In honor of Babycakies #3

Weeks of conceptualizing and scheming manifested in a much-awaited surprise baby shower for Mama Ruby and Babycakies #3 this weekend past. Ruby is one extraordinarily special crafty mama of the utmost creative sort so Team Hong/Hwang/Wong/Kim enacted a children's book-themed baby shower riddled with handmade flair reminiscent of everythang towards which Ruby is inclined, from frenzily crafting vintage feedsack scrapsinto vibrantly chipper fabric pennant bannersto complement paper doily streamersin accordance with a festive antique atmosphere.To satiate hunger pangs was a plethora of homemade tasties that each corresponded with a Polaroid of a beloved kiddie storybook: dainty healthified turkey-swiss-spinach-hummus tea sandwiches like those the refined Eloise would have consumed amidst her mischievous antics about New York's Plaza Hotel,variegated goldfish crackers reminiscent of The Rainbow Fish,savory spaghetti and meatballs like that of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,organic veggies to munch and crunch as displayed throughout The Vegetable Alphabet Book,dino-silhouetted nuggets to edibly symbolize those in If the Dinosaurs Came Back,and, of course, a perilous brigade of homecrafted sweet treats:mini melt-in-your-mouth chocochip cookiespaired with vanilla soymilk shotglasses to exemplify If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,madeleine cookies to mimic Paris-prowling Madeline,a round of home-baked peanut butter cupcakes crowned with cream cheese frosting and Almond Roca tidbits (merely 'cause Ruby indulges an affinity for peanut buttery goodness)to supplement red velvet babycakes with ample dollops of cream cheese frosting, whose red-and-white appearance bespoke of The Cat in the Hat,chocopudding, Oreo cookie, and gummy worm fused dirt cups to enjoy in remembrance of Diary of a Worm,and a watermelon cart replete with succulent fruit cubes worthy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.All was primed for the momentous arrival of Ruby herself,who graced us all with the most epic reaction ever to be recorded in surprise shindig history. HAHAHAHA.Oh, lovely Bratcher family, how we love you guys and your forthcoming Babycakies #3!!!A smattering of shenanigans befittingly ensued, from a recently engaged chummy proposing to her sister for her hand in maid-of-honor'ness,to incessantly squealing over a just-engaged gal pal, whose fiancé carved, sanded, and painted her in loving toil a ring from a hunk of wood,to garrulously enjoying the cherished company of friendly folks.Ruby, I thank the Lord for you mucho grande nachos for you are an ever dear and wonderful friend who never ever fails to inspire and encourage me with your creativity that spawns legendary craftiness, your godly wisdom from experiences past, your daily living out your role as a wife and mama that indicates so much joy in the Lord, your heart for your chummies, and your taking every crafty/blogging opportunity God is granting you to glorify Him. I love learning from you, nerdily crafting with you, baking with you, chitter chattering lightyears a minute with you, and exchanging with you novels of email updates. I LOVE YOU SO!!!Team Hong/Hwang/Wong/Kim loves Ruby...Ellen, we missed you!

This post is also posted here on my personal blog.