Rainbow Dash Birthday Party

My little girl turns 6 next week.  Sigh.  Where did THOSE last 6 years go?

We celebrated a few weeks ago with a Rainbow Dash birthday party at a local bowling alley.

When I asked her what she wanted as a theme for her party, she first said My Little Pony.  We decided to focus on her favorite pony, Rainbow Dash, and do a rainbow theme for the party.

My mother-in-law made this adorable shirt and matching headband.

We had it a a local bowling alley because to be honest, I just didn't want it at my house.  The stress of cleaning the house, decorating AND cleaning up after the guests leave is enough to put me over the edge.  

Since the bowling alley provided pizza and drinks, I kept the food simple.  We had rainbow fruit skewers, fruit salad, skittles, lollipops, and cake.

I kept the tablecloth white for a neutral background and decorated with the colors of the rainbow.

The "6" was made with cardboard and tissue paper.

I designed the banner and water bottle labels in Photoshop.

Every Rainbow themed party needs a layered Rainbow Cake!  I think it turned out pretty good for my first try.

Here is the table.  The bowling alley provides an oh so attractive backdrop, don't ya think?

The green and blue table in the background is my son's portion of the party.  It was actually a joint party for both kids.  The post on his theme will come later :)

The kids bowled and had so much fun.  

My birthday girl enjoyed her special day.

And I had a clean house to go home to!

Online BlogCon 2012 Recap

Have you ever thought about attending a blog conference but just couldn't swing the price of the ticket, airfare and hotel for the weekend?  Yeah, me too.   Or...have you ever tried to register for a conference and then realized that you were "fashionably late" and the conference had already filled up?  Me too.

That is why I was so excited to be able to "attend" Online BlogCon this past week.

Online BlogCon is exactly what it sounds like...an online conference.  This was the first year of the conference and it was put together by Dorothy of Crazy for Crust and Ashton of Something Swanky.  And let me tell you, it was AMAZING. 

Since the conference was online, there was no limit to the number of attendees. And it was only 15 bucks to register!  You just can't beat that.  There were many "big-name" bloggers who "spoke" (posted) for the conference.  Topics ranged from blog design to making money blogging/working with brands and EVERYTHING in between.  You could read the posts at your leisure. I'm STILL re-reading them to soak up all the info. 

I am always trying to improve my blog and the posts at this conference were filled with a wealth of information on how to do so.  Some of the highlights (for me) included how to design your blog to draw your readers in and make them stay, how to take "pinterest worthy" pictures, how to effectively engage with your readers, and how to work with brands.

There were also lots of networking opportunities with the other attendees of the conference and some local meet ups.  

If you have ever thought about attending a conference and can't make it to one out of town, definitely give this one a shot next year. You will not be disappointed.

Thanksgiving Link Party

Hello friends!  Have you started planning for Thanksgiving yet?  It is right around the corner.

I am teaming up with Barbara from Chase the Star to host a Thanksgiving Link Party.  This party will begin on Thursday, November 1 and run through Thanksgiving Day.  You can link up any project related to Thanksgiving on either my blog or over at Chase the Star.  Your project will be shown on both blogs.  Then, make sure to stop on back during the month to get inspired throughout this wonderful season of giving.  Help us spread the word by posting the button below on your blog so everyone can join in the fun.  

 
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So get your project ideas ready and I can't wait to see you back here on November 1.  

Fabulous Friday {49}

        Hello friends!  Welcome to Fabulous Friday.

      

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What are you plans for this weekend?  I am heading to mountains in Asheville, NC for a weekend getaway.  Looking forward to some beautiful Fall colors.

If you missed my posts this week, I shared my Fall Centerpiece my Sweet Meatballs and my No Bake Mini Pumpkin Pie.

 Now on to YOUR features

The link with the most views last week was:

Fish Tank Nite Lite by Mellywood's Mansion



A few of my other favs:

Baked Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Bowl
from Sweet Little Bluebird


Fall Leaf Bowl from Better Organized Living

Burlap Lamp Shade from Love Grows Wild

 
If you were featured, grab a button from my sidebar.  I pin all features to my Pinterest Board.  I would love it if you would hop on over and check it out.  I also put some features on my Facebook page.

A few things to note before you link up..

1. I would appreciate it if you would become follower of my blog if you would like to link up.  It's not a requirement though.

2. Feel free to link up as many projects as you like but please link to your specific post and not your entire blog.

3. Please no linking to Etsy shops, giveaways or businesses.

4. Visit some links and leave some comments.  Everyone wants to feel loved!

5. I would appreciate a link back to my blog using either a text link or my button.  You can add the button to a separate " link party page" if you have one.  It does not have to be on the actual post.

No-Bake Mini Pumpkin Pie

Who is ready for a simple no-bake pumpkin pie recipe?  Me, me!  {as my hand shoots into the air like an eager 5 year old.}

I've been doing a lot of Fall cooking lately. So yesterday, I decided to get my kids involved to make these yummy masterpieces.

INGREDIENTS

Milk - 1 tbs. plus 1 tsp.

Pumpkin puree - 2 tbs.

Vanilla pudding mix - 2 tsp.

Pumpkin pie spice - 1/8 tsp.

Cinnamon - 1/8 tsp.

Cool Whip - 2 tbs.

Graham cracker pie shell - 1 mini  pie shell

RECIPE

1. In a bowl, mix together the milk and the pumpkin puree until smooth

 (I used a small plastic cup for this). The pic below only shows the puree {oops!}

2. Add the pudding mix and the spices and stir until well combined.

3. Fold in the cool whip and pour the mixture into the pie shell.

4. Refrigerate until serving.

Wouldn't these be perfect for a Fall playdate?  

They are the perfect size for small hands and the kids can make their own.  

Sweet Meatballs

It wouldn't be Fall without the enticing aromas of savory food.  Mmmmm.  Today, I have a recipe for you from my childhood, Sweet Meatballs.  Easy, affordable and oh so yummy.

These were a staple in our house growing up.  I also remember my mom making a smaller appetizer size when we went to my parents' friend's houses for parties.  I like them as a main course.  Add a side of vegetables, some hearty bread and you have a complete meal.

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs. ground beef

3 eggs

1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp.parsley

1 tsp. basil

1/4 cup water

1 jar chili sauce

1 jar red currant jelly

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 cup water

DIRECTIONS

Combine the first 7 ingredients and knead together in a bowl.

Form mixture into a rectangle on a cookie sheet

Score the rectangle into evenly sized squares

Form each square into a meatball (this gives you somewhat uniform meatballs)

Broil about 10 minutes (or until the meatballs hold their shape) and drain off fat

Combine chili sauce, currant jelly, mustard and water in a saucepan.  Simmer until jelly is melted.

Place meatballs into a casserole dish and pour sauce over meatballs

Bake covered at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour.  Uncover, baste and cook for an additional 15 minutes.

DELICIOUS!

If you try this recipe, I would love to know what you think!  

Fall Centerpiece

Last week, I shared a few projects with you that were unrelated to Fall.   Today, I'm getting back into the season and sharing my Fall Centerpiece with you.

My dining room table is very very small.   I wouldn't even call it a dining "room".  It's more of a nook or a small extension of our living room. So I knew I needed something small that would not get in the way of our plates during meal time.

I took a simple candle plate and arranged some candles and pumpkins on it.  The pumpkins were ones that my kids chose at our recent visit to the local pumpkin patch.

Then I snipped a few sprigs off of a leaf garland and placed them in between the candles and pumpkins.  I nestled some small pinecones in and hot glued one leaf to each candle.

I used a piece of orange scrap fabric that I had in my stash for the table runner.

I think this adds just the right touch to my table.  And it was free!

Do you have any decorations on your table?