Rory's birthday party!

Jay came home one day a month or so ago and said, 

"We don't need to do a party or anything right? It's not like she cares." 

And (proud wife moment) within seconds he said. "Wait, never mind.

You love birthdays and you love parties. Of course we're having one." 

I couldn't have said it better myself. . Something about planning an event where people can come together and have a good time is so fun. And on top of it, it's an opportunity to see all the people you love and wish you saw more of. (I can't be the only one who has at least 40 people like this in my life...right?)

I was the party thrower in college, although most of my events ended up with far too many people and an amount of noise that got us shut down. (and got shout-outs from the pulpit at church the next Sunday, holla!) That being my background meant that I thoroughly enjoyed myself, but totally overdid it on the treats. College students are like garbage disposals. "Free, homemade sweets?!! I'll eat five and take some for lunch tomorrow too, thanks" in contrast to the normal human population who I had to keep prodding to eat more than one. Let's just say I basically ate an entire pan of lemon bars and a half of a texas sheet cake post-party and I am not complaining. 

As far as the actual party goes it was so fun! Rory was mostly unenthused, but happily played with my sweet maidmaids and was generally a great sport. She was dainty with her cake and inspected it thoroughly before eating it, per the usual. She loved the wrapping paper most, but did love her new books and toys. Boo was allowed to be out for the first half of the party and was giddy as can be to have all the new people around who wanted to pet her. 

But honestly, we feel so blessed. We have aunts and uncles and friends and cousins all right here in the valley that love our girl. She doesn't realize it, but that is such a lucky way to spend your first year of life (and the rest of it, for that matter). So thank you. It's way more cool than I thought it would be to watch other people love your kid and it means so much to Jay and I. So thank you for showering our girl with your presence, a few presents, and so so much love. 

Also, this is my formal apology for our house being a boiler room that day! We've had air conditioning people come out more than once only to learn that it's just the way the house is set up that's the problem- not our AC system. So we're working on it. Our house just couldn't keep up with all of our super hot friends in the hottest part of the day! So some of you sweat your way through the event, but we loved having you there, sweat and all. (sorry. again...)

Happy Halloween: year of the tiny unicorn

This year Rory and I were Unicorn twins. It all started when we were trying to think of what to be without buying too much new stuff. We aren't going to be home for actual Halloween, and Rory can't really be into it all too much this year anyways, but we had to do something! I mean look at the cheeks I have to work with!

Anyways, on a Harry Potter themed string of thoughts I had visions of unicorns and it was history from there. Some pink felt, white t-shirt scraps, and leftover craft flowers later, we had ourselves a tiny unicorn. 

I tried to get some smiles out of her before the party, but it just wasn't happening. I even enlisted Boo, but she ended up being more in the way than helpful. So I gave up and waited for Jay.  As I anticipated, daddy got all kinds of smiles out of her. Forgive the horrible church building lighting, but pictures of a us as unicorn twins are worth all the bad lighting in the world for this mama. 

food food food: the sweet edition

Ok, I feel like I've talked with a million people about it...
but I cook way more now that I'm married.

Ok fine, I cooked a good amount when I was single.
But really, it was just when I had an excuse.
I don't even know what I ate on a day to day basis...
A yogurt here, and some pasta with olive oil and salt there?
Oh my gosh.
That is no way to live.
But seriously!?
Who wants to cook a full meal for one person?
Nobody, that's who.

But now I have a husband! SCORE.
And mostly, all my dreams of creating recipes and making dinners are coming true.
Desserts are different.
My husband would rather have Ben & Jerry's than anything baked.
Which is an absolute TRAVESTY for my baking dreams,
[but a secret blessing for my waistline...]
Mostly, you know I have jumped at every opportunity to bake I can get my hands on.

Anyways, today I'm going to share some of my favorite internet recipe sweets from over the years.

First...
Our Best Bites Buttermilk Caramel Syrup is an absolute dream.
I use it on pancakes, I use it on ice cream and crepes....
I might even accidentally slip a spoonful from the fridge now and again.
[[don't judge me]]
I made this for an office retreat this past weekend,
and somebody told me how they didn't like pancakes until they tried this syrup.
True Life. You can't get a better testimonial than that.

Smitten Kitchen's Nectarine Brown Butter Buckle..
So sweet, so awesome.
Butter makes everything better.
But we already knew this, so it should come as no surprise.
Smitten Kitchen always comes through for me.
And you can search by ingredient. Done and done.

Your Cup of Cake's modified cake mix Chocolate cupcakes
Guys, these are a Taylor baking classic.
Every baby shower I baked for [including Clara's],
every dance party, every everything.
And people love them.
And it's boxed cake mix.
Win, win, win, win, win.
I'll admit, I've never made the rolo ones and I use my own frosting recipe.
[Typically, I do homemade cream cheese frosting and stick an oreo on top.]
But whatever floats your boat.

Maybe drizzle buttermilk syrup over the top?
I'm getting carried away I can feel it.
There you have it.
I plan to share my favorite dinner recipes soon.
Be on the lookout!