The Party!!!

Planing ,shopping, baking and decorating.....so much work goes into a party then poof, it comes and it goes. We have been talking about Cadence's Sweet 16 for months. Yesterday was the big day and it was a blast! It was a great turn out and the weather cooperated for the most part. The first couple hours were a little warm and the flies were a little intense, but when the sun started to set it was just beautiful.



These are the invitations Cadence designed for her party. She took the picture of her best model ( her sister Emma) and her friend Rudy. They dressed up in their 1950's best and sipped soda while Cadence snapped photo's. Everyone asked why Cadence's photo wasn't on the invite. She replied " I'm the one behind the camera not in front". Never the less they turned out darling don't you agree?


As her guests walked through the picked fence they were greeted by Cadence in her vintage 1950's dress with petticoat, and a bright and cheery birthday banner hand made by yours truly along with some help from the girls. I've seen a lot of these banners in boutiques and in etsy shops and I just knew I could do my own...so I did. I made one for Emma's birthday back in December but it wasn't as detailed.This was my first time experimenting with making a crepe paper ruffle.

Cadence with a few of her guests! Don't they look great?

We found Cadence's dress at a great vintage clothing store in Phoenix. I think it was called Hollywood Regency.

Here is my little Jakers sporting his Buddy Holly-ish glasses from Urban Outfitters. Is he not the cutest thing? I know I'm bias but oh my goodness...


This is pretty funny, Jake and his friend had this idea for a photo. It looks pretty realistic. The funny think is, just last summer these boys were going at it for real. They were not each others favorite people. After a little sit down chat, they are great friends. Life is funny that way isn't it? Sometimes the people you think you like the least become some of your greatest friends.

Here is Emma putting up the soda shop sign that Cadence and I made. I will post some better pictures of her once I get them from my Mom. I was too busy to be snapping pictures. Running around like a crazy lady as usual!

... To be continued... Good night world!

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OREOS!

As I mentioned in a previous entry, I am planning my daughters sweet 16 party for this Saturday. She actually is officially 16 as of 39 minutes ago! Wow, so strange to say. I let her drive on the freeway for the first time tonight. She did really good! I am so proud of her I must say she is the most amazing & responsible 16 year old I know. OK enough I'm sorry...



Anywho I started making retro desserts for her 1950's themed part. I made these "Oreos" the other day and someone was asking for the recipe so I thought I'd post a picture and the recipe for all who feel like whippin up a batch or homemade vs store bought.




They turned out really good. The fam wasnt really happy when I put them in the freezer for the party. I caught hubby going out to the garage fridge to sneak one and I busted him!

Here is the recipe.

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa (recommended: Dutch-processed)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 large egg
Vanilla-cream filling, recipe follows
Vanilla-Cream Filling:
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions
Set 2 racks in the middle and upper third of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees. In a food processor or the bowl of an electric mixer, thoroughly mix together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, salt and sugar. While pulsing or on low speed, add the butter, then the egg. Process or beat until the dough is thoroughly blended and massed together. Drop rounded teaspoons of batter onto nonstick or parchment-lined cookie sheets at 2-inch intervals. With moistened fingers, round out the cookies and flatten them a little. Bake for 9 minutes, turning the pans once for even baking, until the cookies are set. Set the cookie sheets on a rack to cool.

Vanilla-Cream Filling: Put the butter and shortening in a mixing bowl and, at low speed, gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, until blended. Turn the mixer up to high and beat for 2 or 3 minutes more, until fluffy.

With a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch tip, pipe teaspoon size blobs of filling onto the tops of half the cookies. Keeping the smooth bottoms of the cookies facing up, flip the remaining cookies on top of the filling and lightly press to form sandwiches.

Wayne Harley Brachman, Retro Desserts

I pretty much stuck to the recipe only I went easy on the vanilla for the cream filling. I think I used 1 1/2 tsp vs 2. Also I did not use rounded spoonfuls. I was much more precise. I used a tsp and I scraped the top then rounded the dough into a ball in my hand then flattened on the cookie sheet. This helped to ensure they would fit together and that they would be the actual size of an Oreo. The first time I made them way to BIG! So I had to adjust.

Well tomorrow I am going to work on Cadence's b-day banner and hopefully get some more baking done. More pictures tomorrow. That big fluffy bed is calling my name.

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The Great Outdoors

The great outdoors wiped me out. It has been a long day of mostly outdoor activities and I am exhausted! It was a beautiful day, sunny with a cool breeze!

I started my morning off by taking Jake to his football game. His team played really well, they tied the game 18/18. He loves football and he seems to have natural talent. He is begging to play tackle. However,this mom is thinking,"Why rush concussions and broken bones?"



This afternoon I tackled a gardening prodject in the front yard. It got pretty messy but it was a lot of fun! I will let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy & Goodnight!

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Me

So, this is my third attempt at blogging. I really love blogs, never thought I would, and have found myself following some amazingly talented people with very beautiful blogs. Since I'm so inspired I decided to give it another go! My blogs in the past were more specialized and I think I'm too multi-faceted to limit myself to one topic. Let's face it, I like to have my hand in a million different things.

Here I will share with you my vintage finds, some of which you can purchase on my etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/awaywegoclementine . As well as my cooking and baking adventures. I will be bragging on my family, and showing off their talents! I will also keep you posted on my gardening & home decor projects.

Welp! Sounds like a plan, wish me luck, and check back often!

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