Ariana the Mermaid

Thanks to Meredith who posted about Dragonflyshollow where I found Ariana....LOVE her....She will be 1 of Vivianrose's Christmas gifts!!

Vivianrose Turned 7

WOW!! I can hardly believe that my baby turned 7!! Nov 21st was her birthday.

We had a Magic Party for her on the 22nd. Vivianrose has been very interested in magic for some time now, so this was the perfect theme!!
My mom and I did all the party planning....
We had a silver star theme w/ royal blue, black and white accents.
We served fruit and star shaped sandwiches for the kids. For the adults we had Roasted Tomato Pasta (this is the best recipe!! I will add it to the end...easy and always a crowd favorite!!

For our party favors we ordered Top Hats to hold the favors from Oriental Trading Company, as well as, Magic wands and Stuffed Bunnies....we tied blue ribbon around their neck and we also make Star shaped sugar cookies that we iced with blue icing...

Close up of the favors

The magic cake!! It ws so yummy....if you are in our area it's from Yankee Doddle Bakery in Oxnard, Ca....hands down the best place to get cakes :)

Rigatoni with Roasted Tomatoes

3 pounds cherry tomatoes

6 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 tsp crushed red-pepper flakes, or more to taste (I often don't use this)

coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

3 springs thyme

1 pound rigatoni

1 cup (3 ounces) finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, combine tomatoes, garlic, 2 Tablespoons oil, red-pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the thyme. Toss to coat completely. Roast until tomatoes are softened and garlic is golden, tossing halfway through, 35 to 40 minutes.

2. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and return to pot. Toss with tomato mixture, cheese, lemon juice, remaining 2 Tablespoons oil, and reserved pasta water. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Bamboletta Dolls..

Have you heard of these? Can they get any cuter? Vivianrose is getting Tabitha for Christmas

and I've been buying clothes and accessories on Etsy too....Very fun!! I am trying to go mostly handmade for Christmas....well except for my 13 year old.....she is the gift card queen!
My New Year's Resolution is to be a better blogger! LOL I am going to commit to at least once a week :) Check out the dolls here Bamboletta Dolls