Monster Momo

He proved me wrong…

Momo turned two!

Congratulations big guy… you defy death or serious bodily harm daily, but you made it… let's go big and shoot for two more!

We celebrated with a little last minute party.  Two is a challenging age for a birthday party.  He doesn't have his own friends (can you imagine a house filled with two year olds… undiluted chaos)?  Our family on both sides has bred stupendously, and all but one family lives locally.  My house would be filled with over 45 people…  love them all but I was not in a hosting mood.  So we chose to have just Grandma's and Grandpa's join us.

Now I honestly tossed this together the day before (which was filled with soccer games and other must do's).  So it's not as elaborate as other parties I've given.  In fact it was simple. 

Momo has to sleep with one of his "monsters" (ugly dolls). He tends to carry one of them around all day as well.  Sippy cup in one hand, monster in the other, and recently I've been leaving him in his jammies all day… he just destroys his clothes.  Yeah, I know… mother of the year award Rrriiiiightt Hheeerrrre (imagine a red blinking arrow, with an annoying buzz that turns on and off with every blink pointed at me right now.  Like the visual)?   We have a small collection of ugly dolls because I used to work, one day a week, and we stocked them there… they worked great as stocking stuffers, easter basket fillers etc… So yeah, we've got a bunch.

Anyway he's slightly obsessed with them.  It was clear that his little party should be "Monster" themed.  

I wanted to make LOADS of these little cuties.  But time was sparse, so I only finished three.  I got the idea from Not Just a Mommy she made these little owls that are beyond darling.  She gives a little tutorial and everything.  I took the basic idea and changed them from owls to monsters.  Then I hung them (with fishing line) from the light above the kitchen table.

Then for dessert I created these 
"Build your own monster" 
cupcakes.  Think Mr. Potato head, but edible, and with a cupcake, not potatoes;)

I made monster parts from Wilton candy chips

I drew the monster body parts on paper then placed the paper on a cookie sheet.  Take wax paper and put it on top of your drawing.  

Melt chips in a baggie or disposable pastry bag in the microwave. Clip the tip or corner of the bag.

Trace your drawings with the melted chocolate onto the wax paper.  Follow the outline first and then fill it in. Then outline again with the dark chocolate.  Tap the cookie sheet against the counter to even out the chocolate. Let it cool. Peal off of the wax paper. Voila. I did the same thing for my cat in the hat cupcakes.

Eyes

Arms

Tentacles

Fangs, Ears and Wings

Horns and Noses

I wanted to make little signs to label what monster body parts each plater had… again no time.
Here are a few of the Monster results…
(Sorry they're a bit blurry)

Seriously they turned out so stinkin' adorable. 

K… so someone could take these ideas and really run with them.   If anyone does a monster party and uses either of these ideas let me know… I'd love to see what you add to it! 

Ohhh,

one more thing.

I add an easy mousse filling to my cupcakes.  I just put the mousse in a pastry bag (a zip lock baggie clipped at the corner would work) and then shove it into the cupcake and fill it up (like a ding dong).  Yum.  Just don't go too crazy or your cupcake will split.  Here's the recipe I use…

1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 cup Milk
1 Large Package Jello Pudding
Blend with mixer until thick.
Linked up to
Sundae Scoop
Tatertots and Jello
Sunday Showcase
Today's Creative Blog
These Creative Juices
Favorite Things Friday
Hoosier Homemade


I'm adding the buttercream frosting I use here, so you don't have to bother with the comment section...
2 cups solid white vegetable shortening
1 1/2 tsp vanilla flavoring
*1/2 tsp butter flavoring
4 Tbsp milk (or water)
2 Lbs. confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)(approx.8 cups)
2 Tbsp meringue powder (dried egg white)
a pinch of salt.
This is a stiff consistency. Add more milk or water until you get it to where you want it. 
*I use wilton butter flavoring.  This is optional, you could simply uses 2 tsp vanilla. Or sometimes I use a little almond. Or I go all out and use 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 tsp butter flavoring 1/2 tsp almond. 
And the "fur" is made with Wilton tip 233
Hope that makes it easier!

Spring Up

I love the sound of lawn mowers buzzing in the evening.  Kids giggling on their bikes.  Fresh air running through the open doors and windows.  My hands in the cold earth outside preparing it for life again.  The world is waking up. 

Welcome spring… I've missed you.

I also love…

My grill.

I would grill over baking, sautéing, frying, or any other ing.  It's comfort food for me. My dad has mad barbecue skills.  I have fond memories of him seasoning, basting and hovering over his grill.  It was like watching a student cultivating his craft.   Perhaps that's where my love for grilling comes from.  

That and these added bonuses promote it even further….Tasty food, being outside, less clean up. 

Anj + Grill = Happiness

Yesterday I made one of my favorite grilled dishes.  (I actually salivate just thinking about it).   We ate sitting on the lawn in the back yard, the evening sun warming our backs, a light breeze in the air.  The Girls were kicking the soccer ball (which for some reason required them to be in full soccer uniform).  Momo was in heaven… he's free at last.  Perfection. 

Grilled Bread Salad
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 loaf day-old italian bread, about 1/2 pound, cut crosswise into 3/4-inch slices
2 pounds ripe fresh tomatoes (about 6 medium), cored seeded, and cut into  3/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grond black pepper
(FYI, the photo shows a doubled recipe)


1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and garlic.  Cook until the garlic is just turning light brown, 2 to 3 minutes.  Evenly brush the garlic-butter mixture on both sides of the bread slices.  Grill the bread slices over direct medium heat (350-450 F) with the lid closed as much as possible, until well marked, 1 to 3 minutes, turning once (but check the bread often as it can burn quickly).  Transfer the bread to a cutting board and cut into 3/4 inch cubes.  Place the cubes in a large bowl.  
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl.  Mix thoroughly.  Adjust the seasonings if necessary.  Serve at room temperature.
This tasty number is from Weber's Real Grilling

XOXO

Snow home custom for valentines is a special breakfast.  Pink pancakes, pink strawberry milk etc... However because this year V-day landed on the day of rest I deviated from the norm.  Knowing I wouldn't be going out on the town with my beau, I elected to do a Valentine dinner instead of breakfast.

On the menu....

Spicy Enchiladas and

Black Beans with Rice

For dessert...

-Raise your hand if you devour Girl Scout Thin Mints by the sleeve...

(Especially if they are straight from the freezer, the perfect way enjoy them, in my opinion)

-Raise your hand if you love ice cream...

-Raise your hand if you consider chocolate a food group...

Is your hand still up?

Then you will La La Love this...

Thin Mint Ice Cream Mud Pie

We have a little family recipe blog.  Just click on your desired dish and by the power of internet linking it will whisk you away to the recipe.  In other words I'm just too lazy to post each one twice.

After dinner we exchanged Valentines.  The girls set up a game of hot or cold for us to find the valentines they had made for us.

Here was Scooters.

How cute is that?  

Then after the exchange, Ride had prepared a program. 

This is something that goes down at our home at least 5 evenings of the week.  Before she can retire to bed Ride dances for us.  She pretends she is on SYTYCD.  Oddly enough, Ride is our shy one.  But she has no reservations presenting her sweet moves on the living room floor... I mean stage.  She has me introduce her and everything.  (I possess neither the short skirts nor the legs to properly portray Cat Deeley.  And my attempt at an British accent is laughable). 

 I remember mimicking a certain dance show at her age.  I clearly recall stating that when I grew up I wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.  My mom pointed out that their attire was "not nice."  Which was true, they loved their high cut leotards in the 80's.  However my 5 year old eyes didn't notice that.  These dancers dazzled... strutting to the trendiest music around, and they did it all in gold high heels.  Mesmerizing.  

We recorded Rides performance, but J said if I posted it she may never forgive me.  I argued that I doubted that my blog would be around when she would be old enough to care.  But I still gave in... perhaps one day I'll post it.  Instead, for those of you who would like to dance down memory lane with me, enjoy...

Pure awesome!