Hubby’s 50th Birthday

We celebrated my hubby’s birthday a week after we got home from our annual spring break beach vacation. FYI it is crazy to plan and execute on a party for 45 people a week after you get home from vacation. It is madness!

In any case, as always I had both moms and my cousin to help. We have thrown many parties together if the years. They are awesome support.

Hubby had a fabulous 50th celebration. It started Mid-week with a Bo Saam dinner. Then Friday, his actual birthday we had an impromptu brunch at Trois Familia with his sisters, the moms and us. It was a fun way to start his actual bday. Then we had dinner for 17 at a favorite Mexican restaurant.  But really this was a lead up to his party. Saturday afternoon pool party which lead to a very late and celebratory night.

Over the next week I will share pictures of his cake, party favors, decorations, wall art, and menu. It was a great time. Happy Birthday (again) honey!

Plungers Make The Perfect Cast Gifts

Plungers make for great cast gifts. What? A plunger as a gift? Why would someone do such a thing? We did! 

My older boy was in his school production of Urinetown. He gave each of his cast mates plungers at the cast party. The plungers were a huge hit. 

We went to three dollar stores to purchase a total of 32 plungers. Check out the back of the car after the first stop. 

Check out the check out clerk. She smiled but said nothing about what has got to be the oddest sale of her career. 

We used a black sharpie to hand write on the each plungers handle.  We alternated sayings: 

“See you when Urinetown”

“It’s been a privilege to pee with you”

Easy, inexpensive, uniquely themed, fun to create, thrilling to give and awesome and odd to receive.  The perfect cast gift. 

Sometimes We Need Rainbow Cake

Sometimes we need cake! This is a tasty cake made by Nothing Bundt Cakes.  Why bake on a hot summer day?

My clever boy added a rainbow of color using candy melts and food coloring.  As you can see he did a marvelous job adding color to an otherwise very tasty cake.

Sometimes…things don’t have to be difficult to be creative.

Enjoy!

Throwback Thursday: Royal Tart Donates a Van Gough

From blog post 2010…

Announcement: Royal Tart Donates a “Van Gough”

Last night Royal Tart donated a faux Van Gough for a community fundraiser. The Starry Night canvas was 24 homemade chocolate cupcakes; the painting medium was tinted frosting. We had a great time painting and we are ever so proud of our masterpiece. I believe the lucky winner ate the masterpiece last night!

Here is a quick snap of the masterpiece. It really is made with cupcakes and icing.

Royal Tart was inspired by the amazing book: Hello Cupcake!. If you haven’t seen it check it out; it is filled with wonderful cupcakes for every celebration theme from elegant party themes to silly kid birthday themes as well as holiday themes and everything in between. There are some great spring themed and Easter themed cupcakes.

Cheers,
Trish

Throwback Thursday Lucky Charms Rice Krispie Treats

This is a post from St. Patrick’s celebration time in 2010.

The boys are so into St. Patrick’s Day this year. Everyday this month they have come home with new stories of Leprechauns, rainbows, and four leaf clovers and green, green, green.  A leprechaun even visited their classrooms. Apparently he was a very mischievous little guy–he trashed the place; threw all the erasers on the ground; broke the chalk; turned the pictures upside down; changed the desks around.  Pretty crazy sounding stuff.

So to honor all the fun this weekend for the boys (and me too), I am making Rice Krispy Treats with both Rice Krispies and Lucky Charms…because they are magically delicious and it is a St. Patrick’s Day holiday weekend.

St. Patrick’s Day Rice Krispy & Lucky Charm Treat Recipe

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
– OR –
4 cups miniature marshmallows
3 cups Rice Krispies
3 cups Lucky Charms

Directions:

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add both cereals. Stir until well coated. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares.

Tips:

For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Next time you plan to celebrate or host a party please feel free to use this recipe or change it up with Trix or Froot loops, Sugar Corn Pops–any cereal that might match the celebration or party theme. I can’t wait to serve the boys their dessert on one of RoyalTart’s pretty green plates as seen in last Thursdays Throwback post.

Maybe for Easter I will make the treats egg-shaped or use Trix or Froot Loops…so many holidays to celebrate, party favors to make and parties to host…so little time.

Cheers,
Trish

Share the Love–Celebrate with Red Velvet Cupcakes & The Recipe

Share the Love–Celebrate someone you love with a token of affection and a little party.

I was just baking Red Velvet Cupcakes for various Valentines’ activities. See recipe below.

It is a cool California-winter day and the oven made my kitchen feel all warm and cozy. It feels like a day to enjoy your home. Anyway, since I was feeling cozy and wanted to share my pleasant mood I decided to give my neighbor a call; I invited her over for a homemade Red Velvet Cupcake and fresh brewed coffee. We had a nice visit without the kids running in and out and I got to spoil someone I love with a surprise treat.

If you are baking cupcakes or cookies for your kids classes or for your family why not make a little extra and invite your mom, sister, neighbor, dear friend over to share–that’s a special Valentine just waiting to happen!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Cheers,

Tricia

RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Cupcakes

 Ingredients:

• 3 ¾ Cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ cups sugar
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 ¼ cups vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 1 ½ teaspoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-1 oz bottle red food coloring

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with cupcake liners.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda & salt.  Add lightly beaten eggs, buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract and red food coloring to dry ingredients.  Mix ingredients until combined.  Place cupcake liners into muffin/cupcake pan.  Divide batter evenly between cupcake liners.  Bake for 25 minutes or until a tester inserted near center comes out clean.  Let cool in pan 10 minutes.  Remove cupcakes from pans and cool completely on wire racks.  Frost with cream cheese frosting. Garnish with additional crumb, if desired. (Recipe doubles)

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups cream-cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1-2 pound package confectioners’ sugar
• Pinch of salt

Directions

In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer until creamy.  Beat in vanilla extract.  Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar.  Add pinch of salt.  If frosting is too stiff (is too stiff possible?), add warm water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Frost cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.