and that's a wrap folks

The duty bound older cousin. It isn't easy being nearly nine in a room full of five year olds.

A balloon sword fight, a Bingo boycott, a collapsed cake and a guest in a snit over another guest's refusal to swap prizes (the Nemo lip balm for the Princess chapstick) were not part of the official party plan. But we soldiered on. The pirate clown and her live bunny were a hit. And the decorations sure were pretty. Pat. Pat.





Clementines and fresh berries were wishful thinking. Out of camera range are the heaping bowls of Ruffles and Cheetos that fueled the afternoon.

This is why I make cupcakes. Every birthday cake - truly, every single one - I have attempted has ended in catastrophe. I can't blame Martha's recipe or my crappy oven on this particular disaster. Quite simply, up until the moment I poured the batter I had two cake pans. I know I had two cake pans. But I could only find one at the crucial moment, and so the minute the cake was done I shook it out of the pan so I could bake the other layer. Don't do that. Out of eggs and out of time I actually thought I could patch this thing together with icing. Don't do that either. People might eat it but they'll also talk about you.

well hello 2008

Good-bye Christmas tree. We don't mess around here. Always a little sad packing away the baubles for some reason, but today I'm grateful to reclaim that corner in the living room, and grateful to have the armchair out of the bedroom (where I hip checked it daily) and back in its rightful place. The older I get, the lower my tolerance for chaos becomes. I enjoy putting things right. I'm not normally one for January resolutions, but who doesn't like the feeling of a fresh start? It does sort of get a person thinking.

Next up: a birthday party for my little girl who is turning five tomorrow. Last year's party, a real barn burner, will go down in the family history books (never again will I attempt to open gifts with 12 kids after they've scarfed cake and ice cream) but this year's fete will be a simpler affair with 8 friends and an afternoon of bingo. We started making paper garlands the other day. After a month of sparkly things, it's nice to see cheerful colours again.

Show + Tell

As much as I enjoy sharing glimpses of my world, I like even more getting a peek into yours. This creative and wonderful party invitation was sent in by the lovely Rita (a devoted Honeybunch customer) who is hosting a gaggle of kids next weekend to celebrate Elisa's 5th birthday. The lettering is hand-stamped and I love the Admit One ticket - so on theme and so cute. Wouldn't you be delighted to be invited? And that, friends, is what it's all about: little details like a thoughtful invitation that make you go ahhhh. Thank you for sharing Rita!

cake, party hats and a rousing game of musical chairs

Yes, it was Henry's first birthday party on Saturday. We invited a small group of little friends and family to toast the birthday boy over Devil's Food cake, Oh Henry bars and plastic flutes of apple juice. A fine fete indeed. I love theme parties too, but I usually plan my parties around colours. I can't help it. I like things pretty.


I liked the varsity feeling of these blue and red checks and stripes, so with about $25 worth of fabric I made the invitations and this bunting:




The "hurray for henry" banner is just different fonts and colours printed out on card stock and strung along a length of ribbon. Crepe paper streamers from the dollar store are a must. So are balloons.



Mmmm. Buttercream icing + apricot whip. I had plenty of fabric left over to fashion a table cover, decorate party hats and stitch up little favour bags filled with sweets for the ride home.



The man of the hour was distracted by an erupting molar for most of the party, and there were cries of foul over the winning stab at pin the tail on the donkey - not because it wasn't the closest but because the winner had already won two prizes in musical chairs and the egg hunt - but it was otherwise a delightful afternoon.

Today is Stella's birthday. My funny, sweet, and 100% original girl is four years old. The aqua/lime/Lightning McQueen-red theme is coming along. I made this to hang on the front door for Saturday's soiree. You can't have a party without a fancy-pants front door, I always say. Cupcake liners, some ribbon and a piece of flannel wrapped around a cork board, if you're curious. As you know I'm a big fan of the homemade decorations.

Happy Birthday Stella-Bella. We love you.