Vintage Birthday Party

A vintage birthday party  is the perfect way to celebrate an 80th birthday of any birthday!

I love everything vintage and have recently developed a fondness for vintage tablecloths so I wanted to incorporate those into a party for my mom.

The luncheon was held out on the patio in our garden.  Fortunately we had wonderful weather.  After a very rainy spring and early summer I was a little worried but the weather came through and it was almost too warm and sunny.  We pulled out the sun hats and sunglasses and everyone did fine.

Vintage Birthday Party Ideas

I also have a little collection of vintage aprons.  Since I had to use my ugly folding chairs I decided to dress them up a bit with the vintage aprons.  I used a double sided tape to tape them onto the top of the chairs.  It worked great.

For the table decor I used my blue mason jars I had picked up last year for the backyard wedding reception I helped with.

I filled them with flowers from my garden and placed a jar on each table along with a couple of old, vintage books.

The only flowers I had to buy was one bunch of hydrangea from Costco which I used in the arrangement I put on the serving table.

I also used the blue and clear canning jars to display pictures of my mother through the ages.  People loved looking at the photos!

I added some vintage inspired pinwheels into some of the jars.

Vintage Party Decorations

I borrowed an old vintage quilt from a friend to use as a backdrop.  The serving table was right up against our fireplace and there was an ugly black vent I needed to cover up.  I ran a wire line and used clothes pins to hang it behind the table.  It worked perfect.

I basically just found every vintage type thing in my house and used it to decorate with.  An old shelf from my girl’s room that was in the garage, a sign from Tessa’s room, books from the family room.  I just went around the house collecting things.

My Aunt Pam came down from Canada for the party and brought me this beautiful hat she found at a garage sale.  It very quickly became part of the decor.

I like to use signage on my serving table.  I always like to know what I am eating and besides that it looks pretty!

Vintage Birthday Party Menu

The menu consisted of three types of quiche, four salads, bread, cupcakes and cake.

I made four different salads:

Asian Chicken Salad

Sweet & Sour Salad

Corn & Blueberry Salad

Thai Noodle Salad

And two different quiche recipes. Quiche Lorraine and the hit of the party  Salmon Hazelnut Quiche

We served Pink Lemonade Cake , Chocolate Cupcakes and perfect Lemon Cupcakes for dessert.

The finishing touch was a pretty girl in a vintage dress and apron to help serve!

Since the party was back in the garden I wanted people to know which direction to go so I pulled out Daisy and added a sign to her so people knew where the party was!

The best part of the party?  Was just watching my mom enjoy herself with her friends!

Happy Birthday Mom – we love you!

Graduation Gift Ideas

A collection of fun and meaningful graduation gifts

Having had four high school graduates and two college graduates so far I’ve given lots of graduation gifts.  To my own children and to their friends.  Today I am sharing some of my favorites.

One of my favorite gifts to give a girl graduate is a personalized piece of jewelry that has a special meaning or symbolism.

When Cali graduated from high school, I gave her and her best friend Hannah necklaces.  I purchased them online through Charming Gifts.They each got an initial charm and their birthstone charm.   I then selected a charm that had a particular message that I thought applied to each of the girls individually.  Cali got a butterfly which symbolized a new beginning; “If there was no change, there would be no butterflies.”

For Tessa’s graduation I purchased a necklace from White Lillie Designs a wonderful etsy shop that has lots of beautiful jewelry that is perfect for the graduate.

White Lillie has offered a special discount coupon for readers of my blog.  If it 15% off the entire site, with coupon code Homebased15.  She has so many beautiful things so be sure and head over and do a little shopping for yourself or for a graduate you may know.  I love the piece she has with the Dr. Seuss quote on it!

To go along with the necklace I also created a poster with lots of motivational “key” quotes.

You can download a copy of the poster by going here.

I love motivational art/posters.  It is a perfect thing for them to decorate their dorm room with.  A piece I gave to Cali is this fun piece from Brian Andreas at Storypeople.  They also have a version for a son as well as lots of other great motivational pieces.

Etsy is a great source for lots of fun motivational art.  I purchased this print for Tessa before she left for college and framed it for her to hang in her dorm room.  Didn’t want her to forget her family!  Purchased from this etsy shop.

Another favorite gift, especially for boys since they don’t like the jewelry thing too much is a good motivational book. One of my very favorites to give and a book I recommended before is The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.  Every graduate should read this book – everyone should read this book.

Another favorite book to give to graduates is Just Who Will You Be by Maria Shriver.

Another gift I have given my children, one that takes a little more work and planning is a Graduation Quilt.  When my girls graduated from high school our church held a Senior Quilt Night.  The mother’s of the graduating senior girls put a quilt top together for their daughter and then all the women of our congregation gathered together and they help quilt it.

I love the tradition and it is a wonderful way to wrap the girls in love as they head off to college.

Cali’s quilt

Tessa’s Quilt

I have also started the tradition  of making my children a quilt when they graduate from college.  Each of the boys have received their quilts and I have another year to get Cali’s done!

Logan’s College Quilt Clark’s college quilt

 I have also created a special memory book for each of my girls (got the idea too late to do it for my boys.)  I used the poem  “Did I Tell You?” by Elizabeth Knapp and found pictures to go along with the words to the poem.  It’s a tear jerker!  I created it in a digital book and then had it printed.  If you’d like to see Tessa’s complete book you can go here to view it.  You will need to create a log in to view it.

And of course, like I mentioned yesterday, cash is always a great gift for the graduate.  I don’t know a graduate who wouldn’t love it but sometimes I enjoy giving a little more personalized gift.  Hope you enjoyed some of today’s suggestions.  Do you have a favorite graduation gift to give?

Lemon Foldover Coffee Cake

CourseBreadPrep Time2 hours 30 minutesCook Time25 minutesTotal Time2 hours 55 minutesServings18 piecesAuthorLeigh Anne Wilkes

Ingredients

• 1/2 C warm water 105-115degrees F
• 1 pkg active dry yeast 2 1/4 tsp
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 C buttermilk room temperature
• 1/3 C granulated sugar
• 1/4 C butter melted
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 1/2 to 4 C all purpose flour
• 1/2 C sugar
• 3 Tbsp lemon zest
• 1 Tbsp orange zest
• 1/2 C lemon curd
• 1/4 C butter melted
• Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze
• 2 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1 Tbsp milk or whipping cream
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

• Add yeast to warm water and allow to stand for 10 minutes or until foamy.
• Lightly beat eggs and add eggs, buttermilk, 1/3 C sugar, 1/4 C melted butter, vanilla and salt to yeast mixture.
• Beat in 2 1/2 C flour wtih a mixer on low. Beat for 5 minutes.
• Add in as much remaining flour as needed to make a soft dough, will be slightly sticky.
• Cover and let rise in warm place until double in size, about 1 hour.
• Combine 1/2 C sugar, lemon and orange zest and stir to release the oils from the zest.
• Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil and grease.
• Punch dough down and put on a lightly floured surface and roll into a 18 x 12 inch rectangle.
• Cut into 18, 4 x 3 inch rectangles. Spoon a rounded teaspoon of lemon curd into the center of each and then fold over into a triangle, seal edges.
• Place triangles in prepared pan with point sticking up. Make sure edges are sealed.
• Drizzle with 1/4 C melted butter and sprinkle with sugar mixture.
• Cover and let rise in warm place until double in size (about 30 minutes)
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden.
• Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes
• Remove from pan by lifting foil.
• Make cream cheese glaze by combining cream cheese, 1 Tbsp milk, 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp vanilla. Beat until smooth
• Add in 1 1/4 c powdered sugar or more if needed to create a nice drizzling consistency.
• Drizzle coffee cake with glaze.

2021 Birthday Kitchen Aid Giveaway *Ended*

For the last several years I have given away a Kitchen Aid on my birthday and guess what!? Today is my birthday and I’m giving away my favorite kitchen appliance to one of you again!

You may or may not remember but last year was kind of a big birthday for me – one of those that ends in a zero! And what a year it was. When I celebrated in January I never would have imagined what was to come in 2020 or that it would be the last party we would have that year! it is definitely a year to remember.

Despite the craziness of 2020 it was a good year and I am lucky enough to have the gift of a birthday this year and in honor of my birthday I am giving you a gift!  Giving gifts is one of my love languages and I must admit receiving gifts is also one of them but today I’m giving one of you one of my very favorite things which is a 5 qt. Kitchen Aid Mixer (color of your choice).  I use mine every day and love, love, love it.

This giveaway is not sponsored by anyone but me.  It is my gift to you.  I have been so blessed that I just wanted to take the opportunity to share the blessings with someone else.  This blog started out on a whim and has now grown to be such an amazing blessing to my family and I couldn’t have done it without all of you.  This blog wouldn’t exist without you!

*The Giveaway Has Ended*

2020 Book List

My 2020 Book List isn’ as long as most other years. I only read 19 books in 2020. You would think during a world wide pandemic I would have read more but instead I watched a lot of British TV.

I am a big historical fiction fan so you will find a lot of that on my book list 2020.

Book List 2020

Atomic Habits by James Clear. Great book to start the year off with if you are looking to establish some new habits and reach some goals. Love the simple, doable approach.

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates. A beautifully written book that deals with the horrors of slavery along with the fantastical. Our book club loved it.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson I loved this book and learning about a group of people I knew nothing about. A story about the importance of compassionate human connection made by the packhorse librarians.

The Things We Cannot Say by  Kelly Rimmer A powerful WWII novel that follows a woman’s urgent search for answers to a family mystery that uncovers truths about herself that she never expected.

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. A great book if you want to live a more creative life and over come the fear of expressing your creativity.

The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant This was probably my least favorite book I read this year. Story of a young Jewish woman growing up in Boston in the early 20th century.

The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes Another story of the pack horse librarians in Kentucky. A nice followup to Book Woman of Troublesome Creek.

Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon. I really enjoyed this book. Another WWII historical fiction – the story of spy Nancy Wake who became one of the most decorated women in WWII.

Cilka’s Journey by Heather Morris

Book 2 of the Tattooist of Auschwitz. A true story of love and resilience.

The Little Shop of Found Things  by Paula Brackston

A little magic, a little romance – a perfect combo. Xanthe has always had an affinity with some of the antiques she finds. When she touches them, she can sense something of the past they come from and the stories they hold.

The Flight Girls by Noelle Salazar

 A powerful tale of courage and sacrifice by the Women Airforce Service Pilots during WWII

Secrets of The Chocolate House by Paula Brackston

Second of the Found Things Series. More magic, romance and a little danger.

The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

Lovely book, well written. A portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern.

Book List 2020

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by by Gail Honeyman

This was a gift from a friend and not the normal kind of book i usually read but I found it quite delightful! An eccentric and quirky character and a story about the importance of friendship and human connection.

All the Devils are Here by Louise Penny

The newest book in one of my all time favorite series, Inspector Gamache murder mystery!

Manderley Forever by  Tatiana de Rosnay  

A biography of Daphne du Maurier. A glimpse into the life of the famous author. If you are a Rebecca fan you will enjoy.

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Loved this book. I listened to it and it was narrated by Tom Hanks which was delighful to listen to. The story explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go.

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate

The dramatic story of three young women searching for family amid the destruction of the post–Civil War South, and of a modern-day teacher who learns of their story and its vital connection to her students’ lives.

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab

A story of what happens when you make a deal with the devil.

Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Recipe

These chocolate sandwich cookies are light, full of chocolate and so fun to eat.CourseCookiesCuisineAmericanPrep Time1 hourCook Time10 minutesTotal Time1 hour 10 minutesServings24 cookiesCalories144kcalAuthorLeigh Anne Wilkes

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 6 oz milk chocolate chips
• 3 Tbsp butter softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla

Milk Chocolate Sour Cream Frosting:

• 3 oz. milk chocolate chips
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup sour cream can also use milk or whipping cream
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Cookies:

• In a small pan heat and stir chocolate over low heat until melted or melt slowly in microwave.
• In a medium bowl beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds.
• Add in sugar and beat until fluffy.
• Add in melted chocolate, egg and vanilla.
• Slowly add in flour, baking powder and salt.
• Divide dough into two portions and roll into a log, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 20-30 minutes or until dough is firm enough to handle.
• Can also chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease.
• Cut rolls into 1/4 inch slices and place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet.
• Bake for 8-9 minutes or until edges are set.
• Cool on sheet and then transfer to wire rack.

Frosting:

• In a medium pan combine milk chocolate chips and butter and heat, stir over low until melted. Cool for 5 minutes.
• Gradually add in powdered sugar and milk until desired consistency.
• Spread frosting on the bottom side of one cookie. Top with remaining cookie.
• Makes about 3 dozen cookies

White Chocolate Peppermint Pretzels

All you need is three ingredients to make these easy and delicious white chocolate peppermint pretzels.CourseCandyCuisineArabicPrep Time5 minutesCook Time10 minutesServings12 SERVINGSCalories239kcalAuthorLeigh Anne Wilkes

Ingredients

• 4 cups pretzels
• 8 oz. almond bark or white chocolate
• 1/2 C crushed candy cane little extra to sprinkle on top

Instructions

• Melt chocolate
• Dip pretzels into chocolate, lay on a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Sprinkle with candy cane
• Allow to set up.

Pear Cake

Pear Cake Recipe

Pear Cake is delicious taste of fall made with fresh pears and a cinnamon drizzle on top.CourseDessertCuisineAmericanPrep Time15 minutesCook Time35 minutesTotal Time50 minutesServings12Calories179kcalAuthorLeigh Anne Wilkes

Equipment

• Baking Dish (8×8)
• Measuring Spoons
• Measuring Cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup Corn Starch
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup Karo® Light Corn Syrup
• 3 tablespoons Oil corn, canola or vegetable
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups chopped peeled pears
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

GLAZE: (optional)

• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 teaspoons milk
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Whisk sugar, buttermilk, egg, egg white, corn syrup, oil and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually stir in flour mixture until smooth. Fold in apples. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking pan.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack.

GLAZE: Combine powdered sugar and milk; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake, if desired.

Football season is a favorite at our house not just because of the game but because of the food!  Tailgate Snacks are required whether we are watching from home or at the stadium and fruit salsa is a favorite.

I am married to a HUGE sports fan and one of his favorites is college football. In fact, our first date was to a college football game where he very patiently explained to me everything that was happening on the field and I pretended to be interested! It wasn’t until after we were married that he discovered that my favorite thing about sports was the food.

Whether we are watching a game in person, at the stadium, or in front of the television, in our home, it’s all about the snacks and food for me.  I love a good tailgate!  Now that it is just the two of us at home and this season we will be watching all the games from home the food is more important than ever.

Tailgate Appetizer Ideas

• Chicken Wings
• Potato Salad
• Coleslaw
• Fruit Salsa
• Chocolate Chip Cookies. 

We are game ready!

How to Make Tailgate Snacks

To put the tailgate snacks together I just grabbed a tray, you could also use a cutting board and added my chicken wings, salads, fruit salsa, chips and cookies.  Game ready!

It’s guaranteed to be a good game, whether your team wins or not, when you have delicious and easy snacks to enjoy while watching.  This yummy fruit salsa is perfect for a tailgate party or any party!

Sweet Pea First Birthday

Today I am excited to share with you an amazing first birthday party that one of my blog readers, Jessica put together for her sweet one year old baby.  Jessica is also the daughter in law of a couple at church – a family I love!!

The party Jessica put together was amazing.  So much love and care went into it.

Jessica  had been told by people told that a first birthday celebration was just for her, since the baby won’t remember.   This may be true but Jessica wanted to…

“celebrate big, make a fuss, hand-make every decoration, stay up late cooking and crafting and gluing, and invite all of Annalise’s little friends and their families over. I’ve been thinking about this party, this event to celebrate the life and miracle of my angel baby girl, for months, but I couldn’t articulate to myself why I wanted such a big fuss. Then I read a post from this blog and was struck by a short quote from a mother who lost her daughter to a choking accident two weeks shy of her second birthday. In a letter to her son on his first birthday, she wrote, “Dearest Little Peter Boy, I didn’t know that your sister, Lucy, would have only one birthday. Just one. We had a small party for her. And it was sweet and wonderful. But after she passed away, I realized what a big deal birthdays are. Another year alive. Another year with our loved ones. And I vowed that I would make your first birthday a huge celebration. And we did! It was all I could have hoped for and more.” I agree. They’re a big deal and they are indeed a miracle. One which I do not take for granted and Annalise’s party was my way of expressing that and reveling in it. I thank God for my precious baby.”

I have to say I totally agree with Jessica!!

The theme of the party was Sweet Pea,which is her daughter’s nickname.

Jessica carried that fun theme through all the details of the party and created a beautiful, not to be forgotten event!

For Jessica, the name of the game was THRIFTY.  She wanted to put together a fun party from scratch without spending a lot of money. Look what Jessica did with some dollar store finds.  It is amazing what a little spray paint, glue and imagination can do!

Glass bowls and candlesticks from the dollar store become lovely serving pieces!

A little inexpensive tissue paper and craft paper and look what you have –

I also love what she did with this fun little sign she found at the Dollar Store that fit her theme so perfectly!

Before:

After:  So much cuter!

Jessica’s attention to detail was wonderful.  She printed off labels at home to dress up and personalize her water bottles.

She used utensils and paper goods from the Dollar Store but dressed them up a bit!

Add  a fun vintage store find that was originally broken and dark brown.  I love spray paint!!

Jessica then took an out grown tutu she already had and stuffed it into a vase and had an amazing party decoration

There were lots of fun pink treats and some sweet peas too!!

She even printed off some fun birthday themed artwork and changed out the artwork in her frames over the table for the party!  A detail woman after my own heart!!

As you can see Jessica is also an amazing photographer so her sweet pea will remember this amazing first birthday as she relives it through the wonderful pictures her mother has taken.

Thank you Jessica for sharing your party with us.  The love and devotion you have to your daughter shines through every detail.

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea!