Garden Shower

My friend Dorothy needed some help throwing a garden themed baby shower in her backyard, and I was more than happy to lend a hand. The mom-to-be had gestational diabetes, which I was a little nervous about because my party centerpieces are usually the dessert buffet. Dorothy and I came up with a diabetic-friendly menu and found some sugar free chocolates and caramels for the dessert table, knowing the guest of honor would allow herself to indulge in a sweet treat or two. Enjoy the following behind the scenes photos of putting together this bright and colorful party.

Sandwich picks with darling butterfly detail

Sweet teacups with silk flowers to hang from the balcony.

Oversized dragonflies get some bedazzling.

Colorful gum balls

Toadstool pops

Chocolate dipped Pirouettes become "Fairy Straws"

The happy garden themed dessert buffet.

Dessert table details

Garden themed cupcakes

Cake Pops

How cute are these mushrooms?! These tasty toadstools are actually cake pops, a candy-dipped cakey confection perfected by the one and only Bakerella. I've been surfing her site forever, just gaga over what she manages to create and finally screwed up the courage to give it a whirl myself. I was thrilled with how easy they were to do and how great they turned out!

Bake up one boxed white cake and crumble finely in your mixer. Add to that about 3/4 can of white frosting and mix together to form a moist dough.

Roll dough into about 2 inch balls.

Squeeze the bottom half of ball in your fist to create the stem and form the mushroom cap with the top portion of ball using your fingers to pinch and sculpt cap to desired shape.

I made three different types of mushrooms for a wider variety and more visual interest - pointy topped, rounded topped and flat topped - and pressed them on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Then put them in the fridge for about 15 minutes to cool and firm up.

Heat white candy melts in the microwave in 30 second intervals until you can stir them smooth. Holding mushroom by the cap, spread coating on stem and smooth/remove excess with your finger. Work quickly as the candy will start to set up. Dip one end of a lollipop stick into white candy and insert into bottom of stem. Insert mushroom pops into floral foam to dry and put back in the refrigerator to harden. (TIP: wrap floral foam in Seran Wrap to keep clean for future use.)

When all mushroom stems are dipped and chilled, heat red candy melts the same as the whites. Holding on to the lollipop stick, roll the mushroom cap on edge in the red candy so it touches and just covers where the white stem meets the cap. Then dip cap straight down and wiggle out to get a smooth covered surface.

Press in large white nonpareils to mushroom cap while still wet to finish off the look.

Place mushrooms back in styrofoam block to dry. Voila! Mushroom cake pops! These red capped beauties are too cute for words.

Cake pop detail.

I stumbled upon this fab hollow log-shaped I-don't-know-what at the thrift store for only $2 and just knew I'd find a use for it. Filled with floral foam and covered with moss, it makes the perfect serving piece for these fanciful fungi. Just the thing for the garden themed baby shower they were made for.

Ina Godda Davida, Baby!

Ahhhh! Spring has sprung in the backyard and I have been planting like a mad woman. My neighbors must think I'm mildly insane for playing "musical flowers" with my garden beds as I have taken to uprooting and replanting existing blooms lately. I like to think of my plants like furniture that can be easily rearranged with a shovel and a little elbow grease.

And as I experiment, I'm learning more and more what will flourish and what will last for a week before yellowing and biting the dust. It's so much fun to finally see your babies grow and bloom and fill in. I am officially obsessed! Check out our little slice of Eden: