Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Let them eat cake!

Court came home from college this weekend to celebrate her birthday and St. Patrick's Day...

(click any photos to enlarge)

Because she was born on March 18th, we've always celebrated the two together....


I bought this crown last year and I think it is going to be worn by everyone for their official birthday portraits from this point on... My dad and hubby got fair warning that when their birthdays roll around they, too, will be donning the "Celebrate" crown!


Courtney requests carrot cake each year for her birthday, and since I am not known for my baking (or cooking) skills, my cakes are just 'doctored up' box mixes...


So far, so good... I remember when Courtney was about nine years old, she invited several school friends to her birthday party. Everything went great until the cake was served and one of the girls asked what kind it was... I wish I had a picture of all those little faces when Court proudly annunced it was carrot cake! No one would even try it!


This year's cake turned out sooooo good! I added raisins and walnuts to the mix (Court nixed the coconut and crushed pineapple I had planned to add)... This cake is probably the reason I had my first gain (1.2 lbs.) on the scale this week since starting my diet. (If I'd only stopped with one piece instead of helping myself to leftover cake all weekend long!!)


Court with her cake (right after blowing out the candles). Notice her bandaged hand/fingers? Over spring break she flew to New Orleans to visit a friend at Tulane University. During a bike ride to get snow cones, she ended up skidding on gravel and going over the handlebars. Thank God her only injuries were bruises, skinned knees & palms, and a couple of broken fingers. (Not that the broken fingers are a good thing, but when I think how much worse it could have been I'm grateful... very grateful)...


The official birthday portrait of the princess with her prince... (Court is also sporting dark locks as of last month. She doesn't change her hair color as much as she did a few years ago. Back then, I never knew what color she'd surprise us with!)


My two silly girls, once again hamming it up for the camera in their hats (Christmas deja vu). Amanda is actually wearing a peacock feathered headband which is very hard to see in this photo. So other than it being too short, it was a great weekend!
And I'd also like to thank everyone who left such heartfelt comments about our little Gizzy Girl... You are all so kind - and such wonderful animal lovers!!!
Wishing you all a beautiful week!
Donna

23 comments:

Claudia said...

What beautiful girls you have Donna! The birthday celebration sounds lovely and I'm sure it was terrific having everyone there. I love the idea of a Birthday Crown! Sorry about Courtney's injuries, but you're right, thank goodness it wasn't worse.

Joanne Kennedy said...

I had to laugh as we both have the same title of Let them Eat Cake today. Only our posts are very different.

I love carrot cake! Did you have cream cheese icing? YUM!

Hey, a doctored cake mix is baking. Just tell people it's homemade because after all you are only using "pre measured dry ingredients" so what's the difference? You have not lied when you say that it is homemade. It's all in the wording. LOL

Your daughters are so pretty! Love that they wear hats and like to ham it up for the camera. I see your cat likes to also!

I also love the crown! I think it's a great idea to make everyone wear it. It is sure to be a memory no one forgets!

Hugs,
Joanne

Tracey said...

Happy Birthday Court!! lovely girls, Donna. What a great crown and it seemed like she really enjoyed wearing it too! A beautiful celebration and your daughters seem to always be having fun and enjoying themselves. Great Post!!

Anonymous said...

Your girls are so pretty, and I'm glad Courtney's injuries were minor.

The cake looks yummy! Much better than the granola bar I'm eating.

Lisa

Anonymous said...

Love the hamming photo. Your girls are so precious!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

A New England Life said...

What a wonderful week-end, Donna! I know you cherish those moments because they do go by too quickly.

Georgeous girls you have there! Thank goodness Courtney wasn't hurt any worse than she was. My hubby went over his handlebars and bruised his ribs causing him terrible paint for weeks. The doctor said it can hurt as much as breaking them.

Don't you just love to doctor up a boxed cake recipe? Me too! I had homemade Chocolate Mayonnaise cake one year for my party but didn't tell anyone until after they ate it. I knew they would never eat it if they found out ahead of time. lol!

Happy Birthday to Courtney!

Sugarplum Cottage said...

Those two girls are gorgeous. Happy Birthday to the QueenThe cake looks delicious. Rosemarie

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Happy Birthday Court! I love carrot cake myself! You have two lovely girls, Donna. Love the crown!

Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Shirley said...

She's very beautiful. I love the picture where she is wearing the crown. Please stop by...I've left you a little award.

Old Centennial Farmhouse said...

Lovely cake and a lovely family celebration! You have a beautiful family!
XOXO
Joni

Life on the Edge said...

Yikes on your daughter's bicycle accident! I'm so glad that her injuries weren't worse.

Looks like a wonderful birthday celebration! I love the crown! I bet she was honored to wear it.

Kady

June said...

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a nice comment. Your daughter is so beautiful. Happy birthday to Courtney. Daughters are such a joy to their mom's. Well, so are sons for that matter.I think that was so wonderful of your parents to have saved so that they could give you riding lessons. Horses make such good friends for children. I was like you when little. I even had an imaginary horse named Ginger because we lived in the city and couldn't own one until we moved to the country when I was older. Thank you for your beautiful blog.

Nola said...

What a beautiful birthday girl! Looks like the cake was a success. I love carrot cake, too, but nobody else here does, so I rarely get any.

Kathy's Red Door Welcome said...

I thought I left you a comment yesterday, but I guess I didn't. My baby turned 27 on March 22. The time flies by. Loved your photos and that cake looked deliscious too.

Cottage Rose said...

Hey Donna; What a great B-Party. You have two very pretty girls. Love the celebrate crown. Your cake looked pretty yummy to me...

Hugs
Alaura

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Both of them are beautiful, and it looks like they have such fun together! Your carrot cake looks delicious. Love the b'day crown and can't wait to see your husband and father in it! laurie

Designs on 47th Street said...

Your girls are cute as can be and I can see they are a lot of fun. Love the "official" birthday shot! My youngest daughter has her hair really dark like your Courtney. It looks good on both our girls!

I like the crown and that was too funny about the girls not wanting to try carrot cake! We all love it too!

Donna from 47th Street

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Your girls are very pretty.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY COURT!!!

Martha said...

What a special birthday cake -- and there is nothing shameful about a mix! It's the end result that counts -- and yours should get all A's. Love the crown. Will we see pictures of "them" in the crown as well?

Shabby Chick said...

Sounds like a wonderful week, you have such beautiful girls :)

Mel xxx

Anne Marie said...

I went to Jcpenny link and I really wish it was 14" high not the diameter!

Unknown said...

That cake looks delicious! Happy Birthday! You are so creative! I love how you had the baby photo on the cake and that birthday crown is so sweet and pretty! What a lucky birthday girl!

Shabby Chic Furniture said...

mmmm your cake looks so good!! But i would feel bad eating it . you did a great job