Alien Cupcakes

Happy 5th Birthday Peter!!

How cute are these Alien/Monster Cupcakes?

I used all sorts of candy like licorice for the antennas, gum drops for their head(s), m&m’s, skittles & candy melts for eyes. They were SO much fun to make. 

Tweetsie

Last Friday my sister, my best friend and I took our kids to Tweetsie! Dora and Diego were there and it was a super fun day! It rained 3 times, once it was a monsoon and we still had a blast!!!

If you have not been to Tweetsie I highly recommend going! Especially if you have young kids! They have an entire ride section for kids who are typically too young to ride.

They have tons of picnic tables and you can bring in your own picnic!! Or you can buy a lunchbox for $7 kids can choose from a slice of cheese pizza, pb&j or hotdog, chips, crackers or cookies and a drink. It was a great day!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

d’s hot wheels party

A great friend is hosted a Hot Wheels themed birthday for he little man Duncan who turned 7! I am stoked to share his cake with you!! I thought it turned out so cute and was a huge hit with the kids!!
Birthday Cake xoxo, Mama Bird

Jack’s Birthday INSPIRATION!!

The INVITES arrived and I am SO excited!! Ander’s Ruff did an amazing job!  If you need invites you must check these local girls out! They have fantab party packages! I have already picked out my next party!!

I can’t hold out so I am going to share the “logo” as the invite is the jumping off point for the whole theme of the party!!

Here is some of the fun stuff I found for inspiration!

        

clockwise from top left; Gigi & Lulu, Kara’s Party Ideas, Celebrations at Home, Yo Yo Gifts (etsy), The Sweetest Occasion,  Mommy & Me (etsy).

What do you guys think?  This is the first year Jack has invited all his buddies from pre-school. His 1st birthday was in the middle of our move, his 2nd was just family and this year we are going to have a backyard full of little people! I can not wait to get this party started!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

Sunny Paris Salad

Since the cucumbers are coming in like crazy I decided to make a fresh salad and wanted to do something different, I came across this yummy looking salad. Of course I didn’t have feta cheese on hand so I made a few revisions to fit what I had and I think it worked beautifully.

What I made? 

Cucumber and Goat Cheese Salad

I wrote a post earlier this summer about an amazing farmer in Lenoir, NC who makes the most amazing goat cheese I have ever had. She has 1 in particular called Sunny Paris, the name alone peeked my interest. I do not know exactly what she puts in the crack laced cheese log, but it for sure has shallots, lemon zest, dill, mint, can you taste it?

Fresh & Sunny and PERFECTLY YUMMY!!

Sunny Paris Cucumber Salad

6 cucumbers (I used 3 varities), chopped & deseeded

8 oz of Sunny Paris goat cheese (can use plain with fresh spices added to it)

1/4 c good olive oil

2 T fresh lemon juice

1 T water

black pepper

1 small sweet onion, diced fine

Peel, de-seed and chop cucumbers. Place in strainer, sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for apx 30 mins. Mix cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, water and spices in a bowl; add cucumbers & onions. Chill. ENJOY!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

Mema’s Pickles

As I have mentioned I have cucumbers coming from every direction! I wanted to use some befor they went bad so I busted out Mema’s Pickle Recipe, these are just delish and I love the fact that as a little girl every meal I can remember included a relish tray and these pickles were always the star of the plate.

Slice your cucumbers (I used 8) then dice 1 large sweet onion. Sprinkle well with salt and place in colander to drain excess water. Top with ice cubes. Allow to drain at least 3 hrs. (You will NOT believe the amount of water that comes out of them!)

Then pack in your sterilized jars.

2 1/2 cups sugar

2 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp celery salt

1 tsp celery seed

1 T mustard seed

Mix everything and bring to a boil. Pour over packed cucumbers and allow to cool.

Place in fridge and enjoy!

xoxo, Mama Bird

Big Boy Room {part 1: fabrics}

Jack is about to turn 3 and it is time that I update the current nursery to a big boy room. He is still sleeping  in his crib and I shutter to think how this transition is going to go! In my mind expect the worst and it can never actually be that bad, RIGHT? 

I have all sorts of ideas and have decided that I am going to start with the bedding and build around that. This is where you guys come in! I’d LOVE to know what you think and I am giving you some very different things to look at and consider. Hubs will be building his bed and my great friend and artist is going to help me paint a mural!!! I do want to do a room that will allow for growth, not something I am going to have to turn around and redo in 2 years.

My first thoughts on a room would incorporate the outdoors, maybe cabin chic?  With the mural I want to do trees, water, sky, very earthy/whimisical. 

Here are my top picks!!

#1 Ivy League madras plaid

#2 Sageberry Creek Beach Plaid

 

#3 Blue Camo  (could get old?)

#4 Western Star

#5 Fishy Fish (cute, may not grow as well)

#6 Urban plaid

   

I love/like them all and can vision a fantab room around all of these!!

What’s your fav, thoughts, ideas?

xoxo, Mama Bird

Banana Cupcakes

A dear friend is hosting a ladies lunch to celebrate her besties birthday, she loves all things banana and  adores peanut butter so I am making her Martha’s Banana Cupcakes, my favorite Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting with chocolate drizzle! Goodness, I am thinking I should be on Cupcake Wars!! You know this is my newest obsession! I think they turned out just beautifully!

xoxo, Mama Bird

on the menu….

this week we are focused on sticking to the plan!! I have some amazing veggies coming in and am super stoked to share with you guys some great new recipes!!

Pickled Beets               Mama’s Pesto               Mema’s pickles          Perfect Pesto Pizza

just to tease you a little!! Lot’s of Birthday Parties on the schedule so lots of FUN cakes to share!!

Monday~ turkey meatballs & marinara

Tuesday~ flank steak

Wednesday~ boy’s night (hotdogs)

Thursday~ bbq chicken

Friday~ pizza night

 

What’s on your menu?

Furniture Score!!

Not sure if you guys know but I majored in Interior Design in college and absolutely love a design change. I love paint, fabrics, and REALLY love the fact that I live in an area where you can get some amazing furniture for even more amazing deals!! This past weekend was NO exception. For $250 I did a total re-model on my family room. I was lucky enough to stumble upon a furniture sale and found a great sofa for $200 (retail for $1,600.)!!!

I got it in a camel/chocolate brown.

Then I popped over  to the Robert Abbey Lamp Sale (think Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn lighting!!) Got two fantastic RED lamps two amazing white ceramic lamps with a floral design and 1 fantab white floor lamp for $125 YES! I saved hundreds of dollars!!!

I can not express my excitement!!! I love a deal and LOVED, loved, love giving the family room a little facelift! I will post actual pics when I get a chance my camera is acting up!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

Roasted Tomato BBQ Sauce

I am IN LOVE with this new bbq sauce I made last night. It smelled as good cooking as it tasted.

3 tomatoes, ripe/firm, peeled, cored and cut in chunks

1/2 sweet onion, sliced

2 T olive oil

sea salt

1 T brown sugar

1 T balsamic vinegar

1 T red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp red pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika

place tomatoes and onions on rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Roast at 400 for 20 mins. Pour in cuisinart with sugar, vinegars & spices; blend until smooth. Perfect with grilled chicken, pork or grilled Tuna Steak would be yum.

I LOVED this and will surly add this to my summer arsenal.

xoxo. Mama Bird

J’s 1st Birthday

A dear friend asked me to make her grandson’s FIRST birthday cake! She was so excited to have him, his Mommy & Daddy home for a visit and the BONUS of a Birthday  party was just too fun!!

She shared with me a great bib she found at Jenny’s, one of our favorite gift shops, it was the perfect inspiration for the cake!! I made baby j his own personal cake with orange fondant stripes and blue polka dots and cupcakes for all the family and friends with #1 in fondant and sprinkles!

I just LOVE a BIRTHDAY and the FIRST one is Super Special!! Thanks for letting me be a part of it!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

Menu Monday~ Summer Cooking

Woo- wee! We are in full blown summer and the garden is bountiful. This week my main objective is to make at least 1 dish a day using ingredients from our garden. A few dishes are some old favs and a I will be trying a few news ones as well.

I would love some of YOUR ideas for tomatoes, cucumbers, banana peppers & jalapenos. I have them coming out my eyeballs!!

Monday~ BBQ Shrimp, roasted summer squash and tomato/cucumber and goat cheese salad

Tuesday~ Perfect Roasted Chicken with Grape Tomatoes

Wednesday~ Working late (leftover buffet for the boys)

Thursday~ Summer Veggie Quiche

Friday~ Pizza Night

What are you cooking this week? Share your favorite summer recipe!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

happy fourth y’all!!

xoxo, Mama Bird

Independence Day Parade

Today we participated in a 4th of July Parade at the library! It was so great to see all the strollers, wagons, bikes, trikes and big wheels! I made a quick trip to the dollar store and voila the Decked out Hooptie Radio Flyer!!

The HIGH POINT of Jack’s Day…meeting a FIREMAN!!

How are you celebrating Independence Day?

Friday~ Pool, Baseball Game & Fireworks!

Saturday~ Family Cookout & Pool Party

Sunday~ Lake, FRIENDS, Cookout & FIREWORKS!!

Monday~ REST by the POOL!!

Have a wonderful holiday!!

 

xoxo, Mama Bird