Tupelo Honey

***if this entry seems a little rushed it’s because i wrote this post already and tumblr deleted it. so annoyed.***

since having charlie, i’ve come to realize that i don’t need our crazy life to be perfect. i need it to be manageable. 

manageable.

it’s my new word. 

about a month ago i found myself knee-deep in creative party idea pins on pinterest and i was thisclose to ordering these gorgeous custom made paper dolls from england (that were made to look just like your child, too cool) when i finally snapped out of it- what was i doing?? madeline doesn’t need some fancy party, she wouldn’t get it. she needs balloons and a cake and family and a few close friends… that’s it. lindsay, make this party manageable i thought to myself. so i tucked the paper doll party theme in my back pocket for when madeline would appreciate it and went with something a little more modest. i was very pleased with the results and the best part? we only spent one afternoon/evening putting it all together. operation: manageable birthday party with minimal stress was, IMO, a success… 

sweet little banner i made with twine and scrapbooking paper from michael’s 

since the super bowl fell on the same day as madeline’s birthday, we decided to host a brunch so everyone could make it to their super bowl parities on time- this spread (with extra in the kitchen for backup) served about 30 people. we made scrambled eggs (my late grandmother’s recipe), bacon (my dad’s, it’s the best. the secret is the bacon press), brie and crackers (threw that out there at the last second)… 

donuts, fruit salad, mini pancake stacks w/mint and blueberries (idea from pinterest)… 

a little birdie filled w/syrup and french toast & strawberry skewers sprinkled w/powdered sugar (idea from pinterest). the quote on the chalkboard was also an idea i stumbled on while searching pinterest for inspiration. it comes from one of our favorite books and the second i saw it i knew it would make the perfect backdrop for madeline’s party. 

i have to laugh at this picture- this was all stuff i had leftover from previous parties that i found in our kitchen cabinets. my newest obsession is infused water. i chose cucumber for this particular occasion but i’ll throw anything into water and drink it- blueberries, mint, basil, peaches, oranges, strawberries. so yummy. 

(remnants of) the adult beverages station 

aunt stephanie was more than happy to help madeline learn how to ride her new “bikecycle” that grams and grandpa (pop pop) gave her. she hasn’t stopped riding it since!

cousins

this picture makes me so happy! i love how ben wrote “food store”- i refuse to erase it. the kids were having so much fun ringing up groceries with the cash register and baking goods in the kitchen for the market. 

ahhh, the leaning homemade (with love!) 4 layer strawberry shortcake i made at the last minute because the icing was melting and the strawberries were slipping off and we had no more room in the fridge to store it… but it was good. soooo good. and it finally tipped over after the last person was given a slice.  

make a wish!

look at the lean on that thing!!!! what a mess. 

madeline didn’t seem to mind though.