Valentine's Day Party 2012

This year's Vday Party post is less about cupcakes and party displays, and more about love.

Everything was different this year. We had to change it from Saturday afternoon to Friday evening, which meant instead of an entire morning, with my husband's help, to decorate, pipe frosting, etc., I had Friday to do it. Alone.

Or so I thought.

I woke up Friday morning feeling grumpy, lethargic, a little sick, and apathetic. My house was a wreck and Carter was a grumpy disaster. I'm pretty sure I snarled something nasty as Taylor left for work, which left me feeling even worse.

It took a shower and an apology text to Taylor to start feeling more like myself. I had a party to put on. Now was not the time to loaf!

I got to work rolling out heart shaped sugar cookies, setting butter out to soften, arranging cake plates. But with a grumpy babe, it was slow going and discouraging.

Then, without a word from me--nary an emergency flare nor a smoke signal--the rescue artillery started rolling in.

First it was my friends, who are also my visiting teachers, Jessie and Melanie. They stopped by with a smoothie. Lemon Bliss--my favorite.

Next it was a text from Emily, who I knew wasn't going to make it that night.

'How are you feeling about tonight?'
'oh fine,' I replied.

'I'm going to get H in a few mins, want me to come out there and help ya get ready?'

'I'd love that if you really could.'

'We'll be there there at 3:00.'

Em swept in at 3:00, as promised, and made everything seem possible. She washed dishes, swept my floor, frosted cookies, held the baby, and chatted with me like only an old friend could. (We covered all topics--from politics to babies to 'would you ever get a boob job?' It was awesome.) When she loaded her children up to leave, I felt so happy. So much more than the physical support of sweeping up the crumbs from my kitchen floor, her visit was such a boon to me emotionally. It left me energized and excited, for the first time all day.

And the love kept pouring in. My friend, Stacey, swung by to pick up the chocolate chip cookie dough to bake at her house. Taylor arrived home from work an hour and a half early to help me! He came bearing dozens of cupcakes--all of which my sil, Melissa, had baked for me. And then Jessie called. "How about I come over and pick up your kids? I'll feed them so you can get everything set up without the mess or worry of dinner."

Can you feel the love?

I mean, it wasn't like I was on my sick bed or had a real emergency. It was a party. But these acts of service came from my beloveds who know how important this this tradition is to me. Valentine's Day was seriously living up to its meaning.

By the time the guests arrived at 6:30, everything was clean, set up, and perfect. I felt more calm than I ever have at the start of a party. We had a great time. The children gobbled up treats, than headed upstairs to make mayhem of the toy room. The adults relaxed in the living room. It was mellow and festive and lovely.

Unlike most years, I didn't take many photos. With the party in the evening, the lighting for photos was obviously terrible, so I was unmotivated. The menu was similar to last year. We had:

*Chocolate chippers with milk shots

*Mini lemon cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting and raspberries atop

*Taylor's homemade Ding Dongs (so much better than Hostess!)

*Heart shaped sugar cookies in every color of the rainbow (holy smokes, these were the hit!!)

You know, I think about Cookie every day. On Valentine's Day I was in tears because our mailbox is in a large lock-box with everyone else in the neighborhood, so I had nowhere to leave some chocolates for the mailman.

Cookie's mother, Rose ('Old Nana') passed away yesterday. She was about to turn 100 in March. I felt sad that she didn't quite make it to the centurion mark, but I'm certain she's thrilled right now. And I know Cookie is, too. Love to my 'family' in Ohio. Life without Old Nana will not be the same.

XOXO,

anne

Crayon you be my valentine?

I've been obsessed with making my own crayons for a year or so, and Valentine's Day 2012 motivated me to buy the molds and jump in. We bought 3 kinds of silicone molds (they're chocolate molds) on Amazon--hearts, dinos, and the Alphabet.

Essentially all you have to do is peel the labels off all of your gross, stubbly crayons (you know you have buckets of 'em), and put them in the molds. We like to group like colors together. That way, you get a pretty harmonious marbled effect, instead of a crayon that looks like mixed up playdoh (you know what I'm talking about. Blech.). About 10 minutes in a 250 degree oven, then let the wax cool and pop them out. Super easy, but wow! I am in love with the outcome! (Note: It can be longer than 10 minutes (and in the case of the dinos and letters we needed longer and had to keep adding crayons so there would be enough wax), but you start to lose your marbled effect after that point.)

So I saw some crayon hearts floating around pinterest, and decided to make valentine crayons for Blaine's Kindergarten class. The fun thing is that he was totally into it, so it really became a family project, not just Mom doing something cute (you know what I'm talking about). In the meantime, I had recruited design help from Emily Yates, Design Goddess (I just named you that, Emily, how do you like it?). She created the darling labels. So, in the end, we gave hearts to the girls, dinos to the boys, and letters for the teacher and her aide--Mrs. B. and Mrs. Q.

Aren't they so fun?! We were thrilled with them and can't wait to use them in later years with the other boys. And I have all sorts of ideas swirling in my head now that I can make my own crayons...

As for me, I made my valentine a few little heart notes, and stuck them to the wall with red polka-dotted washi tape. They were mostly sentimental, with a little steamy mixed in.

Re-cap of V-day Party 2012 soon!

xo,

anne

Love Month + an Invitation

Goodbye dreary, gray, everyone-in-my-family-was-sick January. Hello, February!

Did you know that I host a Valentine's Day celebration every year at the blue house? It's maybe my favorite annual tradition. (See my past parties here: 2011, 2010, 2009) This annual party was inspired by my darling friend, Cookie (see here and here).

This year, I really want to include everyone I can. So here's the deal. Do you live locally? Do you want to come party with us on Friday, February 10th, at 6:30 pm? We would love you to come. It's quite casual--an open house, really. Just sweets and playing and chatting.

I know it seems silly to post this invite on the blog, and I don't want anyone to feel not special for not getting a phone call or something. But I'm terribly afraid of forgetting someone or anyone feeling left out. If you'd like to come, please leave a comment or send me an email (amcropperATgmailDOTcom) so I can make sure to bake enough goodies! And, if you're not local, want to make a trip to Valentine's Day Mecca (AKA the blue house)? You're invited, too! (After all, my awesome sister-cousin, Christina brought her whole family to my party last year--all the way from Seattle. I felt so special. Granted, they happened to be on their way to Disneyland...)

Happy Love Month!

XOXOXO

anne

the swirling thoughts in my head

(before the haircut. that chair is sickening. i love that blaine is obsessed with Berenstain Bears. how could i be so ungrateful?)

It is 11:23 and I'm still in my green sweats and gray hoodie. I have my fuggs on, too, because I had to go outside to take some photos of our new camelias. But I should take them off because I don't have socks on. And, in case you didn't know, stinky feet are a problem of mine. Gross.

I'm thrilled to watch my boys play together. Of course every few minutes I have to run upstairs because someone is screaming about something. But then they go back to working together on legos or putting all of the wooden animals in the mini-ark and I love it.


I need to spend tomorrow cleaning. Really cleaning. I am getting ready for cupcake party 2010 on Saturday (are you coming? didn't get a fancy invitation? that's 'cause i don't send them out. this is your fancy invitation.).


A couple days ago I was having some major internal struggles. Not feeling satisfied with my life, craving more excitement. Then I prayed and I realized that I was being completely ungrateful. I felt ashamed. I told the Lord I was sorry for my ingratitude and started loving my life again. Prayer works. Amen.


I got really blunt bangs last weekend. I'm still working on styling them. My mom says, 'whatever you like.' Taylor says, 'whatever you like.' You know what that means. ;)


Yesterday I helped Emily design her living room. I gotta say, I think all the HGTV and Better Homes and Gardens is paying off, because I think it was a major success. Very cozy layout. High five, Em!


Yesterday was spent muchly in preparation for a big etiquette dinner with the youth in our church. They all looked so darling in their 'dressy casual.' Taylor and I are chaperoning a dance for our valentine's date, and you know what? We love it.


I have finally started making my bed every day. Whoa. It really does make a difference--I am converted.


OK. I have a pennant banner to sew and I need to go for a run. I'll probably watch an old episode of Glee while I run. As always. (Do you think I could guest star on Glee? Maybe?)


happy thursday.
xo

I love Project Runway

Sometimes inspiration hits. Like when I was thinking about a 'modesty' fashion show for a young women activity. Suddenly, lightening struck my brain and I came up with our own version of 'Project Runway.'

The girls split up into teams and had to design a modest formal.

We even had Mood Designer Fabrics. (The fabric: plastic tablecloths, crepe paper streamers, and napkins. Awesome.)


Come on, we even had a Macy's Accessory Wall! (I am still crushed that all the girls went for Jessies' shoes instead of mine. OK, Jessie has way cooler shoes than I do.)

After construction, we walked the runway. Yes, that is me in my pink, black, and yellow get-up. I got zero votes from the young men. ZERO! Crushed, again.

For any of you yw workers out there, this was a total blast. I highly recommend it.

And p.s. I love Project Runway. I love that Taylor loves watching it with me. We only wish we had watched the season with Christian Siriano! And last season Carol Hannah totally should have won instead of Irena, who is a totally rude, nasty person. And finally, I love Heidi Klum. Did you know that she has 4 children under the age of 6 and that she and Seal are darling?! Love her, love her.

It Started with Cookie

This Valentine's Day will mark 25 years since Cookie and her husband, Nazih's first date. So, in Cookie's words, "Valentine's Day is extra special."
Cookie is one of my mothers. And I am one of her daughters. A long-time friend of my parents, I had only ever heard of Cookie until I became a Mormon missionary and ended up in her neighborhood. She took care of me in the cold winters of Northeast Ohio. I taught her a bit about my faith. She taught me a lot about life.

I could write a thousand posts of what I've learned from Cookie. I could write about blending families and cultures beautifully. I could write about overcoming life's trials. I could also write about the best place to buy hummus or where to find the fanciest shoes.

But today is February 1st. February 1st! (Oh the glory of this red and pink time of year!) So today I write about Cookie's Valentine's Day Party tradition.

Every year Cookie hosts an extraordinary Valentine's Day party-- complete with lunch, a fancy cake, games, and love enough to go around. She sends out charming invites and bedecks the house with hearts. All guests are required to wear red and pink.

Fabulous, right?

So I took a cue from Cookie and adopted the same tradition. My tradition is pretty simple. I invite by email or word of mouth. And I don't even do lunch. Just cupcakes (of course).

This was Valentine's Day 2009

And I am busy planning Vday 2010.

I will do the same brownie heart cupcakes as last year, plus I'm thinking some red velvet cakes with cream cheese frosting and raspberries, and some double vanilla cupcakes with vintage cupcake toppers.

I love these. (Find them here.)

Also these. (Available here.)

I'm making 2 Vday pennant banners--one with large red pennants, one with small pink pennants. Instructions here.

I'll grab some cute plates/napkins/etc. at the dollar store and serve milk with the cupcakes. And that's it. For me, the fun is in the decor and the cupcakes, and the children's eyes.

Of course you can make it as simple or elaborate as you wish, but, either way, I highly recommend that you adopt this tradition. 'Cause here at the blue house, we LOVE Valentine's Day. It helps us shake the dreary out of winter and flutters up our hearts.

Hope you'll join us in the tradition! Send us pics and links if you do!
XOXO
anne

I love Sam I Am

Mrs. Cropper is getting pumped for Monday! Why?? See here.

I love my (almost one-year-old!!) babe.

Hey Dad,

Don't worry about me. I'm feeling much better! No more barfing and I don't even look like Casper anymore. Today I even ate some real food and giggled hysterically while Blaine and I wrestled around on the carpet together. Until he kished (squished) me. Then I started crying. Can't wait until you can come home and read me a story. Maybe some light reading by Ayn??

Love,

Rog

I LOVE the Oscars

Confession. I love the red carpet. I have always dreamed about being on it. Unfortunately, although my mom calls me a drama queen, I'm pretty sure I'll never make it to the Academy Awards. Dang. But I'll keep dreaming just the same.

I'll tell you what, though. As long as I'm watching from home, I'm convinced that the only way to watch is to tape them. (Some of you modern TV watchers call that TiVo, but for me, it's a good old fashioned VHS tape and I love it.) That way you can fast forward through all the advertisements and acceptance speeches by the guys who won for art direction and sound editing.

Best part of Sunday night? The musical montage, put together by Baz Luhrman (who I love) and performed by Hugh Jackman (could he be any more darling?) and Beyonce (what would you give for a voice like that?) and other peeps (CJ, if you are reading this, are you mad that I didn't just specifically mentioned Zac Efron? OK now I did.). It ended with Hugh Jackman proclaiming, "The musical is back!" which pretty much tickled me pink.

Now, for your Trivial Tuesday... Whose look did you like the best? For dresses, I've got to go with Anne Hathaway's sparkly number and Marisa Tomei's amazingly designed, tons-o-fabric-yet-slimming gown. And I think Anne Hathaway just looked great and has that timeless, classic, Audrey Hepburnish feel.

Who did you love?? (Double points if you provide us with a link!)

I love experience.

Poor little Rog is sick with a capital ICK. He has thrown up in three different carseats, on our carpet, on our couch, in sinks (when we could get him there in time), in his high chair tray (much preferred), and all over me (several times). He's gone through like 9 pairs of pajamas today. (I've gone through a few outfits myself.) He is wimpery and lethargic and heartbreaking.

And all day I've felt calm and grateful. Grateful that Blaine was a good boy all day. Grateful that I have Taylor. Grateful that I have family close. Grateful that my friend called offering pedialyte and dinner. Grateful (oh, so grateful!) for my washing machine. And most of all, grateful that I've been through this before and I know that eventually he will get better. I remember every time Blaine got sick as a baby I was an absolute mess. It was so stressful and I was always convinced he would never get better. This time around it's messy, it's inconvenient, and it's sad to watch, but I know it can't go on forever. And so I hunker down and I revel in my unusually snuggly babe.

And then I clean up more barf.

I love his perspective.

I have a bunch of stuff on my mind today. Like wondering why my boys are sleeping so poorly lately and thinking I should really take a shower one of these days. Hoping my carpet stain remover is up to the task of removing Blaine's accident yesterday from our poor little carpet fibers. Trying to remember all the things I need to do and feeling the weight of hard things in my life and moreso in the lives of those I love.

Thankfully, Blaine helps me remember to keep it simple.
Over a breakfast of waffles, cheerios, and goldfish (starch, anyone?)...

"I'm glad that I yiv in this bootiful world, Mom. And are you happy to yiv in this bootiful world, too, Mom?"

Indeed, I am.

Happy Weekend!

I love vanilla

(**Image and following recipe from cupcakeproject.com)

For as long as Taylor and I have known each other, he has teased me about my vanilla preference. He cannot understand how I could ever choose vanilla ice cream over chocolate. But I remain firm.

So when Taylor came home with vanilla bean paste to make vanilla bean buttercream frosting for Grandma's wedding cake, I knew I was going to love it. And I did. Oh how I did!

I used the same recipe on Valentine's Day, too. I am not kidding here people, this is the greatest buttercream you ever will taste.

The recipe is:
Mix together 1 stick of room temperature butter and 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar until blended and creamy. Add 1 tablespoon milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste.

Notes:
1. Obviously you can leave out the vanilla bean paste for a plain buttercream frosting. This frosting has the BEST consistency, so I highly recommend it for all your plain buttercream needs.

2. Vanilla bean paste isn't in your average baking aisle. You may have to look around a bit. Taylor got ours here.

3. I like to add more than 2 teaspoons of the paste--it's all about how much vanilla you want.

4. You probably noticed that this recipe is pretty small. For a whole batch of cupcakes I would definitely double it.

Hope you love!

I love Cookie

Dear Cookie,

Inspired by you, I hosted a Valentine's Party this year.

There were decorations,


cupcakes,


happy children,
pink shoes,

games,

and a lot of love.
The only thing missing, dear Cookie, was you.

XOXO,
Anne

And then he kissed me.

We hadn't planned anything big for Valentine's Day. I thought maybe we could get dollar ice cream cones from Albertson's or some such fun. Instead, Taylor surprised me by arranging child care and whisking me off to downtown Ashland.

Dinner was at Tabu (think new world latin) where we shared the most rico ceviche and steak fajitas I've ever tasted. We reminisced about the ceviche tacos we'd had in Mexico when we were first married and dreamed about the house we've love to someday build.

We munched our Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory avalanche (have you tried it?! A.maze.ing.) as we walked through the plaza and up to Bloomsbury Books. On our way back to the car I peered inside Prize-- the store I love so much that I want to live inside it.
Nights like that sustain us through days (like today) that are spent cleaning out vomity car seats.

And hey, I just remembered. Ten years ago he gave me my first valentine. Ten years. Holy cow.

I love Valentine's Day!

Oh me oh my are we busy today preparing for our Valentine's weekend. (Have I mentioned yet how much I adore this holiday?) I'll report next week on just how delightfully pink and heartsy and delish it has been. For now, get thee to a library with your children to read some Vday books. See suggestions here and here.

In the words of Eloise,
"Oooooooooooooo I absolutely love Valentine's Day!!"

XOXO,
Anne

I love Giveaways (and the winner is...)

Congratulations, Traci! You are the (randomly selected) winner of our giveaway! Email me (amcropper{at}gmail{dot}com) with your address to claim your prize!

I love Giveaways!

OK so I'm no DesignMom. But last week when I found a bunch of old red fabrics in my bin, I wanted to make something valentinsey. Heaven knows there is nary a holiday I enjoy decorating more for. So here I am, sharing the love.
It's a little pennant banner that spells out amore.

Just leave a comment by midnight tonight (PST)
and it could be yours!

XOXO,
Anne