Intro
Contest closed. The winner was selected via Random.org. Comment #47, Alanna! Congratulations. Thanks for entering. This was fun. Let’s do it again sometime. 🙂
She came into our lives a year ago today. Because of her there has been more pink, more ruffles, more rosy cheeked dolls, more kisses, more love, and more joy. Because of Ivy I’m not the only girl in the house any more. Because of our sweet sister baby I’ve gotten to see my boys, big and small, be more kind, compassionate, tender, and loving than I ever thought possible. She’s only been here a year, an incredibly fast year at that, but I can not imagine our little family without her.
To honor her first year with us we had what we called, “A Ladies and Gentlemen Tea”. The men folk donned felt mustaches while us ladies snacked on tea sandwiches and sipped iced mint tea.
There was cake. Lots of cake. Some slathered in chocolate while others wore layers of pink fondant.
Petite sandwiches came in all shapes and sizes. Mini blt’s, cucumber with blue cheese, cucumber with jalapeno and mint, and radish, butter and salt sandwiches.
.
Little rounds of melon bathed in a tarragon syrup and were doused in fresh lime juice just before serving.
All she cared about was the cake.
She initially approached her hefty slice timidly but after one sweet taste she left her manners at the high chair and dove right in. I couldn’t have been happier.
It was the perfect way to celebrate my daughter’s first year.
To my sweet baby Jane, you are more loved than you will ever know. Your presence in our lives has made each one of us a better person, already.
I melt as I see your brothers stopping everything they are doing to acknowledge you when you enter the room. At the slightest whimper they are at your side giving kisses and doing whatever they can to make your sweet, dimpled smile return.
Never have I seen your daddy so proud and joyful than when he’s dancing you around our living room. When he looks at you I can see in his eyes that he is eager to do absolutely anything in his power to make your joy his priority. I love your daddy more because of how he loves you.
And then there’s me. Oh sweet sister baby, you inspire in me the strength I need to be the woman I am called to be in order to teach, guide, and love you. Being your mother is a gift I don’t take lightly. Each and everyday I give thanks that I have the honor of being a mom to you and your brothers. Everyday I’m not perfect, there are always things I can do better. Then I wake up to your smile, eager for me to just hold you. Your chubby little arms wrap around me and wash away the doubt and encourage me to simply love you in the way I was first loved.
You, my daughter, are a gift. I am so thankful for each day we have together. I pray we will have many, many birthdays together. For now, we’ll start with this one. Happy 1st Birthday, Ivy Jane.
For Ivy’s birthday she would like to send one of you lucky readers a gift!
Did you happen to notice that beautiful wood serving board where many of the tea sandwiches sat? That was made by an incredibly talented artist who has a business called, Red Onion Woodworks.
I adore their work and philosophy. “With RedOnionWoodworks, like the rest of my life, I take sustainability very seriously, using only locally-sourced wood including trees taken out of backyards by arborists and hardwood logs salvaged from industrial logging operations, reusing or repurposing shipping materials, and applying non-toxic finish on all my cutting boards and serving trays.” from a featured seller interview on etsy.com
Camille is the artist and has happily agreed to let us giveaway one of her stunning boards.
There are three ways to enter. You can 1. Leave a comment on this post. 2. Follow on Twitter or 3. Like NWS on Facebook. Simple. (For those of you who live outside the U.S. I apologize, this contest isn’t for you as these are very large boards with hefty shipping costs).
I’ll pick the winner, randomly, next Friday, September 16.
The board Camille is giving away will very similar to the one pictured.
A sweet birthday gift from my birthday girl.
Yellow Cake with Fudge Frosting
Melon Salad with Tarragon and Lime
1 small water melon
1 small cantaloupe
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
a couple sprigs of tarragon
1 lime, zest and juice
Combine the water and sugar in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Turn off the heat and add the tarragon. Let cool.
Cut the melon and place on serving tray. Drizzle the cool tarragon syrup on top of the melon. Finish from lime zest and a squeeze of lime juice over the top.
Serve.
Yellow Cake
adapted from joyofbaking.com
6 large egg yolks
1 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch x 1 1/2 inch cake pans with pan spray, line bottoms with parchment paper, then spray again. Set aside.
In a medium bowl lightly combine the egg yolks, 1/4 cup milk, and vanilla extract.
In the bowl of your electric mixer combine the dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch sugar, baking powder and salt) and mix on low speed for about 30 seconds or until blended. Add the butter and remaining 3/4 cup milk. Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for about 1-2 minutes to aerate and develop the cake’s structure. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Gradually add the egg mixture, in 3 additions, beating about 30 seconds after each addition to incorporate the egg.
Divide the batter and pour into the prepared pans, smoothing the surface with an offset spatula. (Pans will be about half full.) Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center.
Place the cakes on a wire rack to cool, in their pans, for about 10 minutes. Then invert the cakes onto a greased rack. To prevent splitting, re-invert cakes so that tops are right side up. Cool completely before frosting.
Fudge Frosting
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted to remove lumps
1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
In a microwave safe bowl combine the chocolate chips, cocoa powder, milk, espresso powder, and butter. Heat in 30 second increments until melted, thoroughly stirring in between each heating. You could also use a double boiler if you prefer.
Carefully beat in the confectioners sugar, one cup at a time. Stir in the vanilla. Press frosting through a fine sieve if there are any lumps.
Cover and chill until firm, a couple of hours.
Once the frosting is firm remove from refrigerator and place in your mixing bowl. Beat the frosting for a minute or two or until it is nice and smooth and of spreading consistency.
Frost the completely cooled cakes. Serve with a cold glass of milk.
She has way more hair than my just-turned-two year old. What a beautiful child! Thanks for hosting the giveaway, Ashley.
What a touching post. Not being a parent yet myself, I truly appreciated how beautifully you articulated the joys of motherhood. (And the pink fondant on that cake is just about the coolest, most modern/fresh looking decoration imaginable!)
This is SO adorable. I’m a nanny for a little girl and I love moments like these, where it’s something incredibly monumental for us, and they’re just caught up in the excitement and love around everyone. Plus, you just want to capture them in their most adorable, round-cheeked phase ever 😉
What a sweet girl! I love all her curls. Looks like you threw her quite the party. That melon salad looks unbelievable.
The serving board is lovely, whoever wins it is lucky.
Such a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing Ivy Jane’s first birthday. It all looks fantastic and so elegant. I love the idea of having a tea party.
Happy Birthday Ivy! She is adorable. Great photos too 🙂
Congratulations to both of you. My little darling will turn 8 this year…but I remember.
:)k
The pictures on your post are absolutely beautiful! I just ran across your blog today. And I think it will be one that I add to those that I already follow daily. The food looks so wonderful.
love the post and the pictures-what beautiful children! (and lovely food!)
Aww, happy birthday Ivy Jane! What a love,y giveaway!!
What a doll! You threw her quite the bash!
happy birthday to your sweet little girl! she is a beauty 🙂
Congrats to your daughter turning one! I’ll be getting married soon, so I can’t wait to start family planning. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your Ivy. The photo of her looking quizzically at her morsel of cake is adorable! She has pillow cheeks just like my daughter had. The moustache cutouts on the straws is so creative and unique!
What a precious post! I teared up. My son will be turning one in December, and I hope to bake the cakes for his party. I don’t know if mine will look as perfect as yours though! 😀 Happy Birthday Ivy!
What a beautiful birthday post for a beautiful little girl. The serving board looks incredible – awesome giveaway!
Looks like a lovely way to celebrate a first. My daughter just turned 3 months and 1 year seems so far away. The cutting board is beautiful and would make a wonderful addition to our serving pieces.
What beautiful boards!
That board is stunning. So is your daughter. Thank you for sharing this day, and your thoughts, with us.
She’s precious! And, whoa boy, the melon salad looks divine!
Love the mop of curls on Ivy! I have 4 sons, and might be just a tiny bit jealous right now. Wait, I’m picturing the teen years, OK, jealousy gone! 😉
Happy Birthday to your gorgeous baby!!! I’m sure she will appreciate this great entry when she grows up. It was beautiful and very intimate!!!! Best wishes to your family on such a wonderful day!
I am a regular reader but a quiet one. This post actually brought tears to my eyes. I am the mother of a 2 1/2 year old and your ability to articulate your love for your child and the joy that is between you is just beautiful. Thank you, from all us mothers!
Happy Birthday to your baby girl! Those triangle cucumber sandwiches look amazing!
Happy Birthday to your little girl Ashley! This post is almost as sweet as her.
I love how you chose to celebrate her b-day. Your spread looks amazing and those two cakes look amazing.
Magda
(I’m in Europe so please exclude me from the giveaway).
This is the first thing I read this morning. I hope the rest of my day is just as beautiful and profound.
Happy Birthday sweet Ivy!
Happy Birthday Ivy Jane! I love every picture you post of that adorable chubbiness of little girl. I can’t believe she is a year already!
What a sweet girl with beautiful curls and a lovely party! Thanks for offering this lovely giveaway.
How beautiful! Happy birthday to your little one- I’ve been reading for more than a year, and I can’t believe she’s already one.
looks like an amazing party! the serving board and everything else are beautiful.
Ashley, your note to your daughter was the true mark of a mom! Happy Birthday to your little girl. I’m not much of a baker but I’ve been trying to learn as a way to bond with my 4 year old son, and your page has really given me good instruction and hope I can actually do it! In the meantime, I was thinking about how to serve my community this Sunday, September 11th, and I came up with A Sweet for the Brave. My son and I are going to make your chocolate chip cookies together, and walk them over to the local fire station on Sunday. I thought it was just a small thing we could do together to honor our brave men and women, and let them have a baked good to be a tangible reminder that humanity, at it’s finest, is sweet. I encourage all of your readers to do the same! (please don’t let me jack up these humanity cookies!)
What a fantastic post and birthday spread! Happy birthday to Ivy Jane!
Such sweet words! I am marrying the love of my life on New Years Eve and I cannot wait to start planning our family. I absolutely adore all of your fun party theme and decor ideas! Happy Birthday sweet Ivy!
simply gorgeous cakes…and I love how everything is round! Very cute.
Endearing. Heartfelt. Thanks for publicizing your love and gifts – the world needs more of it.
What a lovely party! I’ve had a blogger-crush on you all for a while, and this takes the cake! (pun intended)
Beautiful girl, beautiful party, beautiful family, beautiful photos. And, totally beautiful cutting board, too. I’ll have to spread the word on this one–that’s an awesome give away! Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a head of hair! Cute sandwiches, cute mouussstachioohhhhs, and cuter cakes. I’m going to spend the morning dreaming of how that pink fondant cake comes together structurally:)
Happy birthday, Ivy! What a beautiful {and delicious} party.
Happy Birthday, Ivy Jane! Love the wood board!
Oh how precious! She is so adorable and this is such a beautiful party. I love it.
Wow, she is such a beautiful child. What a fun idea for a child’s party. I like the idea of making it enjoyable for the grown-ups, too.
Beautiful family! And what a fun idea for your little one’s first birthday! I love it! Now I’m itching to host a little Ladies & Gentlemen tea. 🙂
That raw edge is amazing!
Happy Birthday to your sweet baby girl! My “baby” girl turns 7 on September 30. Yay for pink!
Happy Birthday Ivy! The mustaches on the straws are classic. Such a beautiful cutting board would be very happy in my kitchen!
Seeing your beautiful post makes me a bit jealous that I don’t have a big, loving family to celebrate our joys together. I hope you had a lovely day.
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter! My daughter just turned one on the 4th 🙂
What a beautiful post! Beautiful food, beautiful photography, beautiful baby.
Happy birthday to Ivy and congratulations to you! She’s beautiful, just like her mom.
Lovely post and it is great to see that you treasure your gift so beautifully. Here is hoping that you and your family enjoy a long and happy life together.
what a beautiful tribute to your little girl! Your words made me a little weepy, actually, as I think of my soon-to-be two year olds who are celebrating their birthday this sunday. don’t you wish you could keep them this little for a while longer? Everything you made looks delicious — especially those cakes! Even at 9:00 in the morning, my mouth is watering reading that recipe. 😉
Your posts are always a joy to read and this one is especially heart-felt. I recently moved away from Seattle and your blog is a lifeline back to the wonderful Pacific Northwest. Thank you!
I’m recently engaged, and reading your post really made me excited for this next chapter in my life…it was so lovely.
Such beautiful post, and your daughter is sooo adorable! Those cheeks!!
I saw your commercial yesterday, and it made me smile.
That cutting board is amazing. I might feel bad cutting stuff on a piece of art, not that that would stop me. 🙂 Thank you for this opportunity.
Well this just made me tear right up. Happy Birthday little one!
Lovely party! What a fantastic way to celebrate a first birthday.
What a beautiful family you have. And what a beautiful post, as usual. I always look forward to your updates! I’m going to try the fudge frosting some happy day very soon.
Those curls! Happy birthday!
Happy birthing day to you, Mama. And, many blessings to your little one, always. xo Kate
What a sweet pea! Congratulations little one ; )
So beautiful! (The party, your daughter mostly, but also the cutting boards).
What a beautiful celebration!
What a wonderful day to be born (it’s my birthday too!)!! I love your blog and all of your wonderful photos. Constantly inspiring!
Your children are beautiful and what an amazing mom they have. Reading your words to Ivy made me misty eyed. My children are now (almost) 26 and 24 years old and have blessed my life in ways I never knew imaginable. What gifts we have been given:)
Beautiful Baby! Love the hair, love the heartfelt message…. and LOVE your food and pictures!
Happy birthday, Ivy! The photos and food are gorgeous.
Ivy is so precious! Love the idea of the tea party. Also love the cutting board =).
Happy birthday to your little girl. I am expecting my first child in December and am very much looking forward to all these feelings you are describing 🙂
I would love to take part in the cutting board give away, it is beautiful.
I’ve been reading your blog for some months now and just love coming here. Mostly I drool over your recipes, wishing I had the time to make all of them, but it’s possible I love your photos even more. (Happy Birthday to Ivy! Love that name, by the way.)
what a beautiful family! happy birthday Ivy!
What a wonderful post! Also, those cakes look incredible. I’ve been on a quest for the perfect yellow cake recipe, so maybe this will be the one!
You inspire me:) thank you for sharing your lives with us.
She is absolutely adorable…..Happy Birthday!
Ivy is adorable and it looks like a wonderful party.
That is one classy spread you put together for a one year old! She looks so sweet and her hair is just fantastic.
Happy Birthday, Ivy. Enjoy every moment, Mom. They go too fast.
Every aspect of the party was gorgeous….from the cake, to the baby, the boys, and the sentiments you’ve shared with us readers. Thank you for continuing to inspire!
What a sweet and intimate way to celebrate a first birthday. I too was momentarily jealous of the pink ruffles on the birthday cake, as I have two sons. Then I remembered that little girls grow up to be teenage girls and will happily relish the trucks and camouflage that my boys request with no regrets. Happy birthday little one!
p.s. LOVE your photos- makes me live living in Northwest Washington!
happy birthday to sweet baby ivy! she is an absolute stunner, as are your boys. and what a sweet birthday message from her mommy. 🙂
You write so beautifully. Happy 1st b-day sweet Ivy.
Ashley what a beautiful post! I was brought to tears as I share your sentiments so deeply with my own precious baby girl (who I can’t believe is one as well!) What a sweet gift our precious daughters are. Your photography is beautiful!
Happy birthday to your baby girl! Her birthday party looks like it was a beautiful day!
happy first birthday, ivy! and what a generous gift to give one of us on your baby girl’s behalf! those cutting boards are so lovely!
Your daughter could not be any cuter! The mustache straws are so fun! and that melon salad looks scrumptious!
Happy Birthday Ivy! What a beautiful party & family 🙂 And that raw edged serving board is absolutely amazing!
Yay for adorable birthday babies! And that pink cake looks delightful!
Your daughter is so lovely, what a perfect first 🙂
What a beautiful love letter to your daughter. Thanks for sharing.
Happy birthday little cutie.
I loved the mustache straws and notice the board the second time I looked at the post (the first time was 1am and I was looking at pictures with one eye open). I thought, “That is a gorgeous board!” ha ha. Your recipes are fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
happy birthday!! love the cake, the sammies and the board!!
Happy birthday to your daughter!!
Oh how sweet. I loved the part expressing your love for your daughter and husband. A forwarded the link. I have been looking at cake stands similar to these. My daughter is having a park wedding next year and a stand like this would add so much.
She is the most adorable baby. Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday little one!
She’s so cute! Happy birthday! I’d love the serving board! I’m getting married in 9 months and it would be great to have in my apartment!
Happy Birthday! Everything looks beautiful, including that awesome board.
And I’m a new Twitter follower.
Happy Birthday Ivy! So cute!
I have liked you on FB and love the cutting board!
Happy One Year! Love the pretty cakes!
I also liked you on FB!
What a cutie, and love the little party! So sweet.
What a wonderful party you put together and such a beautiful girl. Thank you for being so serious about sustainability. I am also dedicated to natural and sustainable materials. That cutting board is amazing.
What a wonderful mom you are!! And what a lucky group of kids to have you! Happy first birthday Ivy Jane!!
Happy 1st birthday to Ivy! What a great party for her! 🙂
You pretty much have the cutest family ever. I admire you so much because of how obvious it is how much you love and cherish your husband and kids…. I can only hope to be a fraction of the wonderful woman you are for your family!!
Oh my, what a beautiful celebration and tribute to Ivy Jane. Happy Birthday (to you both)!
Happy Birthday Ivy!
I LOVE this post Ashley! The photos are wonderful. You and you daughter and whole family are just precious!
She is so BIG! And beautiful. Just lovely. I was seriously admiring all the boards, too, before I read to the end of the post. Do we leave comments re: Twitter?
oh my goodness, that hair. she is lovely. what a beautiful post, you captured it perfectly. so sweet.
Happy Birthday to your little girl! I love tarragon but have never thought of using it in a sweet application. I will definitely try your melon salad!
Happy Birthday to your sweet little one. Love her name and the cakes you made her! Definitely trying that fudgey frosting recipe.
LOVELY party! Happy bday to a BEAUTIFUL baby girl. Love her curls :o)
Wow! I can’t believe she is one! I actually stumbled across your website last year when I was prego looking for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe… And let me say, it is the best! My husband and I also enjoy the corn flake ones as well. My daughter just turned one as well September 5th, time flies but I must say your birthday beat mine hands down…. We had a “nick Jr moose a moose” theme…. Cake gel is a nightmare!!! Cake batter was amazing as it turned out… My Olivia however is not a cake eater, to think she came from me….. 🙂
First, your daughter is gorgeous! Love the hair! I noticed the board immediately – gorgeous – What a very elegant and yummy looking table – Happy Birthday Ivy~!
That’s one of the prettiest cakes I’ve seen. It’s in delicate pink! 😉 Aww… I love the picture of you both… ♥
Beautiful! Such a sweet and precious baby girl. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to your adorable baby girl. 🙂 What a beautiful party – thanks for sharing!
happy birthday Ivy!!
Your post reminded me of the journal my mother kept for me when I was just a babe. Her thoughts and love written on those pages are something I hold very dear. Happy Birthday to your little one, and I know she will love your messages to her forever.
Happy birthday, baby!
What a sweet birthday party, for such a sweet girl. Happy Birthday, Ivy.
What a gorgeous mop of curls your little girl has! and what a lovely party- I am inspired now to have a tea and make some of those delicate sandwiches for my sorority-
Cute kid, cute photos. I want my next birthday party to be like this one. 🙂
happy bday to the lovely little lady!
and what a great giveaway to boot!
She is too cute!
What a lovely first birthday party!
Happy Birthday to your sweet little girl! I love reading your blog – it makes for happy bellies in my young family. Thanks for sharing all of your recipes and ideas!
happy birthday! My guy’s one in 2 months.. can’t wait for the party!
she is SO precious!! what a beautiful birthday affair! she’ll love seeing all these things when she’s old enough to appreciate them 🙂
i follow nws on twitter!
i like nws on facebook!
It sounds like her birthday party was THE place to be (especially if you made all that food.. hehe). Your message to your daughter made me tear up a bit! It was very sweet and touching to hear something like that from a mother to daughter, and I hope that one day she finds it and gets to see how much she has been loved by everyone since her first days.
I feel like cutting out a mustache for my straw now. Off to find scissors!
I’ve loved your site for a while now and make it a point to visit at least once a week. I’ve never posted, always from the outside looking in, but I felt compelled to post this time. I teared up hearing your sweet message to Ivy. How heartfelt and warm. Made me excited for that day I get to meet my sweet girl, if God has that in the cards for me. I’m newly engaged and your posts always inspire me to see what potential there is to be a loving mother, caring wife and business women following her dreams. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and Happy Birthday to your little lady 🙂
i was reading through…looking at your gorgeous pictures and spied the wood and was like OOOOH. Look at that prop and low and behold YOU ARE GIVING IT AWAY!!!! Omg. Nice!
Happy Birthday Ivy! Your mom is so talented, you’re one lucky lady!
Such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing 🙂
And yes, please enter me in the giveaway contest!
Amazing birthday spread! I gained some ideas for my own next year. Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing. Happy Birthday lovely little girl!
Wait, what? She is one? I have not seen her in far too long. And seeing as 12-18 months is my absolute favorite stage of babyhood, I think we need to get some playdates on the calendar. Me and Ivy. Happy birthday to her and congratulations to you for making it through your gorgeous baby’s first year in style. Love the photos of her, the boys, the two of you. Also love how you make everything look so lovely. I am catering a party tonight and am realizing that I need to work on my presentation skills. 🙂 LOVE THAT BOARD.
What a lovely party. Congratulations to your whole family. Thanks for sharing your blessings with us.
Your post makes me want to be a 1 year old at that birthday party! Happy birthday to your beautiful girl! Sounds simply amazing!
It looks like it was such a fun party! I’m jealous of all the cakes and treats, and that board is stunning!
Happy Birthday to Ivy Jane – looks like you all had a wonderful celebration! I’m not so much a sweet eater but those sandwiches and the melon salad look delicious. I’m definitely going to try the recipe – the melons at the QA Farmer’s market are ripe for something like that! Thanks Ashley & congrats to your family!
Happy birthday beautiful baby!
I love your blog! And this first Birthday party is absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Very sweet.=) And pleeeease tell us how you did the pink fondant layers? I’ve always been scared by fondant, but that picture might make me try it… So simple and pretty.
Oh, those boards are gorgeous. Please enter me in the giveaway. And I think you have inspired me to make some radish tea sandwiches at the very next opportunity.
This post made me teary as I have two little boys and a new baby girl. Your words are exactly how I have been feeling about my family and our sweetest new addition. Happy Birthday Ivy!
What a fabulous 1st birthday party for such a beautiful girl! I adore all the different dishes you made, but the cake is always my favorite. 🙂 I would love to have this cutting board too, the natural grain is stunning.
Your baby is gorgeous, your party was gorgeous, and those cutting boards are, well, pretty gorgeous. Yes please. 🙂
your kids are so lucky to have you, ashley. That letter was incredible. How ‘sister baby’ has changed your boys, makes my heart melt a bit, so sweet. Gorgeous gorgeous spread, of course.
Happy Birthday cutie pie. I can feel your excitement for Ivy.
Such a sweet post. I love seeing photos of Ivy, and that hair would make any baby jealous. 🙂
I definitely want to be entered in the giveaway!
1 – here I am commenting, and I have definitely commented before 🙂
2 – I’m already a fan on facebook!
sweet letter to a sweet baby girl! I’ve loved watching the journey over the last year…mustache straws are the cutest.
Ashley, I’m not here for the chance to win that beautiful board ( I can’t anyway). I’m not even here for the delectable sandwiches and stunning cakes. I am here to wish your adorable little girl a happy birthday! Did she get to smash the cake?
So lovely! What is that pink cake? Looks delightfully fun.
I love this post! Happy Birthday sweet girl!
I am a FB fan
I also follow on Twitter!
What a neat idea for a birthday party. That is one lucky girl!
Love this!
Happy Birthday Ivy! I love the mustache straws, so cute.
I’m new to your blog (followed a link on Twitter) and love it! What beautiful pictures. As a mom of a 3-year old, the pic of you and your daughter at the end brought tears to my eyes. There is nothing like your child loving on you. The cutting board is amazing! I totally noticed it in your pictures before reading about the contest. Cheers…
What lovely pictures (recipes I will attempt) and pretty little girl! Congrats!
thanks for the inspiration – my baby turns 1 in a few weeks and will definitely be using some of your ideas!
Happy Birthday, Little One!
I like you on FB
Gave me ideas for my little girl’s one year old celebration coming up in December. Too cute!
Beautiful blog, beautiful family! I can’t wait to dive into previous posts, as this is my first visit to your site.
Beautiful! Those cakes, that party food, the adorable dress on adorable Ivy, wow. Congrats on all of the recognition this week! You deserve it, your blog is such a beauty.
A beautiful homage to a beautiful daughter. Thanks for sharing.
Happy 1st birthday Ivy. Thanks for the inspiration for my daughters’ 2nd birthday!!
What a beautiful birthday party for Ivy! Love the sandwiches, so elegant. It looked like the perfect party!
Adorable, sweet, sweet baby girl! Beautiful spread too!
Would love to know more about that pink cake. Gorgeous effect!
What a beautiful birthday! Your daughter is absolutely adorable. Happy birthday to her!
I love this! I already like you on FB and follow on Twitter (MonkeyMommy4)!!!
This ends on my baby’s birthday….he’ll be 7 🙂
Happy Birthday Ivy! What a gorgeous baby girl…
I love the mustaches on straws! Those will definitely be on my craft list for my next dinner party. Ivy looks beautiful, as do the rest of the family. Happy 1st!
Happy birthday to your little one! What a fun party! And what a beautiful cutting board too!
Love the board!! Would go lovely with a party I’m planning!
PS…. Followed you on FB!
Followed you on Twitter too!!
Oops! Guess this is my comment since I left my FB like and comment in one post! Silly girl!! LOVE this board, and the party food looks so yummy!!
Your daughter is gorgeous! And this post is just lovely. And the wood board is lovely. Gorgeous things all around. 🙂
happy birthday gorgeous little ivy! love these beautiful photos and the delicious recipes – can’t wait to try a few of these out. those boards are gorgeous – you wouldn’t even need to put anything on them to get great shots!
Love your site. Became a fan, followed on twitter and now leaving a comment. The photos were stunning. The cake – WOZERS! and all the food looked delish! Happy Birthday little one!
Hi Ashley, Beautiful family,beautiful words, You’re amazing!! Happy Birthday Ivy Jane!!!
Happy birthday! It looks like a beautiful party, full of love and delicious food! (not to mention a beautiful board!)
Just found this blog a few weeks ago and have been addicted ever since. Keep up the good work, and HappyBirthday to your daughter!
happy birthday ivy! the party looks amazing, and i love the board! 🙂
What a beautiful party for a beautiful little girl – the longer I’m an adult, the more and more I realize just how precious it is to have come from a family full of love. It’s clear how cherished your children are! I don’t use Twitter but I have found you on Facebook now.
I love, love your blog! Gorgeous photos and the recipes are always delicious. The wood board is amazing! Would love to use it in our home 🙂
What a lovely sight, children being enjoyed for being just that, children! Innocent and precious! A true gift from God. . .
That picture of you holding her is just precious – she looks like a little doll! You have such a beautiful family, Ashley. And, oh, that cake…Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.
I came across your blog today. I’m in love! What a wonderful blog! I can wait to read it daily!
What a gorgeous serving board! I hope I win 🙂
Gorgeous cutting board and lovely, lovely food styling (I already pinned on Pinterest).
Happy birthday Ivy and congrats! Your melon salad is so colorful and vibrant, what a great recipe.
Beautiful post, Ashley! Happy birthday to your adorable little girl!
Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter!
Happy birthday, little one!
Thanks for the giveaway.
Adorable post!! I love opening my and finding a new posts from this blog. Great job
She is so adorable. I’d love to make a cake with a frosted gradient do share. I also die for this board 🙂
Well, the board IS lovely, but I’m not here for the freebies, just to wish this obviously beloved babe a most happy, happy first.
Ashley, you’ve done well. Three for three, no small feat!
(p.s.: those moustache straws are an absolute hoot!)
I love the look of that pink fondant cake! Very dreamy! Do you make your own fondant or have a brand that you love? Do share!!
This has been one of the most touching posts I have ever read! I have to tell you that you are making me consider have babies sooner with my husband. Your recipes are also amazing and I will definitely try them!
Thank your for inspiring me 🙂
Looks like a wonderful time! Happy birthday to your little one!
Lovely, lovely serving board too!
As an amateur writer, cook, and photographer, I absolutely adore your blog. It reminds me of the potential of food, the importance of family, and the power of words. Keep it up. 🙂
Happy Happy birthday to our sweet baby girl! What a blessing you are to all of us, you light up our lives!
In a word: precious.
happy birthday ivy! the pink fondant cake is so pretty!
Congratulations on making Saveur’s Sites we Love! 🙂 Your blog is just beautiful. I’m happy to be a new follower. 🙂
She is such a cutie! I love a baby with lots of lovely hair 🙂
What a lovely post to your daughter. I’m always waiting patiently for your next post. I love your blog to pieces.
Beautiful.
How sweet! Thanks for sharing bits of your life with us.
My name is Camille, too! How serendipitous.
Beautiful post! I love the mustaches. 🙂
(Also, those boards are gorgeous!)
what a sweet post for a sweet baby girl! love the details of her party!
I completely feel the same way, that I love my husband more just watching him with our two little girlies – Ada Lynn (2) and Ruby Jean (only 7 months). I definitely fell (and continue to) more deeply in the love with the man watching him care for his girls.
such an great giveaway! HBD to your sweet girl.
thanks for a chance to win 🙂
j.
She is so adorable! Happy Birthday, Ivy!
Those boards are spectacular! I mean, they are absolute reminders of how much beauty exists in those things we don’t play a part in creating. I’d absolutely have to keep this on display (and use, of course) at all times. You can’t hide something like that.
Oh my, Ashley. Where to start. I knew I wanted to comment before I even realized there was give away! This was such a lovely, heartfelt post. Possibly my favorite yet. The party you threw was so precious and the feelings you shared about being a mom to your beautiful children completely warmed my soul. Thank you for sharing such a personal, intimate afternoon of your life with us. I can’t believe your little Ivy, sister baby, is a year old already! She’s too cute! So excited for you and the things going on right now in your life. xx
Happy Birthday to your little girl!! She looks so cute!
Love the pictures…
Happy 1st Ivy!!! Beautiful pictures (as always)!
What a fun party! I can’t wait to make this melon salad. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Happy First Birthday Ivy! You’re a cutie pie!
What a party! Love the multi-colored pink cake!
LOVE the boards 🙂
Happy Birthday Ivy! (just wait … there are more pink ruffles to come. and crowns. and fairy wings … )
I follow you on Twitter:)
This is an absolutely amazing party, I would only wish to host a party like that. Thank you for sharing.
Love the board (I follow you on twitter and “liked” on facebook as well)
The party is so adorable! The food all looked gorgeous 🙂
What a lovely little girl! Happy Birthday Ivy:)
None of my children will EVER have a birthday party as classy as the one you threw for your Ivy, but that serving board might class up my cheese habit a bit.
What a lovely tribute to your daughter! This will be something wonderful for her to read in the years to come. I hope you all enoyed her special day!
Your website is way cool. I look forward to coming back and reading recipes and enjoying your wonderful pictures!! I saw you on t.v. and checked out your website…very awesome!
I LOVE that serving board!!!! And that pink fondant cake is absolutely adorable!!!
I’m turning 27 in December…can you host my birthday? Just kidding, but everything looked AMAZING! Maybe if I win that board, I can throw a party just as fabulous 🙂
The first thing I noticed about those sandwiches was the gorgeous board they were served on. It would be equally gorgeous in my kitchen, I’m confident. 🙂
Happy birthday 🙂 If I don’t get the board can I have the baby (just kidding) you post was one of the sweetest I have seen.
I only started getting into food blogging a few years ago (I’d say 1 1/2 or 2), and notwithoutsalt is still one of my favorites. I check for new updates all the time. Congrats on the successful birthday party!
I LOVE your pink layered cake. It looks beautiful and delicious! Great picture.
Happy Birthday to your sweet little one and congrats to you as well. I’m reminded of your old entry on PPD as it was so meaningful with it’s honesty and hit home for me at the time. So many milestones achieved and so many yet to come.
To Ivy on her first birthday: Happy, happier, happiest of days to you! May all your one-year-old dreams come true, and more.
Cheers,
*Heather*
Already following on Twitter.
Definitely “like” on Facebook!
Happy Birthday Ivy…what a kissable little face!!!
lovely party! what a great way to celebrate her life.
Happy Birthday little one! Everything here is so precious and delicate – from Ivy’s curls to the sandwiches and cake icing! So perfect for a first birthday! And the board is amazingly rustic – makes me want to design a kitchen around it!
For some reason my comments don’t seem to go through…
But Happy Birthday Ivy!! I love everything about this – everything is so precious and delicate, from her curls to the sandwiches and cake icing. Perfectly cute for a first birthday!! And the board is amazingly rustic – makes me want to design a kitchen around it!
first and foremost, happy birthday to the sweetest of babes and that hair, my oh my, what lovely locks! Thank you for sharing and for Ivy’s generosity!
mine turns one and a half this weekend, your post makes my heart so warm of memories of his first. oh and ache a little too – i want to freeze time.
Your creation and your words are beautiful. I love your smile and the pictures of your little ones. You made my day and touched it with love and warmth. Happy birthday to your little girl. <3
those curls! those cheeks! those eyes! every time you post a picture of ivy she’s just so beautiful. it’s no wonder she’s got the family swooning :o)
Beautiful!
i LOVE that girly pink cake!! Ivy is beautiful! thanks for such an awesome blog, really inspires a newbie cook like me!
I’m so glad to hear how much your daughter is loved. It gives me warm fuzzies. Thank you also for posting a link to those awesome cutting boards and a giveaway to one. I’m always amazed by the talent of people in the world.
My baby girl, aptly named Olive, just turned 1 last month. Wish I could take pics of her as beautiful as yours.
Love this blog. Thanks.
Happy birthday to the little one! Wonderful post!
What a beautiful day.
The board is gorgeous. Such a wonderful giveaway!
Happy Birthday little Ivy!
Happy Birthday, Ivy!
I love the felt mustache idea. =)
What a sweet post! And I adore Camille’s cutting boards–a great complement for those yummy cucumber sandwiches.
Lovely all around.
I love the picture of the two of you in the kitchen.two girls at the heart of a home. There’s something old world and enduring about it. Just what you want as you write the first birthday memories on your heart and hers. Oh, beautiful blessed baby!
I adore the idea of a tea party type birthday!! I think I just may steal that for my baby girl who will be 9 in October! 🙁 That last pic of you makes me think of old pics of my mom. My Dad is dark, and my mom fair skinned, so all the old pics of us look like that. I had huge brown eyes and dark brown hair, and she had blue and was so fair. People often gave us strange looks, but I loved it. Now, I’m still dark, but my last little man is blue/blonde, so it’s kinda the same but reversed. LOVE how the Lord creates such beautiful combo’s. 🙂
Happy Borthday to you precious little girl. The artist and the board are incredible.
Such a beautiful family! Would be so excited if I won!
Shes so cute!!! Lucky little girl, the food looks amazing, I might need to throw a one year old party as well!
Congratulations on one year of beauty and sweetness! And many thanks to Ivy Jane for the giveaway – I’m also following on Twitter and Facebook. xoxo
gorgeous photos, gorgeous party! scrumptious!
What a beautiful way to celebrate a first birthday!!
I love the cakes! They’re precious. I just moved out of my parents’ house for college and my mom gave me artwork expressing similar sentiments, I have it hanging over my bed 🙂 Such a cute tea party!
congratulations on having a beautiful year behind you and numerous more ahead. mmm will i be lucky and acquire that piece of art!
Wow that cutting board by RedOnion Woodworks is amazingly beautiful! And your pink fondant is gorgeous!
what a beautiful post for a beautiful girl!
What a lovely girl and party to match. Thanks for this giveaway!
Sweet birthday party, eh? and the cutting board by Camille knocks my socks off!
Oohhhhhhhh what a sweet little party!! I adore those boards! I would love it for a wine and cheese celebration!
Happy Birthday wishes and blessings to your little girl. The food is so beautiful and no doudt delicious. The cutting and serving board is lovely.
Those cakes were so cute! My daughter turns one in December and I’m really looking for ideas!
What a beautiful way to mark your sweet little girl’s first birthday! The ultimate tea party!!
Love those boards! My late father, he passed away in march made cutting boards like those. So beautiful! I found your blog after watching your commercial. You are fantastic!
Love the entire look and feel!
Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter. Such a lovely post. 🙂
Most adorable tea sandwiches ever! What a great idea for a party!
Happy Birthday! My baby girl is 7 months and I feel the same way about her 🙂
What a sweet post and Happy Birthday to Ivy! The board is gorgeous, too!
I kept meaning to look up your blog and just saw your commercial again. Glad I did and I’ve also like you on FB!
Happy birthday Ivy! 🙂 And I love that board!!
Happy birthday! She is incredibly adorable.
Your blog is beautiful and inspirational. Food is my passion and I love to check your blog. It inspires me to keep food in my life. I am in awe of your talent. Please keep posting. It brings such joy and hope to me and I am sure so many others. Heather Salinas
Happy Birthday baby! What a gorgeous little party for a gorgeous little girl! Stunning board as well and would love to win it! xxAmanda
Happy Birthday. I would love to win this great giveaway.
That looks like an awesome party. I love those mustaches, I am totally doing that for my next grown up party!
I love the tea themed first birthday!
Truly – she’s the cutest little girl ever.
What a gorgeous party! The fondant cake was truly amazing! I might have to steal the mustache straw idea! 🙂 A birthday party … and you’re giving away gifts! I love it! What an awesome board!
happy birthday to your little girl! mine just turned one last month … i remember being in your class at Julie Hubert’s house – we were both pregnant and couldn’t drink the beautiful pomegranate granitas! now these little ones are a year … how time flies! 🙂
What a beautiful sweet baby girl. My little one, Piper, also just turned a year, but we celebrated with a pirate theme…
Beautiful post. Happy Birthday to your little girl. Just found you via twitter today, happy to be following you now there and on facebook.
Happy Birthday Sweet Ivy! The board is sweet too, not as sweet as Ivy though!
Look at the cheeks on that baby!
This is the definition of the perfect blog post. Beautiful photographs, a heartwarming story, and some of the most delicious food I’ve ever seen. Sending your sweet one a big happy birthday wish (from one Virgo to another). 🙂
I love the laying of the pink cake! So modern and fresh! How did you achieve this?
oh Ashley! you are so blessed AND gifted. Thank you for sharing. You make me cry :,)
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Ashley (and Ivy Jane)! I was wondering, how did you ice the stunning pink cake with all those layers?
Beautiful serving board!
Beautiful post and Happy Birthday to your beautiful little girl!!
A heartwarming post and you are right to cherish every minute. They grow up way too fast. Happy birthday Ivy!
I appreciate the joy and love you put into your home and cooking. What a gift you are giving to your family! Thank you for sharing your adventures with your readers. You encourage me! May the Lord continue to bless you all.
Beautiful cakes, beautiful sandwiches, beautiful baby girl! My little one is turning 2 soon and I would love for my cake to look as lovely as yours. Awesome board, too and great that it’s reclaimed wood. Lovely.
happy birthday, ivy! she is one beautiful, lucky girl! the tea party looked fabulous!
thanks for sharing your daughters special day with us!
Gorgeous birthday spread! Happy happy birthday to the lovely Ivy! She is adorable.
I hope your wee one had a wonderful party – she’s a lovely girl and she is lucky to have a mom who so obviously cherishes her as you do!
Happy Birthday Ivy! Thanks for the chance to win a great giveaway!!
Ahhh, such sweetness. My first visit here. I’ll be back regularly.
I have 2 girls and have loved every moment with them. Your post brought a surge of happy memories. Thank you 🙂
Happy Birthday! Such a sweet, special time. And a lucky little birthday girl to have such love in her life. Good cake doesn’t hurt either. Can’t wait to try a pink cake for my girl.
What a lovely birthday girl!
I want that cutting board! It will go so nicely in my newly remodeled kitchen.
Happy birthday beautiful baby Ivy! What a wonderful way to celebrate + beautiful photos to capture the memories. That serving board is incredible!
She is so lovely! And that cutting board is amazing!
Happy Birthday to your little one! What beautiful words… Love your site – keep up the good work!
She’s so cute! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity 🙂
Gorgeous food, gorgeous baby, gorgeous wooden block (not necessarily in that order).
Happy Birthday, Sweet Ivy. 🙂
What a lovely post. All of the photos are wonderful and I love the colors. The cake is just gorgeous. Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl!
just found your beautiful blog. so sweet! everything looks amazing!!! family is everything :>
would love to place some yummies on that gorgeous wood!
What a lovely party and sweet birthday girl!
I just stumbled upon your blog whilst googling “garlic scapes” and got sucked in. Your photography is beautiful as is your daughter.
Ivy still has the most impressive head of hair I’ve ever seen. Happy birthday beautiful!
beautiful, all of it!
Dang. The trouble with having kids so close to yours is that every time you post photos of their birthday parties, I feel immediately outdone! But that’s probably just because I can’t be their to celebrate with you all.
Happy birthday, sweet Ivy! Welcome to the rest of your life, where you’ll measure your age not in months, but in years.
Beautiful party, baby girl, and beautiful post.
What a lovely party! And a happy birthday to Ivy!
The food you prepared for Ivy’s birthday looks absolutely fantastic. Very light and colorful–a good way to have a close to the summer 🙂
I am really curious: how on earth did you do the frosting for the pink cake? I am not sure I’ve seen something like that before!
Lastly, I absolutely love the staches! So clever.
@Paula – There have been many people who have asked about that cake. I will try my hardest to get a tutorial up soon.
Happy Birthday, Ivy! What a lovely post and your photos are fabulous. Thanks for sharing and the giveaway opportunity.
First off, Happy Birthday to little Miss Ivy! Your site is joy for the senses and I am inspired every time I visit. Thank you.
Beautiful cakes!
Gorgeous boards, I’d love to win one!
I liked you on facebook as well 🙂
Happy Birthday, Ivy Jane! What a wonderful party!
Happy Birthday Ivy!
Your photos are beautiful and I look forward to making the recipes.
Thank you!!
Yeah for little girls, and curls, and brothers who will adore her. Wish I could have donned a mustache and sipped soda with the pretty pretty Ivy. Cheers!
Happy birthday to your daughter! Those mustache straws were so creative and cute!
I found your site via pinterest.com, which linked to this post. Lovely lovely, all around! Happy birthday to the beautiful little girl! (And I love how fresh all the recipes are… I feel like if I had a nice garden I could just pick out all the ingredients..)
What a beautiful post, these memories you are recording will be priceless treasures when your three little ones are grown. Happy Birthday Ivy!
Thank you all for the incredible comments. I can only imagine how loved Ivy will feel as she reads these sweet notes as she gets older. I’m humbled by your support. Thank you.
Absolutely darling!
And those boards are spectacular. We have a lot of rustic wood pieces in our house and I have been on the lookout for a cutting board like yours. Awesome.
beautiful pictures!!
Hi! found your blog via Twitter Gluten Free Girl. so glad I did–Yummy recipes!!! The soups to swoon over!!
What a sweet baby girl. Her ringlets are precious! You sure must be a proud mama!
Peace and many happy birthdays!
I love the things you made for her party – and I absolutely adore redwood. 🙂
Following on Twitter.
following on twitter!
& Facebook — And a new reader, so I’m super excited to find out you’re in Seattle! I just moved here from Florida and am looking to make connections as I’m in the first months of my blog. 🙂
Happy birthday, little Ivy Jane!
It looks like you provided the party attendees with some delicious food! Thanks for the give-away… would be delighted to win one of Red Onion Woodworks’ cutting boards – a great tool that would work excellent with food styling!
What a beautiful girl! I would like to enter the giveaway and I am following on Twitter and liked on Facebook : ) Thanks!
Ash,
These are amazing! Ps: so proud of your blog! 🙂
Xoxo
Your party looks wonderful. I actually noticed the cutting board right away. Gorgeous.
I also liked NSW on fb.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.
WAIT! What?? how and when did this happen??
I LOVE her hair.
since my name is Ivy too, does that mean I get an automatic win?
Happy Birthday, Ivy! Such a lovely giveaway too!
I noticed a photo in the birthday party section of a tomato-basil-mozzarella or ricotta salad. This is one of my favorite flavor combinations- what is the recipe?
We have our first baby on the way and I’m so inspired and touched by the celebration of little one’s birthdays – your Ivy’s party looks just right, intimate and a little something to tickle everyone’s fancy. Those cakes look incredible. I’m so love the graded pink on the one cake. Ivy is adorable. The cutting boards are gems!
LOVE IT. Wow what a gorgeous piece! It would totally match our decor… Plus I am always up for trying out a new gorgeous product.
Happy birthday, Sweet Ivy! What a sweet, sweet party for an even sweeter little lass.
What a beautiful post. Loved all the food and that pink cake is gorgous! Happy birthday sweet Ivy! 🙂
Happy Birthday Ivy! Such a beauty!
Dear Ashley! Thank you for sharing this special moment with us! I’m – not a mother yet – but an aunt of two beautiful baby girls. Emily turned two in May and Aeden will be two years old in December. Although I’m ‘only’ an aunt, I know how specially all the little princesses are who come into our lives. My husband is in the military and we are currently stationed in Germany. Due to this fact, we were only able to meet our little niece Emily yet. Aeden we only know from pictures. When I look at your little Ivy she so much reminds me of Aeden. Sooo much dark and curly hair !! 🙂 I love it !! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the little princess !! And thanks again for your wonderful blog !! Greetings from Germany !!
What a beautiful party (and cake!), Ashley. I loved this heart-felt post and the photo of you and Ivy in the kitchen. Happy (almost) Friday, my friend.
Blessings to your sweet baby girl on her birthday!
Oh my! How did I not know about your blog until now?? Thank you tumblr!!! Amazing stuff…love this blog!!!! Facebook liked too 🙂
Officially obsessed!!!
Happy Birthday,Ivy!
First may I say, the black and white photos of Miss Ivy – stunning!!!
Happy First Birthday Ivy!
Second….everything for her party looks stunning! Though we’ve no children, I’ve 2 adorable nieces who would love something so wonderful – I can’t wait to try your recipes! I would love a birthday party like yours Ivy! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this!
p.s. ……hoe does one get an invitation to Ivy’s 2nd birthday party? 🙂
What a beautiful party, and gorgeous words. Happy one!
Happy Birthday little miss! Love that cutting board and all the wonderful birthday ideas….
Those cakes are perfect for a little lady. Sweet and sugary and velvety. That’s it.
Happy Birthday to your little girl. I tried to make the chocolate fudge frosting for my son’s birthday cake, and it was super runny, and I really couldn’t ice the cake with it. I had to run out and buy boxed icing from the grocery store, which did the trick, and tasted great. Any one else have the same problem with the runny-ness?
Your daughter is adorable! And, I think you should sell prints of your photography. I would like some for my kitchen.
Beautiful Photos!
I like pictures with smiling baby.
Wonderful!! Happy Aloha Friday!!