{ Like A Sir Party }

For a quick and fun get together, add a little splash of panache with some 'stache!

Yes. I think I'm clever with the rhyming.

This is a party I actually had over a year ago, just never got around to posting. I happened across the photos today, and thought, why not?!

It's very easy, and you could gather many other ideas for it, if you wanted to make it more involved. We had a TON of fun with just these few elements though.

First and foremost, you need 'staches. I got mine from a local store (stick ons) and Amazon (finger staches).

 I also had chocolate 'staches, because chocolate 'staches.

 I found the mold on Amazon as well. The little signs are always the best part. Make sure you do them :)

Add in a few party foods:

 One of the rules of the night was that you had to finish all the actions you stated with "like a sir". "I'm going to get a drink...like a sir.", "Let's play a game...like a sir.", "I'm going in the living room...like a sir.". It got to the point where if someone forgot, the whole room chimed in with "like a sir". It was pretty funny!

 My niece, being all creeper 'stachey.

The finger 'staches were a hit!

As were the chocolate 'staches, of course.

Actually, ALL of the 'staches were a huge hit...

 

and this simple party was a blast!

It was, of course, best enjoyed... like a sir!

Tina

{ Blackberry Lemonade }

Hey, hey, hey... I know June 21 is still far off, but as I watch the thermometer hit 90, I can, without a doubt, state it is SUMMER in the OH.

Our pool is open, the sunblock is purchased, and school is OUT.

Summer? BRING IT.

Like last summer, Bean has made a to-do list for the weeks ahead. We are pretty excited about it. We had a great time last year, and completed the list, less one (we never did get ALL of the River Song Doctor Who episodes watched in order of her timeline).

A few of the things on this year's list are: Watch a Thunderstorm from the porch, lay in the yard and look at stars, play more board games, try a new restaurant, see The Fault in Our Stars movie,  go thrift shopping, go to Coldstone, Harry Potter marathon,The Hobbits and The Lord of the Rings marathon, drive and see where it leads, and much more.

I feel pretty fortunate that my 17 year old son wants to spend that much time with me, so, I'm planning to soak it all in! This upcoming year will be his last year of High School! Sad momma bear.

I guess drown my sorrows in this lemonade.

Simple and beautiful. This starts with a powdered mix and ends with yum.

Whatever your plans this summer, I hope you take a moment, put your feet up with a cool glass of lemonade, and soak it all in.

Happy Summer!

Tina

See also: Strawberry Lemonade
Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

Blackberry Lemonade
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

Powdered lemonade mix to make 2 quarts (I prefer Country Time)
6 oz to 1/2 pint of blackberries, washed
2 Tablespoons sugar (more to taste)

Mix lemonade as stated on back of package in a 2 quart pitcher.

Add blackberries to food processor. Mix until pureed.

Strain through a sieve or cheesecloth. Stir in sugar. Pour into prepared lemonade. Stir well.

Stir again before serving.

Keeps about 2 days in the refrigerator.

{ Summer Treats }

Tomorrow marks the unofficial start of Summer! It's Memorial Day.

I've put together a few of my favorite summer treats for this post. I think any of them would be a hit at your Summer get togethers!

I have so many other Summer recipes. Check them out here: Summer Treats.

{Chocolate Chip Cookie S'mores}

{Rainbow Slush}

{Very Berry Trifle}

{Strawberry Lemonade}
{Cookie Crumble Trifle}

{Disney Dole Whip}

{Angel Fluff Cakes}

{Soft, Iced Pineapple Cookies}


Have a wonderful Memorial Day, and remember to remember.

Tina

{ Strawberry Cake }

I'm sorry, but I'm going to talk about Disney here for a second.

Actually, I'm not that sorry. ;)

Things are falling together for our trip with Bakingdom and we. can't. wait.

We reserved our seats at the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Party in the Magic Kingdom, our hotels are paid off, and as of yesterday, the tickets are purchased!

Something rather odd has happened too, I think my husband is actually getting excited! He told us that he's looking forward to the Animal Kingdom Safari and going to Hollywood Studios!

In just three months we will be making the long drive to Florida. We can't wait! Well, Bean and I. Hubs is coming around. I can't wait to finally meet Darla. It's going to be an amazing time. Cap all this off with the fact that we are going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter & seeing the new Diagon Alley sections! We are going to be such happy little nerds!

However, three more months. It'll go fast, but creep along at the same time.

I made cake to pass a little time. Here you go.

This is a Frech Vanilla Cake with a few strawberries thrown in. It is topped with a simple vanilla buttercream and drizzled with a strawberry sauce.

It's pretty divine.

I topped my cake with three sugared strawberries. A beautiful decoration. Delicious too.

This is a wonderful summer treat. It requires a few steps, but all are easy.

If you take this to a summer picnic/graduation party/family reunion, you are sure to get ooh and ahhs!

It took my mind of Disney for a few minutes, anyway!

Enjoy!

Tina



Strawberry Cake
by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers


For the cake
1 box French Vanilla Cake mix, plus ingredients listed on back of box
1/2 cup washed, dried, hulled, and chopped strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 F

Prepare cake according to back of box. When completed, gently stir in strawberries.
Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle sugar over the cake, if desired. Bake according to box directions.

For the icing
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups confectioner's sugar
pinch of salt
1  tablespoon heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter for 3 minutes. Beat in the sugar and salt until well combined. Add 1 tablespoon heavy cream and whisk on high for 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. If  too thick, add more cream, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Stir in the vanilla

Swirl over cooled cake. I used the "rosette" look.

Sugared Berries
This link explains it, it's easy!
How to sugar fruit

Strawberry Glaze
 2 cups berries, washed, dried, hulled, and chopped strawberries 
4 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons water
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Add all ingredients to a pan. Stir well to combine cornstarch. Heat over medium, bring to a boil stirring constantly, then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temp. You can use this way if you like the chunks of berries or blend in a blender/food processor for a smooth sauce. Store remaining sauce in refrigerator. It will keep about 3 days.

{Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Dippers}

So, I've totally been MIA. Sorry 'bout that.

In the last few weeks the Bean has gone to two proms, he was sick for an entire week, and it was Mother's Day. It's been quite a time!

Now there are only 6 days left of school, so let's see if we can get this 'normal life' thing moving again, eh?

Bean LOVES to dip cookies in milk or tea. I'll be honest, I'm not a dipper. He was joking the other night about his cookie not fitting in his cup, and, well, lightbulb!

These shortbread cookies are cut to fit into any glass or mug. Great for you and your dippin' friends!

They are a simple shortbread cookie with chocolate chips added in. After you roll out the dough, just cut into rectangles. These will never be perfect due to the chips in them, but cut them as nicely as you can. To retain the shape better, put the cookie sheet of cut cookie into the freezer for 30 minutes prior to baking.

After cooling, you have a light, crispy, perfectly dippable cookie!

Easy, eh?

Tina

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookie Dippers

by Tina @ Sugar Bean Bakers

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar (for dusting)
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In the bowl of a standing mixer, beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar together until fluffy. Add the salt and flour. Continue  beating until everything is fully incorporated and the mixture resembles wet sand with large clumps. Add in chocolate chips.

Using your hands, press all of the crumbs together in the bowl until it all forms a dough.

Sprinkle counter with flour, turn out the dough onto the counter and roll. Cut into rectangles.

Place on parchment or a slipat mat. Freeze for 30 minutes to retain shape while baking.

Sprinkle with the 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden.

Allow to fully cool.

Adapted from Bakingdom's Buttery Shortbread Cookie