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Tag: birthday


summer fun for one

6
August

cookie of giraffe

Coming off the worst of COVID-19 isolation, I know there haven’t been a ton of social events, but even if there were, it would be tough to rival my favorite party so far this summer!  With great company, great food, and the cutest guest of honor on the planet – it would be super tough to find a better celebration!

The occasion was a birthday party for a little guy named Owen and celebrating a first birthday was never so much fun!

Food collage

The party theme of “Wild One” couldn’t have been further from the truth since little Owen did nothing but smile the entire party!  Most children would have been fussy or afraid, but not this little guy!  Even when the entire crowd sang Happy Birthday to him, he wasn’t phased in the least!

wild one collage

I’m not including photos of the little one – for privacy concerns – but believe me; he is the cutest and happiest little guy ever!  I guess that is what happens when you have two laid-back parents – you end up chill as well!

pizza supplies

The best part of the party was the company, but I can show you a little bit of the rest – great food and a fun birthday theme!

Thanks for stopping by!

cake smash wild one

Have a fabulous weekend – hope you are inspired to host a fun, themed summer celebration!

wild one cake smash

Remember to take pleasure in simple things – like a super fun cake smash!  xo  Jackie

Comments Off on summer fun for one | food & festivities

guilt-free birthday treats

26
August

Walnut fig bars pleasure in simple things blog

A birthday doesn’t have to be defined by a cake dripping in sugary icing, does it?

Because I gave up processed sugar at the start of 2016, I decided this year I would make my own birthday treats so I wouldn’t feel obligated to indulge in a sugary dessert that might not even be my favorite taste treat.

My two favorite tastes this time of year?  Watermelon and fig…not necessarily combined, of course.

making walnut fig bars pleasure in simple things blog

I looked through this month’s giveaway book, My New Roots by Sarah Britton, to get some recipe ideas!  I decided to make the Walnut Fig Bars.  My love for figs was the motivation for this choice, but it seemed a good recipe to try out for the upcoming fall season as well.  (For a chance to win your own copy of My New Roots, click here and leave a comment.)

birthday walnut fig bars pleasure in simple things blog

I also leafed through my go-to recipe book, Clean Slate from the editors of Martha Stewart Living for dessert ideas.  This book was given to me as a Christmas gift last year and it jump-started a whole new way of eating – an unprocessed foods way of eating!   I love frozen treats and this book included a few recipes for really simple frozen treat ideas.  I chose a watermelon-lime granita to add to my birthday dessert selection!

With just three ingredients – watermelon, honey, and lime juice – what could be easier, or tastier, for an icy birthday treat!  Watermelon and frozen – a great summer birthday combination!

making watermelon lime granita pleasure in simple things blog

To make:  Pulse 7 cups chopped seedless watermelon, ¼ cup honey and 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice in a food processor until smooth.  Pour into an 8-inch square glass baking dish, cover tightly, and freeze overnight.  To serve, scrape with a fork into bowls.

birthday watermelon lime granita pleasure in simple things blog

My birthday present to myself – unprocessed, guilt-free treats!

Thanks for sharing my birthday treats with me today on Friday field trip!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Comments Off on guilt-free birthday treats | food & festivities, inspiration, recipe

ending with ice cream cake

5
August

happy twenty-four!

I sure did have an exciting week.  I went to my first BlogHer – a conference designed for women who blog and other social media professionals…over 4,500 of them!

During the course of this three day conference, I … took a dance class with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall…was addressed by the President of the United States…sang Happy Birthday to Martha Stewart… admired Katie Couric in person…and, listened to Soledad O’Brien, Christy Turlington Burns, and Malaak Compton-Rock discuss their great nonprofit works.  No wonder I am so tired!

It was an exciting three days…I was able to meet some really interesting people and attend some great social media classes.  The best part of my week?  That would be today, when my first born turned twenty-four years old and our family was all together to celebrate.

So, I will not be posting the photos I took of all the celebrities I saw in New York City…I am posting a photo of my first born son taken this weekend by his sister, documenting him doing one of his favorite activities on his birthday weekend.

And, I am posting instructions on how to create my son’s one-of-a-kind birthday cake…since, per tradition, he dreamed up the cake he wanted…

 Twenty Fourth Ice Cream Cake Recipe

  • 9 ½ “ springform pan
  • package of oreo cookies (you will use appoximately 10 oz.)
  • half gallon chocolate chip ice cream
  • half gallon coffee ice cream
  • 8 oz. bag Heath Bar bits
  • 1 container Reeses shell topping

Put a little coating of cooking spray or butter in the bottom of a 9 ½ “ springform pan.  Crush up  10 ounces of oreo cookies and spread on the bottom of the pan (you don’t need butter since the white filling provides moisture).  Soften the chocolate chip ice cream slightly and pack over the crumbs.  Next, spread the bag of Heath Bar bits evenly over the ice cream.  Your next layer will be softened coffee ice cream.  After arranging that into the pan, drizzle Reeses shell topping over the top of the cake.  Store in freezer.

Happy twenty-fourth, my son :)

Thanks for visiting, Jackie

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