Liliane’s 1st Birthday!

I started thinking about Lil’s birthday theme quite a few months ago and nothing compared to a rainbow Unicorn theme with a touch of roses. A friend (that ended up having three boys) once told me she wanted to have a little girl JUST so she could throw a unicorn birthday party…so I HAD to do this if not for Lil (and myself) then for Brittney. 

Thank goodness my mom and dad came in town for the occasion.  As everyone knows, it is awkward planning anything right now, because inviting people over even if the gathering is outdoors is questionable, so…I waited until the day of to give a shout out to a few of Liliane’s friends.  Surprisingly, we had some takers.  I frantically started to prepare for 12 guests instead of 5.  Getting helium in balloons, propane for grilling, baking and decorating cookies, a cake, highchairs and tables all in one day isn’t a quick and easy thing.  I learned a thing or two for the birthday parties to come…

I found these pretty unicorn sprinkles for her mini cake

Here is the unicorn cookie cutter I have

I (and my mom helped a ton!) made this Vanilla Bean Swiss Meringue Buttercream that was out of this world!  The cake was delicious all together,  garnished with cookies and sprinkles to boot!  Here is the wonderful vanilla bean cake recipe I borrowed from Janet at Simply SO Good–just fold in some sprinkles (tossed and coated with cornstarch).

 

High Altitude Cut-out Icing Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup unsalted butter

1 scant cup sugar

1 large egg

1 ¹⁄₂ teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 generous dash of sea salt

 

 

DIRECTIONS

• Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in egg and vanilla.
• Add flour and baking powder in intervals. (Dough will seem too dry but it will improve when chilled.).
• Divide dough into four equal parts and refrigerate about an hour.
• Roll out dough between 2 sheets of waxed paper, 1/4 inch-1/3 inch thick cookies, depending on your desired softness
• Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and (ideally) place on Silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet
• Bake for 7-8 minutes @ 375°F. 

 

Despite a few of our friends and family not being able to make it for the occasion, Liliane had a lovely time celebrating with a sweet group of people–most importantly, her Mimi and Papa in from Oklahoma just to share this special time with us.  To top it all off at the end of the night, Papa and Dada even serenaded Lil playing their ukulele and guitar to the birthday song.  

Fun new random thing:

I am adding to the end of each blog post my favorite book of the month! This month it is Hillbilly Elegy.  What a great book to read at this time during all the protests for equal rights!  

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