Happy Birthday Ca-Ca!

Happy Happy Birthday to my big sister! 

Here's to all the times Jess did my hair for a school dance and took me to Seven Peaks. Cheers to our many sewing and cooking parties. I'll always remember all the fun memories we've made and hope for many many more:)

Jessica turned 28 yesterday. Hard to believe she has three little mini-me's running around! Her little girls, Addie, Eliza, and Elanore, are the sweetest little people you'll ever meet. They are lucky to have such a wonderful and caring mother. In a way, Jess has been a mother to me. She has always been there to talk me through tough times, bring me up when I'm feeling down, and bring me down when I'm feeling a little too up! haha. She is a great example of how I want to live my life. Thanks Jess, for always being such a motivating and fun big sis!  

We had a quiet (haha!) little birthday party for Jess yesterday. Making dinner for her with my mama was an adventure...

Jessica requested watermelon, zucchini, magelby's style rolls, and shrimp pasta with some sort of lemony butter sauce. Luckily, Chef Kent Andersen (part owner and chef of La Jolla Groves and Malawi's Pizza) had divulged some of his secrets to us a few weeks ago and we were able to use one of his delicious recipes. Shopping for ingredients that we don't usually use was kind of funny. Cooking and preparing all the different elements was a riot. In the end, we delivered a pretty satisfying meal (what wouldn't be with that much butter though right?!). 

I'll post the recipes for the Lemon Beurre Blanc and Shrimp with Garlic separately. You don't wanna miss these recipes...

After a homerun dinner, what's better than gourmet cupcakes? I really can't think of anything.

Jessica's husband, Paul, surprised her with 3 dozen from Cupcake Chic. If you haven't experienced a fresh, made-from-scratch, bakery style cupcake, than you must live under a rock. Personally, my loyalty lies with Sprinkles, but i've given you a hankerin' and you can't make the trek out to L.A. or D.C. than Cupcake Chic is the place to go. You will not regret it. 

Left: Red Velvet and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
Middle: Strawberry Lemonade (my personal fave!)
Right: German Chocolate and Coconut


Signed, Natalie Ruth