12 and a half/gardens and costumes

     My daughter was born in October- due to one thing and another - a show, then two holidays, a family  member's passing and another show - we never had a birthday party for her.  So last night we had one - it was to celebrate being 12 1/2.  I love junior high school kids.  They are so serious and then so silly.  Set on the edge of their teen years, they want to appear grown up, but last night, with just the 5 of them, they were swinging on the swing set, playing dress up and enjoying still being kids.
    This had to be one of the easiest parties we've done.  We had food on the grill, a fire in the fire pit, s'mores and glow sticks in the tent.  What more do you need?  Oh, yes, and a cake.  We have always got to have a cake - duly decorated cake.  So I spent a couple hours making pretzel and icing pine trees, a tent from icing and chocolate bars,  as well as an icing fire and a sleeping girl in a sleeping bag. I think they likes the chocolate rocks best (these I purchased already made).  Unfortunately, by the time we got to cake, the girls had so stuffed themselves on s'mores they had no desire for more sweets.  So, as any good mother would, I said we could have it at breakfast - which we did! Yum!!

Can you see the camper's head sticking out of the tent?  If scaled up, this campfire is made from tree trunks!!  And as my husband pointed out, I made a big error by leaving grass inside the fire circle! 

 I wish I had thought to wash the sugar granules off of the licorice bulrushes, but, maybe next time. 

By the way, having them in the tent was great - the girls were up until 5 a.m. and we never heard a thing!  There  is something to be said for warm weather parties! 

   I am really risking things here, but the weather forecast is good - supposed to be in the 70s and 80s all week, with 50s at night, so I am actually going to plant half of the seedlings that are growing on the top of the dryer. (I am too cheap for a heating mat, so I use the dryer top instead - it works fine!)  The tomatoes and the cukes as well as the tomatillos are hitting the garden today.  Keep your fingers crossed!

    The current show I am designing costumes for is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) which is all about quick changes.  Reminds me a lot of The Mystery of Irma Vep, the quick change insanity of last season, but just because of the need for velcro!  First fittings are on Wed, so I am trying to get everything as close to done as I can so the guys can start working with the pieces and getting used to the changes, ASAP. Wigs and such are my biggest challenge.
  
     Out to the garden, then back to the sewing machine.  Happy spring!