Sunday, February 10, 2013

A Little Fellas Super Bowl Party


Super Bowl was eventful at our house this year. Our favorite team the Patriots were not in the big game this time. So, my husband agreed that out son could have some 10 year old friends over to "watch" the game. Honestly, they really enjoyed it and while they didn't sit right in front of the tv watching every play. They all kept up with it in between shooting hoops and spontaneous wrestling matches or teasings about what girls they liked. It was a lot of fun.

My son fancies himself the party planner. His ideal party would have had all his nerf guns arranged in a circle in his bedroom floor so his friends could choose their weapon when the arrived in the spirit of the movie "The Hunger Games." He also wanted to have a pickle juice drinking contest. I vetoed both ideas. But, after hearing from his friends these would have been a big hit among 10 year old boys, his friends anyway. Still would not advise them. Wasn't in the mood to take one to the emergency room for a nerf accident or clean up, well you know, from a pickle juice induced illness. :)

I am going to share the mom approved ideas that we pulled off thanks to the help of the best production assistant ever, my husband, Brandon.


The centerpiece field goal. We used $3 worth or a 10' section of pvc pipe,  2 elbows and one tee. Brandon cut the post and both 'legs' of the post 2' each. The bottom sections connecting between the elbows and tee are 1' each. We just used a hand held, manual pipe cutting tool. Didn't even glue the joints together since we covered it in yellow duct tape. The duct tape was only because it was too cold outside for spray paint to have dried completely and not be tacky to the touch. Used a pail that we already had. Filled the bottom with floral foam and boxes for sturdiness. Stuck the post in and surrounded with green shredded paper. The football pinata was a fun find. Made the banner using markers, cardboard and clip art I found online.
Originally, I looked online for Super Bowl party supplies. but, frankly, I was too cheap to pay the huge shipping to get the items here in time. This is when I decided to have a split field style tablescape. So, I picked up plates, napkins and forks in each team color cheaply at a local party supply liquidation store. One of my favorite party shops! The party banner across the front was less then $2, 1 $1 green table cloth and used craft tape and stick on numbers to give the look of "the field."

A local bakery made cupcakes for us. Half in one team color and half in the other. The best part for the boys was the Super Bowl Ring topper.




So, I mustache you a question. Haha! The boys LOVED the mustaches. They could choose black for the Ravens or red for the Niners. We are from KY and UK basketball fans. So, we all love Anthony Davis and his unibrow. As soon as one of the boys decided to have not only a mustache but, another stache as a unibrow, they all did. Too much fun!!!







Food and Drink:


Found a wonderful webpage with free Super Bowl printables. It was very helpful. I used it to make labels and decorations. I found them on the website: http://catchmyparty.com/blog/free-super-bowl-party-printables-from-simply-create-designs. But, she originally found them from Simply Create Designs. They were free. But, Simply Create Designs also has some very cute party printables for sale reasonably. http://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyCreateDesigns. We made up the names just to go along with the teams in the game. Comical how the boys had to declare their team loyalty if they chose to drink the opposite teams drink. Just used powdered drink mixes. Always a hit with the kids. And, cheap!!!! :)








Found the idea on Pinterest to arrange pepperoni as a football. Let's just say, it looked better on Pinterest. However, it tasted good. My husband and best assistant ever improvised with the field goal pizza. Not pretty. But, tasty and the idea was good. All pizza was eaten.


We used the Pampered Chef Taco Ring Recipe and cut the crescent roll dough into football shapes, filled and baked. Yummy. Again, not perfection on the first try. But, a huge hit. Will definitely improve on the look of these for tailgating next football season.

One of the moms, made these yummy rice krispie football treats. She used premade treats, cut them in the football shape, dipped in a caramel sauce and decorated with icing to look like footballs.




To keep the boys interest (though nothing did as much as the half time show. :)) We played a game. Made a grid of 100 squares. They each wrote their names equal numbers of times in the blank squares. After that was completed pregame, we randomly added numbers 0-9 on each side. Whatever the ending number of the ending quarterly score was and the name coordinating with that square won the prize for that quarter. The prizes were cheap trophies found at a local hobby store and a ribbon. Lucked out and found golf ribbons for 90 cents each at the party supply store. Covered them with a Super Bowl sticker. All the boys wanted to win one and kept up with the quarterly score totals. Loved all the math going into certain scoring situations as the quarter end got closer. They had no idea they were getting all the math practice.

Notice the mustache stuck to the top. Just can't go wrong with a fake stache and a bunch of boys. :)



The prizes. Also, notice the color coordinated candy. It was hilarious how they wouldn't eat the candy or food if it wasn't their team colors.


We had so much fun planning and partying!! Hope you enjoyed looking through the fun we planned. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Joy!
Thee Alley Kat


Friday, August 31, 2012

A Summer BBQ/Birthday

Hello Friends,

Spring and summer are the craziest times of year for my family. I have 2 sons (and a husband coach) that LOVE, LOVE baseball and I enjoy watching them have fun tremendously. After all, the most important part of our little family unit is that we support each other in our endeavors. And, they do support me as well. Team Alley is a well oiled and loving machine. :)

Anyway, just wanted to share a few pics of my oldest son's birthday. It was a very low key family summer cookout. Just what he wanted.

The Mac N Cheese is a recipe that my family loves from Naomi Judd's cookbook called "Naomi's Home Companion." I add extra cheese and mix cheddar and Velveeta. http://www.amazon.com/Naomis-Home-Companion-Treasury-Favorite/dp/1577192710
A local lady baked the cake from pictures of his favorite glove. She did an amazing job and it was yummy!

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

An Afternoon on River St


Several years ago, I was in Savannah, Ga on St Patrick's Day. If you don't know, this is one of the largest and longest running St Pat's celebrations in the States. It was neat. EVERYTHING was green!! Since, I've long wanted to have time to go back.

Recently, we were able to stop there for an afternoon. I'm so glad we did and can't wait to go back for hopefully a weekend. Savannah is a gorgeous city chalked full of history. Want to share a few highlights and also some thoughts on where I'll stop next time I'm in town.

To the left is a view of River St as we make a pass through in the car. I love all the levels on the buildings. When we were there for St Pat's, people were standing on the balconies dressed in green of course.

Notice the pineapples. A sign that you are welcome. I love Southern hospitality!!


This was a glance up a side street. There were architectural interests everywhere. Isn't the cobblestone gorgeous!?




The gentleman on the left was making beautiful hand crafted items out of palm fronds. I had to have the cross with the rose. Coincidentally, this was the Friday before Palm Sunday. He was very friendly but didn't have much time to talk, he was busy, busy. I could have watched him for an hour. There were several street vendors. I noticed they each had a business license/id around their neck. This appeared to be closely monitored by the local law enforcement.
River Street Sweets!!! This is a must! Their pralines are delish. You must stop by the kitchen and get a fresh, hot sample of one. When we were there, the gentleman was making chocolate pralines. They were good. But, the plain ones are the best in my book.



A praline from River St Sweets. My dessert after having lunch at One Eyed Lizzy's.
Several years ago, my oldest son started a pressed penny collection. This is our favorite memento when travelling. We stopped a couple of places and made one. This machine was inside River St. Sweets.


I always love neat signs. Found the Masonic Temple No. 1 cornerstone very interesting. First and oldest one in the Western Hemisphere. And the Mad Hatter sign...isn't he adorable?

This was taken in front of the open air market. Found lots of neat items there. I bought a beautiful hair clip made in So. Africa. There were many fun vendors and craftspeople.

This was just too pretty. Had to snap a photo. It was the front porch to one of the homes in downtown.
Wish I'd gotten a photo of the outside of this ice cream parlor.  Here's a link to their web page: www.leopoldsicecream.com/. It was a long line but passed by quickly. One of the proprietors brought a pitcher of water and cups around to all who were waiting. My brother had visited Leopold's last summer and said the kids would love it. Well, so did the adults. I tried Rum Bisque Ice Cream. One word...yum! We could also have eaten lunch here.

When I was there many years ago, we ate at a local restaurant named Love's. Wanted to go back, but it would have delayed our trip further. It was about a 20 minute drive South from River St. However, I highly recommend it. The outside of the restaurant was used in a scene from the movie Forrest Gump.

Two restaurants we noted to try next time are The Pink House and The Pirate House. Both were a couple blocks off River St. Would also, like to visit a couple of the older cemeteries. Not for any reason other than they are absolutely beautiful.

Hope you enjoyed the day with us!
Talk to you soon. Until then, enJoy!

The Alley Kat

Friday, April 6, 2012

Cottontails and Dyed Eggs

Easter is a most favorite holiday of my family. We celebrate the day with joyous hearts that we have been redeemed because HE is risen!! Wanted to share a few fun ideas with you.

Easter Sunday always starts with Sunrise Service. My family has been blessed with land in our small town. My Grandfather attended a Sunrise Service while in the Army in Greece. (Can you imagine that experience?!) He loved it and started holding Sunrise Service each Easter on the hill behind his home. This just happened to be the pasture in front of my childhood home. Each Easter, we'd wake and walk to the hill to gather for a celebration of resurection and worship. Since, I've married and now have children, it's a short drive there. However, my kids look forward to it!! It's one of the few days each year that it's easy to get them out of bed early.

One Easter we found ourselves at Satellite Beach, FL. This is the Sunrise over the water.
 
Easter Egg coloring is a must. Sometimes we buy the kits. Sometimes we just use the food coloring and vinegar method. Always have to have crayons to draw on the eggs first before dying them. This was a happy accident that my funny husband turned into a laugh. Sorry if it offends. When you are around boys as much as me, you learn to laugh!!
Corn flakes coated in chocolate shaped as nests in muffin tins filled with malted eggs. Have also used chow mein noodles in the past instead of the corn flakes. Yummy little festive treat.
 The dads and older kids hide the eggs. The younger kids hunt. Easter bunny ears are a must for the hiders. Isn't it fun?! We even got Buddy the dog to join in. :)



 I found this idea on MarthaStewart.com. They had a template. But, I found it easier to freehand cut out the ears. I used large card size, pastel colored envelopes, sealed the envelopes, cut the ears out, drew the face on freehand, glued a small pom pom nose on and filled with grass and treats for the kids.

 This was another MarthaStewart.com idea. It's a vanilla cupcake turned upside down, coated in a buttercream frosting and covered in toasted coconut. They had used some other candies for the comb and feet. I improvised with red licorice candies cut to size. The nose is an almond and the eyes are silver sprinkles.



I always love the Dogwood trees in our part of the country this time of year. I've shared below the Legend of the Dogwood. Whether true or not, I still think it's a neat story and Dogwood's remind me of how blessed I am to have Jesus in my life.

The Legend of the Dogwood

 
At the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood had reached the size of the mighty oak tree. So strong and firm was the wood that it was chosen as the timber for Jesus' cross.
 

     To be used for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the dogwood. While nailed upon it, Jesus sensed this, and in his compassion said. "Because of your pity for my suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent, and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross–two long and two short petals.
 
     "In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be the print of nails. In the center of the flower, stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember."
from "Sower's Seeds Aplenty: Fourth Planting," # 29, p. 22

Have a Happy Easter!!! Joy!!
The Alley Kat

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

So Busy!!!

Aren't we all, so busy?!?! You never hear anyone say, "I have nothing to do." Unless, they're a teenager and just bored or a lazy person. But, all of my friends in this family raising, middle age approaching, part of life are just busy!!!

There are days I sit down at the end of the day and think (very quickly think that is, before I involuntarily fall asleep/pass out) I've gotten everything done on my list today. And, if I'm still awake at that point, I think, have I enjoyed it? There are days that I absolutely rush, rush, rush to squeeze in every last thing. But, at the end of the day, I was so busy I can't remember actually living in the moment for most of it. And most days, I don't get any exercise in for myself.

My favorite part of my life is being a wife and mother. Followed very closely by my roles as granddaughter, daughter, sister, friend and aunt. There are a lot of people in my big wonderful extended family including my close friends that I just want more quality time with. So much of what we do each day just doesn't really matter to most people. Face it, it doesn't. So, why not take time to savor the moments with the most special people.

So, what's the plan of action? Find ways to spend time with my favorite people and enjoy doing what needs to be done. Examples:

1. Try to make family car rides lighthearted and fun. We are in the car a lot. No one wants to be stuck in the car with a pouty kid. Pick the battles and the times. Don't use it as a everyone's captivated let's hash it out moment.

2. Invite a friend or relative to family dinner sometime throughout the week.

3. Plan a weekend trip with my husband!!! We always spend time together. But, it's hard to find quality relationship growth time with life staring you in the face.

4. 15 Minute Pickups. Set the timer for 15 minutes. Have the whole family do a quick pick up of the house before bedtime so we all can relax together for 30 minutes or so.

5. Send cards!! Just take a second let someone know I'm thinking of them. Don't take them for granted. I have already stocked cards in my desk drawer and stamps in my wallet.

6. Declare Sundays as family time. Get everything accomplished the rest of the week. Plan Sunday dinner and a volleyball game or hike for example. Invite my brothers' families or friends to join us.

7. Get the family involved in exercising with me. We can do Zumba on the Wii or a Dance Game. Achieve fitness and quality time laughing at and with each other. ;-)

8. Have the family help with dinner prep. Creates conversations with all of us working as a team to get supper finished, the table set, etc. Plus, helps mom have more free time because I'm not doing it all by myself.

Some of these just take a second or two. But, I feel like they are going to let the important people in my life know I value them. What are your thoughts and ideas? I'd love to hear them!!

Joy,
Thee Alley Kat

All of this has reminded me of something I saw Tommy Lasorda say once to Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show. I'm "saying" this from memory. So, I'm sorry Tommy if I don't get it exactly right. 90% of the people could care less what you do. That leaves 10%. Of the 10%, 9 just want to talk about you. Find that 1% that really care about you and enjoy them!

Monday, February 20, 2012

Happy Birthday, Mr. President


A pretty vintage postcard I found online.


President's Day is a great time to remind everyone of what wonderful leaders we've had in America and reflect on history. They always have special little lessons at school especially the primary grades. As I think about this I chuckle. Not to be disrespectful. But, because BOTH of my sons (6 1/2 years apart age wise) tried to chop down a tree in my yard after hearing the "George Washington chopped down the cherry tree and could not tell a lie story."  This story whether historically accurate or not almost cost me TWO trees!! Both were caught in action and of course, did not tell a lie when confronted.

 I found some fun facts to share about two of our most loved forefathers, General George and Honest Abe. (Most of these came from Wikipedia and other such pages.) Hope you enjoy.

General George Washington (preferred this name to President)

When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots
A favorite Christmas story in our home is :
When Washington Crossed the Delaware by Lynne Cheney (wife of former VP Dick Cheney) She has written several wonderful children's books.
  • Was considered a promising student. Taught business forms in school at age 9. (I like the thought of this because I think we should at the very least teach every child in public school how to balance a check book!!)
  • The Gregorian Calendar that we use today was adopted during his lifetime.
  • He was about 6'3"
  • RED HAIR!!! (That surprised me.) Did not wear a wig but powdered his hair.
  • He took his presidential oath on a Masonic Bible.
  • He helped lay the cornerstone of the Capitol Building as mason
  • One of his favorite horses was named-Nelson

"I can only say that there is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery."~George Washington


President Abraham Lincoln

  • He was Republican
  • Born on Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin, KY
  • Was considered lazy by some because he didn't like farm labor. (This gave me hope for my boys. ;-))
  • Mostly self educated and loved to read
  • Later became an avid axeman and fence builder
  • Owned a general store
  • Was County Postmaster
  • Became a Lawyer teaching himself and studying alone
  • Like General Washington one of his early careers was as county surveyor. Interesting common thread I thought.
"Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them? " ~ Abraham Lincoln

Here's a link to some cute president's day craft activities to do with the kids:
Pretzel Log Cabinhttp://holidays.kaboose.com/presidents-day/presidents-day.html
Powdered Wig

Enjoy!