orchid arrangement

A friend had given me some orchid flowers from her garden.  I've never worked with  orchids before and have always admired someone who can grow orchids.  I don't seem to have a green thumb  when it comes to orchids! It's also very expensive to buy the flowers.  So, I was really thrilled to  get them for free and  have the opportunity to work with them in various ways. The orchid flowers are by  themselves very exotic and  and do not need extravagant displays.  I just wanted to show some ways to enhance their flowers by embellishing the vase  enabling different looks almost everyday. 

Flower Arrangement 1 - combining the yellow and purple colors using a tall clear vase. 

Flower Arrangement 2 - combining silk flowers using same like colors 

Flower Arrangement 3 - embellish the vase with purple netting to bring out the purplish hint of the flower 

Flower Arrangement 4:  Adding some dried willows to create a rustic look 

Flower Arrangement 5 - separating the yellow one into a different vase 

Flower Arrangement 6 - combining silk flowers to bring about the colors of the flower 

Flower arrangement 7 - enhanced the yellow tint of the orchid flower by adding yellow silk flowers

Easter Basket Cookie Cupcake

I love trying out a recipe and customizing it to give it a new flavor or style.  I wanted to do something different from regular cupcakes, and was inspired by an Easter basket filled with cookies, candies and chocolates. When you bite into the cupcake, you get a nice chocolaty surprise in the middle. Thus, this Easter Basket Cookie Cupcake. See also Easter Tablescape. 

Easter Basket Cookie Cupcake

Cookie Dough 
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg 
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Combine butter, sugar and egg in medium bowl.  Add flour, baking powder and salt then mix well. 

Fluffy White Frosting
1 container (16 oz) ready made vanilla frosting by Betty Crocker
1  cup marshmallow creme

Combine frosting and marshmallow creme in medium bowl and mix well. 

Topping:
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
marshmallow strings
jelly beans
food coloring 

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place paper baking cups in each muffin.
• Use a large cookie scoop to create a round ball out of the dough.
• Use a pastry shaper or spoon to create an indentation in the middle of the dough to form the crust. Place Reese's candy inside the hole. 
• Bake for 12-14 minutes. Immediately after cooking, sprinkle some sugar on top.
• Cool cookies cups  in muffin tray at least 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks.  Cool completely before decorating. 

Teddy Bear Tablescape Tea Party

This teddy bear tea party themed tablescape  is a celebration of my mother-in-law's love affair with bears.  This tablescape was a lot of fun to create because I got to  create a special party for some of the teddy bears my mother-in-law has collected over the years  (believe me, she has an abundance of teddy bears and it was hard to choose who to invite!).  This is a perfect teddy bear tablescape  for little girls or any bear lover. 

The teddy bears are having a fun time at this party. Some are having a picnic or sipping tea, while others are mingling. More bears are sitting around the sofa sharing stories and some are having fun lounging outside their manor home.

Each bear has a unique, distinguished (as they tell it) character. I mixed and matched teddy bears based on their outfits, similarities, differences and sizes.  I tried to bring each of the bears' personalities into the tablescape.  

This is an invitation to join in a Bearylicious  party!

This table has black and brown bears having a picnic.

We'll start by offering some tea m'lady...

These bears have already started eating their share of watermelon...

Around the corner, a portrait being taken of an English bear family out for tea-time.

This doll, which I've named Eileen, is the guest of honor at the girls table. This setup is a perfect  mother-daughter tea time table. 

These ladies know how to have tea in style.

Each tea cup is adorned by a different bear for every special little girl.

These twin bears didn't want to be separated, so I kept them close. I found these pink and grey dishes that were wedding presents to my in-laws, and which proved a perfect setting for tea time. 

This little one enjoys her own company, but has plenty of tea to spare.

The main dining table is designed as an English outdoor tea party. This is a perfect table for the adults.   

The stately manor serves as a backdrop for the fun affair. The teddy bears relax around the manor, sipping tea. 

A couple enjoying  their own private tea table.

                    The pink rose matches this little bear's favorite flower

These ladies love the afternoon tea lunch 

A couple enjoying a  lazy afternoon. It looks like they snuck some afternoon wine into the party!

Another couple having an afternoon break.

A bunch of old curmudgeons try to outfox each other during  their board game

The special host gets her own teacup with a bear

These old-timers are enjoying a picnic away from all the hustle and bustle. 

 Several ladies relaxing out of the hot sun. 

These young lovers hidden away in the corner for a private rendezvous.

A couple of teddy kids resting after running around. They're hiding away from the adults!

Here, a couple of mischievous bears decide to join in the baking.

The bears eye the delicious cupcakes hoping they won't all get eaten before it's their turn!

 Thank  you for  joining this Bearylicious Tea Party!