A Surprise 60th Birthday Party: Cupcakes, Cocktails & Coffee

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5 years ago on my Thanksgiving, we were all having dinner and talking about what to do for my mom's 60th birthday. Her birthday (today) always falls around Thanksgiving. My mom said it would be fun to go to New York City for her 60th so that we could see the Thanksgiving Day Parade....in person! This has been on my bucket list, my moms bucket list & my sister's bucket list. So, 5 years ago, we said for Thanksgiving 2012, we would go to NYC. It was perfect because my mom's birthday would fall on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. We couldn't wait. Last Thanksgiving, we kept talking about how THIS year we would be watching the parade LIVE!! Then, 2 weeks later, I found out I was pregnant (with Luke).

One of my first thoughts after I found out was..."But, we had plans to go to NYC in November. I guess I could still bring a baby.....maybe." Then, in January, my sister found out she was pregnant. We realized that our "plan" of going to NYC in 2012 was going to be postponed.

When I asked my mom what she wanted to do for her 60th, she said..Let's just go to Chinese food. Keep it simple, since Thanksgiving is the next day. Ummm...NO.

She was turning 60 and I knew I wanted to do something special to celebrate since we weren't in New York City. Going to Chinese food wasn't going to cut it.

So, my sisters, my dad & I planned a surprise party for her last night!

As much as I wanted to do a Surprise Dinner Party, it was just going to be too much pull off with a newborn (and 2 days before Thanksgiving). I do have limits! I kept it simple by just doing dessert/drinks.

 Our family went out to dinner, but back at my house, I had everything set up for her surprise party with 20 of her closest friends.

My parents at dinner. My mom had NO idea what we were planning!

 Meanwhile, back at my house, her friends were waiting!

 SURPRISE!!!

I think she was really surprised! Yay!

The theme of the party was "Cupcakes, Cocktails & Coffee" 

The dessert table:

Salted Caramel Cupcakes:

 Cookies & Cream Oreo Cupcakes:

YUM.

Chocolate Toffee Bars:

 Pumpkin Bars:

 For the colors, I did fuchsia (one of her favorite colors), teal & silver.

For decorations, I just made a bunting of photos from my mom growing up:

Our family photo, circa 1986:

Drinks:

 Coffee Bar:

Scenes from the Party:

{Love the necklace the girls made her}

Happy 60th Birthday, Mom.

I know you don't like surprises, but we knew you wouldn't let us throw you a party, so we had to surprise you! I hope you know how much you are loved!

 (Every single person we invited came to her party)

Sorry we weren't in NYC for your birthday. How about for your 65th?

2017 Thanksgiving Parade in NYC or BUST!

Mel's Italian Sausage Lasanga

I was so excited when I was asked to be a part of the Del Monte Enjoy Life More campaign.

I love using Del Monte Canned Fruits & Vegetables when I cook and I have a wonderful recipe to share with you.

When Kevin and I got married, I had never lived on my own.

I went from graduating college to getting engaged, and I lived at home until we got married.

My first time (besides college) living on my own was when I got married.

I was so excited to have my own kitchen & be in charge of making & creating meals for Kevin and me.

I grew up in a home where my mom made homemade meals every night and I valued that.

As a newlywed, that is something I knew I wanted to do. Make dinner every night.

I remember the first homemade meal I made for Kevin.

Homemade Lasagna was one of his favorite meals, so I wanted to make sure I could make it.

It took some trial & error to get my recipe just right, but after our first year of marriage, I had mastered Lasagna and created a recipe that I was proud of and that my husband loved.

I hope you love it also!

 Here is what you need:

-Lasagna noodles

- Package of Italian Sausage

-Container of fresh mushrooms

- Container of Ricotta Cheese

- 4 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

-Grated Parmesan Cheese

-2 cans Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano

-1 Large Can/Jar of  Pasta Sauce

This is the Sausage I always use, it's sweet Italian. But, any Italian Sausage will do!

Cut up your sausage into chunks:

Brown the sausage in a skillet:

After it is cooked all the way through, drain the excess grease.

In the same skillet, add the cans of diced tomatoes & can of Pasta Sauce to the sausage.

Then add the fresh mushrooms (If you don't like mushrooms, don't add them!)

Stir everything together.

Yum!

Cover & let simmer for an hour.

After an hour, your sauce is already to go!

In a 9x13 pan, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom:

Now it's time to layer up your Lasagna! I use these noodles because you don't have to boil them.

Layer Noodles, then more Sauce:

Then sprinkle on Mozzarella cheese & Parmesan cheese:

Then dollop on your Ricotta Cheese. You will use the entire container on this layer.

Add another layer of noodles:

More Sauce:

More Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese:

Add a final layer of noodles:

The remaining sauce:

And top with the rest of the cheese.

Cover with foil & Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Take off the foil & bake for another 15 minutes so the cheese can get nice a browned:

YUM.

I always serve with Caesar Salad & a glass of wine!

This is one of our favorite meals, especially during the fall & winter months.

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

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Del Monte and BlogHer are teaming up to offer one of you a $100 Visa gift card! To be entered for a chance to win, simply tell me about a meal that makes you feel good and is good for you.

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