drunken gummy bears

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drunken-gummy-bears

Drunken gummy bears.

I know, I know!  I said I was planning a first birthday party, so why am I boozin' up the bears?

Because it sounds like so much fun.

I had never heard of drowning your gummy bears in alcohol before. Unusual cruelty or fun adult treat? I'll go with the latter. I suppose the best part of this story is that is was my mother who told me about this. She made them for a party. They were a big hit. My surprise in the fact that she was the one telling me was overshadowed by my pure excitement in making these for my husband, an avid gummy bear eater.

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Three small packages of haribo gummy bears went into a jar with a lid. (Minus the ones that were consumed in the preparation process!) Equal parts citron vodka and watermelon schnapps were poured over the bears and then gently stirred. I used about a half cup of each. Seal up the jar and put into the fridge. Let those little bears soak. As they absorb the alcohol, replenish in equal parts. Keep refrigerated. Repeat for at least three days.

I'll update as they soak and grow!

UPDATE!

gummy after soaking

Wow!

woodland first birthday e-vite

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the big ONE! Here it is a week before the big day and I am JUST pulling together an invitation. Typically, I am one for good old fashioned mail but there is not enough time! This will have to do. I think it's pretty cute: some polka dot fabric, moss I will roll out as part of the centerpiece, and Martha Stewart makes little felt critter stickers and woodland picture corners...perfect! Time to email these out!

in search of a little red, white, & blue

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4th of july cupcakes

cupcake

hot fudge frosting

Here it is, the good ol' fourth of july. Ours is a little lacking in festivity this year so I went in search of a little red, white & blue.

I declared independence from my kitchen (it is independence day!) and headed to saint cupcake where I found what I needed.

My favorite is chocolate cake with hot fudge frosting. Suddenly the day has gotten better.

summer

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{I had a friend ask me over the weekend what I had been up to; what great things I had made or recipes I had tried. I had no response. Nothing. The sun is shining and my days are busy chasing around a very curious almost eleven-month-old that is walking (trying to run!) and busy exploring this crazy world. I will get back to my crafty, let's make it or bake it self. But right now there is nothing I would rather be doing than watching this little miss look up at the clouds in amazement, put her arms up, smile with delight and spin around only to fall to the green grass and squeal. Yes. That is where I want to be.}

Today I will eat strawberries

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Today I will eat strawberries,

juicy bites of sweet sorrow,

and I will remember you,

your short cake stature

and your kind ways.

I will remember your amazement in the very small,

your love of all things strawberry,

your deviled eggs, your mischievous smile,

and how you treasured handmade gifts and cards like pieces of fine art.

Today I will eat strawberries

and I will think of you,

your stubbornness and your independence,

qualities that have been passed on to my mother

and then to me.

I will forever imagine you gleefully shouting "BINGO!"

because that makes me smile.

And one day I will eat strawberries with little Clementine

and tell her stories of her great grandmother,

"Once upon a time there was a strawberry queen..."