NEW DAD Basket idea

If any of you follow my blog THIS IS THE DAY..you know we were just blessed with TWIN Grandsons...

New mom's get so much attention that the poor DAD most of the time is just there..of course in the case of TWINS that really isn't so..but I wanted to do something SPECIAL for my son on this very exciting event.

He and his wife are/were? Surfers..and when I found the little Hot Wheels with the Woody and surf boards... PERFECT!



I was on a search for a t-shirt or hat )happily Father's Day coming up made this very eas...I found a nice Vintage looking Tee that said WORLD's GREATEST DAD...in a "base ball" type font. I rolled the Tee and placed in the basket...with "DAD" sure to be noticed!

My son loves Malted Milk Balls...so added a box along with some other "muchies"...and another cute little Hot Wheel's car... I laughed afterwards not realizing it was named.."passer-gasser"...so appropriate for newborns!

The basket was a nice brown immitation raffia/wrap...one that will be well used by my daughter in law (she is very organized and loves baskets!) ..so really a gift for her too...and I also put in some chocolate covered pretzels as HER treat.

My son and his wife took the bow and two cute GIANT plastic DIAPER PINS from the basket and placed them on the front door of their home upon arrival with THE BOYS!

See THIS IS THE DAY (side bar link)...for more on the TWINS~




I hope this "IDEA" inspires you for a soon to be new DAD you know!

Blessings..
HOPE

Creative EATING!

Thought I'd take some time for RECIPES and COOKING.

I surprised my husband for his Birthday May 1st by having the dining area simply decorated when he wasn't around the day before (he isn't big on attention!)...and invited friends over to grill SHISH KABOBS! YUM

I spent the morning chopping colored Bell Peppers...
cherry tomatoes....onion...mushrooms...zuchinni...
and a FRESH PINEAPPLE..YUM! (Pineapple grilled is wonderful!)
add some marinated chicken and steak pieces, rice and some yummy bread to dip in Olive oil for a filling and easy to do HAPPY MEAL!




I took some of the pineapple chunks and made a fresh fruit salad also; adding fresh strawberries and frozen Blackberries..let them set in a bowl til ready and the juices just made the most delicious taste SUGAR FREE! ALL NATURAL!






The Pineapple TOP made a great decoration in the center of the bowl! (see photo above) Just a little idea!


We then had his favorite cake...Almost Heavenly Pineapple Cake.
(I'm guessing ..this was a PINEAPPLE DAY!)

THE RECIPE:
call for a yellow cake but I choose a Pineapple cake mix and bake as directed..
then while warm pour a large can of chopped Pineapple over the entire top of the cake..juice and all! Makes it moist....then top with a small package of instant vanilla pudding mixed with 4 oz. softened cream cheese and 8 oz cool whip. This cake is so light and tasty..very refreshing.

...and what is a Birthday party without kids...so for FUN..I planned a treasure hunt for each of the children. They had to find "their" bag with a certain color ribbon..if they found the other persons they could not tell and had to continue looking for their own. I filled celophane bags with little play rings and sunglasses for the girls and with only one boy.. he found a 'cool' car in his..was he ever happy!! Giggles and bubblegum pops made their day!



I hope this menu idea is helpful..and you enjoy the cake recipe!

Blessings
HOPE

Little touches ...Ladies Luncheon

As I thought upon the message I wanted to give with our theme "Bloom Where You Are Planted"...besides that of planting God's Word...was also the PEACE and REST that comes after the seed has taken root. I pictured a virtuous woman in her field wearing a lovely garden hat with basket on her arm...choosing the most beautiful of her garden to share with others.

I post a list of items needed for decorating and the little touches begin to take place...perfectly. One person brought the hat..another the basket with flowers...my apron..and our church nursery rocker! The "little" touches are what make each luncheon so unique.


In the photo below... I was so surprised to walk in Walmart one day and find the exact drink dispenser I had been DREAMING of and there it was...perfectly etched with FLOWERS!



I purchase the plastic tablecloths from the infamous Dollar Store! This year we also used pastel solids underneath. The yellow was actually quite bright..but underneath the lace it was...YES, Perfect!





These lovely dishcloths filled the little white buckets...representing flowers.
These were hand crocheted with 100% cotton yarn.

Buckets purchased from Michael's...found in the bridal and baby shower section.



I purchase doilies for the table settings and serving tables from various places. Depending on the size needed and price.

I was afraid at first I had too much going on with all the colors...but once it all came together...

It made a HAPPY...CHEERFUL...Ladies Spring Luncheon!