Last night we had the last of our weekly Good Shepherd Garden Parties based on the theme “The Heavenly Zoo.” To be honest, I found this party to be the hardest to prepare for, since a few of the menu items just didn’t want to come together for me! 😉
It did all come together in the end, and was enjoyed by everyone… Here are a few pictures with the details:
~ The Water ~
I ended up just filling up our water pitcher and setting it on the table. I wasn’t sure if we’d need it, but after those super sweet Lion Lemonades the kids were all very thirsty!
~ The Deer ~
We’ve been pretty burn out of cake lately, but I tried using a new “healthier” cake mix for our Deer Cupcakes and we all loved it! It was actually a Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix from the health food departments, but I just ordered more of them from Amazon since, with subscribe & save and additional coupon code, they are less expensive. Yum!! Anyhow, for some reason I was having the hardest time breaking apart the pretzels this time. But, after lots of attempts and a bowl filled with broken pieces, I finally had enough to make finish up the cupcakes.
~ The Lion ~
I substituted vanilla ice cream for the frozen yogurt and had just enough for our Lucky Lion Lemonade, but boy were these drinks sweet. Only one of my children actually drank hers. I loved the “mane” made out of sprinkles though, so next year I think we would just do the same thing with maybe just a milkshake underneath.
~ The Beehive ~
I wasn’t sure if the Beehive Baked Pears would turn out for me, and purchased a box of Honey Maid Bee Crackers from the very beginning. However, after filling the pears and then finding out that the pie dough I purchased had gone bad, I was determined to figure a way to finish them. . . Most of you would have probably just whipped up your favorite pie crust recipe. But pie crust and I just do not get along, and it would have been quicker for me to load up my 6 children and head to town rather than try that again. So, I called Charlotte to help me brainstorm and I decided to try using a can of crescent rolls that I had in the fridge. They worked! I wrapped the pears, and then after the first 20 minutes of baking I covered them with foil.
These were very delicious, and everyone (except for Snuggles & Twinkle Toes who both refused to even take a bite) loved them! I especially loved the leftover honey & nut mixture… Uuummmm!!
Oh! That reminds me, I did substitute pecans for the pistachios.
~ The Peacock ~
I could NOT find Peacock feathers anywhere. Charlotte suggested that I could just print a coloring page, but I had an idea in my head (inspired by these peacock feather cupcakes) that I was just dying to try: Peacock Cupcakes!
Didn’t she turn out cute!!??!!
I frosted some of the leftover chocolate cupcakes with some white frosting and decorated them with green and blue cake frosting and then rolled the edges in some purple sugar sprinkles. I frosted one cupcake light blue for the face, added 2 upside down chocolate chips for the eyes and the nose and “feathers” are all mini M&M’s.
~ Pelican Toasties ~
Our Pelican’s turned out looking more like Pac-Man, but my children loved them! Next time I just need to make sure to purchase a loaf of french bread that is flat on the bottom, and not so rounded.
~ Phoenix-Tail Shrimp ~
I took the easy way out on this one, skipping the recipe and just purchasing a shrimp cocktail platter. Personally I don’t like shrimp (actually my face swells when I eat it) but my husband and children (particularly Captain who ate way too many) loved it!
~ The Dove ~
I did have a little bowl of Dove Truffles setting out, which I purchased just before Easter, but we are saving them for Sunday. We also had our Pentecost Windsock hanging above the table for decoration!
I love the Peacock Cupcakes! Great job on it.
Dear Jessica! You always have such lovely ideas. I can´t wait till my little one is a bit older so I can pamper him with some of your recepies and crafts!
Everything turned out fantastic Jessica! I, of course, especially love the peacock made out of cupcakes!! She *is* cute!!
We're doing our party today and I'm so happy I saw your post first. I'll try to remember your pointers.
Thank you and God bless!
I love the peacock! Such a cute idea.
Bravo! The peacock cupcakes are fantastic! GREAT JOB JESSICA. Great windsock too.
The Peacock cupcakes are perfect! I love all the ideas here, thanks for sharing!
Everything looks so cute. Love the peacock idea. I couldn't find peacock feathers either. Thanks for sharing.
the peacocks muffins are my new fav