DIY Birthday

My dad's birthday was this past weekend, and I went with a little DIY inspiration for his dinner and gifts. I had found a recipe on Pinterest earlier in the Fall for Blue Moon Cupcakes, and since my dad and I share a mutual love for Blue Moon beer, I decided I'd try the recipe! They turned out really good...interesting flavor, with a slight accent of beer and fresh orange. In the process of baking the cupcakes (from scratch, might I add!), I figured I would cook a whole meal for his birthday dinner. I did what any rational girl would do, and looked up dinner ideas on Pinterest. I know you're sick of hearing about that site, am I correct?? Well, trust me on this: check it out...it will change your life. I've got my life planned out for the next five years just because of the inspiring ideas I've found on the site. haha. Anyways, back to dinner...I ended up making Pan-Seared Scallops, Sauteed Asparagus, Parmesan-Crusted Oven Baked Fries, and Cheddar Bay Biscuits. So good! I felt like Paula Deen...because I never really cook "unhealthy" food for dinner, and these recipes weren't exactly health food. It was a celebration, though, and I can deal with making a few yummy, not-so-healthy foods from time to time :) Here are some pictures (from Pinterest) of the recipes I made...I failed on taking pictures of it!

Scallops Provençal

Oven-Baked Parmesan Fries

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Pan-Seared Asparagus

Here are the Blue Moon Cupcakes...the Pinterest version and a few pictures of the ones I made!

Blue Moon Cupcake Recipe

My version, not quite done...

Completed!

 Did I mention that this seemed to be an alcohol-themed birthday? First the cupcakes made with beer, then wine with dinner, then for one of my Dad's birthday gifts, Michael & I had a little DIY project with a bottle of vodka! We got a bottle of Pinnacle Whipped Vodka (which we had heard was really good) and then I made little recipe cards with drink recipes to tie to the bottle. My dad likes orange dreamsicle flavored things, so all of the recipes I included had an orange cream flavor. We may or may not have tested some of the recipes after dinner ;)

  
♥Brittany