Finally getting around to posting photos of dinner I made for my mom and dad…except life happened and they weren’t able to come. Bummer! Luckily I had an additional dinner guest, so it was not all for naught.
I was excited to try eating some of my zucchini blossoms. My aunt and cousin had recently told me how they ate them in Italy, so of course I had to try it!
I found this totally awesome recipe by Giada De Laurentiis for stuffed ones.
Blossoms that are stuffed and awaiting frying.
Blossoms all fried up!
I also made some Confetti Salad, fresh strawberries, Caprese Salad, and even made some pesto with the basil in my garden. On the side were some yummy breadsticks.
The whole dinner.
I was told the zucchini blossoms were the most awesome thing I have ever made. Really, what’s not to like about fried cheese?
It’s hard to believe my munchkin is already five! How time has flown! Since this year seemed to be the first year he really knew what was going on, I finally bit the bullet and expanded the party beyond our closest family and friends to his little friends from school.
Now every party needs a theme. I asked Keeler what he wanted. He specifically said:
Dragon cake
watermelon
tag
Well, we were able to do two of the three. I found a pattern online for the cake. Not as hard as it looks. Watermelon – yep. Ran out of time for a game of tag.
The cake, sans frosting.
Awaiting wings.
I used tootsie rolls for the claws, icing for the eyes and chocolate chips for the pupils and nostrils. The spine scales were crackers I made earlier this week.The cake was just a basic yellow cake I made from All Recipes and the icing was from a can. Real high tech around here.
One thing I will say, you really have to freeze the cake after assembling, and periodically freeze it while icing to make life a whole ton easier. Less crumbs get into the icing, and the finish is much smoother when you spread it when it is harder.
I had lots of grand ideas for the theme, but in the end, the entertainment was bubbles, coloring pages, blow up swords and paper crowns from Oriental Trading Company, and a garden hose. A pop up tailgate tent from CBear served as the “castle”. Everyone had a great time, and I didn’t have to break the bank to do it. Win for everyone!
We also had everyone bring a canned good instead of presents. Hopefully that helps the kids learn about giving, and less toys around the house here to trip over. We’re going to take them to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Munchkin’s actual birthday is this week. I usually take the day off and we do whatever he wants to do, and we go to the toy store and he gets to pick out his own present. I’ll also take him to the food bank to deliver the food we collected. Should be a lovely day! Last year we went to the park and to the movies to see Toy Story 3. This year? Stay tuned!
This weekend Aunt M came down for birthday celebrations. Mind you, this was her third celebration, but who’s counting? And what do you get someone who has everything she needs? You make dinner, of course!
We had…
Caprese Salad Skewers
Amish Macaroni Salad
Marinated Portabello Mushroom Burgers with Goat Cheese, Spinach, and Beets
Pineapple Salsa
Mojitos
And, for the big birthday, neither myself nor my sis are big fans of cake. Everyone else is welcome to enjoy it, but there are so many better things in the world to eat, why waste time on cake? Although, I must admit, I love to bake them. Anywho, I went with the Southern Style Strawberry Shortcake. I even made the whipped cream by hand. SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! That stuff is so awesome. I may never get my whipped cream from a can again.
After our lovely dinner we had every intention of going to the Gallery Hop, but Munchkin was begging for a movie, so we went to the movie theater. Sometimes caving to wants is easier for everyone involved, and it was super hot out, so that air conditioning was looking more and more appealing. Movie sold out. Boooo. We decided to stop in a nearby store and that’s when the storm hit. Crazy wind, rain, and even hail! The power went out, so we decided to head home. Shopping is no fun in the dark!
It’s been a busy, yet not so busy few weeks. It seems any free time is spent pulling weeds out of my garden these days. I’m looking forward to when my plants are so big you cannot see the weeds growing underneath them. I have a few posts started, but until I complete them, I thought I would share some of my favorite things at the moment.
Black Sheep Dancing 