Another Birthday Dinner

Saturday three of our BFF's showed up with a new

modernist white (my fave)chip and dip dish

for my Birthday complete with munchies and dip,

yum.

Later they took us out for Butter Chicken

@ Ashokas and it was sooo good.

We headed over to their place for Chocolate cake

and a late night movie

- 'The Eye', not too scary for our 12 year old

(I really mean myself).

I think the background sound effects

from hubby snoring

(cause he was up since 3:30 am)

was real scary for all of us.

ha ha ;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Yesterday was my BIRTHDAY & I went out for dinner with my hubby & 12 year old (he turns 13 next Saturday, yup he will officially be a TEEN, YIKES!) Aynway we enjoyed my favorite dinner - Sushi, yum. We had our usual favorites and tried some new ones - sure glad we did cause now we have new faves!




There were just four pieces left-over; just the perfect amount for little ol' me for lunch today. I will enjoy, till the next Sushi night. We have to have them more often!

Butterfly Cupcakes

Here's a fun cupcake...
perfect for celebrating your special occasions in Spring or Summer.

They're so simple to make, but oh so hard
to resist eating before they arrive to their special occasion.

Start with your own recipe for white/yellow cake or take a shortcut
like I did here:
Use a boxed cake mix and follow the directions on the box, but
add some extra nutrition by substituting yogurt
(plain, vanilla or lemon flavored) for the water measure called for
in the instructions, and fill cupcake cups only halfway.
The yogurt gives the cake an nice texture, and keeps them from
crumbling onto your lap as you enjoy them. My boxed mix made 24
generous sized cupcakes.

Bake as per instructions.

While Cupcakes bake, use this time to prepare lemon pie filling.
Use your own recipe, or again use a box of lemon pie filling -
cook on the stove, as directed.

When cupcakes are cool, cut off the tops and cut each top in half
(so you end up with 2 half moon shapes from each cupcake top).
Set these aside.

Slowly pour a large spoon full of prepared lemon filling over
bottom half of cupcake; this will seep into bottom of cupcake
to add flavor and moistness. Add an additional spoon full of
filling and before it sets, angle your 2 half moon shapes
(you made from the cupcake top) onto bottom half of cupcake.
You may have to hold for a few seconds to help them set without
falling over.

Sprinkle with sifted Icing Sugar.




Yumm...Enjoy!
Oh Yeah - and remember to share!!

Reusable Lunch /Loot Bags

I have to give credit to Heidi one of my BFF's for this one.

She had a party for her five year old,
and browsing the dollar store for goodies to put in
loot bags spotted these lunch bags for a buck.



WOW, was I impressed!

They came in an assortment of gorgeous bright colors,
very sturdy, and I'm sure completely waterproof.




Perfect for all who attended, as most were
attending kindergarten next September!

An excellent choice for those who care about the
environment too, as the loot bag gets used indefinitely.

How to Bake Cupcakes and Eat them too !!

Add extra nutrients with healthy additions to your mix.

Heres a photo of my Banana Chocolate Cupcakes.




I make most of my baked goods by memory and experience;
so I don't always need a recipe, I just somehow know
what ratio of everything I'm going to need for success.

Start with:

1 over-ripe banana, stirred well.

A basic cake recipe
To your dry list of ingredients add:
1/4 cup of sifted cocoa powder -
chocolate is good for us!!
*Sift your dry ingredients for a lighter fluffier cake.

*Don't skimp on the eggs called for in your recipe -
they add so much nutrients, and lightness to your cupcakes.

Finally add:
yogurt in place of water/milk

Mine were frosted, then sprinkled with sifted coacoa powder.

You don't have to tell anyone you added 'good-for-you' ingredients.

Just let them enjoy !!

Handmade Birthday Card

Today I made this Birthday card for a friend.



It was quite simple and turned out sweet.

I used 12x4" printed card stock that coordinated with the sticker I used for the inside of the card. I scored the paper at 4" and 8"; then scored diagonaly on each end, so when they come together they create the front of the card. The final card is wrapped & tied with a ribbon fastened with a brad.



Then I used die cut and sticker captions on coordinating card stock.

The butterflies were stamped, embossed and colored with chalk. Folded and attached with sook wang (double sided tape).

Hope you enjoy making one yourself.

If you do please link back to my blog so I can see yours too!

Block Party

This is a great idea for children of all ages. You can modify the types of blocks and themes accordingly. For a one year old, you would use the largest blocks made for this age group, and for the older kids; use blocks that graduate in size and style/theme according to their taste/expertise. Doesn't matter what brand you use - just use the ones you have.

Not only do you have a fun activity for everyone to participate in

(who doesn't like playing with blocks?),

but it is inexpensive too!

You probably have lots of blocks already - don't you!

So now you have the theme - BLOCK PARTY

and the activity - PLAYING with BLOCKS

While toddlers will be happy to just play with the blocks, here are a few more ideas to incorporate blocks of fun time for the older kids.

BLOCK TOSS - pARTicipants toss blocks into bucket/hoola hoop from a distance, drop into the neck of a plastic milk jug or toss/throw into plastic cups.

SPEED BUILDING - Give the same amount of blocks to each pARTicipant, set the timer and have them put all their blocks together. The one who puts the blocks together the fastest wins.

CREATIVE CHAOS - Give each pARTicpant the same blocks and see who can come up with a winning design by the buzzer.

TUMBLING TOWERS - Each pARTicipant starts to build a tower from a community pile of blocks - you decide what size you will use in the game - then the pARTicipants build till the buzzer goes off/times up. The builder of the largest tower still standing wins.

Top Cake or Cupcakes with my printable toppers. You can also buy candy blocks from some candy stores/suppliers or supermarkets. I wouldn't recommend these to small children, keep for the older ones only! Use them on cake/cupcake to decorate or use in loot bags. Use other block colored candies like bubblegum, gumdrops & also cake decorating sprinkles to add to the fun colors blocks have.

Use stickers to make name badges (so you know your guests), or to add to a ribbon for awards/prizes, label plates & drinking cups/soda cans/water bottles (so you know who's who's), put them on loot bags and make favors with them.

pARTy favor ideas using printables:

LOOT BAGS - Then fill with inexpensive blocks, I have seen small bags/boxes the perfect size for a goody bag for as little as a few dollars, consider this the goody bags - main/big loot).

PAPER BAGS/BOXES you cut out & make using your sissix, cuttlebug, cricut cutter or by hand using a pattern gleaned from the internet.

*Don't leave the girls out - there are also pink building blocks for girls and they like blocks as much as boys! :)

Download printable invites, stickers and party favors to add to your SPECIAL DAY!

Don't forget to:

Watch for future printable downloads designed & made by me @

cathiespARTties

The designs are in the works! So come back and visit often for new ones! :)

send pics of your party! I would love to see & hear how yours went.

leave a comment @ the bottom of my blog post!

share my blog with all your friends!

twitter, face book, blog or whatever networking method you use!

You might find these sites useful for more Block Party Ideas - just click on the links.
LEGO.com Parents Family Together : Seasonal Activities

Lego Birthday Party Supplies found here just click on link below:
Lego Birthday Party Supplies

Cricut Cake Cutter Demo

Today I'm going to go check out the new cake design cutter by Cricket.

I think

I need to,

want to,

& must have

one to blog about future projects on this blog.

Of course not to mention for all those Special Birthdays
& every other occasion you need a cake for!

I have watched a number demos on the Internet
and am already convinced by its charms.
I'm not saying I'm going to buy one today, no no,
I have to save up or have some $$ fall from the sky,
whichever comes first!

I already own a Personal Cricut Cutter which I
(and my friends & family) have been using for the past few years.

My son has used it on several occasions for school projects,
which made for a less stressed & happy homework outcome.
One of my convincing arguments to myself for buying this
little piece of indulgence , was for that very reason.

I also own the Gypsy (Hubby made me buy it), honest!

So stop by and visit my blogs on a regular basis for projects
using any or all of the above.