed sometimes? Well I received this scrumptious box of cookies on the same week my oven broke. So, it was even more loved... if you can imagine!?! I shared them with our extended family. I am afraid they won't like my fresh-baked cookies anymore ;) Ruby et Violette is.that.good. What a treat!

Would you love to win a Chenonceau gift box from Ruby et Violette (with a baker's selection of cookies)?

To win, you MUST:

COMMENT here, on this post, what your favorite cookie is.
LIKE DeLish on Facebook (if you already do, tell me on the same comment!)
LIKE Ruby et Violette on Facebook & tell them DeLish sent you (try to link DeLish, or tell me in the same comment below)

*MUST live in the Continental United States.

You have until Thursday, 4/12/12, midnight to ENTER.
On 4/13/12 the winner will be chosen at RANDOM & will win/be sent the

Chenonceau box:

Inside the elegantly stunning box are 18 amazing, delicious cookies, chosen specially by the baker.  

<3 Lishie

Recipe Swap ~ Glazed Apple Cream Pie

This is our recent swap, hosted, as usual, by Sarah from A Taste of Home Cooking (THANK YOU, Sarah!!) The subject? Fruit. Any recipe with fruit... I gave my Strawberry Muffins & received this amazing Glazed Apple Cream Pie from Annie at 
Cooking for Fun. I was surprised at first since I do not associate apples with spring, Easter, etc. But since you can get apples year round, any worries quickly vanished. This was scrumptious. I mean so good. I tried a spoonful of the cream on its own... Heavenly enough for Easter dessert. YUM, YUM, YUM. Thank you so much, Annie, for a new, delicious apple pie! 


But of course, as with most of the swaps, I have a story...
Monday I come home from work & I begin to cook (ribs & mac n cheese for dinner)... Throw the ribs in the oven (had pre-cooked them on Sunday) on 400 to warm up with the plan the apple pie would go in after... Start the stovetop mac n cheese... Create the stovetop cream for my pie... Open the oven, turn the ribs over with tongs... Finish the apple pie & the mac n cheese... Get on my mitts, open oven... REALIZE IT IS COLD!!!! My oven broke. MY.OVEN.BROKE. Oh goodness... me, w/o an oven = insanity!!!

So I throw the ribs in the micro to warm (They were still delish) & wrapped up the pie, refrigerate. On Wednesday, knowing I NEEDED to bake the pie or it would go bad (heavens, no!!!) I asked my mom-in-law to "borrow" her oven. She happily gave over her kitchen especially since they receive the spoils of my labor for dessert, always!


BTW, my in-laws LOVED the pie too!!! 
Good Friday!
<3 Lishie
 

Glazed Apple Cream Pie

from Cooking for Fun

• 1/2 c white sugar
• 1/2 c milk
• 1/2 c heavy cream
• 1/4 c butter
• 2 TBSp cornstarch
• 2 TBSp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tart apples - peeled, cored & sliced
• 1 TBSp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 (15 oz) package pastry for double-crust pie
• 1/2 c confectioners' sugar
• 1 TBSp milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 TBSp butter, softened

   1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 c milk, 1/2 c cream, & 1/4 c butter. Heat until butter is melted, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, 2 TBSp milk, & vanilla; stir into saucepan. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, & set aside to cool slightly.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). In a medium bowl, combine the apples, flour, & cinnamon. Mix well.
   3. Line a 9 " pie pan with pie dough. Pour thickened filling mixture into pastry-lined pie pan. Arrange apple mixture evenly over filling. Top with second crust, seal & flute the edges. Cut slits in top crust.
   4. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until crust is golden brown & apples are tender. Cool for at least 30 minutes.

   5. In small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, 1 TBSp milk, 1/4 tsp vanilla, & 1 TBSp softened butter. Blend until smooth; pour evenly over warm pie.

The recipe said to refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours before serving. I didn't. I even served it immediately after my wait!!! And that is why it is so sloppy but so yummy!

How cute is my pie cutter?! Hubby proposed to me in Hershey, PA & for our wedding? I used this as the cake cutter for that first slice!!! 

Stuffed Cabbage Meatloaf

I still had cabbage leftover from St. Patrick’s Day & had been hankering for stuffed cabbage. I just did.not.have.the.time to roll a whole bunch of little loafed-leaves… The word “loaf” resonated in my brain… Hmmmm how can I mimic the recipe while doing one large meatloaf? And this came about. It’s yummy & quicker than the traditional stuffed cabbage with the same charm. And if you ask a selection of Polish & Eastern European cooks how they make theirs… you will get so many different versions! The beauty of old traditions. I like to think of this as sort of my Italian-wife version…

<3 Lishie

Stuffed Cabbage Meatloaf

• 6 large, green cabbage leaves
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 c bread crumbs
• 1 large beaten egg
• 2 c marinara or tomato sauce
• 1/2 c finely chopped onion
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• s & p
• 2 TBSp olive oil
• 1 c water +more.

Place cabbage leaves in a pot of boiling water, cover, reduce heat to a simmer and cook 4-5 minutes or until the leaves are soft. Drain & cool.

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, 1/2 c sauce, onion, garlic, oregano & s & p. Create a free formed “loaf” mound.  Wrap the mound in the cabbage leaves.

In an oven-proof skillet, heat the olive oil on medium. Add the rest of the tomato sauce. Stir… Place the cabbage-wrapped mound in the center of the skillet. Allow to simmer, then lower the heat… Add water slowly, as needed, as the liquid thickens for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven. After the meatloaf has steamed for 20 minutes, spray the top with cooking spray & place the skillet in the oven for another 30 minutes or until done. Serve sliced, topped with the sauce.

Spring Pasta

Another quick & easy, spring-time pasta. I love these options on a work night. And I LOVE artichokes, do you?

<3 Lishie

Spring Pasta

• 1 package farfalle pasta, cooked
• 3 TBSp olive oil 
• 2 cloves, garlic, minced
• 1 container grape tomatoes
• 1 can quartered artichoke hearts (in water)
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced
• 2 TBSp fresh parsley, chopped
• sea salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Toss the pasta with the olive oil & minced garlic as soon as it is cooked... add the tomatoes, artichokes, mozzarella & parsley...Toss. Add S & P, to taste. Serve!

Quickest Pasta Ever

Yes, the quickest pasta ever. How? With, prepped ahead, compound butter. I love this pasta a little too much ;) Here's a secret... I am not much of a meat eater. I eat a bite here & there, but, for the most part, I am a "sides eater". I could overdose on veg & literally have! Having crohns, fiber is my enemy so pasta... Well, pasta is an angel.

<3 Lishie

Angel Hair Pasta w/ Compound Butter Sauce

• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 c Parmesan, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Parsley, chopped, for topping
• Angel Hair pasta (or any other thin pasta)

Ahead of time... Mix together well the butter, parmesan, garlic & salt. Firmly wrap it in plastic then refrigerate. Allow to harden. 

When ready to use... Cook pasta... Drain... Add compound butter to hot pasta & toss until the butter melts, creating the sauce. Top with parsley & more parmesan.

Party Planning

This post is not food related. It’s about my toddler, Gabriel. But in essence, my blog is more than food… it is about my family & life. in less than a month, gabriel will be 3. How can this be? My baby boy, 3 years of age. As anyone who knows me can tell you, I adore my boy. Adore.

Now for the party… I have spent so much of my adult life planning or assisting with events for others (yes, I care for the people very much so & I care for the causes I volunteer for very much) but this is different. This is my boy. I cannot tell you how much delight I take in creating a day in honor of Gabriel so you’ll have to see for yourselves when I blog it next month. 

I will be planning, baking, designing & creating nearly everything... the games, activities, & decorations. And the cake. Plus I have very talented friends for what I cannot do!

The theme is: 

SPACE

I truly laughed out loud when I saw this silly joke because it sums me up perfectly:

And this picture is the starting point from where I have leaped:

 

To see Gabriel’s special 2^nd birthday (or “Bird”day) go here.

Thank you for humoring me!

<3 Lishie