28 February 2011

Cookie Contest Update

I know you are anxiously awaiting to hear who won the cookie contest. As an update for you, there are still 5 recipes to try. My plan all along has been to make each recipe and then announce the winning recipe at the very end, along with whose recipe was whose. My husband has been trying and judging each one, not knowing who sent in the recipe (as to prevent any biases).

I suppose I could tell you whose we've made, but will that take out the fun? Let me know what you think...

25 February 2011

Themed Party: a SDRAWKCAB party

In case you couldn't read the title, the party for today's post is

A Backwards Party

I was in charge of a youth activity about a year ago and this theme was such a hit! I made it even more specific and had a Backwards Back-to-School party, but a simple Backwards party will do just fine. I wouldn't suggest it for young kids, but teenagers + will love it.

Invitations:
  • If you don't already have a backwards font on your computer, download one. Print the invitations backwards and give instructions for your guests to read the invitation in the mirror.
  • Instruct your guests to dress backwards
Food:
  • Eat your meal backwards. So that means...dessert first! You will want to choose a dessert that isn't too rich so that you're guests won't get sick.
Activity ideas:
  • Backwards water run- divide into two teams. Have one member from each team fill their spoon with water from a full bowl and run backwards to a certain point where an empty bucket is. They drop their water in the empty bowl and run backwards back to their team. Team members rotate through until the bowl is filled. The first team to fill their bowl wins.
  • Have an obstacle course where team members have to put on backwards apparel, run backwards, etc.
!nuf evah

23 February 2011

Cookie Contest Recipe #5

This recipe got a 9. My husband says they are the best he's had. And they made great pazuki.

21 February 2011

Themed Party: A 'Tie' Party

My husband and I threw a 'tie' birthday party for my older brother. We were inspired by our friends Scott and Marcelle who had a 'thai' party just a few weeks earlier. We took some of their ideas like the sweet sushi (see below) and added some of our own twists to the night. (Excuse the un-professional photos. This was from a few years ago)

Activity ideas:
  • Your guests will need to be dressed for the occasion. So, before the party begins, wrap up one tie for each guest. As soon as all of your guests arrive, have each one select a package to open. They have to wear that tie for the night...which leads us to the next activity...

  • Have someone teach the group how to tie a tie
  • Make sweet sushi (see food)

Food ideas:
  • Sweet sushi. You could serve the real fishy stuff, but since we knew our guest wouldn't love it, we went with this sweet alternative. All you need is: twinkies, fruit roll-ups and chopped up gummi bears.
(sorry again for the poor photo)
  • To make it, cut twinkies in about 1 inch pieces. Wrap with fruit roll-up. Then put swedish fish (full or chopped up) on top. Voila!
  • Cheese breadsticks
  • Bacon wrapped turkey

17 February 2011

Hosting Tip #5

If you know you are going to have guests spend the night, put a little handwritten welcome note where they will be sleeping. For some extra festiveness, add in a little piece of chocolate.

16 February 2011

Pizookie [recipe]

Needing a sinful dessert? Try this one.

ingredients:


make your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough

directions:

bake the dough in a ramekin or pyrex dish. bake it about 2 minutes shy of full time. you want the dough to be just barely undercooked so it will melt in your mouth with the ice cream and the world's best homemade hot fudge.

11 February 2011

If you don't have time

to make a Valentine's dessert, make this super easy festive treat. Directions and photo credit here

Thanks Emily for sending it in!

10 February 2011

Heart S'mores

My friend had a great idea to make homemade graham crackers. They are a little time consuming to make, but are delicious! Since it was the month of love, we decided to shape them into hearts like this:


 We then melted down some kisses and molded them into a heart shaped pan. We added in a marshmallow, broiled for 30 seconds and had ourselves some "hearty" s'mores.

08 February 2011

valentine's day ideas recap

since many of you were not around last year for valentine's day, i decided to highlight some of my favorite posts. many of these ideas came from you! don't ever be afraid to send in your festive ideas!




want more ideas? click on the valentine's day tag on the sidebar -->

07 February 2011

Tarts- a treat you will LOVE

Tarts are very festive treat in my opinion. They really are cute, easy to make, and they will stun your company! My husband doesn't even like tarts and he LOVED these. They would be a perfect dessert for Valentine's Day.

ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla or almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour

cream cheese tart filling:
1/2 cup butter or margarine
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

directions:

cream butter and sugar. add in egg, vanilla and flour. refrigerate dough for a few hours. then press thinly into tart pans. bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. remove from tart pans a few minutes after you remove from oven. fill with cream cheese tart filling and fruit or other puddings like chocolate, pistachio, or strawberry junket dessert right before you serve them.

03 February 2011

Heart garland

I have been loving all types of garland right lately. In fact, so much so that I made 2 for V-Day. My friend Marcelle was nice enough to make this super simple heart garland with me. We were inspired by Martha Stewart's garland here. Get detailed instructions here:

All you need is:
  • wax paper
  • old crayons
  • iron

It makes our bedroom a little more festive!

02 February 2011

Red burlap wreath

My friend and I were inspired by Whipperberry's Red Burlap Wreath and decided to make our own to festify our houses for the month of love.

I won't share all the details since you can get them all here, but here is the finished product. The best part is: you can make it well under $10.



01 February 2011

The month of Love

Yay! I love February. I love that February is a time to celebrate love. Love doesn't just have to be for a spouse or significant other, you know.

There will be a lot of posts coming up about V-day decor, recipes, and ways to celebrate, so check back often.

Also, don't forget it's Groundhogs Day tomorrow. Do something fun to celebrate!

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