It’s a brand new year, still all sparkly and squeaky clean, waiting to be filled up with dreaming, messes and handmade goodness! Last night I threw my mama a glitterific 50th birthday party and brought 2012 in with a roar. Nothing would have made me happier then to have the amazing friends I have made online join us to celebrate and toast to the birth of a new year. But wait, you can!
Join my party right here and now- I want to celebrate you in all your brilliance and fabulousity! I want 2012 to shine for all of us and to spend another year together building our community. Reading through the entries and watching the way people have come together to support each other for our ultimate entrepreneur giveaway has made my heart feel 10 sizes too big and I have never felt more positive about the days ahead for us! So come on in, glitter and glamour await you…
Alegrías (Spanish for joy/happiness) are one of my favourite party treats because they are easy to make, super healthy and incredibly delicious. They are made by popping amaranth seeds (available at most health foods stores) in a hot heavy bottomed skillet with a tight fitting lid. Get the pan good and hot and add a few seeds to it, if they shiver and pop immediately the pan is the right temperature. If they scorch without popping lower the heat. Pop the amaranth 1/4 cup at a time by pouring it into the skillet and covering tightly, shake the pan just above the heat until the popping stops and pour into a mixing bowl. This part is SO fun!
Combine 6 cups of popped amaranth seeds, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup nut butter (optional but almond is divine), 1/2 cup melted chocolate, cool slightly and roll into balls. Keep your hands damp or the mix will stick! I added some ganache and gold lustre powder for extra glitter power. If making with kidlets you can pat the mixture into a pan and make squares. Omit the chocolate completely and up the nut butter to 1/2 a cup for a sugar free treat for lunches. Because one can never have enough happiness, right?
Back to the party…
I have learned that gold + tigers is the best thing ever! This was the most fun I have ever had planning a party and that is saying something. My mama was born in the year of the tiger and I wanted the cake to be the real show stopper. The bottom cake layer is chocolate bourbon, the middle brown butter caramel and the top is vanilla bean I filled the layers with ganache and the outside with caramel buttercream. Yum! I have tons left so if you are in town consider yourself invited for tea and cake.
I am thankful for parties, for my gorgeous inspiring mama (50 is going to be awesome!), for reasons to celebrate life. Tomorrow I announce the winner of our giveaway and help give someone else cause to party like its their birthday. I hope all of us raise a glass to toast the coming year and fill the next 365 days with laughter, adventures and the life of our dreams. A round of toasts to the talented and generous Oh My! Handmade contributors who made 2011 an incredible year and another round to your own accomplishments. I cheers to you!
Now I am going to sleep for a week (if only).
Sources:
Banner for the cake made with washi tape and gold/silver origami paper from Omiyage & gold/silver twine from Knot and Bow
Party favors made with crepe paper from Castle In the Air and gold/silver heart stickers from Knot and Bow
