A very Harry party.

Although my mom's birthday technically wasn't for a couple of weeks, my aunt, her sister, took the opportunity to throw my mom a surprise birthday party while we were in town.

My mom knew about the party, just not the part about it being a Harry Potter themed birthday party.  To really appreciate this, you have to understand my mom hasn't had a birthday party for herself in probably 50 years.  No exaggeration.  She was a little wary and uncomfortable about it. At least at first...

So, the back story is that my cousin Jill was throwing a surprise Harry Potter party for her daughter's birthday.  It was quite the undertaking and she enlisted the help of those around her including her mother, my mom's only sister, Janis.  (aren't they cute?  I love this picture)

Of course, knowing my mom's love of all things Harry Potter, Janis couldn't help but think of my mom and how much she would like to do something like that for my mom.  So the Halloween decorations stayed up for an extra month at Jill's house, and they did it all again.  (technically speaking it was a party to celebrate all the December birthdays, and I was just happy to be included in that, but really, we all knew it was for my mom Ü)

We all dressed up, to the best of our ability anyway- I was given the heads up before we came up, so I made sure to pack any HP t-shirts, costumes, wands, etc.

We played games like the one where you are a character from the books and you have to ask yes or no questions to figure out who you are. 

Jill made shepherd's pie for dinner, then of course there was the butterbeer and pumpkin juice. The cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties.  Janis wasn't impressed with the candyfloss cupcakes the first time around so they became peppermint ones (she made those little pom-poms herself).

And then to top it all off we got to go shopping at Honeydukes and fill little bags with candy. 

  

So fun. They totally outdid themselves.  I think my mom was touched and overwhelmed by it all. I know we all enjoyed ourselves, and were so excited that they bumped up the party a couple of weeks because they heard we were going to be in town. 

Orson Gygi

aka - kitchen heaven

I love this place.

Everything you could possibly need or want for cooking or baking all under one roof at pretty reasonable prices.  I was tempted to buy another (I already have two) 4 qt caramel pan just because it was perfect and at a smoking price.

I was also a little tempted to get another wooden spoon or two, (I already have 13) but reason won out.  (my mom's shirt is pretty appropriate for the size of that spoon don'tcha think?)

Last year my favoritest ever new item were the lids for the cookie sheets.  You know, the big silver pans with the one inch deep sides?  Well, who knew you could get lids for them?  A year later I am asking myself how I ever lived without lids!

This year my favorite item are these-

Onion goggles!!

GENIUS.

And they work like a charm.

No burning or fumes or tears.  No taking breaks to wash your face in the middle of preparing dinner.

I suppose people who own ski equipment (not us) can just use ski goggles, but these are smaller and have a handy dandy carrying case and are meant to be kept in the kitchen, not hiding away with the rest of the sports equipment.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I was making a mental note that I needed to have my kids call my mom today and wish her a happy birthday when she got off work, and then I started wondering how old she is today. 57? 58? I have a terrible time remembering those things. Luckily there's a formula which I do manage to remember- Add 27 to my age to get hers. ( I just have to remember how old I am) and then it hit me - 60! My mom is 60 today!

Happy Birthday to my favorite shopping conspirator, sounding board of ideas, teacher of baking, baby-sitter when I'm on bed rest (or on vacation), supplier of items not found in AZ, and friend.

Love, your very favorite daughter- Kirsten

happy birthday Grandma I hope you have fun on your 60th birthday love Zachary

Grandma I love you so much and I wish you a happy birthday.Love Madison.

Grandma, I hope that you have a happy birthday and that you enjoyed your cake.

with all love and care,

Nicholas

Happy Birthday! we love you!