Sweet Shoppe Here We Come

The countdown is on for Briar's Big Birthday Extravaganza.

Everything (except a clean house) is in place to transform our hacienda into a Sweet Shoppe. Now the only question remains can I stop making birthday banners, cupcake toppers, lollipop favors, tissue paper pom-pom and birthday tutu's. I guess time will only tell.

Fun at the Zoo

Actuary Exam 6 (of 9) is five weeks from now, and since my oh-so-smart husband can ONLY function under pressure the cram session has begun. Whoo-Hoo! The only thing that gets me through the months of April and October is my sweet friend Lucie. Us actuary wives spend our Saturday's together with the kids, doing fun stuff. This weekend, a trip to the zoo.

If only I didn't desperately need a hair cut, this would be a cute photo.

Can you see the crazy big insect? Dominik was all for it, Brie not so much.

Of course no trip to Brackenridge Park can be complete without a ride on the Brackenridge Express.
Briar loved it, just about as much as the rice rusk left on her face.

Brie even rode it without crying, we're growing up!

I can't wait until next weekend with our actuary friends, wonder what it will hold?

Gluten-Free That's What's For Dinner

It's a good think I love to bake, because I am going to be baking a lot in our future. This week Briar was confirmed to still have a gluten allergy. With her being just a few weeks shy of a year it's unlikely she will grow out of it so... While I'm thankful that Briar is a healthy little girl, I fear our meals are about to get interesting (and pricey)! Of course she's worth it, right?

Check out what is on her menu.

Breakfast
Corn Muffins and Craisins

Snack

Rice Rusks--Mum-Mum

Lunch
Rice Pasta, Lima Beans and Italian Dressing

Dinner

Corn Rotelli and Marinara Sauce

Dessert

Ginger Snaps

Birthday Treat

Yellow Cake

(One can only imagine how good that taste.)

So what's the Briar verdict after day one?

Nom, Nom, Nom

Now the question remains, will daddy make the switch to gluten-free with us?

Enthusiasm

I have an addiction to admit; enthusiasm. Often I get a bee in my bonnet and can't rest until it's been removed. Honestly I have been known to lay in bed awake for hours thinking of paint chips, paper napkins, the Ikea catalog, cake recipes and my newest focus Halloween costumes.


Which is why when I came across this Etsy store I stopped at nothing until I figured out how to recreate it. Thanks to an online tutorial and a Hobby Lobby sale on tulle, I was able to whip up Briar's Pumpkin Fairy tutu.




It turned out so stink'n cute Brie dropped her Pastry Chef costume like it was hot and request one of her own. I guess it's back to Hobby Lobby for more tulle. Now if I could only figure out how to make the shirt. Any suggestions?

C is for Caterpillar

Half Price Books Store has become my new favorite hangout, I love their children's section. While shopping there one afternoon this summer I picked up a book entitled "Salt Dough Fun". Last week I decided to open the book and try out our luck at making a salt dough caterpillar. Together we had a great time making this sweet creature and Brie helped me every step of the way.

First we whipped up a simple recipe of flour, salt and water.

All smiles from the pastry chefs.

Next we rolled out the dough. Notice Brie's "tiny roller", this was all of her own doing. Towards the begin of the project she looked at me with all seriousness and said, "Wait here, I be right back.", then just to be sure I understood she spoke again, "Just one minute, okay?" and off she ran to her room.

When she returned we were ready to roll, Brieto style.

A simple biscuit cutter helped to create our caterpillar's body.

And our tiny spatula was the perfect utensil for transferring are circular friend.

We even had enough dough left over to make some crazy shapes out of my new Ikea cookie cutters.

And my friends doubted I'd ever use them.

After ninety minutes in the oven we were ready to paint our masterpiece.

What a perfect way to spend a preschool morning with my big girl.

Of course not to be outdone,

Briar spent some time in the high chair playing with her caterpillar too.

Move Over The Tavern

As mentioned in previous blogs Rob's parents treated us to a curfewless-date night and it was amazing.

Our night on the town started at 5 pm when we left our carefree girls and headed for downtown San Antonio. We checked into our hotel, changed our clothes and walked along the river to
Boudros where we had 6:30 reservations.

The hype we had both heard about the restaurant was justified, Boudros is amazing. I indulged in the Blackened Prime Ribs--with Boudreaux butter, rosemary potatoes and roasted vegetable, it was beyond delicious. Robert had the Grilled Seafood Platter--Lobster tail with herb butter, grilled red snapper topped with a crawfish fricassee, seared sea scallops, shrimp plancha, jicama coleslaw and corn pudding, it too was yummy (especially the grilled red snapper topped with a crawfish fricassee). We even splurged on the homemade guacamole--while the experience of it being made right at your table was fun, it had way too much orange in it. While Boudros doesn't have the price tag of The Tavern, it has become my new favorite restaurant, unfortunately $100 dinner only come once a year.


After dinner we stopped at River Center Mall to get Brie a Hello Kitty sticker, enjoyed dessert at one of Paloma's outside tables and then headed back to the La Casada to enjoy our nighttime view.



The next morning we slept in, well kinda, 8:30. My excitement for breakfast at The Guenther House was too much to contain, so we were quickly off to enjoy pancakes on the veranda. Our after breakfast trip to the gift shop almost set me into shock, it was a bakers dream. Thankfully (or maybe not) Rob was able to bring me back to realty and we left with nothing. Then it was back home to our family, we were already missing them.

We really had an great time, one should probably date more than once every two years. Maybe we can swing another free babysitter for our anniversary. Thanks C&K for a great night with my beloved!

Sneak Peak Tuesday on Tuesday

A sneak peak at some of the thing in Briar's candy buffet.

Although a few are now missing since Brieto has decided to scale the closet walls and steal two for herself. Back to Dollar Tree I go!

Baking, Bacon and Babysitting

Rob's birthday is tomorrow and I've been busy making the day special. We're having BLT's tonight for dinner, a rare treat in our house. In addition I made many homemade-from scratch baked goodness.

Toasted Coconut Sour Cream Cake

A treat for him and his co-workers (I hope he sneaks me home a piece).

Chocolate Pistachio Cake

A treat for us, tonight, yes a day early!

Bakerella Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies--

Semi-Scratch, nee Gaunche (Rob dislikes chocolate frosting).

But wait there's more...No not food, but treats.

Rob's parents are in town and treated Rob to a night on the town with his babe. They got us a hotel on the Riverwalk, spending money for a romantic meal and more, along with free babysitting. I love it when Rob's gifts carry over to Jess's gifts. Thanks Chuck and Kendra!

Special Sneak Peak Friday

Sneak Peak Tuesday, is Special Sneak Peak Friday this week.

Cupcake Toppers

I'm sure when you stopped by my blog on Tuesday EVERYONE was so disappointed that one did not find a Sweet Shoppe photo. I know, I know, I'm probably dreaming, but I do have an excuse. First the power cord to my laptop died, then my parents were in town and finally I honestly just forgot.

Sneak Peak Tuesday

Can you believe that Briar turns one in four weeks? Is it at all possible? I guess time flies when your blessed with a baby that is the carbon copy of ones relaxed, easy going, low stress, love of sleep father. Whether it went by fast or slow, it's here, the countdown to the big O*N*E!!!


I really shouldn't be surprised her birthday is rushing upon us, I mean, I have been planning it for the last four months. Yes, I know, I have a problem, I just love birthday parties. Four months ago I discover The TomKat Studios and her Sweet Shoppe Party, ever since then I've been obsessed. It's been four months of Sweet Shoppe searching, four months of Sweet Shoppe shopping and four months of Sweet Shoppe sampling and now it's four weeks of Sweet Shoppe Sneak Peaks.

Lollipop, lollipop, oh-ah lollipop!

Stay tuned for next Tuesdays Photo, who knows what it'll be!