I Baked... {gasp!}

Let me first start out by saying that I CAN cook, I just choose the more efficient way to go about meals... and NOT cook. At this point in my life I do not see the point of making elaborate meals, desserts, etc. 

1- it's only H and I. Who likes to put all that work into only feeding two people?? And 2- if I made yummy things to eat, well... we would EAT them! I mean we would eat them ALL! One batch of cookies would not be divided between several people, children, or pets, but gobbled down by only the 2 of us (it's true- we have no self control). And this is tragic when we are both trying to get in shape. Therefore I choose not to cook (unless grilled chicken counts)...



So it was a bit of surprise to my coworkers on Monday when I brought in some homemade goodies! I have been obsessed with party planning websites/ blogs lately (when I grow up I would love to be a party or event planner, but that is for another post). And on all these sites there is an abundance of cake pops- seriously at almost every party a cake pop makes an appearance. So I got to thinking that they would be really cute for the baby shower that I am throwing for my cute cousin this spring. But since I am not quite experienced in the baking department I figured I should do a trial run first.... 



First... our supplies: chocolate cake, cream cheese frosting, candy melts, lollipop sticks.




Then... bake cake. let cool. crumble cake. stir in frosting.







Next... rolled cake into balls. inserted lollipop sticks. froze for 1 hour. melted coating. dipped cake. let cool.

 



Finished result.... very yummy!

I think they turned out pretty good, considering it was the first time. However, I am SO glad that I decided to make them once before using them for any parties.  There are several things I learned that I should and shouldn't do....

1. Once cake and frosting is mixed put in the fridge.

This will harden the mix a bit and will make the balls easier to make.

2. Use white or yellow cake mix with the lighter colored coating.

The chocolate showed through the yellow a bit.

3. Mix the yellow candy melts with white.

The yellow was super bright and I think it needs to be toned down a bit.

4. Dip lollipop sticks in melted candy before inserting into the cake pop.

This will make the pop more sturdy when dipping.

5. Need stand to hold pops.

The pops didn't look as pretty as I wanted. 

I just put them back on the baking sheet instead of putting them up in a stand to dry.

Holiday Recap!

I can't believe the holiday season has already come and gone! I swear it arrives sooner and becomes shorter every year. It's not fair! Anyway, we had a great time these past few weeks. Here are some pictures of us and how we spent our holiday's!

Christmas Day:

This year Harris and I did Christmas Eve at our house with Mama Jill. Mom usually has a big party on Christmas Eve, but she was feeling a little under the weather and didn't have the time or energy to do it this year. So we decided to play it low key and have a quite dinner with her, the Griswold's, and our 3 ft. tree.

Christmas morning we opened presents and had breakfast at Mom's with our cute Santa Pup. Later we traveled to Aunt Lee Ann's house and had dinner with Nan and all the cousins!

Anniversary Dinner:

Once a month Harris and I try to do a special dinner to celebrate our anniversary. It was his idea to do this for the first year of our marriage. We try to do it on the actual date (the 18th), but it doesn't always work out that way. We ended up missing November all together and didn't get to December till the 30th. So, we decided to go for a little extra "bang" and go to Tuscany! Let me just say... it was delicious!

The picture on the left is a Christmas Tree that was made entirely out of glass. It was really beautiful and very interesting, like something out of Alice in Wonderland,  but you can hardly see it in this horrible iPhone pic.

New Years Day:

Welcome 2012! Harris' parents had a big party on Sunday to celebrate the new year. It is always fun to dress up in our fancy clothes and show them off. Even Harris and Zuhaib got into it..... umm...



The Griswold's Ain't Got Nuthin' on Us!

This past weekend was the annual Birrell Family Christmas Party and I must admit it may have been the best yet! This year Mitz decided to make it an ugly sweater party, but of course the fam didn't stop at just sweaters. When the Birrell's do something, they don't just do it half-way, they do it ALL THE WAY!!

I love my family!

Our rockin' Christmas sweaters!

Diji loves her Poinsettia sweater.

Kerry or Cousin Eddie? Yes, he is wearing a Dickie!

Mitzi channeling Grandma Doris.

The ladies lookin good!

The guys looking even better!

Earmuffs!

The "winners"!

Ps. Christmas sweaters were courtesy of Jill Birrell. Thanks mom!

Jawaria's Bridal Shower

My beautiful sister in-law is getting married!!!

Khadija, Hana and I threw her a little spring bridal shower at my house a few weeks ago....

Happy Spring Colors

It's all about "J"

The Spread: Izzi's, chicken salad pita's, pasta salad, quiche...Mmmm

We LOVE these!



Personalized water bottles... fun touch :)




The Decor




Favors for the Guests



The pretty flowers my cute husband bought for the party!

Diji and the blushing bride, Jay.



Me and lil Dij. Love her!



Hana and Jawaria

I am so lucky to have Jay as my sissy!

Rabia, Jawaria's new sister in-law!

Photo Hogs!

This girl is so pretty!



Basima, Rabia, Jawaria



The group that came to honor our lovely bride!

[bridal.shower]

My wonderful bridesmaids gave me a beautiful shower on February 12th. We went to Aristo’s for lunch and the girls decorated the tables so cute! I absolutely loved it! And the best part was this fantastic scrapbook they made for everyone to write me a lovely little message. It meant so much!