Turning 27: Time for an ice cream party!

It’s become tradition for me to put a crown on in early March and start referring to myself as “Princess Sparkles.” It got started back when I worked at BBH. I had so much fun that I haven’t really stopped. It’s like wearing cat ears during October!

Because Joe was taking on a lot of freelance work in the beginning of the year, I didn’t want to burden him further with a birthday party. Joe usually cooks the food and makes cocktails while I play hostess. This year I knew I had to do it all on my own so Joe could relax! The idea was that I would make ahead lots of ice cream using the Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams cookbook as my guide. We have an ice cream maker given to us by a friend just as I was coming out of jaw surgery two years ago, too, so it was a low-cost endeavor. I used fresh, delicious ingredients from local dairies.

I made these flavors (8+ quarts!):

  • Chamomile Chardonnay
  • Earl Grey and Sugar-plumped Cherries
  • Bangkok Peanut (a personal fave with banana and whipped cream!)
  • Toasted Rice Pudding
  • Roasted Strawberry and Buttermilk
  • Hibiscus Blossom and Grapefruit Frozen Yogurt
  • Port-Poached Pear Sorbet
  • Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet
The strawberry lemonade was my own recipe–it’s what happens when you don’t have enough lemons for a lemon sorbet, but you still have plenty of strawberry puree from making Buttermilk Strawberry ice cream ;) It was a surprise hit, especially with the younger generation (the secret is sugar).
Everyone was instructed to bring a gift or their favorite ice cream topping. I like it when people are upfront about what’s expected of their guests, and I figured this way I wouldn’t have to worry about getting toppings! There was an awesome balsamic strawberry sauce from Sarah and this incredible dulce de leche made with goat’s milk. I didn’t get the chance to try many of them, but I look forward to exploring them over the next few weeks as I take care of the remaining quarts, muahaha.

Sadly, I was too busy to take photos of the actual ice cream when the party happened, but I suppose there are enough pictures of food floating around the internet for future readers to use their imaginations.

I had about ten lady friends over, and it was a huge hit. For the first time I’ve thrown a part all on my own, and it went really well as such. There are things I’d do differently if I ever had this kind of party again–but not much!

Megan and Diana

Megan and Diana Cameron McQueen!

Megan wearing a crown.

Megan made this headdress from scraps! Isn't it fabulous?

A bird ring

A gift from Diana :D

Julie and Me

Julie, Megan and myself

Me in my jacket, looking bad ass.

Don't I look like a super hero?

Mur Lafferty

Mur Lafferty took most of these photos. So grateful to her for that!

Cookies and chocolates on a table.

We didn't have any room left for candy!

A disheveled table where ice cream used to be.

We tore through the ice cream pretty quickly.

Earl Grey and Sugar Plumped Cherries placecard

The Earl Grey ice cream was a big hit.

Me in my new leather jacket.

Me in my new leather jacket. Thanks, Joe!

I was surprised to get this jacket from Joe. I had only shown it to him once a long time ago. It’s a leather reproduction of the one Major Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell wore. It’s a really nice leather jacket from Abbyshot!

So in the end it was an excellent birthday that was a lot of work–but well worth it! I was so happy to see so many awesome lady friends in one place! It’s going to be hard to top this next year, but someone suggested pony rides! I’d better start brainstorming!