Outdoor Movie Party

My daughter just turned 13. She still wants a birthday party but it get harder as they get older. No one wants to do crafts or anything that might be perceived as embarrassing to another 13 year old. Just the fact that her parents are present at the party is risky to her reputation. So I decided it might be fun to have an Outdoor Movie Party. I really miss being able to go to the "Drive-in". There was nothing more fun than family and friends packing up the car and hanging out watching a movie. So that's just what I did.

First I borrowed a movie projector. You can also rent them. I used a sheet against our swing set to project the movie on.

I decided that the food should only be drive-in movie food. We grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and had chips and dip, nachos and lots of soda. The kids (21 of them) had a great time just hanging out and talking.

I did put out some things for them to do. I had a bean bag toss game, horseshoes and our trampoline. The trampoline, as always, is the most popular. I also set up a table with tattoos on them. These were tattoo designs for older kids so it was cool to use. I happened upon a sale at Michael's. It was a box of tattoos, body glitter and markers for $3.00. I went crazy and bought 2 boxes.

Once the movie started I brought out bowls of candy (Sam's Club) and popcorn in plastic popcorn containers (Dollar Store 2 for a $1.00). I had some beach chairs, comforters and blankets to sit on.

As far as favors, I had the kids take home their empty popcorn containers and I put loads of the candy in them. The kids where thrilled to get the plastic containers filled with candy.

I do have one tip for thank you cards. I always take a group picture at the party. I like to use that picture on my thank you cards. That way the kids get a second favor and a memory that they won't forget.

These movie parties are also great when you have a pool. There is nothing better than lounging in the pool watching a great movie.

I hope this helps.

New Twist to an Old Baby Birth Announcement

When I was looking for ways to expand my invitation design business, I discovered this great way to announce the arrival of your bundle of joy. If you are tired of the same old birth announcements, or favors then this is the way to go. Send out a baby announcement in the form of a baby driver’s license. Imagine what fun it would be to receive an announcement like this. I have a “baby license” for every U.S. State. I also make candy bar wrappers the same way. Why give out cigars when you can give these out? It’s a great favor for a baptism, christening, bris or naming ceremony. (this is available on my etsy store site www.invitetheparty.etsy.com)

A Fantasy Faux Beach Wedding on a Budget.

Have you always wanted a beach wedding? Dreamed of waves splashing the bottom of your wedding dress. Walking hand and hand with your new husband in the white sand. So what’s holding you back? You don’t have a beach near by? The cost would be too much? Well these problems shouldn't stop your dream wedding. Do you really want a beach wedding or just the feel of a beach wedding?

Do you want an elegant beach wedding, then price and place shouldn't stop you. Whether you are having your wedding at home, a firehouse, clubhouse or reception hall, you deserve your fantasy beach wedding.

Let’s start with the invitations. Let the invitation indicate what the theme is. Let it be known that they should dress as if it were an elegant beach wedding. Your dress should also do the same. No matter how elegant a beach wedding is, remember that they are always elegant on the casual side.

Why not have your guests greeted at the reception with leis. Nothing feels more "beachy" than that. Have a CD player playing the sounds of the ocean when your guests walk in.

Cocktail Hour: Your wedding drinks should also reflect that feel. Why not have daiquiris, margaritas, wine or sangria and beer. If you keep to that, you will keep your liquor budget down. Remember with these kinds of mixed drinks, you don’t use top shelf liquor. Have a sand box or two at cocktail hour so that everyone can feel the sand between their toes. The most economical way to do this is to buy a plastic kiddy pool at the end of the season. Fill it with sand and some shells. Not only will it bring a smile to everyone’s face, but it will get everyone in a beach mood. Have the DJ or band play tropical music during cocktail hour.

Food: What food do you think of when you think of the beach? Well fish of course but I also think of grilled chicken with a fresh fruity salsa or shish kabob. You can have someone barbecue for you. Have a beautiful salad (you can buy flowers to go into a salad that adds to the elegance) a vegetable that’s in season, and rice and you’ve got yourselves an elegant meal on a budget.

Tablescaping: The tables would look great with blue table clothes and white napkins. The center of the table could be as simple as a mound of sand in the middle with tea lights and shells. If you want flowers, how about a couple of tropical flowers stuck in the sand (use a test tube flower vase to keep them fresh).

Cake: Decorate a very plain wedding cake with chocolate sea shells and tropical flowers.

Favors: Have the favors reflect your invitation. You could do candy wrappers with the same theme as your invitation. When you are buying or making chocolate sea shells for the cake why not buy extra to give out as favors. Put a chocolate shell in a little box, wrap it in blue paper and glue a little shell on the top and you've got an elegant and inexpensive favor.

Don’t feel that because you live in the Midwest and don’t have an ocean or you live by an ocean but can’t afford it that you can’t have the feel of a beach wedding. Remember weddings are about fantasy. Live your fantasy!

Grandmom's Italian Easter Custard Pie

With Easter soon upon us I feel a need to give out my favorite Italian Easter Custard Pie recipe. I got this recipe from my husband's 95 year old Italian Grandmother. I learned as soon as I met my husband that all of the Italian women have their own special cake or pie they make at Easter. Some are delicious, and others, well let’s just say it makes you glad you’re not Italian. This recipe always stood out in the crowd. I went over for lunch one day just so she could dictate her recipe to me. This was a long and slow process since her English is not great and my Italian is non-existent. Trust me it was worth my time.

Grandmom’s Italian Easter Custard Pie

4 cups milk
½ cup rice
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons Amaretto
1 tablespoon almond extract
6 eggs (beaten)
½ cup almond slices

Put milk in a pan and let it boil. When it starts to boil, put in the sugar, rice and vanilla. Let it boil (very low flame) for about 20 minutes. Put in a bowl and let it cool. Preheat oven at 300 degrees. Beat eggs. Mix together cooled rice mixture, eggs, Amaretto, almond extract and almonds. Grease a glass pie pan with butter and put in mixture. Put the pie in a 300 degree oven for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

Charles Schultz Philosophy

Someone emailed this to me and I just had to share.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with .

Easier?

The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care .

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia " (Charles Schultz)

My Jack-o-Lantern is better than your Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Carving Party

In my last entry I talked about Halloween Parties. What I haven’t talked about is Pumpkin Carving Parties.

I have a great neighborhood. Years ago, we started doing parties to make the kids holiday more fun. It has, of course, now turned into an adult competition. Since this is my blog, I’ll tell you mine is always the best. We all chose a holiday (yes, Julia you still have to do Easter, even if it means blowing out thousands of eggs) and I picked, surprise, surprise, Halloween. About a week before Halloween I have my Pumpkin Carving Party. I supply all the tools and patterns. Just an FYI, every year after Halloween, I buy all the pattern kits at 75% to 90% off. I now, after all these years, have quite a few (to say the least).

I send my invitation out a few weeks before the party.

My guests know to bring their own pumpkins to carve. I set up a large table (or two) and spread out everything they need. I’ve also learned that you need a couple of garbage can to get all the pumpkin inners. We don’t, but you could, take all the seeds and roast them. For younger children, I usually put out paint, brushes and smocks. That way they can decorate their own pumpkins.

Because this is a very casual party, I have my guest either bring appetizers or dessert. That way all I have to worry about is the entrée. I always make stew. I feel like stew symbolizes the start of Fall. Each year I search the internet for new and interesting kinds of stew. I have never served the same stew twice. I make sure I decorate the table that we eat on in a Halloween theme. Since I am a dish-aholic, I have a set just for this occasion (well two but we can discuss my dish addiction at another time).

After dinner we light the pumpkins on my porch and admire our work.

Try this party and you too will suddenly find yourself doing this fun holiday party year after year.

Elizabeth

A Screaming Good Halloween Party

Last year, for the first time, I decided that my 11 year old daughter and her friend could throw a Halloween Party. I was scared for many reason, none having to do with Halloween. She and her friend originally wanted to invite 35 of there closest friends. I vetoed that idea. I felt that 35, 6th graders, in my house, would be a disaster. So over much crying, whining and complaining (on my part), I agreed to 20 guests. In the end it turned out great, but to save you any headaches, I will share my knowledge.

As you can see I designed two different designs for Halloween Invitations (as always on my website).

The girls decided that it would be a costume party. Truly I like nothing better than to dress up for Halloween. Much to my children's chagrin. Oh well, embarrassing your children is part of a parents job.

Evidence marked Exhibit A:

The girls wanted pizza but besides the expense and trouble going and getting it, I wanted something that looked kind of gross. So I made spaghetti and put it in a big plastic cauldron. I lined the cauldron with aluminum foil just in case there was some kind of crack in it. I also made a Punch. One girls complained that it looked gross. I said "Thank you. I obviously did it correctly because it's Halloween, it's supposed to be gross". Of course that was the same girl that once she tried it, couldn't stop drinking it. Bunny, the other Mom participating in the party made fantastic gross food.

Here are just a few of her "gross" creations.

Finger Cookies

Rice Krispies Eye Ball

I had lots of fun decorations. I bought a drop down spider that was sound activated. I put it above the toilet tank. Whenever someone went to the bathroom we would all hear a scream. I don't think my 58 year old brother has gotten over it to this day. I had a motorized rat that I had run across the floor while everyone was eating dinner. I had a "Screaming Skeleton" that I put at the bottom of a flight of stairs. As soon as the kids got to the landing it light up and starting moaning. My genius moment came when I found my old fish tank. I filled it with water and some red food dye and then put in a mask (bought at the dollar store) and other body parts. It takes a minute for people to figure out what is in there but then . . .

As for party games, we had Twister and we also did a Mummy Wrap. A big hit as always.

The winner of the Mummy Wrap contest.

To end the night I let the kids roast marshmallows to make S'mores using our fireplace.

So, all in all, it was a big hit. Hope this helps you do your own Halloween party.

Elizabeth