Simple Girl

Does she look older?  Does she look wiser?  This kindergarten graduate is ready to conquer the world - as long as she can get there on her Plasma Car!  She's ready to tackle any job - as long as they still break for morning snacks!  Regardless of the economy, there will always be a place for her kindness.  First grade will seem elementary to someone who leads her peers with a quiet, tender spirit. Congratulations, Ella Pinkerella!

Well, it's official.  My baby is a kindergarten graduate. In the south, where we reside, kindergarten graduation is a big deal.   We're talking caps, gowns, ceremony, diploma, professional portraits and a formal reception. I love this free "Smartie Pants" printable from  Beth Proudfoot.   I copied it onto full sheet labels at 90% and used my two-inch craft punch to create these fun goody bag labels. Sand Pails in school colors made great gift bags for only 99 cents at Michaels.   Personalization is easy with a paint pen. We took photos of the kids and displayed them during graduation along with their favorite kindergarten memory.  Some of the responses were sweet (having the best teacher!), some of the responses were serious (Math - really?!) and some responses were hilarious (like watching a classmate dance!) The kids loved these autograph graduation dogs from Party City . Aren't they cute? ...

In just a few days, my baby graduates from kindergarten.   How quickly these years have gone!   Fortunately, my baby is in no hurry to grow up.   She delights in the wonder of childhood.   Her disposition remains soft and sweet.   Through her actions, she daily reminds me to stop and smell the flowers. And because of her, I believe I do. To see her sweet photos in Black and White, click here . To see more photos filled with sunshine, visit iheartfaces !

I took these pictures today for the I Heart Faces photo challenge.   Although the theme was "Yellow", I love how soft and sweet they look in Black and White. Ella graduates from kindergarten this week.   When I saw these pictures, they reminded me of how swiftly time goes. They reminded me to breathe deeply and delight in every moment,  because these moments come only once in a lifetime.

I've been wanting to make Cake Pops ever since I first laid eyes on Bakerella's  beautiful blog.  I even saved  a layered cake disaster in the freezer (see below),  just waiting for the right moment to come along.  (I blame it on my frugal upbringing...... waste not, want not!)   So when it came time for the kids' piano recital - I knew my time had come.  Finally, I had an occasion  to make something special and portable - Tuxedo Cake Pops! You can find Bakerella's basic cake ball tutorial  here , but here's the short story: Crumble a 9 x 13" pan of cake into a bowl  Add one tub of cream cheese frosting (or homemade equivalent)   Mix the cake and frosting together and roll it into little balls.   As you can see, my one layer cake was not quite enough.  Fortunately, I also had nine chocolate cupcakes in the freezer.  (Thanks, Martha Stewart Cupcakes Club !) The resulting combination led my six year old daught...

One thing I've really come to appreciate about Martha Stewart's Cupcakes book, is the way it attempts to take concepts and reformulate them in the shape of a cupcake.  Take these Tiramisu Cupcakes, for example.  All the key elements of this classic Italian dessert are in place - coffee, cocoa, mascarpone cheese and cream.   But wait - where are the lady fingers?  In their place, we make our own sponge cake.  Starting with a vanilla bean. Breathe deeply.  Can you smell the fragrant aroma?  I love cooking that allows me to experience with my kids the lessons that food doesn't need to come from a box.  Food should appeal to all the senses! I call the kids over and they help me scrape the vanilla seeds from the pod. The bean and seeds steep in milk and are redolent of pure bliss. Next, eggs and sugar are blended in a double boiler "until the mixture is fluffy, pale yellow, and thick enough to hold a ribbon on the surface for several second...

This week we are taking a break from faces and photographing our beautiful May flowers.  Interestingly, in the south, our spring flowers have already faded!  I could have photographed the roses or the the daffodils, but instead, I chose the Belle of my small southern yard - The Magnolia.  I love how the billowy white petals envelope the pistils and stamen, like a secret little package waiting to be opened.

Anna came home today and declared that she was going to make some cookies.    She paged through my Martha Stewart's Cookies book and selected these:  Chunky Peanut, Chocolate and Cinnamon Cookies. This selection amused to me since, last time I checked, she didn't like peanuts, peanut butter or cinnamon! We started out by locating all the ingredients.  As luck would have it, they were all on hand! I was excited that she wanted to attempt this on her own. A ten year old is perfectly capable of creaming sugar and butter..... ...  and leveling the flour! After scooping the finished dough onto parchment, they baked to a tender, golden brown! These cookies are a delicious alternative to the standard chocolate chip. The surprise of cinnamon and the crunch of the peanuts give them an edge of sophistication. And after baking with peanut butter and cinnamon, guess what?  Anna liked them! Maybe next she'll ask to cook asparagus! Chunky Peanut, Cho...

One thing I've learned about Southern Ladies - they know how to party - In Style !  And so, when my friend and party planner extraordinaire, Joy Burns, told me about a Kentucky Derby party she was throwing for friend's 40th birthday, I volunteered to take some pre-party photos so I could share them with all of you,  I mean all y'all!  (That's plural for y'all) Look at these perfectly themed glasses she had printed. They read, "Lucky in Life * Julie's 40th Birthday". These glasses will be perfect for Mint Juleps,  the official drink of the Kentucky Derby! Wine glasses are complete with jewel studded "lucky" silver horseshoe charms tied with natural raffia. Here's a look at her amazing southern-themed buffet menu: Menu Mint Juleps Arnie Palmers Wine Crudites with French Onion Dip Assorted Fruit and Cheese Platter Finger Sandwiches:   Pimento Cheese Cucumber and Cream Cheese Tuna Spinach and Strawberry Salad BBQ Pork Sliders ...