First Annual 29th Birthday

I don't know if I've ever been so proud of a baked good. These have got to be the prettiest things I've ever baked. A pastry bag and a tip in the right size makes all the difference (if you're wondering, I used a size 6. Size 7 is good, too). They're peach and blackberry and, let me tell you, I went all out. The bottoms had a slice of peach and a bit of oatmeal crumble. Then, I made a peach-blackberry filling for the centers. I used peach flavoring for the frosting, which I wasn't crazy about, but all together, they tasted amazing. I bought the little star sprinkles a couple Christmases ago, but never used them. They were the perfect final touch.

I can't wait for my mom's birthday in a couple weeks. I'm gonna make her some mad cupcakes!

Before you go on, let me tell you something. This was one of the best birthdays I have ever had. No joke, a live band showed up at the beach to provide mood music (it sounded like we were in a beach movie). I couldn't have planned it more perfectly. Also, my friends and family are amazing and it was so wonderful hanging out with them all at the beach.

My friend, Laurel, made me cupcakes, too, but she had to bring them on a bike so didn't get to frost them till we were at the beach. They were rosemary-blackberry with the most amazing chocolate buttercream! My friends Adam & Camille brought me a cupcake from Macrina and my sister-in-law, Mallory, brought a dozen cupcakes from Trophy.You can never have too many, right?

Thanks to my sister, Beth, for this picture.

My husband, dealing with salsa and sand. He hates the beach.

My cool friends.

Any chance I get, I buy these little patterned bags. I filled them with salt water taffy, cuz we're at the beach, duh.

Maddie and Tilly manning the fire. Thank goodness Tilly is afraid of fire, so she didn't spend much time near it.

Sigh. How am I gonna top this next year?

♠