DIY Dad Shirt

So I was searching the Zulily website the other day and found a shirt that immediately reminded me of my dad.  His birthday was on Thanksgiving so I thought it would be perfect.  Then I remembered that I was on Zulily and I would never get it in time.  I love that website but it is not a procrastinators best friend.  So I did the next best thing... headed to Michaels to make it myself.  It was pretty easy really.  Just ironing on letters! 

For the record, he really is the best pancake maker.  He manages to get these crispy edges that I have failed to ever come close to duplicating.  I have been told that it is because I make my pancakes to healthy.  AKA I don't cook them in oil.

 

Thanksgiving Spread

The other day I made a list of all the different items we have at our family's Thanksgiving. We have around 15 different items for Thanksgiving dinner. That is not even counting the appetizer (if we even bother) and desserts. Yes, there is an S on desserts! We have so much food that we have yet to find plates that allow you to load up on everything the first round. My family always tries to call me out for going back for seconds when I'm really just going back to get everything I couldn't fit the first time. So technically it's not seconds it's still firsts.
Every year I'm in charge of bringing Cucumber Salad. It is super easy. Just cucumbers, onion, vinegar, sugar and water. The trick is you have to (yes, have to) use a mandolin to slice your cucumbers. The thinner the better!

3 medium cucumbers, peeled & thinly sliced
1 medium sweet onion, sliced thin and separated into rings
1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar, or more to taste

Layer cucumbers with the onion in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients, stirring until sugar has dissolved.

Taste and adjust sugar for sweetness, adding more sugar, if needed. Pour over vegetables and toss lightly.

Cover and chill for 2-4 hours or overnight before serving.

I'll add a picture after I make it.

We are so blessed to have an ever growing family but it was creating one problem... We were starting to run out of mashed potatoes! What are leftovers without mashed potatoes!! So last year I brought along some Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes as a back up. My mom first brought these to my house for Christmas dinner. We were a little worried they would be dry but they are de-li-cious!



It is a Betty Crocker recipe. They would be a BIG help for any busy cook on Thanksgiving or any other holiday, a party, potluck, weekday meal or just love mashed potatoes so much you just want to keep them on hand.

I just love Thanksgiving. The meal, the family and no pressure of gift giving.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Willy Wonka Birthday Party

We held a Willy Wonka Birthday Party for my daughter this weekend.   I came up with the idea while my daughter was watching the movie for the second weekend in a row.  I figured with the help of the internet I would have this party in no time.  Surprisingly, there wasn't too much out there and what was out was a little overwhelming. Since this was a week after my brother's wedding I decided to keep it simple.  I think I pulled it off!

I was able to find a website with printables to help.  I didn't use it to a T but it came in handy. 

The party was at the YMCA.  It started as a pool party.  We are on the East Coast so that was kind of big deal to have a pool party in November.  After swimming everyone came back to "Candy Store"

The Spread:

Close up pics:

I happened to find these chocolate bars at IKEA.  I thought they made perfect Wonka Bars.  (They didn't taste like the perfect Wonka bars though)

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Sister-in-law made these awesome Everlasting Gobstopper cake pop!

I was staring at these bottles at IKEA knowing I WANTED them but could not think of a reason I NEEDED them and then it hit me!  FIZZY LIFTING DRINKS!!!  I filled with the Sparkling Waters you can buy liters of at any grocery store for $0.69.  When I opened them at the party they made a popping noise just like in the movie!

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These are plastic Easter Eggs sprayed painted gold.  I put Kisses inside so they would "chocolate filled eggs".  "I want them now!"

The sign says Augustus Gloup's Chocolate River Drink.  It was a stretch I know.

The only Golden Ticket winner not represented was Mike TV.  I couldn't think of how to make the kids small enough to put into their mom's purse in time for the party.

I found 7 different movie theater sized boxes of Wonka candy.  The kids used the candies to decorate their cupcakes.  Well that was the plan.  They ended up stock piling the candy on the side of their cupcakes and just eating the candy.  When the party was over the kids made their own gift bags with everything on the candy table. 

Question:  Why are there no real Wonka Bars in the world?  All of the Wonka candy's you can buy are different variations of Sweet Tarts.  I really want to try a Scrumdiddlyumptious bar.