Carnival Birthday Banner

We are making progress on our son's 5th birthday party.  It is at the end of March, and we are doing a carnival theme.
If you didn't see the post on the invitations, you can view it here.


Since I am fairly new to the crafting world and craft blogging, I haven't had a chance to make a birthday banner before.  I had so much fun! 

I hung the banner just so you can see it on this post, but at the actual party it will most likely hang on the dessert/candy table at the party.

I used three different shades of blue paper for the triangles and red and white striped scrapbooking paper for an accent.  I don't own a Cricut, Silhouette or other cutting tool, so I bought some red felt letters at Michael's.  I did have a large scalloped circle punch which I used to frame each letter.  Finally, I attached it all to red ribbon with white stars. 

I love the final product, and I will soon be making signs for the carnival games and food stations.

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Friday Favorites

I think I was hungry this week.  A lot of my favorite posts were about food or parties.  Actually, I ALWAYS like a good food  or party post, and there was some serious deliciousness and creativity out there this week.  I'm feeling better and starting to get my energy back, so thanks for the prayers!  God is good all the time!
Here are some great posts I found this week.  Enjoy all the fabulousness:

Vitamin C . . . A Daily Dose of Creativity made a cute and functional storage container out of a french fry box! This would be a great way to store extra tacks for my new bulletin board too! I just have to keep it high enough for Destructo to not be able to reach it.


Our Scott Spot threw her one year old a Dr. Seuss birthday party.  She has some great decorating, food and favor ideas.  Check out the fun!


Great Oak Circle made a cream cheese/blueberry pie.  I am TOTALLY craving some summer fruits and weather around here, so this was a fun and delicious post to hit the spot.


Continuing with my blueberry craving, Musing of a Glamourpuss posted a super easy recipe for cream cheese/blueberry stuffed french toast.  Drooooling . . . .


Snips and Spice gave us some great tips for baking a cake like a pro.  It made me want to whip up a cake and try it out!


Continuing in the cake theme, A Turtle's Life For Me made a darling flip flop cake.  It actually looks doable for novice cake makers like me.  This cake would fit right in here in Southern California. . .



Dancing Creek Designs showed off a cute milk and cookies themed party for a one year old.  I love the colors and the fact this party wouldn't require complicated menus.  It looks like a lot of fun!


Speaking of parties, The Tip Junkie posted about some of her favorite theme parties.  Check out all the ideas and talent!



While we are still speaking of birthdays, Oopsey Daisy posted about her son's AMAZING Toy Story birthday party.  She thought of EVERYTHING and every detail.  Be inspired!


Vintage Gwen threw a truck themed party for her son.  She had a photo corner with props, darling decorations for every detail and such a sweet party.  Be inspired by her creative shindig!


Have a blessed and fruitful week, everyone!

Oops-a-Daisy Garden Cupcakes

Tonight it is our small group's turn to bring dessert to our marriage Bible study.  I made cupcakes--of course. 

My plan was to make the sunflowers shown in the Hello, Cupcake book.  However, on shopping day, I got to the grocery store with two ready for nap kiddos and couldn't find yellow frosting or food coloring.  I improvised quickly and decided to make daisies using white frosting.

I started decorating the daisies and realized the smaller petals look much more like a daisy.  The longer petals look almost octopus-esque.  Oh, well.  Decorate and learn.

I knew I didn't have enough white frosting to do a flower on every cupcake, so I made some just have grass with "bugs."  I used M&M's with dark chocolate frosting to make bees and ladybugs.

This would be a fun theme for a garden party or a kid's tea party. 

Have a blessed Thursday!

May I have some?

BBQ Chicken Salad

I wonder who first created the yummilicious bbq chicken salad?  Here in Southern California, it really started popping up all over the place in the 90's--maybe earlier and I just wasn't aware.  California Pizza Kitchen had an early and very yummy rendition, but one of my favorites is at BJ's Pizzeria.  It is the chopped up onion rings that give the blue ribbon to that version!  Hmmm...

If you are ever wanting a quick, easy and yummy meal, I highly recommend a BBQ chicken salad.  My sister in law sweetly brought us one a couple of weeks ago when we were all sick, and it reminded me I hadn't made this salad recipe in awhile.
The lovely friend of mine who is getting the girl onesies (see post below) is getting a meal from me tonight.  She is watching her dairy, so I thought this was a good meal to bring.  Plus, the nice thing about a salad is you can individually bag all the ingredients so a nursing mom can not add onions or beans to her portion. Gassy or reflux babies are no fun at all!

I hate BBQing--I used to do it before I got married, but now I like my hubby to do any grill work.  Since he was at work as I prepped a meal to bring, I cooked the chicken breasts in a pot of water and bbq sauce mix.  After they were done, I quickly coated them in bbq sauce and pan grilled the chicken to get some grill lines.
Of course, traditional bbq chicken would be perfect if you like to work the grill outside.

I added half a bunch of cilantro to some prepackaged lettuce. 

You will need some corn and black beans.  I use canned. 

Roast some pine nuts quickly in a pan.  These are SO good when they are warm and buttery.

Chop up some red onion.  If you want to be decadent, chop up onion RINGS.  You will thank me later.

You must have cheese.  I use a Mexican blend for my salad.

You can add multiple ingredients that make you happy:  tomato, AVOCADO (very happy), thin tortilla strips and green onion are all common and successful options.

Chop up you chicken and add it to the salad mix.

To make your dressing, simply mix ranch dressing with bbq sauce to taste.

I made some cornbread to serve with the salad and, of course, cinnamon rolls.

As I just mentioned in my chicken enchilada post, I learned about the genius of cinnamon rolls when I had my boys.  She brought us gooey, yummy cinnamon rolls which served as dessert AND a delicious breakfast.

Enjoy!  It is super easy and always full of deliciousness.

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