Nancy Drew Birthday Party Sweets

Little K and I could not agree on what kind of sweet treats to make for her Nancy Drew Birthday Party.

I wanted to try out some of my fancy new piping tips and make a bunch of different cupcakes. Little K wanted her traditional fondant covered decorated cake (I think she's the only person in the world that actually likes the taste of fondant).

Rather than compromise (because that would be too easy) - I decided to make them both. Which quickly turned into an entire table devoted just to sweet treats.



Cupcakes, Lemon Bars, Tiered Cake and Blondies. Can you say "sugar overload".



Three different jumbo piping tips were used to frost and decorate each tier of cupcakes.



The cupcake toppers were made using clip art designs (footprints, #9 and Nancy herself) punched out with various size circle and scallop punches layered and glued to a popsicle stick.



Because the secret password to gain entry to the party was "Lemon Bar"....we had to make those as well.



The Birthday Cake was a two tier fondant covered mystery batter cake filled with butter cream frosting.



I couldn't find any chocolate fondant, so I added brown paste coloring to white fondant. I would have liked a darker, richer brown color, but it took a lot of coloring just to get it to this yummy shade.

Bands of pink fondant edge each layered tier, accented with lime green butter cream piped dots.



The Mystery Cake Batter is nothing more than vanilla, chocolate and strawberry batter dropped into the baking pan in sections (without mixing together).



The kids were told it was a "mystery" what kind of cake they would get - perfect for a Nancy Drew Mystery Party.



I thought about adding spy glasses, finger prints, footprints and other Nancy Drew images to decorate the cake, but in the end - I think a more simple plaid accent was in keeping with Nancys Classic Style.



As the party guests left - they were given sugar cookies to take with them.



Decorated with butter cream and fondant, and packaged in cellophane bags with a THANK YOU topper.

We had such a great time putting together all the elements of this Nancy Drew Mystery Birthday Party including invitations, decorations, food, the mystery game, and even the perfect Nancy Drew outfit.

Sunday Family Bowling

We haven't seen as much as we would like of Gary, with him starting his new job in Sacramento. So when the weekends come around - and when he's home with us - we've been trying to have some Family Fun time (in addition to working on the "get the house ready for sale" list).

So this weekend - we all went Bowling!



I don't think Gary or I have been bowling since before we were married - that's over 20 years ago folks!



Little K has been to a few bowling parties in the past few years, but never without the bumpers up.

I wasn't about to bowl with bumpers. That would mean, if I did good (AKA - beat Gary), I couldn't really take the credit. I'm way too competitive to give up on a chance to gloat - err I mean win gracefully.



In my day - I was actually a pretty good Bowler. I even bowled on an after work League. At least I think we did some bowling along with all that beer drinking.



I remember my average was around 130. Guess what I bowled my first game? 127! I kicked some Bowling Butt.

Let's just not discuss my score for the next two games.



Gary and Little K improved their scores quite a bit by the end of the 3rd game. I can't say the same. I broke a nail, have a blister on my thumb, and this morning my leg muscles are so sore I almost tripped down the stairs.

How sad is that....even bowling makes my muscles ache. Time to get going to the Gym again.



But it was a great opportunity to wear some really cool footwear.



I must say, we all had some pretty good bowling form. Little K did a great job without the bumpers (she was the only kid not using them). If you didn't actually look at the score board, we could have looked like a family force to be reckoned with. I'm surprised no one asked us to join their league? Maybe next time.



Little K did take some shots of me bowling (just to prove that I have good form as well), but they are on her camera and I (conveniently) forget how to upload from hers.

We had a great time together - just having silly fun. Need to do more of that for sure!

Clothespin Doll for Grace

The very first clothespin doll I ever made was for our little friend Ava's 6th Birthday. They have been so much fun. I've made several more (for Little K, and for other friends).

Ava has a Big Sister Grace....and last weekend was Graces 9th Birthday. Their mom put in a little hint that Grace might want her own clothespin Doll - so that's what we did.



I used a coordinating dress fabric (to Ava's doll), as the girls share a room and the dolls will be displayed together.






Grace's Birthday was a Scrapbooking Party -and we coordinated the doll to the invitations. Added to the base is a picture frame. I used the same paper from the invites for the back of the frame so it still looks cute even without a picture in place.




We even found wrapping paper that coordinated with the party colors.




Don't you love it when it all comes together.

Thinking of My Dad Today

Thinking of my Dad, who passed away two years ago today.

James Henry Blackburn

August 30, 1936 - March 21, 2008

REMEMBERING HOW HE:

took us to amazing places through his Military Service

was a great artist (even though he didn't think so himself)

hummed and whistled

taught me how to build anything - out of anything

looked like Elvis Presley in his younger days

would sing round robin songs with us in the car

played the guitar

passed on his quirky habit of finger tapping to his children and grandchildren without us even realizing it

whistled the same reveille tune to get me up every morning - that still makes me shudder

hated it when I was late

owned and ran a successful Upholstery business with my mom

had a soft spot for stray animals

was the life of the party

hated to talk on the phone

was incredibly patriotic

loved racing

grew up on a farm

could be incredibly stubborn

taught me how to bait my own hook

was a terrible speller, but a genius at math

loved to play games

was very proud of me!

~~~

When folks tell me I'm like you Pop

I almost burst with pride,

'cause ever since I was a pup

just standing by your side,

I liked the way you faced the world

the things you say and do,

and would be glad to be a Chip

off such a Block as You!

~~~

Remembering my Dad Today

- and my Mom, and Brother and Aunt -