party week: food focus
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 03:11PM I have to say that we are all partied out. Yesterday was Aidan's birthday. Which happens to fall the day after his Uncle T's...two days after his Aunt Megan's...and three days after his cousin London's.
But more about my Aidan in a (very soon) post. I need some clarity before I sit and write to my new 6-year-old. (fair warning: it will likely become sappy so do or don't check back depending on your affinity for such).
THIS post is dedicated more (or pretty much entirely) to food.
First, Aidan's cake. This was the easiest cake assembly I've ever done. The secret: all the decorations were cookies made and iced the night before. A great plan for a busy party day. Royal icing dries hard (& stackable) and the little cookies were pretty darn tasty.
The poor cake's "after" shot...it's moment of glory was all too fleeting:
Next...Aidan's dinner choice - Breakfast. I didn't take pictures, but we had waffles, sausage, eggs, orange julius. Jim's parents have a fancy Belgian waffle maker that looks like this:
And now I want/need one, too. It seriously makes delicious waffles. But the real killer (in a good way) is this syrup recipe that comes from my sister-in-law Shanon. Go ahead and click on it. And make it. And be delighted. (And then brush your teeth).
ON TO THE PRIOR PARTY....
T's birthday dinner was wings from Native New Yorker. Now, when I first became a Scott, this was a typical and oft-repeated dinner choice. But it has seriously been years now since we've had these wings. And I must say that I quite enjoyed them on Wednesday night. They were too spicy for Jim and Aidan, but Davyn and I happily ate our fair share (and theirs maybe? and maybe I'm including D, but really mean just me?).
AND THE ONE BEFORE...
If you live in the valley, you must go to Joe's Farm Grill on your birthday. Bring an i.d. and they'll give you a free meal. Our birthday Megan got salmon. I ordered the jumbo prawns and they were beyond jumbo. Any shrimp that requires three solid bites might need a new adjective, in fact. But they were amazing and their homemade cocktail sauce was their equal. Top that all off with sweet potato fries and pineapple serano chile dipping sauce...well, you can imagine that would be divine, I'm sure. Best of all, Joe's menu is inspired by fresh produce grown at the adjacent farm.
AND THE PARTY THAT STARTED IT ALL...
This one wins no acclaim for the food. Mainly because it was a Chuck E. Cheese event. But, seriously, there are few better spots to sit back and relax your pregnant body as your kids run around having the time of their lives. And our London birthday girl was thrilled. She is a bit monkey-obsessed, so I made these cupcakes for the event. After making one and a half dozen of these little guys, I was no longer sure they looked like monkeys...but it was an easy&quick-ish monkey attempt.
Today we have not partied. We have eaten leftover cake (you saw the "after" shot...there's a whole lot left!). And will likely eat more tomorrow. But then it goes in the garbage. And next week there will be no sugar in this house.
Maybe.
Reader Comments (18)
The monkey cupcakes are darling as well. You've got some seriously talent Amy. Has pregnancy slowed you down at all because it doesn't seem like it?
I definitely think those cupcakes look like monkeys and I think that birthday cake is grand. It looks so party-ish and festive...like a big bang.
How is your pregnant body doing?
Happy Birthday to your boy!
That Waffle Iron is on my list too. My sister has one and I have never eaten better waffles than the ones it makes.
I was so excited that you are having a girl. They are so much fun. Escpecially shopping for them. All the frilly fun stuff. My fav. is Baby LULu dresses. You can google it. :-}
And the waffle iron? It is on my "I absolutely have to have one of these" list. And my 18 year old son told me yesterday that he wants one when he moves out in 4 weeks.
I have never been to Joe's Farm Grill, and it's just down the road from me. I will have to rectify that.