summer party ideas

It's summertime and a great time to connect with friends and family! Time to grill out, camp out, hang out, and host a backyard summer party! Here are some fun themed ideas:

• Jimmy Buffett inspired 'flamingo' party


• patriotic parties - Ideas for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day...
• garden party - Flowers, veggies, sun and fun!
  
• pool party - In the hot summer months, what's more fun than a pool party?
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• luau - Tiki bar, grass skirts, limbo and more...

• beach party - Invite your friends over for a 'life's a beach' party!




• child's bug/garden party - Host a backyard surprises birthday party for your little nature lover.


• camping party - Time to swap ghost stories, roast marshmallows, and sleep under the stars...
• clambake - Inspired by the 'barefoot contessa'....
• fabulous 50's car cruise - Time to show off your hot rods and celebrate the 50's!

for details on each of these themed parties, check out the site: www.itsapartyfullife.com/summertime_fun

Wild West Party Ideas

Need some ideas for planning a wild west party?

• decorate using cow print patterned fabric for tablecovers...
• line a wheelbarrow with plastic, fill with ice, and add bottles of sarsaparilla...
• use bandanas to wrap plasticware and secure with raffia or twine...
• make a big pot of homemade chili and cornbread muffins...
• set up an area for a game of horseshoes...
• hire a dance instructor to teach party guests how to squaredance...
• call a horse stable and inquire about pony rides at your party for smaller guests...

For more wild west party ideas check out the site!

Fun Grad Open House Ideas

Tips for a fun graduation open house:

• Make a scrapbook for the graduate. Start the book with baby pictures and all through school, with photos of friends and family, as well as, sports, awards, and activities. On the last pages, include what the graduate's aspirations and college plans are. Display on the gift table for all to enjoy.


• Videotape the party! They will have a keepsake to treasure and to share with others later.


• Decorate a box with an opening for cards for guests to put cards for the graduate.


• Hire a fortune teller or caricature artist for a unique and fun activity.


• Ask a friend or family member to take candid photos during the party. Then -- add pages to your scrapbook later with photos from the party!


• Set up volleyball, or croquet for all to play.


• Set a child's mini pool on top of a table and fill with ice. Place bowls of salads on top of ice to keep cool throughout the party.

Easter Basket Ideas

CUTE Easter baskets from All About Gifts and Baskets... great premade baskets all ready for Easter morning! Also great to deliver to your favorite people across the miles!

Other

Easter Basket Filler Ideas :

Kites, jump ropes,

Nerf balls, frisbees, Silly Putty, dvd movies, books, art supplies, Hot Wheel cars, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, barrettes, Webkinz, Playdough, puzzles, and small games...

Great places on the web to find Easter Basket fillers:

• Candy Crate
• Land of Nod
• Hearthsong

Mongolian Steak Stirfry

Do you love Mongolian BBQ like I do? Here is an easy way to make it at home. You'll Need:

1 sirloin steak, cut into bite size pieces or strips if you choose

1 small onion

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1/3 cup teriyaki sauce (Kikkoman)

1 TSpoon brown sugar

Extra virgin olive oil

Heat a small amount of olive oil on med in medium sized frypan. Add steak. Cook until steak is browned. Add onions and mushrooms. Cook until tender. Add teriyaki sauce and brown sugar. Stir and cook on low until sauce is thickened.

Serve over rice.

Serves 2

You can add any other vegetables of your choice. Note, potatoes will take longer to cook. Add before you add the other vegetables.

Prom planning

Planning a prom can be a heavy undertaking...but fun as well! Check out our ideas for prom planning at www.itsapartyfullife.com/prom_ideas.

Comfort Food - Chili

What is better on a snow day than homemade chili?


Here is a easy way to make it and it turns out oh-so-yummy!

You'll Need:
1 lb. ground beef
1 can Bush's mild chili beans
1- 16 ounce can tomato sauce
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c ketchup
chili powder to taste

Makes 4 servings

Brown ground beef with chopped onion. Drain grease. Add remaining ingredients. Stir and simmer for about 20 minutes. Season to taste. Serve with Colby Jack shredded cheese... and viola!

Top off with these great mini saltine crackers. Love 'em!

Gourmet Gals

Our first "Gourmet Gals" entree: Broiled Mahi Mahi with sautéed onions & tomatoes, with a side of steamed asparagus with hollandaise sauce. Bon Apetit! 2.6.10

Recipe:

Ingredients:
2 onions, sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup white wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
36 ounces mahi mahi fillets
thin lemon slice (to garnish)

Directions:
1) Heat olive oil over medium heat in saute pan. Saute sliced onions in the oil for about 8 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes, parsley, white wine, tomato paste, garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Set mixture aside.
2) Lightly grease a rack, and line a broiler pan with aluminum foil. Place rack in broiler pan.
3) Place fish, in a single layer, on the rack. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and pepper. Broil fish about 5 inches from heat for about 8 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
4) Spoon the onion-tomato mixture evenly onto a platter. Place the broiled fish on top of the onion-tomato mixture.
5) Garnish with lemon slices.