Party Decorating-Avery's vintage, eclectic 4th birthday

Last weekend was a whirlwind.  It was all about Avery.  She turned 4 and had 4 celebrations.  This sounds over the top...but here is why.

Friday: her school did a little celebration for her.  Nothing big, just donuts and singing

Saturday: Family birthday.  We don't combine family & friend birthday celebrations yet because our family drives in and wants to spend time with her, not just watch her play with her friends

Sunday: friend birthday (more about that on another post)

Monday: her actual birthday!

This will be the last year of all of this because funny thing...when I had her 4 years ago I was not thinking about school schedules and had no idea her birthday actually falls the first week of school.  This year it would have been the first day of school, but she is not in Kindergarten yet.

Needless to say, I am tired and Avery has had too much sugar :)

One thing to know about me...I love a good party!  The invitations, the food, the decor, the people...the whole thing.  The minute we decide on a party my mind gets working!

Since her friend birthday was going to be all things FROZEN I wanted this one to be different.  My theme was Vintage, Eclectic....if that even is a thing?!

I always do a spread on the kitchen island and then set up desert in our butlers pantry.  I think this helps with flow with lots of people over.

I had this frame lying around so I just used some craft paper, and made my own art.

If you look closely you can see a happy girl in the reflection!

 I made this banner for her first birthday and just change out the age each year!  I love projects like this that you can use over and over!

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I didn't want to have to buy anything for this party so I just pulled from stuff I had around the house. Hence the theme...eclectic ;)

I got the burlap banner from the Target $ section.  I have a love affair with that section!

I just love this chicken feed piece.  I like using quirky things to decorate with.

The clipboard sign is something I use a lot.  It is a wreath stand and I hang a clipboard from it with either a picture, a quote, etc.  I just made this quick sign in powerpoint.  Cheap, easy, cute and adds height to the spread.

 I got this metal 4 at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago on clearance for only $3!!!  

This Avery street sign remains one of my favorite things.  You can read all about it HERE  I still cannot believe I have it!

 These pumpernickel cheese melts are soooo yummy!  There are super easy to make and always a crowd favorite.  The recipe is HERE

I am known for my spinach artichoke and crab delight dips.  They are delish!!!  Recipes HERE

It was a great day and wishes for another amazing year!

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Yummy Appetizers Part 2

Yesterday I shared 2 of my favorite dips with you and today I am going to share 2 more of my favorite appetizers to make for a party.  Again...super yummy and so simple!

*photos from food.com*

FIRE CRACKERS
Ingredients:
1 gallon zip lock bag
1 box unsalted saltines (4 sleeves)
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 ranch powder packets
3-4 TBS crushed red pepper...2-3 TBS if you can't take the heat
1 TBS garlic salt
1 TBS onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 TBS black pepper

Place all ingredients (minus the crackers) in zip lock bag and mix around so everything is in the oil.  Next add the saltines to the bag shaking a little between each sleeve so all crackers are covered.  After all the crackers are in (I usually leave out about 10 so there is extra room for shaking) seal the bag and shake like crazy.  Lay the bag on one side and then 30 minutes flip it over.  Leave crackers to soak overnight and then enjoy the next day! 


Pumpernickel Cheese Melt
Ingredients:
pumpernickel bread
Swiss cheese shredded
mayo-enough to stick ingredients together
bacon bits-Oscar Meyer bag
green onion-chopped

Shred the entire block of Swiss cheese, add the entire bag of bacon bits, chopped green onions (as much as you would like) and about 1.25 cups of mayo (just enough to make everything stick together well) in a bowl and mix well.
Cut the bread into thirds and place on baking sheet.  Place large spoonful of cheese mixture on bread pieces (pile it tall so it melts nicely)
Set oven to 400 and cook until cheese browns (8-10 min)
 

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Yummy Dips- Spinach Artichoke and Crab Delight

With the Mavericks being in the playoffs this is the time for sports watching parties and yummy food!  Two of my go to appetizers to bring to events are Spinach Artichoke Dip and Crap Dip.  They are delicious and easy!  I am not a huge cook so when I find items that everyone loves I bring them over and over :)

 *photos borrowed from The Food Network*

 

I am a huge Spinach Artichoke fan and have tried many different recipes, but this one is hands down my favorite.

 

SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

Ingredients:

2 pkg 8oz cream cheese softened

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts drained and chopped

1 pkg (10oz) chopped spinach drained and thawed

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (I use Kraft in plastic container)

1 clove minced garlic

 

Beat Cream cheese and mayo until blended and then add other ingredients

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes

 

Place in 1.5 quart casserole dish.  Serve with chips or crackers

 

 

CRAB DIP

Ingredients:

1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup onion minced very fine

1 6 oz can crab meat flaked

1/4 tsp curry powder

6 drops hot pepper sauce

2 TBS dry bread crumbs

 

Butter 1 quart casserole dish.  In medium bowl combine all ingredients except bread crumbs.  Spoon mixture into buttered casserole dish.  Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.  Serve with pita chips or crackers

 

 

In the spirit of recipes I wanted to share some cute recipe cards.  I just love mason jars and it makes me want to cook a recipe more if it is on a cute card :)

LilCubbie Printables on ETSY

 



T3Design Co on ETSY

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Baking fun...Pumpkin Bread

I love this time of year...weather, food, family, yummy smells, pumpkin!!

Avery and I baked together for the first time and had so much fun!  We burned the House of Hargrove Harvest Spice candle to set the mood and baked one of my favs....

pumpkin bread!

Here are some pictures of Miss A...she was a huge help

It seems that she loved it too :)

look at that face!

I have had lots of pumpkin bread in the past, but this is by far my fav recipe.  

ENJOY!

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