Back-2-School cookies

I came across these cute cookies on Whimsy. Again, I really need to throw a back-2-school party so I can use these cute ideas.

{Photos from Poca Cosas}

Edible crayons

I love back-2-school time. Oh how I wish I had an excuse to throw a back-2-school party. Someday, right? If I was throwing a party, I would make these:

EDIBLE CRAYONS



Gourmet Mom-on-the-Go made these simple edible crayons. I think kids would get a big kick out of them and the best part is all you need is pretzel rods, white chocolate, food coloring, and crayon labels.

Check out the directions here.
Aren't those just so fun? I think sure think so!

A BIG THANK YOU!

Just wanted to say thank you to all of you who enjoy reading this blog.

This blog received the Versatile Blogger Award

from Finding Joy in the Journey

In my efforts to simplify my life, I have thought about stopping this blog numerous times. But then when I get comments or hear that YOU enjoy reading about new ways to celebrate holidays, birthdays, and life, that keeps me going. So THANK YOU! I think I'll keep this going afterall.

Back-2-School Fashion Show

I'll be honest. I actually liked when Fall came around. That meant BACK-2-SCHOOL! Even though my family didn't have a ton of money, we always got to pick out new school outfits and shoes. My mom would make sure she had a one-on-one date with each of us to help us find new clothes.

I loved shopping, except when I couldn't find just the right outfits. But when I finally did, I got really excited.

With all 7 of us the weekend before school started, we would put on a

Back-2-School Fashion Show!

{photo from here}

It was very simple. (Although each year I had grand visions of extending it to our neighborhood friends. I was weird sort of a child you could say. I did have fun. I was just all about planning events even at a young age.)

Anyways, the girls would go in one room for a dressing room and the boys in the other. Then one at a time, my patient parents would sit on the couch in the family room and watch us come out modeling our new outfits in every possible combination we could think of. It was a lot of fun and it helped us get very excited for school to start.

Schultute: A Back-2-School Tradition

If you have been a reader since the beginning, you already know that I picked up a few traditions while living in Europe. Today's post is another one of those traditions. It is one I am definitely going to do when I have kids.

So the German tradition is called a Schultute (pronounced shool-toota). The direct translation is school cone. Basically, its a cone filled with school supplies and goodies given to a child on his/her first day of school, however, some people give them to all their children at each start of the new year. The cones can be large or small and you can fill them with anything your children might need. Hey, you're going to have to buy school supplies anyway, so why not make a cute tradition out of it?

I made a simple one and it was...well, simple.

Just get a piece of heavy paper and wrap it into a cone-shape.

Then fill it with school supplies and goodies. I put erasers, pencils, pens, and glue in there.
A small notepad and a treat would be fun too. Just remember, you could make it as big as you wanted.

You can wrap it up with tissue paper and tie off the top. You could leave it on your kids' beds the night before school starts or have it at the breakfast table on their first day.

For some other fun examples, check out these cute and simple ones here and here. It's fun to see others carrying on this tradition. And right now, it seems like many stores are having good deals on school supplies so stock up now!

Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day is this Saturday, July 24th. My family hasn't ever really had any big Pioneer Day traditions, but there are some fun things going on in the Salt Lake Valley. For an entire list of events, click here

I would love to hear any of your Pioneer Day traditions!

Themed Party: Italian Dinner Party

My husband makes the BEST Fettucine Alfredo. Ever. I may be biased, but I would choose his any day over any restaurant's. We had been telling our friends how good it was and we finally had a dinner party so they could taste it for themselves.

This was a simple party, but still very festive. We decided to have everything Italian.

Menu

Appetizers~Olives, Breadsticks

Drink~Italian Sodas

Main Dish~Fettucine Alfredo topped with Grilled Chicken

Dessert~Homemade Strawberry Gelato

***

I didn't have much time to get anything fancy for decor, but let's face it. Lots of times you just have to improvise with what you have. I found a few things around the house. I moved this painting out by the table to set the mood and help us feel like we were really in an Italian restaurant.


I made some simple name cards. Name cards are an easy way to add just a little extra spice.


I love gelato! When I was in Italy, I saved a lot of the special gelato spoons for an occasion just like this. You don't have to go to Italy to get any. You can probably find a gelato shop near you. Make a date out of it and save the gelato spoons for your own dinner party! These are gelato spoons in case you didn't know what to look for:

I sent out an Evite just to add some extra flair and confirm a time.

It was simple, but the food was excellent and so was the company. Not all parties need activities or a lot of structure.

Buon Appetit!