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Friday, February 4, 2011

FRIDAY NITE SUPPER CLUB: KIDS WELCOME!

Well we usually don't invite the kids for the friday nite supper club--lol--but this week is devoted to our little lovies...but what to feed them and bunch of other peoples kids?

 You could go with the timeless classic of pizza + a veggie tray or the good ol' hamburger on the grill stand by. But my personal fave is the loaded nacho bar! This is a super hit for adults and kids! The great thing about a nacho bar is that everyone can load up whatever they want -so if someone doesn't like onions--they can skip those! Kick it up a notch by adding gourmet lettuces, chopped cilantro, authentic red and green salsa, white and yellow nacho cheese dip, lots of veggies like tomatoes, peppers, green onions, crisp broccoli slaw, jalapenos, guacamole and some real corn tortillas near a hot plate.

Beef is universal-but chicken is great too--just bake chicken breasts, shred and cook it up with taco seasoning, add green chili's to spice it up! Fish is really yummy too-bake up a nice white variety like cod, tilapia, grouper, or mahi with a little spiced rub and olive oil- chop it up-delicious! Keep meats and cheeses warm in an electric skillet or crockpot-let your guests self-serve-well with some parental supervision of course-it's not a free for all! :)

pretty it up with some greenery and flowers--one idea is to use some cilantro in a vase-it's so cute!



SUPPER CLUB :PARTY OF FOUR PLEASE....

Well a giant nacho bar may be great to feed a crowd, but for a smaller, yummy, celebratory mexi dinner at home try this idea---we had them last night--all that was missing was a margarita!

CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS AND 2-BEAN CHICKEN NACHOS

YOU WILL NEED:

*3 chicken breasts
*1 package cream cheese
* soft tortilla shells-soft taco size
*canola oil
*1 can of refried beans
*1 can of black beans (whole)
*1 can of green chilis
*taco packet
*fresh salsa
*pepperjack cheese (or cheddar if you prefer)
*toppings of your choice like onions,jalapenos, olives, tomatoes, sour cream etc.

*heat oven 350 bake the chicken breasts ( I season mine with salt and pepper-coat with a little EVOO) about 45 minutes.

*spread  half the cream cheese in a baking dish that is about 2 inches deep

*remove chicken and shred-place the shredded chicken in pan add green chilis and taco packet (i use 1/2 small can of chilis) cook it up like you would regular taco meat.

* fill a large skillet with enough canola oil to "fry your burritos" maybe about an inch deep and begin heating the oil-on lower-medium heat like a 4-5 setting-don't crank it up to make it faster it'll splatter

*spread 4-8 tortillas (whatever you think your family can scarf) with the remaining cream cheese. Then layer some of the chicken mixture on them-not too much you need to be able to fold both sides in and roll into a burrito.
...
*you can keep them together with toothpicks but I didn't need to. place them gently in the oil and let them cook til just browned-turn with tongs-repeat-probably takes about 10 minutes. Remove to a plate-napkin lined will help soak up any excess oil...

*meanwhile with your oven at 350-layer the baking dish with the cream cheese, then refried beans, remaining chicken mixture, uncooked, rinsed black beans, pepperjack cheese and  some salsa...bake about 10-15 minutes or until bubbly on top.

chop up and set-out all the toppings you desire-and EAT!

check out my simple party table-a little cute lantern light, some folding chairs, chunky antique table, drink server, simple flower vase, pretty candle holders and tablecloth, fun and colorful plates, cups and bowls-the melamine kid plates are so cool and reusable, and some yummy cupcakes...it would be nice under a canopy of stars too...ahhhhh...where did my margarita go? oh-I drank it...

yes, please!


check out a couple more party ideas and stuff I like....



I love white dishes-the "pearl" set here from Bloomingdales are so sweet-53pc set $69.99


cute right?

mmmmmm


All of my boys have E names-so I thought this was cool-plus I just adore typography and Martha!


this paper is so pretty! Check out this and more designs at Heidi


aren't these party favor ideas fun? I love the thought of stitching up a cute little monster plushy for the little ones as party favors!


neat-o

I found these on Etsy and think they are a hoot! Check out more cool stuff from this shop-Gr0glmann
SEE YOU NEXT WEEK FOR SOME MONDAY INSPIRATIONS-- ALL WE NEED IS LOVE!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS

Once again it's Thursday. Every Thursday I plan to post original artwork from ME. This week I've been focusing on baby stuff since our baby Emmett aka Roo is turning one next Tuesday-oh by the way today is hubby's b-day-- Happy Birthday Dodo!!  We've all got nicknames around here....Anyway I thought about nursery decor alot this week and  created some things that might be cute in a boy or girl's room! Both are acrylic, one is on canvas the other on paper. Now you know I love me some birdies...and they are extra cute in baby's space so I went with it...hope you enjoy!

Always remember that if you see a print you like in my personal gallery and want to purchase something just let me know via email  areafarehome@yahoo.com .
So without further ado--here are today's ART ADDITIONS....

momma I

Momma I poster

Momma II pink/green

mom & Dad bright yellow

the waiting pink

the waiting olive green

Nest I rust
SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR FRIDAY NITE SUPPER CLUB: KID'S ARE WELCOME!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

WEDNESDAY: A LITTLE BLOG LOVE...

There are SO many great blogs out there its almost hard to keep up. If you're anything like me-you'll be visiting one blog and there will be a mention-so click, I start reading someone else's blog and click someone else's and click-click-click!

I love blogs! Mostly I read design blogs but I also find myself liking quite a few that are all about kids and moms! I guess you just gravitate toward what you like and what is happening in your life! Below are a few blogs I've found recently that I really like. Since it's the week of Roo....guess what? They are all about kids. Also, several are up for kids design blog of the year--it's the Homies contest on Apartment Therapy--check it out and VOTE!!

STELLA AND HENRY

Expect to find all things modern for babies, kids, and parents!

Great blog-clean and simple-great finds!



PRUDENT BABY:

Jaime and Jacinda are some crafty friends, turned moms, turned bloggers who do an awesome job with their blog-  PB has tons of tutorials, recipes, craft ideas and more! Check it out for sure!


LIL' MAGOOLIE:
You'll fall in love with this super colorful, fresh, artful blog! Written by Maddie a designer and mum living in New Zealand. It's LOVE!








CHILDHOOD 101:   great blog written by a teacher. Very informative and inspiring-much wisdom. You'll love her New Year's resolutions -she calls it her manifesto for 2011! This blog was also voted best parenting blog of 2009!

LITTLE. LOVELY:  Sweet little lovely blog. great design inspiration, pretty pictures and yes-lovely ideas.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT SOME OF THESE GREAT ONLINE MAGAZINES FOR KIDS:

LMNOP
Mauve
Small
Papier Mache

remember to show a little love to your faves by becoming a follower or add them to your blog or FB likes! Thanks

SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR THURSDAY ART ADDITIONS-NURSERY STYLEEE

WEDNESDAY : ETSY ARTIST FINDS

IT'S ALL ABOUT BABY STUFF THIS WEEK--HERE ARE A COUPLE OF ETSY FINDS THAT I REALLY LIKE!


ROCKY TOP DESIGN- REALLY CUTE CRIB BEDDING SETS-MODERN, CUSTOMIZABLE-GREAT INSPIRATION PHOTOS FOR NURSERIES TOO!

SLEEPY KING:  Seriously CUTE little plushy friends! Absolutely LOVE this Etsy shop!


EXPRESSING YOU VINYL:   I love wall graphics! They look great and if you can't paint a mural on your wall (or just don't want to-lol) this is the way to go! Check it out!

Support Handmade! A lot of these artists are SAHM's--woohoo for ETSY!
SCROLL DOWN FOR SOME BLOG LOVE AND MAGAZINE LINKS....

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

TUESDAY DIY :BUDGET BIRTHDAY...

Well today I'm doing a little craft for the baby's first birthday. As I have mentioned before we are away from home (Michigan) staying in our 5th wheel in Louisiana. Kind-of a scary day-tornado watch going on-I guess its a great day to craft right!

Having limited craft resources and space makes everything more of a challenge. When we are home I literally have 3 closets full of craft supplies (my nieces love it) and other tools at my disposal. Plus, there are no cousins, friends, and grandparents to celebrate with us, so we are just doing a little family of four celebration until we can get home and do it up right!!! So I set forth with some party guidelines:

 Ezzie wanted cupcakes, Roo wants to eat something, anything please, Not alot of space, simple craft a 4 year old can help with, no buying of excessive craft supplies, keep it simple and cheap! ok! Let's do it!

CRAFT ONE: MAKE A SIMPLE FLAG

these are everywhere and super cute!
You'll need:
* 3 sheets of coordinating craft paper (you can even have the kids color some paper to use) mine came from Hobby Lobby-----3 for a $1
*scissors
*glue---I used super glue because that's what I had--a glue gun would work well!
*ribbon--mine was a scalloped stretchy fabric--3 ft long--customize yours as you see fit
*pencil and flag stencil--I made a triangle stencil from a frozen beef company flyer--use what you have!

stack your paper. Cut in half. Use your triangle stencil to trace the flags. I could get three flags from one half sheet-2 from the top-1 upside down. save the scraps for another project. cut the triangles out. lay out ribbon. run a bead of glue along the back of your triangle. turn it over and press and hold it to the ribbon. repeat. I left about an inch space between my flags, but just do what looks good to you. Bang-your done. I've done this with fabric too and its so cute! PS: I do projects like this on a plastic cutting board board specifically for crafts.



gather your materials

stack and cut in half


use a stencil and trace your flags

ready with the flags

put a bead of glue on the back

have some fun
hang and enjoy
 these look great in kids rooms too!

CRAFT #2: FLAG PLACE CARD

materials:
* cute paper scraps
* scissors
* glue
* white paper or cardstock
*sharpie

cut your white paper or cardstock 4"x5" and fold in half. cut some triangles from your scraps. start at the top corner of your folded card and with the glue draw a half circle to the other top corner. align your flags along the glue. Use a black sharpie or other markers to write names on the cards. Presto!




 CRAFT CHALLENGE #3-CUPCAKE PLATTER

MATERIALS:
* plate
* candlestick holder/short footed glass
* glue or epoxy for glass

This is so easy-I used superglue for mine because-again-that's what I had, but an epoxy made for glass and ceramic would work best. Find a cool plate and complimentary glass or candle holder--you can find dishes at antique stores, goodwill, dollar stores-whatever-mine were clear (dinner plate and short footed glass)and both came from a dollar store. Turn your plate upside down. apply glue to the top of a clean glass or candle holder. Turn the glass/candle holder over and position it in the center of the bottom of the plate--that's the trickiest part.  let it dry and your done. turn it over and put a cute doilie on it. Fill it with cupcakes, chocolates, or cookies for the party! Cheap & easy.....



get some glue, a glass and a plate

instant cupcake platter

gently hand wash and use it again...
I picked up some yellow paper plates and cups, white napkins, and a white plastic tablecloth at the dollar store too. The grand total of my project (including the glue) was just $10. Pretty crafty!


Happy Birthday Roo-Roo!
CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE CUTE KIDDIE BIRTHDAY IDEAS...


FONDANT TOPPERS AVAILABLE ON  ETSY!


CLICK HERE TO GO TO HOSTESS W/THE MOSTESS SITE FOR MORE KID PARTY IDEAS















CHECK OUT THIS GREAT WEBSITE FEATURING TONS OF B-DAY IDEAS FOR KIDS!




SEE YOU TOMORROW FOR WEDNESDAY ETSY ARTIST AND BLOGS FEATURING KID STUFF!