Gifted Girl

Happy Birthday to Eleni!



How could this have happened to the baby in the family? Three years old? Are we sure? Mommy disbelief aside, we had a wonderful day with our sweet girl yesterday. She kept asking when can we 'go to her birthday', like it was a place. And every time someone wished her 'happy birthday' she said 'happy birthday to you too'. She ordered this custom 'under the sea' cake and wanted it red on the inside. Rather than dive into Disney duplication, I settled on a pale blue sea with a pink coral reef and Swedish fish in place of the more obvious characters of her favorite movie. Let's just be glad it at least looked yummy. It tasted less than yummy and I admit my defeat. I've never made red velvet, err well, I have now, but this one doesn't count. I actually have never been a fan. But now I am determined to both bake a delicoius one and like it. Any tips welcome. Oh and she was absolutely no help at all in the kitchen, just stood there. She got cocky after looking so darned cute in that apron. Miss Mango, however was lovely, and an inspiration to continue perfecting my baking skills.



I did bake up the most delicious pretend cookies as a gift for sweetie. Ever since the little girls got a play kitchen for Christmas, Eleni has been serving up some really yummy imaginary cookies. But something was missing from her recipe. Day after day she would lovingly bring me a fresh batch into the studio for a sample. She is an excellent baker, but they needed something still. Then it hit me! Eleni's cookies needed to be tangible....but not like plastic playfood tangible. Like delicious homemade tangible! The package design had to pay homage to our head cookie chef......Dad. He makes the most amazing cookies. So good in fact, that my failure at red velvet had him smiling at me with a condescending yet loving head tilt and oh-thats-okay-not-everyone-is-great-at-baking look.



We feasted on these yummies though. The simple ingredients of felt, machine embroidery and buttons make a delectable cookie, if you'd like to try.

My parents joined us for a day of homemade burgers and fries, birthday kisses, watching our Bears win, and of course handmade gifts from Nani. How gorgeous is this hat my mom knit? And if thats not enough, my mom makes the BEST red velvet cake in the world. I think she better come the next time I try. (got that, Mom?) Their visit and that hat topped our weekend and our baby off perfectly.

Go Bears!
xoxo,AM