Amanda's 2: Part II

Sixteen hours without sitting...that was my day yesterday. I came home with a backache--every bone in my body tired but a happy tired? The culmination of several months work felt great. And even though after set-up, I usually prefer to remain behind the scenes (usually prepping food in the kitchen), I did venture out several times to sneak glimpses of guests enjoying themselves (Georgia was there, too!). And it was impossible not to miss the smile on the birthday girl's dimpled little face, her ringlets shaking with laughter--making it all so worth it.

Amanda's Two!
Theme: "Every Animal in the Kingdom"
Decorations: Animal ribbon garland for the windows, printed animal shape pillows, mega balloons suspended from fabric sacks

Party Favor: Felt tic-tac-toe game with hand sewn animals

Salty Snacks: Thai coxinha, bruschetta (goat cheese with pear chutney, tomato-basil, and brie with fig chutney), salty sweet pies on a stick (ham and cheese with guava compote), mini cheeseburgers, pão de queijo, mini pizzas, pumpkin kibbeh balls, finger sandwiches (tuna salad and hummus with cucumber and olive paté), carne louca (seasoned and shredded beef on mini french bread)

Sweets: 10 kilos of chocolate cake with plum/caramel filling and fondant animals sitting on dark chocolate shavings, white and milk chocolate lace lollipops, choco-dipped cookies, brigadeiros, beijinhos de coco (little coconut kiss candies), cut out animal cookies, and chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with chocolate ganache and buttercream frosting

And if the food wasn't enough to keep guests merry? The adults got to sip more than a dozen types of mixed fruit capirinhas while the kids watched a puppet show and played dress up from a rack of costumes and basket of animal ears.

Whew! What a party! Happy Birthday dear Amanda!