Saturday, June 29, 2019

TIPS FOR THROWING A 4TH OF JULY PARTY! BY GUEST BLOGGER

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Tips for Throwing a 4th of July Party
by Paige Jirsa, Top10.Today

A food table, filled with foods of red, white, and blue. Sparklers after dark. Patriotic music playing low on the stereo. All of these elements and more are just some of the things you might find at a 4th of July party. The celebration is definitely worth it. It gives you a chance to connect with family and friends and celebrate the country’s independence.

However, the costs for such a party can become prohibitive if left unchecked. Fortunately, there are inexpensive ways to celebrate the holiday without going broke. Here’s a look at four of them.

1. Inexpensive Food and Drink
Your annual Independence Day Party is likely to be a food-centric holiday, probably second only to Thanksgiving or Easter in cost. Party planners buy their alcoholic beverages from a warehouse club, like Costco or Sam’s Club. If you go this route, you’ll find good deals on beers, wines, mixers, and even sodas.

The same goes for many of the food items you’ll buy in large quantities, like meat for the grill, hot dog and hamburger buns, chips, etc. Warehouse clubs usually keep these kinds of foods and drinks in bulk for a better per-piece price.

Finally, if you don’t want to foot the bill for all of the refreshments, then think about having a potluck. You can still buy the meat at your local warehouse club. Just ask your guests to bring a main dish or dessert to complete the meal.
2. Invitation Ideas
The Dollar Store typically has a whole section of items dedicated to all things party, including bulk packages of invitations. These themed invitation packs come in packages of eight or 10 invitations. You can personalize them a bit by buying other decorative items at the Dollar Store, like star-shaped confetti, stickers, and the like and putting them inside the invitations.

If you want to avoid the costs involved with sending out paper invitations, then why not start an event page on Facebook? Facebook’s features allow you to upload photos or illustrations that you can use to decorate the header of your 4th of July event page. It also allows you to update your guests automatically. Finally, it’s free. You just need to have a Facebook account to set an events page up.
3. Games & Entertainment
Presumably, it will be warm enough outside for you to set up a games and entertainment area. Some popular games to play on the Fourth are croquet and volleyball. You can also play badminton or tag.

Be sure to also set up a place where you and yours can play with sparklers or set off your own personal set of fireworks once dusk descends upon you.
4. Country Touches
Decorative touches, like mason jars and red, white, and blue gingham tablecloths and napkins set the tone for a memorable 4th of July party. Look for linens of red, white, and blue. Very often, you can find items like these at second-hand or antique stores. Or if you’re really lucky, your grandma’s attic.
Final Words on the 4th of July Party
Your Independence Day Party doesn’t have to cost a million bucks. Following these money-saving tips allows you to throw a fun party without putting a hole in your wallet. Shopping at warehouse clubs, pot lucking it, and buying items at the Dollar Store or a second-hand store count as just some of the ways you can save some serious cash on your 4th of July bash.


THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!



Friday, June 28, 2019

SUMMER FUN 2019 LINK PARTY

Are you enjoying the summer? We're celebrating summer with a Summer Time Link Party for summer crafts, decor, recipes, and activities! We'd love to have you share your summer related ideas at the party. We can't wait to see some summer fun inspiration!  We also will be sharing some summer ideas with you!
**Posts not related to the party theme will be deleted**



Meet the Hosts!

Each co-host will be sharing a summer time post to kick off the party. You’ll find our links in the first in the Link Up below. Please visit the links and check out all of the kick off posts. You’re sure to find lots of inspiration!

Two Chicks and a Mom has 2 cool summer salad recipes to share with you! Check them out HERE.


Co-Host Summer Fun Kick Off Projects

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

You’re invited to share any summer related posts: Crafts, Decor, Activities, and Recipes. If it’s a way to celebrate summer, we’d love to have you share it with us! We’re looking forward to seeing your summer time creativity! We’ll be pinning and sharing your posts over the next couple of weeks. The party is open through July 12 and on July 15 each host will be posting her features, so be sure to stop by for that.

Share Your Summer Crafts, Recipes, Decor, & Activities!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter

THANKS FOR JOINING US!





Thursday, June 27, 2019

COOL SUMMER SALADS


When it's hot out, the last thing you want to do is heat up the stove or oven (I know, that's what Insta-pots and slow cookers are for lol).  Today we wanted to share a couple of easy and yummy salads that can please your family in no time!

Homemade Pasta Salad with Ranch Dressing

You can find the recipe HERE.


Frito Chili Salad
ONE PACKAGE OF SALAD MIX (ROMAINE, MIX, ETC.)
1 TO 2 CANS 15 OZ. CHILI
ONE BOTTLE (ANY BRAND) THOUSAND ISLAND SALAD DRESSING
CHOPPED TOMATOES OR SMALL PACKAGE CHERRY OR GRAPE TOMATOES 
LARGE BAG OF CORN CHIPS


RINSE SALAD MIX AND TOMATOES, CHOP TOMATOES IF NEEDED.  WARM CHILI IN MICROWAVE OR ON STOVE TOP--ADD TO SALAD/TOMATOES.  POUR THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING OVER SAME (QUANTITY IS UP TO YOU).  ADD CORN CHIPS TO SALAD AND TOSS LIGHTLY.  QUICK AND EASY DINNER!
SEAFOOD SALAD 
  
1 bag mixed salad greens (washed)
1 small jar green olives
2 to 3 stalks of celery (washed)
1 package Imitation Crab (I buy mine at the meat counter)
mayonnaise
juice from green olives (above)
salt & pepper to taste
Slice the celery into thin slices (I usually slice mine down the middle vertically and then slice away).
Place the washed greens, celery, and green olives into a large serving bowl.  In separate mixing bowl place 1/2 to 1 cup mayo and 2 teaspoons of olive juice into bowl; stir lightly till mixed.  **I really don't measure these ingredients so just play with the amounts until you get the consistency that you want (should be consistency of 1000 Island dressing) and the amount you want on your salad**
Add black pepper to taste and lightly salt if you wish--with the olives I don't know that you need to add any.
Rinse the imitation crab meat off (I'm just weird about that) and then tear the chunks into smaller pieces and add to salad.  Lightly toss.
Serve immediately with French or Sourdough bread.  Yum!
We are also sharing this post at our SUMMER FUN 2019 LINK PARTY!  It goes live at 6 a.m. on June 28th!
Hope you will join us!
Thanks for stopping by!




FUNTASTIC FRIDAY 234 and SUMMER LIVING


Welcome to this week's Funtastic Friday Link Party!  Summer is in full-swing and we hope that your summer days are funtastic!

Our sister site, THE WELLNESS GALS, is presenting a FREE week-long course on Intermittent Fasting!  We will present info on the various methods of IF, the benefits of, if it may be right for you, and more.  You can also go to The Wellness Gals' Facebook page and click on the link (or Message us) to let us know you would like to be in the private Facebook Intermittent Fasting group.  Begins July 8th!





Now on to this week's link party...
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Monday, June 24, 2019

The Wellness Gals' FREE Intermittent Fasting Course!

Heard about Intermittent Fasting yet you don't really know much about it?  Not sure if it is the right way for you to lose those last few pounds or even more than a few pounds?  Our sister site, THE WELLNESS GALS, is presenting a FREE one week Facebook course (via private group) with oodles of info on Intermittent Fasting!  IF education, fitness ideas, motivation, and did I mention it's FREE?

Lead by Donna, M.Ed., BSN, RN, Certified Fitness Instructor AND Staci, BA in Exercise and Sports Science and Certified Fitness Instructor.  Message us on Messenger @thewellnessgals or email us at gethealthy@thewellnessgals.com to register.  Course begins July 8th for one week!

**Make sure that you are in good health or have been given the okay by your physician before beginning Intermittent Fasting, any dietary program, or exercise.  The Intermittent Fasting course is for your information only and  not meant to replace the advice of a medical provider.  The Wellness Gals, LLC and its owners are not responsible for any health-related injuries or damages and you agree not to hold the company or owners/employees responsible if you sign up for the IF Facebook Course.


Thursday, June 20, 2019

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY 233 AND SUMMER SCRAPBOOKING

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FUNTASTIC FRIDAY #233 LINK PARTY

Interested in hosting a link party or a themed link party? We’re always looking for bloggers to join us as party hosts. If you’re interested, get in touch with me or one of the hosts. The party guidelines are super easy.

Welcome to the link party!  This week I chose a scrapbook post to feature (see further down the post) and wondered how many of you scrapbook, digital or the "old-fashioned" way?  I don't get the chance like I used to but I still enjoy it--I have made one for each of my 7 children, as well as a family scrapbook.  Comment below if you LOVE to scrapbook!  Check out my REASONS WHY I SCRAPBOOK.

Meet the Funtastic Friday Party Hosts

We’d love it if you followed us on social media.
 
MOST VIEWED

Trader Joe's Summer Finds @ Living On Cloud Nine
HOST FAVORITES
 
Michele's favorite - DIY Mail Organizer With Picture Frame and Old Leather Belts: Father's Day Gift Idea @ Thrift Diving
DIY Mini License Plate Game with free printable! Find out how you can transform an empty mint tin into this fun road trip game.
Heidi's favorite - DIY Mini Road Trip License Plate Game (with free printable) @ Comic Con Family
Keto Parmesan Zucchini Chips
Sherry's favorite - Keto Parmesan Zucchini Chips @ Wondermom Wannabe

Donna's favorite - Craft De-Stash: Family Scrapbooking Pages @ Our Unschooling Journey Through Life
dishes.jpg
Kristie's favorite - Pine Cones and Pine Cones @ Whispers of the Heart
If you were featured, take a second and tweet.


If you’re linking up and joining the party, please grab a button or link back to “Olives & Okra” or one of the party hosts (copy and paste the code below the button onto your blog text tab or text widget):

Easy Peasy Pleasy
If you’re a featured blogger, please grab a button to place on your blog (right click on the image and save the image to your computer):

Funtastic Friday Featured Blogger
All contributors who link up to the Funtastic Friday link party can join the Funtastic Friday group board on Pinterest. Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment below that you would like to be added. We will also share your post on social media if sharing buttons are readily available on your post. Help grow the Funtastic Friday Link Party. Tweet about the party, please!


Disclaimer: By submitting a link to this blog link party, you are giving me permission to share and/or feature your blog post and image on social media and on my blog, Olives & Okra. All links shared will either link back to the blog hop (linky party) or to your blog.

Funtastic Friday 233 Link Party Rules

    1. Post as many links as you like
    2. Family friendly posts only
    3. Old posts are welcome
    4. We greatly appreciate comments.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter



Thursday, June 13, 2019

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY 232 AND SUMMERY FUN

THANKS FOR STOPPING IN--HOPE YOUR SUMMER IS ENJOYABLE AND YOU GET SOME '"DOWN" TIME, TOO!

We’d love it if you followed us on social media.

Most Viewed

  [caption id="attachment_8413" align="aligncenter" width="683"] June Tablescape from My Hubbard Home[/caption]  

Host Picks

  [caption id="attachment_8415" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Sherry's Pick-Peanut Butter Celebration Cake from Bird's Party[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_8417" align="aligncenter" width="794"] Donna's Pick- Pineapple Raspberry Smoothie from Simply Blended Smoothies[/caption]

 
Heidi's Pick- Llama Pillow from Kippi at Home
  Kristie's Pick- One Board Bench from Kippi at Home (Kippi was doubly featured this week!)
 

  If you were featured, take a second and tweet.  If you’re linking up and joining the party, please grab a button or link back to “TWO CHICKS AND A MOM” or one of the party hosts (copy and paste the code below the button onto your blog text tab or text widget)

Easy Peasy Pleasy
If you’re a featured blogger, please grab a button to place on your blog (right click on the image and save the image to your computer):

Funtastic Friday Featured Blogger
All contributors who link up to the Funtastic Friday link party can join the Funtastic Fridaygroup board on Pinterest. Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment below that you would like to be added. We will also share your post on social media if sharing buttons are readily available on your post. Help grow the Funtastic Friday Link Party.  Disclaimer: By submitting a link to this blog link party, you are giving me permission to share and/or feature your blog post and image on social media and on my blog, TWO CHICKS AND A MOM. All links shared will either link back to the blog hop (linky party) or to your blog.

Funtastic Friday 231 Link Party Rules

    1. Post as many links as you like
    2. Family friendly posts only
    3. Old posts are welcome
    4. We greatly appreciate comments.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter



Saturday, June 8, 2019

SNICKERDOODLE CREATE BAKE MAKE LINK PARTY #287


Hey everyone! I hope your June is off to a great start! It's been beautiful here! Just a reminder that I'm taking a short break from the party while we move from North Carolina to Alaska, and also wait for our stuff to arrive. Thank you so much for understanding! Enjoy your summer!
 

Please follow your hosts on one or more Social Media Platforms. We'd love to connect!
Beverly and Gloria Across the Blvd (Pin / Twitter / FB / Instagram)
Please let us know you’re following from Snickerdoodle Create, Bake, Make. We’d love to follow you back!
We'd love for you to add our logo to your party page!
It's a great way to give you even more exposure!


 
After you link up at the party, follow all of the co-hosts on Pinterest and then send an email request to join the board to acrosstheblvd@gmail.com. Please include a link to your Pinterest Profile as well as the name of your blog.
Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Party Features
Features are pinned to our Party Board.
Please Pin From the Original Source

Let others know you were featured by displaying our Featured Post Image on your blog.


Party Guidelines


Features:

Debbee's Buzz shared this cute Smooth Sailing Wreath Flying Red, White and Blue Colors. 

Smooth Sailing Wreath Flying Red, White and Blue Colors 

Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt shared this yummy recipe for Cherry Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Looks so good!

 

Flamingo Toes shared this adorable Retro Camper Pixel Quilt.

 

Our Unschooling Journey shared Lion's Galore: A Lion Themed Scrapbook and Cake for New Baby. Cute idea! 

 

Most Featured:

The Curious Frugal shared these Mini Peach Scones with Vanilla Glaze (Vegan). Yum! 

Peach scones with vanilla glaze - vegan scones - mini scones - how to make scones


Thanks for stopping by!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter





 
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