The Online Series Of Poker - Multisite Poker Tournament: "How To Throw The Perfect Poker Party
Every Thursday, Stacey Stefanich and some friends go to an Applebee's restaurant to have dinner and a drink or two.
But the meal is just a preamble.
The night really starts at 7:30, when they gather around poker tables at a friend's house to best one another with a couple decks of cards and some poker chips.
Poker's popularity has exploded in the past couple of years. Chris Moneymaker, an accountant from Tennessee with only online poker experience, was a major catalyst when he won the 2003 World Series of Poker. People now obsessively watch poker on television and play online.
And poker parties are becoming more common and even a regular part of some people's social lives."
It's not just for fellas anymore. This blog talks about a lady who regularly plays with the guys and occasionally wins! Know a female whose birthday is coming up? Want a new idea for how to celebrate it? An all-girls or guys-and-girls poker night birthday party could be fun.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
October Baby's First Birthday Ideas
baby's birthday: "Fall 1st Birthday:
Purchase Anne Geddes plain note cards (the one with the pumpkin). Print on paper for inside (I understand these are hard to find)
'Our Little Pun'kin is turning ONE!'
Cake: Pumpkin cake made in a bundt pan. Frosted orange and decorated with autumn foliage (artificial) in the center. Mini bundt cakes for children with tootsie roll for stem. Serve with pecan praline ice cream.
Activity: Go to the pumpkin patch and choose your pumpkins. Have a pumpkin carving contest."
These are all good ideas. I particularly like the Anne Geddes note cards. Have you seen her astounding baby pictures? What she does with babies? Incredible stuff. Even if you're (gasp!) NOT into babies, you can't help but smile her Anne Geddes pictures.
Purchase Anne Geddes plain note cards (the one with the pumpkin). Print on paper for inside (I understand these are hard to find)
'Our Little Pun'kin is turning ONE!'
Cake: Pumpkin cake made in a bundt pan. Frosted orange and decorated with autumn foliage (artificial) in the center. Mini bundt cakes for children with tootsie roll for stem. Serve with pecan praline ice cream.
Activity: Go to the pumpkin patch and choose your pumpkins. Have a pumpkin carving contest."
These are all good ideas. I particularly like the Anne Geddes note cards. Have you seen her astounding baby pictures? What she does with babies? Incredible stuff. Even if you're (gasp!) NOT into babies, you can't help but smile her Anne Geddes pictures.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Two Birthday Stories With Great Charm!
DenverPost.com Bloghouse » Birthday story: "Birthday story
Photo by Julie Soulen / Colorado Journal
So, I was sitting on the front step, doing nothing in particular,
when Julie appeared on the road, just cresting the steep hill
about a quarter mile away. Now, this was not unexpected
since she had left on her morning walk a half hour
or so before. Also, just as expected, Dude the Dog
could be seen trotting along beside her, his tail
a golden banner in the early sun.
No, the scene was as I have witnessed it
countless times before on those days
when I am too tired or too lazy to accompany
them on that two-mile trek. What was unusual
was the sight of a big, white balloon
floating above her head. And it followed her
all the way up the road, through the gate
and right up to the steps where I was sitting.
“Happy birthday!” she smiled, and handed me her prize.
“You shouldn’t have,” I responded, accepting the gift
and watching it bob about playfully in the breeze.
“Well, to be honest, I didn’t. I found it. It was stuck in a tree over on Pete’s Road. Isn’t it a hoot!? Some little girl let it go way down in town and it sailed all the way up here and I found it!”
She was actually beaming."
There's more to this story, then goes into another story. Both are charming birthday stories well worth your time. Check it out.
Photo by Julie Soulen / Colorado Journal
So, I was sitting on the front step, doing nothing in particular,
when Julie appeared on the road, just cresting the steep hill
about a quarter mile away. Now, this was not unexpected
since she had left on her morning walk a half hour
or so before. Also, just as expected, Dude the Dog
could be seen trotting along beside her, his tail
a golden banner in the early sun.
No, the scene was as I have witnessed it
countless times before on those days
when I am too tired or too lazy to accompany
them on that two-mile trek. What was unusual
was the sight of a big, white balloon
floating above her head. And it followed her
all the way up the road, through the gate
and right up to the steps where I was sitting.
“Happy birthday!” she smiled, and handed me her prize.
“You shouldn’t have,” I responded, accepting the gift
and watching it bob about playfully in the breeze.
“Well, to be honest, I didn’t. I found it. It was stuck in a tree over on Pete’s Road. Isn’t it a hoot!? Some little girl let it go way down in town and it sailed all the way up here and I found it!”
She was actually beaming."
There's more to this story, then goes into another story. Both are charming birthday stories well worth your time. Check it out.
Collect Birthday Friends For Marathon Celebrations!
A View from Sierra County: "Edging Toward A Celebration
Counting Down the Days
My birthday is rapidly approaching, ushering in a brief season of celebration. For the past couple of decades, I have collected friends that are fellow Libras, and found ways to celebrate our birthdays together, with events stretching out at least a week on one side and the other of the actual date. One year, my friend Suzi (whose birthday is exactly a week ahead of mine) threw a killer birthday bash to ease into becoming an elder (it was her 50th)... including flying in crab and hiring two different bands for two nights' worth of dancing at a lodge up in the Gold Lakes Basin."
Now THAT'S cool--collecting friends who share your birthday month. Go ahead and read this birthday girl's blog. She has lots of good ideas and stories about birthdays.
She's a knitter. No wonder she's so creative!
Counting Down the Days
My birthday is rapidly approaching, ushering in a brief season of celebration. For the past couple of decades, I have collected friends that are fellow Libras, and found ways to celebrate our birthdays together, with events stretching out at least a week on one side and the other of the actual date. One year, my friend Suzi (whose birthday is exactly a week ahead of mine) threw a killer birthday bash to ease into becoming an elder (it was her 50th)... including flying in crab and hiring two different bands for two nights' worth of dancing at a lodge up in the Gold Lakes Basin."
Now THAT'S cool--collecting friends who share your birthday month. Go ahead and read this birthday girl's blog. She has lots of good ideas and stories about birthdays.
She's a knitter. No wonder she's so creative!
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
A Book of Birthday Stories to Savor
book blog: Birthday Stories: Selected and Introduced by Haruki Murakami: "Birthday Stories: Selected and Introduced by Haruki Murakami
Its been a long while since I've read. And though this not exactly the right time to read, oh hell... what the heck. Haruki Murakami, who am I kidding... especially when I saw it on the library shelf waiting for me to read it.
I picked it up.
I read it.
Though, this is anthology of a variety of stories all having the same theme. Birthdays.
It was a surprising book for me. Some of the stories are endearing. Some are heart-breaking. Perhaps, I've been lucky. All 23 of the birthdays I had was wonderful so far. Sure, there are some years that I wished it was better... but mostly, I was happy. I never had or could imagine a sad birthday. And one of the stories, broke my heart... The Birthday Cake by Daniel Lyons...
I can't exactly say that I enjoyed this book... for to me, I still love After the quake. It is to me, one of the best short stories ever compiled into one book..."
Everyone has birthday stories and some are bound to be sad. I wouldn't care to share a birthday with Hitler, for instance. Or have my 21st birthday be on THE 9/11.
This is a cool idea. A collection of short stories, all about birthdays, could be a great birthday present for the reader you know and love.
Its been a long while since I've read. And though this not exactly the right time to read, oh hell... what the heck. Haruki Murakami, who am I kidding... especially when I saw it on the library shelf waiting for me to read it.
I picked it up.
I read it.
Though, this is anthology of a variety of stories all having the same theme. Birthdays.
It was a surprising book for me. Some of the stories are endearing. Some are heart-breaking. Perhaps, I've been lucky. All 23 of the birthdays I had was wonderful so far. Sure, there are some years that I wished it was better... but mostly, I was happy. I never had or could imagine a sad birthday. And one of the stories, broke my heart... The Birthday Cake by Daniel Lyons...
I can't exactly say that I enjoyed this book... for to me, I still love After the quake. It is to me, one of the best short stories ever compiled into one book..."
Everyone has birthday stories and some are bound to be sad. I wouldn't care to share a birthday with Hitler, for instance. Or have my 21st birthday be on THE 9/11.
This is a cool idea. A collection of short stories, all about birthdays, could be a great birthday present for the reader you know and love.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Happy Birthday Song Copyright Protected
News Bits: Happy Birthday Copyright Protected: "Happy Birthday Copyright Protected
Taken from Snopes
The 'Happy Birthday' story begins with two sisters from Kentucky, Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill. Patty Smith Hill, born in 1868, was a nursery school and kindergarten teacher and an influential educator who developed the 'Patty Hill blocks' used in schools nationwide, served on the faculty of the Columbia University Teachers College for thirty years, and helped found the Institute of Child Welfare Research at Columbia in 1924. Patty's older sister, Mildred, born in 1859, started out as a kindergarten and Sunday-school teacher like her sister, but her career path took a musical turn, and Mildred became an composer, organist, concert pianist, and a musical scholar with an speciality in the field of Negro spirituals. One day in 1893, while Mildred was teaching at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School where her sister served as principal, she came up with the modest melody we now know as 'Happy Birthday'; sister Patty added some simple lyrics and completed the creation of 'Good Morning to All,' a simple greeting song for teachers to use in welcoming students to class each day:
Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
Good morning, dear children,
Good morning to all."
We have these ladies to thank for the melody, and an unknown person contributed the lyrics. Singing it to family and friends on their birthdays is okay, but get up on stage and warble it and you need to pay for the right. Who knew?
Taken from Snopes
The 'Happy Birthday' story begins with two sisters from Kentucky, Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill. Patty Smith Hill, born in 1868, was a nursery school and kindergarten teacher and an influential educator who developed the 'Patty Hill blocks' used in schools nationwide, served on the faculty of the Columbia University Teachers College for thirty years, and helped found the Institute of Child Welfare Research at Columbia in 1924. Patty's older sister, Mildred, born in 1859, started out as a kindergarten and Sunday-school teacher like her sister, but her career path took a musical turn, and Mildred became an composer, organist, concert pianist, and a musical scholar with an speciality in the field of Negro spirituals. One day in 1893, while Mildred was teaching at the Louisville Experimental Kindergarten School where her sister served as principal, she came up with the modest melody we now know as 'Happy Birthday'; sister Patty added some simple lyrics and completed the creation of 'Good Morning to All,' a simple greeting song for teachers to use in welcoming students to class each day:
Good morning to you,
Good morning to you,
Good morning, dear children,
Good morning to all."
We have these ladies to thank for the melody, and an unknown person contributed the lyrics. Singing it to family and friends on their birthdays is okay, but get up on stage and warble it and you need to pay for the right. Who knew?
My Chemical Romance Birthday Story
Looking for my 100 dollar bill . . .: My birthday story: "My birthday story
So, last night had to have been one of the BEST nights of my life!! Granted, the events leading up to the MOST AMAZING THING EVER weren't all that great, but the end result was SO good, that I just forgot about all of the crap I had to go through to get there.
First of all, I guess I should explain myself. . . I went to the My Chemical Romance concert last night in St. Paul. It's my birthday today, so, as a birthday present, my sister got me tickets and a hotel room for herself and me. I left Brookings about 10 a.m. and drove, and drove, and drove (withOUT air conditioning, mind you). So, that kinda sucked. But, I finally got to Shakopee, where I was supposed to meet my sister. Only to find out, that she was running behind and had NO idea how to get there. So, NUMEROUS phone calls later, we finally caught one another and set out to look for the hotel room.
Yeah. . . or so we thought..."
Shall I give away the ending? Her super treat was meeting with and talking to the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way, and he signed their ticket stubs. As she says, "But, to say the least, it was the BEST birthday present ever!!!"
So, last night had to have been one of the BEST nights of my life!! Granted, the events leading up to the MOST AMAZING THING EVER weren't all that great, but the end result was SO good, that I just forgot about all of the crap I had to go through to get there.
First of all, I guess I should explain myself. . . I went to the My Chemical Romance concert last night in St. Paul. It's my birthday today, so, as a birthday present, my sister got me tickets and a hotel room for herself and me. I left Brookings about 10 a.m. and drove, and drove, and drove (withOUT air conditioning, mind you). So, that kinda sucked. But, I finally got to Shakopee, where I was supposed to meet my sister. Only to find out, that she was running behind and had NO idea how to get there. So, NUMEROUS phone calls later, we finally caught one another and set out to look for the hotel room.
Yeah. . . or so we thought..."
Shall I give away the ending? Her super treat was meeting with and talking to the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way, and he signed their ticket stubs. As she says, "But, to say the least, it was the BEST birthday present ever!!!"
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Top Ten Birthday Stories, Plus One!
Mommy Grows Up: Birthday Monday: "Birthday Monday
My birthday is this week, so I am offering both a birthday story and a birthday top ten.
First, the story. Katie is currently obsessed with birthdays. Especially mine. This is due, largely in part, to the Dora story which she insists on hearing every night. And I mean every night. It's the Dora story where Dora goes on a trip to gather the ingredients for a recipe for her Mami's birthday cake. She gets nuts, bananas and chocolate - the chocolate from a chocolate tree which, quite frankly, I want to know the whereabouts of.
So, anyway, Katie is obsessed with my birthday. Our neighbors were strolling down the street the other day and we were chatting when Katie announces that it's 'my mommy's birthday!' And I say, well, not today, but soon. Frankie, our neighbor's oldest child who is five, looks at me and asks me how old I am. And I say, very dramatically, 'I'm going to be a HUNDRED years old!' And both Frankie and Zoe get very quiet. At which point their mother whispers to me, 'That's how old we tell them people are when they go to heaven.' Doh! So in honor of my birthday, I've traumatized the neighbor's children.
And also speaking of birthdays, I've decided that today's top ten is my top ten memorable birthdays. As usual, in no particular order."
Want to hear about birthdays? Stories of ones that went right and ones that went horribly wrong? You're in for a treat. Read this!
My birthday is this week, so I am offering both a birthday story and a birthday top ten.
First, the story. Katie is currently obsessed with birthdays. Especially mine. This is due, largely in part, to the Dora story which she insists on hearing every night. And I mean every night. It's the Dora story where Dora goes on a trip to gather the ingredients for a recipe for her Mami's birthday cake. She gets nuts, bananas and chocolate - the chocolate from a chocolate tree which, quite frankly, I want to know the whereabouts of.
So, anyway, Katie is obsessed with my birthday. Our neighbors were strolling down the street the other day and we were chatting when Katie announces that it's 'my mommy's birthday!' And I say, well, not today, but soon. Frankie, our neighbor's oldest child who is five, looks at me and asks me how old I am. And I say, very dramatically, 'I'm going to be a HUNDRED years old!' And both Frankie and Zoe get very quiet. At which point their mother whispers to me, 'That's how old we tell them people are when they go to heaven.' Doh! So in honor of my birthday, I've traumatized the neighbor's children.
And also speaking of birthdays, I've decided that today's top ten is my top ten memorable birthdays. As usual, in no particular order."
Want to hear about birthdays? Stories of ones that went right and ones that went horribly wrong? You're in for a treat. Read this!
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Marmellies Birthday Party Game
Party Game Central- Party games and birthday games for kids and adults: "MARMELLIES
Objective: A hilarious game where players try to place marshmallows with a wooden spoon while a bit dizzy.
Categories:
Relay Race, Birthdays
Game type:
Passive. Little or no movement is required.
Players:
2 to 6 players.
Needed: 2 bowls, small marshmallows, wooden spoon, oven mitts, blind fold
Rules: Take 2 bowls and fill one up with small marshmallows. Get 2 oven mitts and put them on the player. Get a blind fold and wrap it around the person's eyes and spin them 10 times. Give them a wooden spoon and they have to take as many marshmallows as they can and put them in the empty bowl in 1min. Count the marshmallows. Each player get a chance and the player with the most marshmallows in the bowl.
Submitted by: Sylvie Byrnes, Sudbury, ON ,Canada"
Great fun for a family birthday party! The kids would get a giggle watching Daddy get blindfolded, oven-mitted and dizzy, then try to move marshmallows. Makes me giggle imagining my dad doing it. Why do I think moms could do it best?
Objective: A hilarious game where players try to place marshmallows with a wooden spoon while a bit dizzy.
Categories:
Relay Race, Birthdays
Game type:
Passive. Little or no movement is required.
Players:
2 to 6 players.
Needed: 2 bowls, small marshmallows, wooden spoon, oven mitts, blind fold
Rules: Take 2 bowls and fill one up with small marshmallows. Get 2 oven mitts and put them on the player. Get a blind fold and wrap it around the person's eyes and spin them 10 times. Give them a wooden spoon and they have to take as many marshmallows as they can and put them in the empty bowl in 1min. Count the marshmallows. Each player get a chance and the player with the most marshmallows in the bowl.
Submitted by: Sylvie Byrnes, Sudbury, ON ,Canada"
Great fun for a family birthday party! The kids would get a giggle watching Daddy get blindfolded, oven-mitted and dizzy, then try to move marshmallows. Makes me giggle imagining my dad doing it. Why do I think moms could do it best?
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Five Star No Bake Birthday Cake Recipe!
cake | Full Page Printable Format: "Angel Cake Surprise
An easy, quick no-bake cake made with angel food cake,
fruit, flavored gelatin, and whipped topping. Prep Time:
approx. 20 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 2 Hours 20 Minutes.
Makes 1 - 9x13 pan (24 servings).
Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Mel
1 (10 inch tube pan) angel
food cake
1 (3 ounce) package
strawberry flavored gelatin
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
3 bananas
1 (5 ounce) package instant
vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen
whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 ounce) can crushed
pineapple, drained
Directions
1 Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces.
Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
2 Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of
water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of
pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin
in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange
peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add
crushed pineapple.
3 Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on
box and spread evenly over fruit.
4 Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to
keep the layers separate.
5 Refrigerate at least 2 hours"
Can't bake because your oven died just when you have a birthday party to host? Not a problem. Look at this delicious creation! Slurp!
An easy, quick no-bake cake made with angel food cake,
fruit, flavored gelatin, and whipped topping. Prep Time:
approx. 20 Minutes. Ready in: approx. 2 Hours 20 Minutes.
Makes 1 - 9x13 pan (24 servings).
Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Mel
1 (10 inch tube pan) angel
food cake
1 (3 ounce) package
strawberry flavored gelatin
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
3 bananas
1 (5 ounce) package instant
vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen
whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 ounce) can crushed
pineapple, drained
Directions
1 Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces.
Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
2 Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of
water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of
pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin
in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange
peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add
crushed pineapple.
3 Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on
box and spread evenly over fruit.
4 Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to
keep the layers separate.
5 Refrigerate at least 2 hours"
Can't bake because your oven died just when you have a birthday party to host? Not a problem. Look at this delicious creation! Slurp!
Kid's Choo-Choo Train Birthday Cake Decorations
"This is an oh so easy Train cake to decorate...
6 Choo Choo Train Edible Hard Sugar Decorations (see note below)
4 Traffic Signs Edible Hard Sugar Decorations
1 Happy Birthday Plaque Edible Hard Sugar Decoration
1 pkg. Chocolate Pebbles & Rocks
1 Brown Writing-Decorating Gel Tube
1 Black Writing-Decorating Gel Tube
PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT
Choo Choo Train Sugars:
The Train Sugars are shaped and colored on one side ONLY. The back of the sugars are FLAT. The Train sugars in the cake photo have been placed standing up but the backs are flat and white. A cute and impressive way to use these Train sugars!"
I was never a little boy, or the mother of a little boy, but this cake kit appeals to me somehow. If you have a train-loving tyke, can't you just imagine him making train noises as he plays with his new birthday train and anticipates eating his train cake?
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Birthday Wine Tasting Party & Wine Tasting Game!
Winerd - The Wine Tasting Party Game from Paisley Creek: "Winerd - The Wine Tasting Party Game
Item No: G150
Whether you are hosting a wine tasting party or just a friendly get together with a few close friends, this Winerd Wine Tasting Party Game is sure to be entertaining and educational for all of your wine tasting party guests. This is also a perfect gift for the novice to the connoisseur. The game includes over 300 question and answer cards, 12 bonus/challenge cards, four game pieces and a Blind Taste Test Notepad that guides you through the steps of wine evaluation. For a fun filled evening, just add your own wine and friends. Be sure to check out our guide on Hosting a Wine Tasting Party by clicking here"
What a cool idea for a birthday celebration for the over-21 crowd! You don't even have to be a wine expert. Explore your old or new interest in wines, learn something and have fun together while turning one year older. Can't beat that.
Item No: G150
Whether you are hosting a wine tasting party or just a friendly get together with a few close friends, this Winerd Wine Tasting Party Game is sure to be entertaining and educational for all of your wine tasting party guests. This is also a perfect gift for the novice to the connoisseur. The game includes over 300 question and answer cards, 12 bonus/challenge cards, four game pieces and a Blind Taste Test Notepad that guides you through the steps of wine evaluation. For a fun filled evening, just add your own wine and friends. Be sure to check out our guide on Hosting a Wine Tasting Party by clicking here"
What a cool idea for a birthday celebration for the over-21 crowd! You don't even have to be a wine expert. Explore your old or new interest in wines, learn something and have fun together while turning one year older. Can't beat that.
Monday, September 26, 2005
PICTURE PERFECT PARTY WRAPS: Use CHOCOLATE to Promote Your Business
PICTURE PERFECT PARTY WRAPS: Use CHOCOLATE to Promote Your Business: "*Financial Planners: Your clients' needs and situations change over time. Quite often, calling their financial planner isn't a priority - until they hear from their financial planner! Send a personalized chocolate birthday card to your clients that also serves as an invitation for your clients to call you to discuss changes in their financial strategies. Again, people who get lovely little surprise gifts for their birthday tell others about it - and who it was from!"
This is actually a pretty nifty idea. There are lots of suggestions for how to create a memorable impression on potential clients of many businesses. And using a chocolate bar wrapped with your info to hand out along with your business card--beauty!
What's this got to do with birthday ideas? If you're a party planner, what could be more perfect than a chocolate bar with your personalized wrapper?
This is actually a pretty nifty idea. There are lots of suggestions for how to create a memorable impression on potential clients of many businesses. And using a chocolate bar wrapped with your info to hand out along with your business card--beauty!
What's this got to do with birthday ideas? If you're a party planner, what could be more perfect than a chocolate bar with your personalized wrapper?
Multicultural Children's Birthday Party Gear
UzuriKidKidz.com | Multicultural Children's Party Supplies & Accessories: "Welcome to the Uzuri Kid Kidz' website. Uzuri Kid Kidz offers today's consumers multicultural children's party supplies and accessories that represent kids' dreams and activities. Our unique selection of products will not only delight your child, but will guarantee their party is the talk of the neighborhood.
The Uzuri Kid Kidz line is made up of many loveable characters, including sisters, Penny and Pepper, the ballerina detectives. Friend, Dancing Wendy is another Uzuri Kid who will make choosing just one, hard to do!"
These folks say, "We think all kids are beautiful." They have two ballerina detectives, a boy basketball player and other characters on their birthday supplies and accessories. Cute stuff!
The Uzuri Kid Kidz line is made up of many loveable characters, including sisters, Penny and Pepper, the ballerina detectives. Friend, Dancing Wendy is another Uzuri Kid who will make choosing just one, hard to do!"
These folks say, "We think all kids are beautiful." They have two ballerina detectives, a boy basketball player and other characters on their birthday supplies and accessories. Cute stuff!
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Virtual Birthday Coconut Cake?
Moon Stars and Paper: "Happy Birthday An!!!!!!! Here is a picture of your birthday cake!!!!! Hope you have a great day!!! I Love You!!!!!!!!
Here is the recipe for An's Coconut Birthday Cake
Coconut Cake"
If you're into coconut cake, click this link for a recipe that's sure to please. What I don't understand is, did the birthday girl get to EAT her cake? Or did she just get to SEE it? No calories if you're just looking!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Like Wine For Chocolate Birthday Cake Recipe
Chocolate & Zucchini: Announcing WBW13: Like Wine For Chocolate: "Melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Cake
- 200g (2 sticks minus 1 Tbsp) butter
- 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate
- 200g (1 C) sugar
- 4 eggs
- a rounded tablespoon of flour
Note: like all dark chocolate cakes, this cake is best made a day ahead (or at least in the morning if you serve it for dinner).
Pre-heat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper (no need to if you're using a non-stick pan).
Melt together the butter with the chocolate (in a double-boiler or in the microwave slowly and for just a few seconds at a time, blending with a spoon between each pass). Transfer into a medium mixing-bowl. Add in the sugar, stir with a wooden spoon and let cool a little. Add in the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. Finally, add in the flour and mix well.
Pour the dough into the pan, and put into the oven to bake for 30 minutes. Turn the oven off but leave the cake inside for another ten minutes, then put the pan on a cooling rack on the counter to cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and take it out about an hour before serving."
Here's a chocolate cake so rich it's like a brownie. Served with wine, it's decadent enough for any adult birthday party.
- 200g (2 sticks minus 1 Tbsp) butter
- 200g (7 oz) dark chocolate
- 200g (1 C) sugar
- 4 eggs
- a rounded tablespoon of flour
Note: like all dark chocolate cakes, this cake is best made a day ahead (or at least in the morning if you serve it for dinner).
Pre-heat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper (no need to if you're using a non-stick pan).
Melt together the butter with the chocolate (in a double-boiler or in the microwave slowly and for just a few seconds at a time, blending with a spoon between each pass). Transfer into a medium mixing-bowl. Add in the sugar, stir with a wooden spoon and let cool a little. Add in the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition. Finally, add in the flour and mix well.
Pour the dough into the pan, and put into the oven to bake for 30 minutes. Turn the oven off but leave the cake inside for another ten minutes, then put the pan on a cooling rack on the counter to cool completely. Cover with plastic wrap, refrigerate, and take it out about an hour before serving."
Here's a chocolate cake so rich it's like a brownie. Served with wine, it's decadent enough for any adult birthday party.
What You Eat = Birthday Blues?
Chef Ann Cooper's Blog... » You Do What You Eat: "Sugar’s Not the Only Problem
Indeed, the study proves what every parent already knows. Serve soda and
candy at a children’s birthday party and you’ll get loud, hyperactive
behavior followed by tears and tantrums. It works like this: Blood-sugar
levels jump suddenly after you eat sugar, which initially gives you a
burst of fresh energy. But then your blood sugar falls, and you become
lethargic and sleepy. In an attempt to prevent blood-sugar levels from
falling too low, your body produces adrenalin, which makes you irritable
and explosive.
But sugar can’t be the only problem. After all, high blood-sugar levels
mainly have a short-term effect on behavior, while the research of
Schoenthaler and Gesch indicates changes over a longer period. They
suggest it is much more important that you get the right amount of
vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids because these substances
directly influence the brain, and therefore behavior."
Here's a fascinating article on what a radical difference good nutrition makes in reducing violence, of all things. We've all been to the kind of children's party represented above. Swap out some of the sugar for a healthier alternative and you may host a truly enjoyable party for everyone. Good to know!
Indeed, the study proves what every parent already knows. Serve soda and
candy at a children’s birthday party and you’ll get loud, hyperactive
behavior followed by tears and tantrums. It works like this: Blood-sugar
levels jump suddenly after you eat sugar, which initially gives you a
burst of fresh energy. But then your blood sugar falls, and you become
lethargic and sleepy. In an attempt to prevent blood-sugar levels from
falling too low, your body produces adrenalin, which makes you irritable
and explosive.
But sugar can’t be the only problem. After all, high blood-sugar levels
mainly have a short-term effect on behavior, while the research of
Schoenthaler and Gesch indicates changes over a longer period. They
suggest it is much more important that you get the right amount of
vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids because these substances
directly influence the brain, and therefore behavior."
Here's a fascinating article on what a radical difference good nutrition makes in reducing violence, of all things. We've all been to the kind of children's party represented above. Swap out some of the sugar for a healthier alternative and you may host a truly enjoyable party for everyone. Good to know!
Monday, August 29, 2005
Celebrating A Twentieth Birthday with Egyptians in Pajamas!
digging for mummies and other fun stuff: two decades?: "two decades?
It's strange for me to think that I have now lived two decades on this earth. It seems like such a long time. I suppose it is a long time. I never expected I would spend my twentieth birthday with an Egyptian family. I actually started the day out with the best part. I went to the internet cafe and got to talk to my bonnie lass, who I hadn't spoken to since her flight down under. After that I went to church with a group of students from my program. I again thoroughly enjoyed the incredible diversity at the church and it is always a blessing, or 'breath of fresh air,' to be able to go there and worship with these people. After church, my roommate Josiah was kind enough to buy my lunch as a birthday present. We went to our usual after church restaurant called Spectra where they have some incredible 'Brownies on Ice'. After a late lunch I returned to my homestay with Barrett. We spent a lot of the evening getting help with our arabic homework from the nieces and nephews of our host. And then, somehow, Barrett and I found ourselves watching Titanic (in English with Arabic subtitles) with 5 Egyptian women. It was actually Nasser's (our host) sister in law, her three daughters and one of her nieces. It was quite an experience. Lets just say I never expected to spend my birthday watching J"
File this under "It's Amazing What Life Hands a Person." Who could predict a fellow would spend his birthday watching the Titanic in English with Arabic subtitles while surrounded by five Egyptian girls in their pajamas?
It's strange for me to think that I have now lived two decades on this earth. It seems like such a long time. I suppose it is a long time. I never expected I would spend my twentieth birthday with an Egyptian family. I actually started the day out with the best part. I went to the internet cafe and got to talk to my bonnie lass, who I hadn't spoken to since her flight down under. After that I went to church with a group of students from my program. I again thoroughly enjoyed the incredible diversity at the church and it is always a blessing, or 'breath of fresh air,' to be able to go there and worship with these people. After church, my roommate Josiah was kind enough to buy my lunch as a birthday present. We went to our usual after church restaurant called Spectra where they have some incredible 'Brownies on Ice'. After a late lunch I returned to my homestay with Barrett. We spent a lot of the evening getting help with our arabic homework from the nieces and nephews of our host. And then, somehow, Barrett and I found ourselves watching Titanic (in English with Arabic subtitles) with 5 Egyptian women. It was actually Nasser's (our host) sister in law, her three daughters and one of her nieces. It was quite an experience. Lets just say I never expected to spend my birthday watching J"
File this under "It's Amazing What Life Hands a Person." Who could predict a fellow would spend his birthday watching the Titanic in English with Arabic subtitles while surrounded by five Egyptian girls in their pajamas?
Robbie's 19th Birthday - Unwrapping 19 Kinds of Cash!
Robbie's 19th Birthday - Photos - Gifts: "Wanted to share this with you : ) We had my daughter Robbie's 19th and I went to the bank and got her:
* 19-$5's
* 19-quarters
* 19-dimes
* 19-nickles
* 19-pennies
We wrapped each in aluminum foil. Each contained different amounts from one penny to a five dollar bill. She had to be careful in order not to rip any, just in case it had paper money in it and some were empty, but she didn't know that until she opened them. I didn't tell her what the 'pattern' was, if she guessed it then she could keep it : ) If she didn't, well then I would be richer."
This young lady had a smile on her face as dove her hand into a bowl filled with tiny foil packets, unwrapped them and spread out her loot. Money, honey. A universal language that speaks to any teen loud and clear.
* 19-$5's
* 19-quarters
* 19-dimes
* 19-nickles
* 19-pennies
We wrapped each in aluminum foil. Each contained different amounts from one penny to a five dollar bill. She had to be careful in order not to rip any, just in case it had paper money in it and some were empty, but she didn't know that until she opened them. I didn't tell her what the 'pattern' was, if she guessed it then she could keep it : ) If she didn't, well then I would be richer."
This young lady had a smile on her face as dove her hand into a bowl filled with tiny foil packets, unwrapped them and spread out her loot. Money, honey. A universal language that speaks to any teen loud and clear.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Chocolate Stout Birthday Cake Recipe and Renaissance Faire!
dolphmusic: the birthday cake recipe - oh MY.: "the birthday cake recipe - oh MY.
Here it is. We did it with just powdered sugar on top instead of the ganache, just because we were running short on time. But still -- oh MY.
The birthday was otherwise excellent as well -- about a dozen of us made our way to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Besides the roast turkey leg and all the lovely beer (no more expensive than at most Chicago bars, by the way), the highlights of the day were:
1. 'The Royal Falconer' -- A falconer, yes, with falcons. And with a pronounced New Jersey accent. Every time there was some pronouncement or other about 'Please remembuh dat dese byoo-tee-ful creatures...', we all just about broke out into uproar. The only thing holding me back was the suspicion that these falcons might have mob ties.
2. 'Christophe The Insulter' -- A vulgar olde tyme! He apparently makes the rounds nationally to ren-faires far and wide, insulting for money. The more you contribute to having someone insulted, the better it is. We put in $60 to have our friend Dan roasted, and that was sure roasty all right."
As if an astounding cake for any chocoholic isn't enough, this fellow celebrated his birthday at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Seems to me a person who makes and eats chocolate stout cake would need to lie down. And eventually, he did, but only after the faire. Sturdy fellow!
Here it is. We did it with just powdered sugar on top instead of the ganache, just because we were running short on time. But still -- oh MY.
The birthday was otherwise excellent as well -- about a dozen of us made our way to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Besides the roast turkey leg and all the lovely beer (no more expensive than at most Chicago bars, by the way), the highlights of the day were:
1. 'The Royal Falconer' -- A falconer, yes, with falcons. And with a pronounced New Jersey accent. Every time there was some pronouncement or other about 'Please remembuh dat dese byoo-tee-ful creatures...', we all just about broke out into uproar. The only thing holding me back was the suspicion that these falcons might have mob ties.
2. 'Christophe The Insulter' -- A vulgar olde tyme! He apparently makes the rounds nationally to ren-faires far and wide, insulting for money. The more you contribute to having someone insulted, the better it is. We put in $60 to have our friend Dan roasted, and that was sure roasty all right."
As if an astounding cake for any chocoholic isn't enough, this fellow celebrated his birthday at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
Seems to me a person who makes and eats chocolate stout cake would need to lie down. And eventually, he did, but only after the faire. Sturdy fellow!
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