Karlee's 2nd Birthday

I am very excited to be blogging for "The Cake At Home Mom".  I am very new to the blogging world.  I love to cook.  So, I decided to start a blog about my cooking adventures. Sometimes, I may venture out alittle bit but will always come back to what I know best......COOKING!!   I hope you enjoy my daughters 2nd birthday. 

My sweet daughter turned 2 this week.  She is a mischevious angel!  For her birthday, I pick something that she loves to design the theme around.  Last year it was Elmo, this year it's Flowers!  She loves flowers.  So, I started with her dress.  My sister has a sewing business.  Her site is http://www.satinstitchescustomclothing.blogspot.com/.  I picked out the design and fabric for her dress and she made it for me.  The colors in the dress are where I got the blue and pink from.

Satin Stiches Custom Clothing

  I wanted to be able to make everything myself.  I have looked at the Cricut expressions for awhile and finally decided to purchase one.  I made the cupcake toppers, banner, cupcake wrappers, and labels.  I also planned on my purchases of papers and supplies when Hobby Lobby had things for 50% off.  This helped with the cost. 

Oreo Pops                               Fancy Cakes

Vanilla Cupcakes with Fluffy White Frosting

Malt Balls, Mints, and Suckers          Pink Lemonade              

Cookies N Cream

Now the most important part......FOOD!  I didnt want the usual cake.  I got glazed flower pots from Walmart.  The 8 inch one I lined with Suran Wrap cling and placed a glass bowl inside.  I make a strawberry trifle.  My cousin who makes cakes and cookies, made my cookies for me.  Her site is http://www.lovincookiesncream.com/.  I placed the cookie flowers in the pot.  She also made the K cookies.  I made Oreo pops, pretzel sticks, and the cupcakes.  I also accented the fancy cakes with candy flowers.  For the adults, I made a Spicy Ranch Chicken Dip, Bacon Cheeseball, and Spicy Cheese balls.  The recipes will follow.  Hope you enjoy!

Spicy Ranch Chicken Dip

2 8oz cream cheese

2 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 rotisserie chicken (deboned and shredded)

4 cups shredded cheese

1 cup mayo

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Crystal hot sauce

3/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

green onions

Soften cream cheese in microwave, then add dressing, chicken, 2 cups cheese, mayo, sour cream, hot sauce, and 1/2 cup bacon.  Mix together well.  Place in oven safe dish and bake at 350 until bubbly.  Remove and top with the rest of the cheese, bacon and green onions.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Bacon Cheese Ball

2 8oz cream cheese

2 diced green onions

2 hand fulls of diced cooked bacon

Soften cream cheese in microwave and mix in the green onions and bacon.  Line a small bowl with suran wrap and place mixture inside.  Pull suran wrap over the top and pack down tightly into bowl.  Store in refrigerator until firm.  Turn out onto a plate and sprinkle with paprika.  Serve with your favorite crackers.

You can use this as a sandwich spread, too.  Just add some mayo or sour cream and spread on bread.