Celebrating Baby Girls

This is the beautiful sight I get to wake up to each morning (and multiple times a night). I am so lucky :). We welcomed little Presley Grace to our family on Tuesday, August 23. I have thoroughly enjoyed basking in all things girl and celebrating this new addition to our family.

However, in the last few weeks, with my pregnancy, delivery, and adjusting to life with two kids - lets just say the creative juices have not been flowing much! I hope to resume a more regular blogging schedule in the next few weeks. After all, fall is almost here! And then comes Halloween and our annual Halloween party! There will be much to blog about...

Until then, here is a baby shower favor I put together for my friend Brittany's baby shower. She too is preparing to welcome a new baby girl in mid-September.

I baked up some Snickerdoodle cupcakes and layered them with cinnamon buttercream frosting in 8 oz. mason jars. (I shared this recipe on the blog last year. You can find it HERE.) I tied a pink ribbon around each jar and added a sign next to the tray of jars telling guests to take one home with them. Jar cupcakes are an easy, portable take home favor for any shower or party and they make such a great impression on guests!

"Sugar and spice and everything nice...that's what little girls are made of."

Snickerdoodle cupcakes supported this classic recipe for little girls since they are full of sugar and spice too! I can think of no better way to celebrate a baby girl than with a sweet cupcake!

* If you like the idea of food in a jar as much as I do, check out this list of 50 foods you can put in a jar. I love all the possibilities!

A better world, one cookie at a time...

Just a quick gift idea for you - I attached this lovely quote,

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon..." - Robert Fulghum

To a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies, topped with a package of magic milk straws and finished it off with a ribbon bow. Isn't it so cute and delicious looking?

I found these plastic containers at Target on clearance for $1.25 and filled them with cookies. The magic milk straws are fabulous and fun - kids love them! If you are not familiar with them, here is how one website describes magic straws, "Simply pour a nice large glass of milk and insert your magic straw to enjoy the flavor of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cookies and cream. The straws are filled with flavor pellets that release flavor and dissolve as the milk passes through." Pretty nifty, huh? I found them at United Supermarkets here in Lubbock but I have also ordered them online HERE.

A super easy, thrifty gift with a homemade touch = great for kids AND adults!
Just helping to make the world better one cookie, and glass of milk, at a time ;).

Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Cupcake BLISS

These cupcakes are HEAVENLY! I'm not sure if it is the peanut butter cup in the middle of the cupcake that gets all gooey after it's baked or the ganache frosting topped with more peanut butter cups that I like best. I was given this recipe by my friend Elizabeth (I think she got it from Taste of Home), who shares my mutual love for cupcakes. Try them...you won't be disappointed!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 package (18 ounce) chocolate cake mix

1 ¼ cups water

½ cup peanut butter

1/3 cup canola oil

3 eggs

24 miniature peanut butter cups

Frosting:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup peanut butter

Additional miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes or until smooth.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake. Cover each with 1 tablespoonful batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until it reaches a spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.

Spread over cupcakes; immediately sprinkle with additional peanut butter cups. Let stand until set. Makes about 2 dozen.

A Flower Shower for Baby Girl Davis

I have been a little MIA lately when it comes to blogging. Being 37 weeks pregnant will do that to you...

But I did need to show you some pictures of the amazing baby shower my sisters, mom, and a good friend had for me. You know I love me a good shower! They certainly came through for me in every way - adorable decorations and delicious food. Love can certainly be found in the small and simple details and I am very grateful for all their hard work for me and for my baby girl. To see more detailed pictures, you can visit my sister's blog HERE.

The food table.

Another food shot - I can't resist taking pictures of a great food spread!


The take-home favors table - My mom made white chocolate popcorn, tinted pink with a little food coloring. My sister added this adorable sign to thank everyone for coming.

Thanks for all your hard work Natalie, Mom, Roxanne, and Kate!

Thanks to all my amazing friends and family who came to support and celebrate with me.