One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛
When a stressful week with deadlines ends with Nat When a stressful week with deadlines ends with National Cheese Lovers Day, how could I not partake? Tbh, I wasn’t especially hungry, and the appetizers are always the best section of any menu, so the queso blanco from El Mejicano in town wasn’t too hard a choice. It’s smoky and cheesy and I could have licked the bowl clean, but a girl’s gotta have some boundaries. Happy weekend, friends! ✨
A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her of me and dropped it off in our mailbox, which really touched me. 💛 Life is too freaking short not to make conscious decisions to do more of what makes you happy, and to cut out the things that don’t. Rainbow Rowell said it best, “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
The face and the daily hiccups… 😍 The face and the daily hiccups… 😍
I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also m I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also my lips are never chapped, so there’s that. 😂 And this is only one of my refill stashes. When I was in middle school, I had literally THE WORST chapped lips ever. Like a complete red ring around my top and bottom lips. I don’t think that’s where my lip balm obsession started, but it certainly didn’t help. Jersey winters are no joke (or our hot summers), so don’t mind me while I just add to my collection. What’s your fave?
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Back to School Party

September 8, 2009 · Narrative

Back to School Rainbow Cake

It was a semi-last minute idea, but I decided to have a small Back to School party for Nick.  I quickly fired off an email to a few friends before I could change my mind and start to worry about all the boxes still left to unpack.  Considering we only moved three weeks ago, I think the house is in pretty good shape … and what better way to kick it into high gear than to entertain?

While making an effort to keep the shindig small, I also wanted to keep it simple.  There are still kitchen items I have yet to uncover, so I didn’t want to go crazy with an all-out affair.  Definitely not ready for that yet.  The first thing decided was dessert (but of course!).  After all, if I think Rainbow Cake is the perfect way to end the school year, it stands to reason that it’s the perfect way to begin it as well, no?  (Hence the pretty stack of dirty dishes in last night’s photo round-up)  To both serve as an activity and make sure the kids had something fun to eat, I went with make-your-own pizzas for dinner.  Menu aside, I think the biggest surprise for everyone was the fact that I don’t have a rolling pin.  No, it’s not lost.  Not still in an unpacked box.  Just.don’t.have.one.  When it comes to kitchen things, I don’t like having a lot of extra things in terms of tools, gadgets, machines and what-not.  The main uses for a rolling pin (aside from the need for it last night with the pizza dough) is for making bread and rolling out cookie dough for cut-out cookies, neither of which I really do.  A plastic cylindrical cup did the trick nicely for the pizza dough and was really easy for the kids to handle. A little tomato sauce, heaps of mozzarella and a smattering of mini pieces of pepperoni and into the oven it went.  For the grown-ups, I made a version with pesto and fresh mozzarella from the farmer’s market.  By the end of the night, every last speck was gone.  My kind of clean-up!

I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that tomorrow Nick is heading off to the second grade.  Where the heck did time go?  I still remember when he took his first steps… it’s like the first picture of Madeline from last night’s post – all the sudden she doesn’t look like a baby anymore.  They’re both growing up too fast!  Someone actually asked me today when she is going to go to school – ack!  I am all for savoring every little bit of their childhood as long as I possibly can.

These days, with everyone being more and more conscience of spending money, this Back to School party is the perfect way to entertain.  Very easy, fun, ideal for the celebration and affordable.  All told, between using what I had on hand, combined with a few simple things from the store, we fed four adults and 5 kids for under ten bucks.  The kids had fun, the grown-ups got adult conversation and it was the perfect way to kick-off the new school year.  Priceless.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Back to School, Rainbow Cake

Comments

  1. Starnesfam says

    September 8, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    Yes, indeed. Money smart and fun!

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    September 9, 2009 at 6:13 am

    Sounds like a fun time for everyone! I’ve been toying with the idea of having a make-your-own-pizza party for my 22+ year old friends. It’s the kind of thing that is enjoyed by people of all ages!

    Time definitely flies so enjoy every second of it while you can.

    Reply
  3. Kris #40 says

    September 9, 2009 at 8:40 am

    I still love that cake the second time around!

    I’m now off to search your archives for some brunch recipes. We are having an “inlaws are leaving to go back to Florida” brunch on Sunday. My sister is doing most of the items, but I want to throw in a few.

    Reply
  4. Cate says

    September 9, 2009 at 9:06 am

    Starnesfam – money smart and fun – perfect combination. :)

    Joanne – I love make-your-own pizza parties – perfect for any age, and the end results were really delicious.

    Kris – me too! Oooh brunch … Barefoot Contessa has a great Smoked Salmon Fritatta and there is a delish Overnight French Toast from Paula Deen – yum!

    Reply
  5. Debbie says

    September 9, 2009 at 11:11 am

    I love that cake and what a fantastic idea!!!!

    Reply
  6. Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says

    September 9, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    Wow, that is one intense looking cake! I am sure the kids loved all the rainbow colors!

    Reply
  7. Ramona says

    September 9, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    Sounds like everything turned out great, wasn’t expensive and everybody enjoyed the food. Good deal.
    Ramona

    Reply
  8. Sarah Caron says

    September 9, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    That sounds like a great way to kick off the school year. What a fantastic mom you are for doing things like that!

    Reply
  9. Patsy Kreitman says

    September 9, 2009 at 9:00 pm

    great way to start off the new school year! I love that cake, and one of these days will have to give it a try. I’m in the process of trying to plan a Halloween party, so any simple tips for that kind of party are very welcome!

    Reply
  10. Pamela says

    September 11, 2009 at 11:21 pm

    What a beautiful cake! i have made one with jello packets mixed in for color, but the texture was off. i’ll have to try your version.

    **thanks for your nice comment on In My Shoes.

    Reply

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One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛

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One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a One of us hops like a bunny down the steps, has a serious case of FOMO on the daily, gets hiccups more than anyone we know and has perpetual bed head. She’s quite the unique roommate but may be exactly what our home needed. 💛
I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw th I haven’t had a bagel in ages, but when I saw that @njdotcom had picked six bagel shops at the “best in the state,” and one was reasonably local, all the sudden I needed one. I was never one to fall prey to peer pressure, but I’m very definitely a marketer’s dream. 😂 Alfa Bagels is on Route 10 in Randolph and has a good assortment of bagels, including all the usual suspects, but with a few others like rainbow, Asiago and French Toast throw in for good measure. Their bagels always seem to have a nice chew, which I appreciate and I love their sesame one. My go-to order lately is a double toasted flagel with lox spread and tomato. Their lox spread is a little ho hum, but the bagel is delish. Check them out next time you’ve got a craving (or get motivated by a local news story 😝). What’s your bagel order?
✌🏻 ✌🏻
When you really really really want to be best frie When you really really really want to be best friends. 💛
When a stressful week with deadlines ends with Nat When a stressful week with deadlines ends with National Cheese Lovers Day, how could I not partake? Tbh, I wasn’t especially hungry, and the appetizers are always the best section of any menu, so the queso blanco from El Mejicano in town wasn’t too hard a choice. It’s smoky and cheesy and I could have licked the bowl clean, but a girl’s gotta have some boundaries. Happy weekend, friends! ✨
A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her A friend saw this placard and said it reminded her of me and dropped it off in our mailbox, which really touched me. 💛 Life is too freaking short not to make conscious decisions to do more of what makes you happy, and to cut out the things that don’t. Rainbow Rowell said it best, “So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just let your pile of good things grow.”
The face and the daily hiccups… 😍 The face and the daily hiccups… 😍
I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also m I mean, I might have a slight obsession but also my lips are never chapped, so there’s that. 😂 And this is only one of my refill stashes. When I was in middle school, I had literally THE WORST chapped lips ever. Like a complete red ring around my top and bottom lips. I don’t think that’s where my lip balm obsession started, but it certainly didn’t help. Jersey winters are no joke (or our hot summers), so don’t mind me while I just add to my collection. What’s your fave?

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