backyard camp out and first tutorial: Fail

Our poor ward camp out- I don't think more than a handful of people were able to make it- including us. We were all set and revved to go, but things didn't work out in the end....My sweet husband didn't want to disappoint our son, so we set up camp in our backyard and had a wonderful night under the stars with the comforts of home close by!






I found a cute little dress on pintrest and thought it would be fun to do a tutorial on how to make it for you all- I took a lot of pictures and tried to be meticulous to avoid reader's confusion... but I messed up quite a but and did some sly make-shift cover ups, but the dress turned out cute none-the-less:

Fourth of July!

This was probably one of the best we've had- no pressure to go any where or to impress anyone but ourselves. We set off to buy fire works (yay for aerials!)and then to the parade. We caught a few pieces of candy, took a couple handouts and waved to a couple of beauty queens. Had lunch, a quick nap, and then moseyed over to the park for their 4th of July festival. We played some games, Treson got to ride some rides, and we came back home in time for dinner. THE BEST RIBS I'VE EVER MADE! along with corn on the cob, rolls, chips and grapes! perfect picnic food(if only it wasn't raining- I'm sure we would have had a blast on our lawn!) We watched a movie and then joined our neighbors outside to light fireworks in the street. I think my favorite was a "tropical fish" fountain from Black Cats. it was pretty awesome how we so many people were lighting aerial fireworks- I hope these stay legal!

Ellie's Birthday party

Ellie's Pretty in Pink- Handsome in Blue party went really well! The photo shoot was a blast and the pictures turned out great! (Thanks Ny!) I made Ellie a cute little cupcake tower, but I didn't take any pictures of it cuz the icing got really messy and it didn't look that good... :(- but it still tasted amazing! We did get a funny video of her eating cake on her actual birthday though.

Garden Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a great time chatting it up and enjoying yummy food. Brunch consisted of chicken salad sandwiches, fresh fruit, spinach salad, lemonade, and cake. I ended up frosting the cakes with whipped cream rather than butter cream because both of the cake recipes (top:orange dreamsicle, bottom:margarita) instructed so. The pineapple flowers turned out well but were more so of a garnish. And to top it all off the guests were sent home with strawberry plant party favors!

I'm so lucky to have such fun-spirited friends:D Thanks for the fun memories!

Happy Birthday Baby Doll!

last night recap

A special thanks to Anne and Ally for coming over to sample breads and make "washi" eggs with me!

here are the recipes I promised:

focaccia bread from Annie's eats

and citrus pound cake (everyday food mag- may '11 issue):

(ingredients at room temp)
2 sticks of butter +more for pan
1 cup sugar
1 ts vanilla xtract
5 large eggs
zest of one orange and two lemons
1 Tb of orange juice
2 ts lemon juice
1/2 ts salt
1 1/2 cups flour +more for pan

preheat oven 350, butter and flour a loaf pan.
Beat butter and sugar for 7 minutes- scrap down bowl and beat for an additional minute- slowly add eggs, vanilla, and citrus zest and juice- beating well- scraping the bowl down when needed. gradually add the flour and salt until smooth- pour into loaf pan and bake at 350* for about an hour- cool on a wire rack for an hour and remove from pan and cool completely before glazing

Glaze:
1 c. powder sugar
1T lemon juice
1T orange juice
whisk together and drizzle over cake- letting it spill down the sides :D