Let the Games Begin!

As I work on this post, I'm watching the final day of the US women's gymnastic Olympic trials and becoming increasingly excited for this year's games to begin!
The opening ceremony for the XXX Summer Olympic Games will be held in London, England on July 27th, 2012.  This will be the first year I can recall missing them but at least I have a good reason: I'll be in Montreal at my first Coldplay concert :)  It's times like this when I love DVR.  While it's fun to watch it live with the rest of the world, I'm okay with enjoying it at my leisure without my kids talking the entire time since I promised them they could watch it.

One of the best parts of the Olympics is the emotionally moving commercials.  I've watched this tearjerker (click here to watch) more times than I can keep track of.  The music, the cinematography, the direction by the brilliant, Alejandro González Iñárritu, all add up to perfection.  I've produced tears every single time I've watched it.  I remember loving (and welling-up to) this one from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games (click here to watch).*

The P&G "Raising an Olympian" mini documentaries like this one on Gymnastics Olympian, Shawn Johnson, and this one on Track & Field Paralympian, Kortney Clemons, are very moving as well.  But enough praising P&G's amazing Olympic advertising (even though I'm a loyal Bounty, Tide and Cascade consumer), and on with the festivities!

If you're planning a gathering to celebrate the opening ceremonies or a particular event you and your friends are into, here are some fun, Olympic-inspired sweets & potables (as long as some other party ideas) to inspire ways for you to give your event some special Olympic flair.

And here are some links that can help you to more fully participate in the Olympics without actually competing in them or attending them.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Official Website 

NBC's Olympic Games Website

The Olympic Games Facebook Page

Cookies:

Biscuiteers

Laurs_1981 via Cake Central

Fancyflours (Olympic rings wafer papers)

Ann Clark Ltd.
This fantastic cutter (made here in Vermont!) can be used with the above wafer papers 
or to create the "Nanaimo Bars" listed below under, "Cakes".

The Decorated Cookie

The Decorated Cookie

Beaches Pastry

Little Birdie Secrets

Alphamom

Tesorocookies

Edible Gifts Plus

123rf

Cupcakes:

The Green Album

Victorious Cupcakes

Cookit!

Coco Cake

Cake Picture Gallery

Lavender Bakery

Abbietabbie

Clever Cupcakes

Cakes:

The Kitchn (Nanaimo Bars)

Graciescakes

Perfect Cake by Shirley

About.com

Edible Art

Cakespy

Miller Design Enterprise

Taste of Home

Taste of Home

Sugarbabies via Cake Central

Drinks:

An Olympics of Beer
Photo: The Washingtonian

 Olympic Rings Cocktails
Every Joe

Olympic Rings Cocktail
Examiner.com

Olympic Ring (Tequilla) Drinks
Examiner.com

Drink of the Week: The Olympic

Drink of the Week: Olympic Cocktails

iDrink: Olympic Themed Drink Recipes

Party Planning Ideas:

Kids Olympics

Olympic Party Planning Ideas

How to Host Great Olympics Theme Party

*Addendum:

I just saw this version of the "kids"commercial for the 2012 summer games (click here to watch) as well as this new "thank you Mom" one (click here to watch).