Church Picnic

It was our turn to plan our church's summer picnic this year. I use the word 'turn' loosely. My hubs and I calculated that we've helped to plan at least 7-8 of the 15 picnics since our church started. We've also carefully calculated what we will say next year if they ask us to do it again. "Nope, not happening."  I really don't mind planning it. It's a party after all, one of my specialties, and it's only for one day. I've gained lots of little tricks through the years but I'm also running out of new, creative ideas.

We had absolutely p.e.r.f.e.c.t. weather this year. 85 degrees. no humidity. a nice breeze and sunshine. The bottom line is, the weather makes it or breaks it. We've had years when we planned all kinds of fun games and big feasts and it was simply to hot to move. And then there was the year of the tropical storm which kind of put a damper on the whole wiffle ball tournament. (corny pun intended :)

Our best idea for "new and different" this year was to rent a Dunk Tank. It was a HIT!

Dunked by the Mrs.

I'm not sure which was longer, the line to dunk or the line to be dunked. 

 

Such good sports we have!

 Beware of what you initiate, you may be forced to participate!

 

 

And sometimes the dunk-er's reaction is even better than the dunkee's! He was helping to pick up the balls for another round when he bumped the trigger accidentally. OOPS!

I used craft paper for the tablecloth and then set out jars of markers for decorating. The kids (big and little) thought it was grand. And I used quart jars of candy for paper weights that double as the age old 'Guess How Many' game (proof of my taxed creative state!)

It's not a church picnic without soft ice cream. Mmm!

Kid's Games. (you might be able to pick out which kids in this church are my favorite)

Wiffle Ball

And of course FOOD.

We called on the expert BBQ-er and he taunted us all afternoon with 'that smell.' It was even more delicious than it looks and it sure made my job easier! I told you I've learned some things along the way.

Throw in some iced coffee, lawn chairs under a shade tree, friends and a good conversation and you've got yourself a party with something for everyone.

Special thanks to everyone who showed up, volunteered to bring food, entertained children, endured the port-o-john without complaint, and helped clean up the mess!

 Feel free to use any or all of these ideas if they call you to plan your church picnic next year, I won't be needing them!

Made Me Smile Monday

{a  snapshot --or two-- from my week. with or without words. something exciting. something ordinary. something special. something silly. just something. that made me smile this week. a memory to brighten my day. to make me smile again. even though it's MONDAY!}

Sandwich Fresh Peaches & Cream Cheese

Add a crackling fire on a cool evening.

Toast to perfect golden crispiness

Enjoy with that steamy cup a java your Hubzy just delivered!

SMILE!

Front Porch

One of the things I love most about my old house is my big front porch. It's a lovely place. At least if you can ignore the motorcycles roaring by. I suppose getting up before they do would work too, but that's not a game I'm very good at. Every once in a while I manage to sneak out with my cup of coffee before any little people start running wild. It's a fantastic way to start the day.

The other thing I love about my porch is the picnic table right outside my kitchen door. It's quick and easy to serve the kids lunch out there and we often enjoy dinner out there in the evenings. There is just one problem. The sun likes to beat in right on that corner just about the time I like to serve dinner. We've had one too many squint-y eyed dinners with whining to boot. So I came up with a plan.

I purchased a couple packs of drop cloth from the home improvement store, put in a few simple hems, and wha-la, CURTAINS!

The patient hubs rigged up the wire for me. Not too thick. Not too rough. Not too redneck. Not too loose....fussy much? He did a great job in spite of my help. I dug out the package of little clips from IKEA that I really *needed* two years ago but hadn't open yet. They are perfect for the job. The metal holders, from a yard sale, to keep them tied back, were the icing on the cake.

I finished them just in time for my Mom's birthday celebration. Yup, that means I procrastinated all summer and then crammed the night before so they'd be ready. Sort of the same thing, right?

My other fun projects...

Frame -- yard sale $1
Chicken wire -- yard sale free pile
A couple of staples and 3 minutes later...

Thanks to Clarita's tutorial I was inspired to make pinwheels to add a little pizazz too. So simple. So fun. You should try it. No, not just one. One of every color, in a couple of different sizes!

Food is always a drawing factor, at least for my family.

It's not a birthday party without a cheesecake. I'm usually more of a chocolate, caramel, espresso kind of girl but this vanilla one with fresh peaches was worth every calorie too.

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Party is over now, so  if you need me for anything, I'll be out on my porch, the coffee is ready!!