Weekly Project!

I have been watching WAY TOO Much HGTV. Last week while shopping for discounted Halloween Decorations at Goodwill Brice and I came across this broken down, but promising 2-Door White Cabinet. The Doors were hinged weird, it was missing a back, and the shelves needed some work, and, oh yeah, it was white…not our choice of furniture color. For a whole whopping 9.99 and a cautious trip home our “Fixing-Up” Adventure began.

For months I have been complaining about our bookshelf that has been holding our DVDs since we were married. It worked great in the beginning, but, after being hit by the most popular of Christmas gifts, our DVD collection was overflowing. The unorganized look wasn’t the only thing: for someone who is OCD and a perfectionist, all those colors were throwing me off and hurting the scheme of the room.

Paint, Brushes, Wood, Hinges, Knobs, and Shelving was the checklist for our trip to Home Depot and all we needed to make this cabinet what we wanted.

Under $40 and the Room Looks Tons Better!

Fall in Love!

Does Anyone really understand the point of “Taking a Drive” when I was younger my parents would take us all on these mini road trips every Sunday. I’m not sure if we went on them so we would actually take our Sunday naps or because my mother loved the scenery of Utah. The canyons were beautiful year round, but they really made an impression in the fall. Right around the middle of September the mountains would undergo a transformation. What was once filled with lush green soon turned into a canvas to a vast array of colors. Reds, Oranges, and Yellows filled the scenery and worked their ways into your own home décor.

I love a flirty dress and heels as much as the next girl, but there is nothing more comforting than throwing on those old True Religion Jeans (only a mass unbearable rip in the booty will ever tear you apart), heeled boots, and that CASHMERE SWEATER. That Sweater which holds the smells and memories of long walks and the many leaf jumps you have taken in the last few years. I love the colorful sights, the crisp sugary smells, the warm spicy taste, and the anticipating sounds that come with the month of fall.

This year I am dedicating myself to getting creative and sharing some of the fun ways you can spend those cold days in; Canning, Painting, Decorating, Sewing, etc. Halloween in just around the corner and Thanksgiving is a hop, skip, and jump from there! I look forward to what this fall has to offer.

Did You Know Mother Nature's Birthday is in May...or at Least it Should be. Good Weather, I Hope!

In the last month I have been stuck in snow boots, taking Kujo for a walk in 4 inches of snow, and I have had a bachelorette party snowed out. You would have never guessed its April, but when you live in Utah the weather can be a little bipolar. I was trained at a young age to believe summer started in May. I don’t know if it was because school got out or I was preparing for summer vacations in May, but when ever I see the calendar about to turn to May I automatically start digging out bikinis, skirts, and dresses. After the bust last summer was I am very much looking forward to these summer months.

A year ago Brice and I were engaged and planning out our life after we got married. The date was set for September 4^th and, at the time, we were planning to make our home in Phoenix, Arizona. As the summer drew closer to ending we were forced to make a decision that could change a lot of our plans, “do we go to Arizona…broke, or do we live somewhere we can afford?” Obviously we made the smart decision and moved to Utah where cost of living was a whole lot cheaper. Even though this messed up a lot of our plans and for Brice it put off school for one more year, once we got to Utah things started falling into place.

Within meeting up with one of my bridesmaids for a fitting I was told about a job opening at the Olive Garden she worked for. Later that day, on my way to my Bridal Shower, I had a quick interview…two weeks later I was offered the job. Within two weeks of living in Utah, Brice got a good paying job with a collections agency. We ended up living in a mini basement apartment with some of the best owners and rent ever. The Schwendimans, have been a life save for us many times. They took us in, let us have a dog, and still love us even when were loud and not big fans of BYU.

In the last year we have made some of the best memories, made the greatest new friends, and have gotten back on our feet. A month from today, we will be loading up in the “Wiley Family Bus + Trailer” and making a move to somewhere we can start our lives. Brice will be starting school in the fall in Salem, Oregon and I will be working and getting It’s A Date! Wedding and Event Planning started! We have been planning this for the last few months and now that it is creeping up on us, I am scared, but excited. For the last while we have been living in limbo, so to say, not sure of what road we were going to take, but I am so excited that we are starting to make a life for ourselves.

Moving aside, the next few months are going to be EXCITING!!!! Next week starts the race for the “Crazy Fun Summer” a head of us. My sister is competing in the Miss Teen Arizona Pageant in Tempe next Sunday and we will be there to support her. This has called on some serious creativity from Yours Truly for “Good Luck Presents” and “Support Items/Campaigning Tools”. I will also be seeing my fabulous friend, now a Bride-to-Be, Jessica Adams and presenting her with the torch of wedding planning, stay tuned for that fun present.

Then between packing and cleaning, I will be pulling out my Tortilla Chips and Sombrero for Cinco de Mayo, wishing my amazing Mommies a Happy Mothers Day, and tapping into more creativity with Birthday Parties and Mission Farewells.

May Flowers are Here and you know I will be making a STELLAR Bouquet out of them!

Oh.....Yeah.... GO MISS TEEN FLAGSTAFF!!!!!

Happy Easter!

Growing up my dad taught me some very valuable lessons. “Always Give 110%!” “Never Tickle the Tiger”, and, most of all, “if it Costs Too Much, Try to Make it Yourself”. My dad is an accountant, so spending money never made it too far past him. I spent many of my young days shingling roofs, painting, staining entertainment centers, holding the nail gun, and even holding the heavy end of a beam while my father used the saw to cut it up just to save money. I look up to my dad for his determination and imagination when it came to the manly things like wood, wires, and a shop, but as for cutesy things, he left it up to the girls…unless of course there was a prize involved (like spending 5 hours frosting a teddy bear cake for a ward bake sale…yeah dad I remember! Man were you pissed when it only sold for a few dollars).

Today I walked out of my house to find a lovely box sitting on the door step: Our Easter Care Package from Mom and Dad Wiley! Since I am working my hardest to cut sugar out of our weekly grocery list, I was very much looking forward to the treats bestowed in this box. As I opened it my heart melted, sitting there oh so cute were little Rice Krispie Treat Eggs my dad wanted to make us. Sure enough it wasn’t just a Rice Krispie in the shape of an egg there was frosting to make little decorations on them.

I have never grown out of the excitement that comes with a Care Package, I guess its one thing I want to take from my childhood into adulthood. So thank you Mom, Dad, and Austin! It really made my day! Oh and Dad I would pay tons of money for your little eggs!

There Are So Many Girls, Yet So Few Desserts!

“I Can Resist Everything Except Temptation.”

-Oscar Wilde

Ahh Bachelorette Parties! For some it’s an excuse to drink and tempt the fate of her soon-to-be Marriage, and for others it’s a celebration to get away from family and have fun times with your girlfriends before the stress of the wedding hits. How women come about this is a total reflection of their personality, and completely up to them. No matter how this celebration is executed, it is one that can not be forgotten or minimalized.

It was a Spring April Afternoon filled with snow and cold weather in the Sandy Valley. The lucky bride was Natalie Cook, a sweet coworker of mine that couldn’t be more excited to be sealed for time and all eternity to her handsome fiancée Spencer Sheets. She wanted something classy, but sexy and preferably in the afternoon. So we settled on a brunch in the park. Pressed with the rushing wedding date and crazy work schedules, the time for planning was 2 weeks, and they went by fast.

Before I knew it, it was early Saturday morning and the rain and snow were falling down hard outside the window. The Park was out of the picture, so with some quick polishing and swift runs with vacuum I was able to convert my mini apartment into a usable space. (Please let my new place be better for entertaining, Please, Please, Please!)

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

April 9^th, 2011

Colors: I like to spend some quality “Me” time during my week and during that time along with mani/pedis and a facial mask that always ends up in my mouth, I love reading the new additions of Bridal Magazines. Of course with my job I have to be up to date with all the new trends and styles, but there has been one that has just stolen my heart and I have been so excited to use it.

Black, White, and BRIGHT BLUE!

Invitation: I would like to thank my Dear Husband, Brice for helping me with these crazy invitations. To add a little excitement to a normal piece of parchment, I decided to crack into my non-existing Asian Heritage and try some Origami. By folding tiny dresses that hung on hangers (made by my dear Hubs) that were linked onto the invitation, it added a 3D take on a classic invite.

Table Setups: I wanted to create a spectacle that started from the ground and worked its way up. I started by using Black Table Cloths that were fitted on the table, I then angled a square smaller table cloth with a fancy design, both keeping to the black and white. On top of the table is where I let the bright blue come in. Blue Boxes, Blue Flowers, Blue Utensils, etc.

Food: Since the party was happening mid-day I wanted to keep the food light and more like light snacking. So the menu was filled with the ever traditional Veggie and Fruit Trays, with Blueberry Muffins, and Blueberry Parfaits. Water was available and so was a Vintage Lemon/Limeade.

Dessert:  It’s the inner geek in me that whenever I see a book store going out of business I hit the shelves hard, especially for fun books you wouldn’t expect. My kinky cupcakes were inspired by a book called just that “Kinky Cupcakes” by Joanna Farrow. If you get a chance, find this book. It will leave you laughing and, of course, ready to throw a bachelorette party.

Details: To add to the theme I attached little bows to all of the glasses and to the parfait cups. I also dipped all of the rims of the Drinking Glasses into Blue Sprinkles and Sugar…It tasted like Rock Candy! I also did Menu Cards that I placed near all of the food. I kept them simple only naming the food items, but if you feel like getting creative and coming up with names, by all means let those creative juices flow.

Music: I kept the playlist girly and fun. Songs from Madonna, Lady Gaga, the Pussycat Dolls, and Beyonce all graced the list. Creating a playlist for a bachelorette party comes down to the music preference of the bride and the friends involved.

Bachelorette Parties can range from Insanely Crazy to Sweetly Classic. All ranges are fun and worth attendance. I really had a fun time getting to know Natalie better and I wish her and Spencer the best of luck in their marriage and their brave move to Hawaii later this year. For those who attended: Thank you and for those who couldn’t: Eat your Hearts Out!

March Madness is More Like March Insanity!

"The secret is to have eight great players and four others who will cheer like crazy."

- Jerry Tarkanian

Women are not big fans of March Madness! Husbands are constantly getting mad at the teams we pick for our Bracket, any great plays worth watching 3 hours for will be featured over and over on ESPN, and after the season when is the next time you can use Jimmer Fredettes stats without looking like a stalker. It used to be the only good thing that could come from March Madness is being able to go shopping with all your girlfriends and be home before your man even noticed.

I don’t know if it was the need to cheer for my old alma matter (GO AGGIES) or the ongoing hype over ball hog Jimmer Fredette I wanted to tune in and get involved this year. Amongst it all I discovered one important fact that is looked over by women. When was the last time you could eat all the junk food in the world, feel (and act) like you’re back in college again, and still look sexy. Unless you are haunted by memories of Super Bowl Night at the local Frat House and that one “brother” whom couldn’t handle spicy salsa, March Madness is our time!

March Madness Mania

Even if you have a team going to the NCAA Showdown or you don’t know the different between Offense and Defense March Madness is a great time to pick a team, invite friends over, and have some good food on top of good conversation.

Colors: Picking colors depends vastly on whether or not you have a team playing. If you don’t use the basic orange, black, and white colors for your theme, However if you do use your teams colors. For this example I will be going with my team, the Utah State Aggies: Black, White, and Blue!

Invitation: Give your guests admission to the game by giving them tickets to your viewing of the game at your house. Invite your guests over about 30 minutes before the game starts so the smack talking can begin and the food can be devoured before the attention turns to the big screen.

Write-Up:

March Madness Round ___ Viewing

Team

Vs.

Team

Date and Time

Address

Live From:

Stadium

City and State

Buffet Set-Up:

1. Water Jug
2. Water Bucket/Beer/Powerade
3. Cake
4. Cups
5. Cupcakes
6. Plates
7. Napkins
8. Chips
9. Salsa
10. Popcorn
11. Chicken
12. Pizza Rolls
13. Candy Bowl

For Decoration on your table show your team support by making a sign or a flag poster featuring your schools name or their mascot. Also a giant poster board basketball is a great centerpiece for your table; although it won’t be visible until you look down at the table it will add a fun flair to your table.

Cards: I have been and seen so many parties in which they label their food or make a themed twist on what they serve. It’s up to you if you want to go to this extreme, but it is also fun for your guests to read and laugh over the names.

Water- “Water Break”

Cake: “Blow Your Whistle”

Cupcakes: “Traveling Cupcakes”

Popcorn- “Air Pop”

Chicken- “That’s a Fowl!”

Pizza Rolls- “Pass the Pizza Rolls”

Candy Bowl- “All Hands In”

Other Decorations: Don’t be afraid to go a little crazy! A Basketball Hoop (Toy) over the garbage can, A Giant Poster Scoreboard over the T.V…get into the “Madness” of the sport.

Menu:

He Shoots, He Scores! Salsa!

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

2 lbs Ripe Tomatoes (Diced)

1 ½-2 cups Mexican Blend Cheese

1 Can Black Beans (Drained)

2-3 Green Onions (Chopped)

1 cup Italian Dressing

2-3 tablespoons Chopped Cilantro (Optional)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a Medium Serving Bowl.

Mix well and Cover.

Served Best Chilled after Over Night Refrigeration

Crunchy Chicken Fingers

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

1 large Egg

1 lb Chicken Tenders

1 cup Crushed Potato Chips

¾ teaspoons Paprika

¼ teaspoons Salt

Directions:

Heat oven 450 degrees. Line pan with aluminum foil.

In small mixing bowl beat egg until well blended, and then place to the side.

In a medium mixing bowl combine Crushed Potato Chips, Paprika, and Salt. Mix together well.

Take a piece of Chicken, place in egg bowl and cover the piece completely, then place in breading bowl and press the chicken into the potato mix covering the entire chicken tender. Then place on pan.

Repeat.

Bake for 10 minutes

Get off the Bench Pizza Pockets

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

Crescent Rolls (Your Favorite Brand from the Store)

Pizza Sauce

Blended Cheese

Pepperonis (I prefer Mini Pepperonis)

Directions:

Follow Preheat Preferences made by your Crescent Roll Brands.

Roll out all of the crescent rolls on wax paper or a really clean counter top.

Over half of the crescent roll spread pizza sauce thinly.

Top with cheese and pepperonis.

Fold Rolls in half, pinching to seal the ends and place on pan.

Bake according to time allotments on your crescent rolls.

Desserts:

Orange Ya Glad We Won Cupcake Frosting

Ingredients:

3 Cups Powdered Sugar

1 tablespoon Soft Butter

3 tablespoons Orange Juice

1 tablespoon Clear Vanilla Extract.

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix. Frost after cupcakes have cooled.

For favors have your guests take the cupcakes home with them. They will enjoy having something sweet to go with the taste of victory….or defeat.

Take a Time Out from Every day life and take a few hours to yell at bad calls, cheer over 3 pointers, and spend some time with your friends and family. Sure there’s only those few times when a day shopping with the girls is ignored, but hey March Madness is 3 weeks long…there will be plenty of time, of course until Baseball Playoffs!



Taste the Rainbow

Rainbow Cupcakes

Ingredients:

White Cake Mix                       Baking Cups

Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green Food Coloring

Directions:

Prepare your favorite white cake mix. The divide white cake batter evenly in 6 separate bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.

Color	Drops of Coloring
Purple	9 Red, 6 Blue
Blue	12 Drops
Green	12 Drops
Yellow	12 Drops
Orange	12 Yellow, 4 Red
Red	18 Drops

Line 12 muffin pan wells with baking cups. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on following the order in the chart. Using the back side of a spoon smooth each layer before starting a new one.

Bake cupcakes according to your recipes directions.

Buttercream Icing

Ingredients:

½ cup Vegetable Shortening                 ½ cup Butter or Margarine

4 cups Powdered Sugar                        2 Tablespoons of Milk

1 teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Mix in a large bowl, using a mixer.

Luck Be a Lady!

If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky? 

-Stanislaw J. Lee

St. Patricks Day was a day set aside in Ireland to celebrate the life and teachings of Saint Patrick, a Bishop in the Irish Church back in 461. It is said that he used a Three Leaf Clover (aka a Shamrock) to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, since then the Shamrock has become a symbol of the Irish Holiday. Of course, now St. Patrick’s Day has spread past the Ireland coast and has entered into our homes. St. Patrick’s Day is better known for the need to Wear Green in fear of being pinched, Drinking Green Beer, and Finding Pots of Gold at the End of the Rainbow. Perhaps even harder than finding a Pot of Gold or even catching a Rainbow is finding St. Patrick’s Decorations…at least a good selection of them.

St. Patricks Day is one of those holidays (a lot like Thanksgiving) were Store Vendors slightly skip over it in anticipation for the next greater holiday. Therefore finding cute decorations to lighten up your home becomes an adventure. This year
I searched high and low for some cute decorations for my small home and I ran up short, so I put on my thinking cap and went to work on some recycled bottles and flowers laying around the house.

Bottles O’Luck

Needed:

White Ribbon                                                   Green Ribbon

3 Long Stemmed Flowers                                 A Couple Decoration Flowers

Stickers                                                            Hot Glue Gun

Scissors                                                            Wire Cutters

1 Large Perrier Sparkling Water Bottle

1 Small Perrier Sparkling Water Bottle

         Don’t let the unfortunate amount of St. Patricks Day decorations out there be a damper on your Holiday Fun at home. Its not very often we get to be creative and make our own decorations. Use this time to “be Green” and find some recyclable goods around the house and work your magic.    

It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want to!

We’ve All Been There! School books are stored deep in the closet, Flirty Sundresses and Skimpy Bikinis are packed in your Suitcase, Snack Foods are stored carefully in your Purse, and Spring Break is right around the corner. Destination: Dull Dry Land.

A couple years ago I spent Spring Break chilling by my family pool for an hour, then going inside to play Rock-Band until my eyes hurt, and then back out in the sun. I did this all week long, to this day I can still vaguely smell Salt and Vinegar Chips when I wear that bikini. After the week was over and life resumed its normal schedule I soon found out that I wasn’t the only one at home hiding from the lack of vacation my break seemed to offer, most of my girlfriends were stuck doing the same thing and we were all too scared and ashamed to admit it beforehand. Since then I have learned my lesson. Instead of hiding behind a guitar for my Spring Break I have started to make my own Party Vacation.

The Spring Break Home Getaway

Summary:

Don’t be afraid to admit that your Spring Break Destination is no where special, when you are honest about your holiday plans, you will be surprised how many friends admit their lack of plans also. Take advantage of this week. No work, No School, New Clothes, and Warm Weather, why not plan a Backyard Party?!

For this Event you want to stick to bright pastels, fun fruity food, danceable music, and anything to make your Backyard feel like a Tropical Getaway. Whether or not you own a pool, this party will be perfect to entertain your friends and keep you sane during your break.

Colors: Lime Green, Pink, Baby Blue, and Yellow

Invitation:

What Better way to say Wish You Are Here than by Postcard! All you will need is an Internet Server, a Print Shop Program, a Glue Stick, White Cardstock, and a couple Stamps.

1. Get on Google.com and search Images for Tropical Beach. There are tons of images that come up. Pick one, and save it to your computer. If you own a photo printer, Print off your tropical picture on glossy picture and put to the side for later.
2. Get on your Print Shop Program and create your invitation. It is best to keep the Postcard Look for your Invitation. On the right write all your Party Information. The left side will be used for the address of your Party Attendee.
3. Print off your Invitation, make sure the measurements of the card are the same as your photo. Once the invitation is printed and cut to the size indicated. Glue/Scrapbook Tape the picture to the back of the invitation.
4. Once you add all the addresses you can smack a stamp on your invitation and mail it out.

Write-Up:

It’s a Spring Break Getaway!

Join us on Saturday March   th, 2011

2:00 pm

6789 East 2990 South Sandy, Ut

There will Be Fun in the Sun, Fresh Fruit By the Bowlful, and

 Fun to Brag About Until Next Year!

Table Seating:

You will need to sets of tables, one for a food buffet and the others for sitting areas. For the Food Table I would use long rectangular tables and for sitting I would use round tables.

Seating:

For a backyard party of this capacity you will only need a couple tables, Two or Three at the most. Seating 6-8 at each tableAlternate colors on the tablecloths, and place the centerpiece in the middle.

B
uffet:

Place a brightly colored tablecloth and finish off with a grass skirt around the table. Place this table to the side or out of the way so its easy to get to, but not a bother. Using two table centerpieces place one on each end of the table.

                                     Plates                                 Drink Bowls

 

                        Silverware                Cups

Centerpieces:

The goal of the centerpiece is to bring your tropical theme to the table…literally. The supplies needed for this centerpiece are easy to find and can eve be hidden around the house.

Fruity Details

Makes: 1 Centerpiece

Needed:

2 square vases (each one a different size)      5 Lemons

5 Limes                                                      2 White Floating Candles

Tap Water                                                 A Pineapple

In the Large Vase place 3 Lemons and 2 Limes altering between the two. After they are placed in fill the vase with water until it is 1.5 inches from the top. Place the floating candle at the top.

In the Smaller Vase place 2 Limes and 1 Lemon altering between the two. After they are placed in fill the case with water until it is 1.5 inches from the top. Place the floating candle at the top.

Place the vases next to each other on the table and then place the pineapple in the middle in front of the vase.

Music:

Music for Spring Break is a no brainer. Anything up beat, girly, and makes you want to dance would be perfect for the party. Here are some of my suggestions:

“California Girls” by Katy Perry

“Summer Love” by Justin Timberlake

“Raise Your Glass” by Pink

“We R Who We R” by Ke$ha

“Crazy in Love” by Beyonce

“The Scene is Dead” by Cobra Starship

“Your Love is a Drug” by Leighton Meester

“Everybody Loves Me” by OneRepublic

“I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz

Check Out Some of Our Featured Songs in our Blog Playlist

Food:

Keep things fruity! Nothing screams Spring Break like fruit and light food. Instead of just serving a bowl of cut up fruit, add a little bit of flavor by make a couple fruit dips and a fruit salad!

To Start you will need Fresh Strawberries, Apples, Pineapple, Peaches, Oranges, etc. First rinse your Fresh Fruit and Cut them up into Bite-size Pieces.

Tropical Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

½ cup Sour Cream                                                       1 Cup Milk

1 Small Package Instant French Vanilla Pudding            1/3 cup Coconut

1 8-ounce can Crushed Pineapple, undrained

Directions:

Blend Sour Cream, Milk, and Pudding together until smooth. Fold in Pineapple and Coconut. Refrigerate over night.

Refreshing Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

1 (16-ounce) Package Frozen Unsweetened Peach Slices, Thawed

1 (10-ounce) Package Frozen Sweetened Strawberries, Thawed

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice                           ¼ teaspoon Almond Extract

Directions:

In a blender mix in all ingredients, cover and process until smooth.

Layered Fruit Salad

Makes: 10-12 Servings

Ingredients:

Fruit:

2 cups Cubed Fresh Pineapple             

1 Pint Fresh Strawberries, Hulled and Sliced

2 Kiwi Fruit, Peeled and Sliced            

3 Medium Bananas, Sliced

2 Oranges, Peeled and Sectioned                     

1 Cup Seedless Grapes

1 Pint Blueberries

Sauce:

2/3 cup Fresh Orange Juice                             

1/3 cup Fresh Lemon Juice

1/3 cup Packed Brown Sugar                          

½ teaspoon Grated Orange Peel

1 teaspoon Grated Lemon Peel            

1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

Directions:

In a sauce pan, bring to boil all ingredients for sauce except vanilla; simmer 5 minites. Add vanilla and cool. Meanwhile, in a large clear glass salad bowl, arrange fuit in layers in order listed. Pour sauce over fruit. Cover and refrigerate several hours.

Cocktails:

Spring Break is known for its cocktails, so bring those Tiki Bar Drinks to the Party.

Southern Serenity

Makes: 2

Ingredients:

2 Ripe Peaches, Pitted and Chopped                4 Ounces Straight Burbon

Peach Wedges or Diced Peaches, for Garnish

Directions:

Blend together the peaches and bourbon on high speed until the mixture is thoroughly pureed. Turn off the blender.

With the blender running, slowly add more ice cubes, no more than three at a time. Listen carefully to the sound of the machine. When the machine resumes its normal pitch rather than sounding gravelly, look at the drink. You will notice a vortex in the center of the mixture. Keep adding ice until the vortex disappears and the mixture looks smooth.

Turn off the blender and stir the mixture with a long spoon or a chopstick. Replace the lid and turn on the blender. The vortex will reappear. Keep adding ice cubes, two or three at a time, until it disappears.

Once again, turn off the blender, stir, replace the lid and blend for about 10 seconds, or until the sound of the motor tells you that all the ice has been thoroughly chopped. Spoon into a stemmed wineglass and garnish with the peach wedges

Golden Glow Punch

Makes: 2

Ingredients:

6 ounce Orange Juice Concentrate           6 Ounce Lemonade Concentrate

1 Quart Chilled Apple Juice                     2 Quarts Chilled Ginger Ale

1 Pint Lemon Sherbet                              Ice

Directions:

Pour the concentrate and the apple juice into the punch bowl. Stir the ginger ale into the bowl. Spoon in sherbet or add an ice ring. Serve immediately.

Dessert:

In one of my favorite movies a very vocal character tells his best friend, “You know what ELSE everybody likes? Parfaits! Have you ever met a person, you say, "Let's get some parfait," they say, "Hell no, I don't like no parfait"? Parfaits are delicious!” Donkey is right, everyone loves Parfaits! So to end your party on a positive note, serve a dessert they can eat there or eat on the run.

Parfait

Makes: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

3 Cups Vanilla Nonfat Yogurt               1 Cup Good Quality Granola

1 Cup Fresh or Defrosted Frozen Strawberries in Juice

1 Pint Fresh Blackberries, Raspberries, or Blueberries

Directions:

Layer 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt into the bottom of your glass container, Combine defrosted strawberries and juice with fresh berries. Alternate layers of fruit and granola with yogurt until containers are filled to the top. Serve Parfaits immediately to keep granola crunchy.

Favors:

So the trip is over, its time to go home, or at least that’s how you want your guests to feel. So give them a treat to remind them of the good times!

Who Said Baggage was a Bad Thing

Needed:

1 Small bag (Similar to a Mini Make-up Bag)    A few Candies

Small Treat Items                                              Cardstock

Scrapbook Paper                                              Tape

Scissors                                                            Ribbon

1-Hole Punch

Directions:

Print off “Thank You” Note on White Cardstock Paper. Cut it out, mat on Scrapbook Paper, and cut and finish off the note.

Write-Up:

Thank You! Come Again!

Name

Spring Break 2011

Love,

Kari

Fill Your Small Bag with Candies and Treats. Once the bad is filled zip the bag close and using ribbon tie Thank You Note on the Bag.

Although I developed a crowd-stopping talent of playing “Eye of the Tiger” with my eyes shut and developed a killer tan, I still believe Spring Break is a time to get together with the people who mean the most to you. Friends and Family are a gift that are sometimes taken for granted. They are the ones who bring light to a dark time and who lift you up out of that deep hole you have found yourself in. It’s not everyday you can take time and Thank them for all they do. This spring break find those friends who are too scared to announce they are staying in for Spring Break and give them something to go back and brag about.

April Showers bring May Flowers, but March Madness Brings IT ON!!!

About this time last year my sister, Stephanie, and I were bouncing around our Phoenix home singing to my mother about the beautiful weather that was about to come! (Back to the 80’s. back to Shorts! Back to Tanning and Cherry Cokes! Those were the Days!) As much as I love wearing cute sweaters, crunching through leaves, buying boots, and building snowman, I can not wait until I can pull out my shorts, find that pink bikini, and sip lemonade while driving with the windows down. March is the bittersweet overture to the Grand Summer Showdown. With the overly planned Spring Break, the crazy hype over March Madness, and the Need for Green on St. Patrick’s Day there is a lot to love in March and a lot to look forward to.

I don’t believe in a “Party of One” so for this Almost-Spring Season I will be finding any moment I can to break out of the house, score some extra points, and possibly have the best party and food ideas to start the season! It’s Back to the 80’s, Back to Shorts, Back to Glitter and Fancy Cups! These are the Days!

Hey! Show Me Your Party Spirit

“I was Good Because I Got Some Bead”

-Anonymous

Feathers, Glitter, and Beads! There is nothing wrong with that Statement, now add a little bit of Masked Mystery and we have the Festival of the Season! Of Course, I am talking about Mardi Gras! The one time of the year when we can pull out the Masks and Beads and run around town painting the town Purple, Green, and Gold all while dancing to amazing Jazz music.

Masquerade Mardi Gras

Suggested Event Colors: Purple, Green, and Gold

Summary: As the weather is starting to warm up it is a great time to call all of your neighbors out of their warm homes and into the streets. Mardi Gras is known for many things, Great Food, Music, Dancing, Games, and, of course, Mardi Gras Beads. A Masquerade Mardi Gras Party works great for a Block Party, Church Party, or even a School Carnival. For this Example, we will be using a Block Party.

Everything Mardi Gras is known for will be present in the Block Party. Dinner will be a Barbeque featuring Chicken and Potluck for side dishes. Games will provided in form of Carnival Games, and Dancing will be brought to you by Modern Classical Jazz.

Invitations: Invitations for the Block Party should be sent out 1 and a half to 2 weeks before the event. It is best to Hand-Deliver these invitations. When it comes to Neighborhood parties, families like to meet the hosts personally before they attend, especially newer families. Take a day and work your way around the neighborhood ringing door bells and inviting families, this is also an easier way to get potluck volunteers.

“Cup O’ Fun” Invitations

Makes: 1 Invitation

Needed:

1 Green Plastic Party Cup                  1 Strand of Gold Mardi Gras Beads

1 Mardi Gras Mask                           White Cardstock

2 Tulle Stick                                       Gold Cardstock

Write-Up:

Masquerade Mardi Gras

BLOCK PARTY BARBEQUE

Saturday, February    th

6:00 to 9:00 pm

9874 West 7300 South Sandy, Ut

Come Join Your Neighbors as we dawn our Funny Masks, Eat Great Good, Dance Around, and Play Carnival Games.

For Potluck Volunteering call Jen Fredricks at (801) 648-5555.

Chicken on the Grill!

Print off your Write-Up on the White Cardstock, cut out the invitation, mat on Gold Cardstock and cut the invitations. Tape the Cardstock Invitation onto a tulle stick, on the other tulle stick tape a Mardi Gras Mask.

Using the Gold Mardi Gras Beads fill the Green Plastic Cup ¾ full. Then Place the two tulle sticks in the cup.

Table Set-Up: Depending on where the party is being held the way you place or tables or how you decorate your tables can be left up to the weather and venue limits. For this type of event Circle tables would be the best for socializing and they fit in a smaller space. Seats should not be assigned. Guests will be getting up and down from them as they are eating, playing games, and dancing.

Tablecloths should reflect the fun and excitement of Mardi Gras. Use alternating cloths for each table (Purple and Green) with a reflecting fun centerpiece. Place 6 chairs around the table.

Centerpiece: You want to keep the centerpiece small, just in case weather kicks up. Keep it simple with a square mirror laid flat, on top place 3 candles in a triad position. Take mask cut-outs (like the ones used for the invitations) and small silver nails and pin the masks into the candles, around the candles loop gold mardi gras beads.

Other Decorations: For light when it gets dark and for classy decoration while its light out use white paper lanterns (colored ones will look just as good). Another cheaper idea would be to use tiki torches around areas that children wont be running around.

Music: Mardi Gras is known for their Jazz Music and great tunes street goers can dance too. For your party, you have a choice of getting a live jazz band, getting a D.J, or making your own Playlist. A Live Band is great for Live Music and Dancing. Guests will enjoy having live entertainment. A D.J will do all of the music preparation for you. A Music Playlist is the hardest of the three, but it is the less expensive route.

Some Songs I Would Recommend:

“Feels Like Rain” by Buddy Guy

“Walkin’ to New Orleans” by Fats Domino

“Fire on the Bayou” by The Meters

“Mardi Gras Mambo” by The Meters

“Carnival Time” by Al Johnson

“Fire Water” by Wild Magnolias

“Mardi Gras in New Orleans” by Professor Longhair

Check out Playlist to Sample Some of the Music!

Games: Mardi Gras is very similar to a carnival, the children in the group will love Carnival Games and the teens would love volunteering to help out with the games.

Bucket Toss: Line buckets 6 inches apart on a board. Line the players up 8 feet away from the board and have each player throw 3 bean bags, if they are successful and make it into the bucket a prize will be rewarded.

Balloon Darts: On a stiff board or a small flat-board of plywood pin different size, different color balloons full of water. Players will be lined up 10 feet away from the board with darts. When a balloon is popped a prize will be rewarded.

Can Knockdown: Stack 5 cans on a table 8 feet away from the players. Players will have 3 bean bags they can throw, when all cans are knocked down, player will be rewarded a prize.

Hula Hoops: Players will compete to see who can Hula Hoop the longest and win a prize.

Ring Toss: Put your old coke bottles to use. On a small piece of flat plywood glue 4 bottles equal distance apart. Players line up 6 feet away from the board with 3 rings that they can throw. When a ring falls around a bottle a prize will be rewarded.

Prizes: Prizes can range from Mardi Gras beads to Glow-in the Dark Frisbees (oriental trading) to candy. Oriental trading has great bundle prices and orders can be made online.

Dinner: With a Block Party Barbeque it is best to have the option of Hamburgers vs. Hot-dogs or, for this occasion, Chicken vs. Steak. Guests can bring their own meat or it can be supplied by the host family.

Bourbon Whiskey Barbeque Sauce

Makes:

½ Onion, Minced                                      4 Cloves Garlic, Minced

¾ cup Bourbon Whiskey                          ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

½ teaspoon Salt                                        2 cups Ketchup

¼ cup Tomato Paste                                 1/3 cup Vinegar

2 tbsp Liquid Smoke Flavoring                  ¼ cup Worcestershire Sauce

½ cup Packed Brown Sugar                      1/3 teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce

In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the Onion, Garlic, and Whiskey. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until Onion is translucent. Mix in the Ground Black Pepper, Salt, Ketchup, Tomato Paste, Vinegar, Liquid Smoke, Worcestershire Sauce, Brown Sugar, and Hot Pepper Sauce.

Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 20 minutes. Run sauce through a strainer if you prefer a smooth sauce.

Along with the barbeque a great way to take a major load off the hosts shoulders would be to make the occasion a “Pot-luck” (Volunteers each bring a plate). This way there is plenty of food to go around and everyone’s different tastes are satisfied. Here are just some suggestions for dishes to bring to the table.

Southwestern Layered Bean Dip

Makes: 12 Servings

1 (16 oz) Can Non-Fat Refried Beans       1 (15 ounce) Can Black Beans, Rinsed

4 Scallions, Sliced                                     ½ cup Salsa

½ teaspoon Cumin                                    ½ teaspoon Chili Powder

¼ cup Pickled Jalapenos, Chopped           ½ cup Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

1 ½ c Chopped Romaine Lettuce              1 Medium Tomato

1 Medium Avocado                                  ¼ cup Canned Sliced Olives

2 Container Sour Cream

Combine Refried Beans, Black Beans, Scallions, Salsa, Cumin, Chili Powder, and Jalapenos in a medium sized bowl. Transfer to a shallow 2-quart Microwave Safe Dish. Sprinkle with Cheese.

Microwave on High Heat until Cheese is melted and Beans are hot. 3-5 minutes.

Spread Sour Cream evenly over the Hot Bean Mixture, then scatter with Lettuce, Tomatoes, Avocado, and Olives.

Serve with Tortilla Chips.

Mardi Gras Pasta Salad

Serves: 6

1 Box Tri-Color Rotini Pasta              1 Small Red Onion

1 Small Green Pepper                        1 Large Carrot

1 Can Whole Corn                             1 Can Petite Diced Tomatoes, Drained

1 Bottle Italian Dressing

Cook Noodles according to the box directions for al dente and rinse with Cold Water/

Dice Onions, Peppers, and Carrots into small pieces. Drain Tomatoes and Corn Well.

Add all Veggies to the cooked Pasta Noodles.

Pour Dressing over top, using as much as you would like, to taste.

Refrigerate over night.

Cocktails: It is up to the host whether or not the need for an alcoholic beverage at the party. I would recommend a cooler placed away from the children surrounded by adults to watch filled with beer or whatever drinks you would like for personal enjoyment. For other Beverages giant drink coolers are the best to store and serve.

Virgin Hurricane

1 Splash Grenadine                            2 ounces Orange juice

4 ounces Pineapple Juice                    0.5 ounces Sugar Syrup

Mix Juices slowly with Sugar Syrup. Stir. Splash the Grenadine to turn the Mixture red. Serve chilled for best taste. Be careful with the Sugar Syrup, too much can turn your Hurricane into a Super Sweet Disaster.

Home-made Root Beer

Makes: 2 Liters

1 cup Table Sugar                                   1 tablespoon Root Beer Extract

¼ teaspoon Powdered Bakers Yeast       Cold Fresh Water

2 L Soda Pop Bottle

Funnel 1 level cup of Sugar, then add ¼ teaspoon of Powdered Bakers Yeast. Shake Bottle, then swirl the mixture to make the center of the mix concave.

Add 1 tablespoon Root Beer Extract. Fill the bottle half-way with Cold Tap Water. Rinse in the Extract which sticks to the Tablespoon. Swirl the bottle to mix and dissolve the Extract. Once it is well blended fill the bottle to the neck, cap, and seal. Invert repeatedly to dissolve more extract.

Store at Room Temperature for 3-4 days until Bottle feels hard to a forceful squeeze.

Refrigerate over night before serving.

Dessert: Along with potluck entrees, most families will easily volunteer for bringing dessert. Once again, the follow is just a suggestion.

Chocolate Covered Bananas

Makes: 8 Bananas

1½ cup Nuts                                     3 tablespoons Butter

4 Firm Bananas                                 ½ cups Semisweet Chocolate Morsels

8 Wooden Skewers

Measure Nuts into shallow pan and set aside.

Melt Butter and Chocolate Morsels together in small saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Pour Chocolate Mix into second shallow pan and set aside.

Peel Bananas and cut in half cross-side.

Immediately dip bananas in melted chocolate to coat evenly. Roll in nuts pressing nuts into chocolate to coat evenly. Place on wax paper lined tray.

Freeze firm for 2 hours.

Rice Krispies may be substituted instead of nuts.