July 4th Fun and Games

The 4th of July is just days away and if you're wondering how to throw together a fun get-together, I've gathered a bunch of easy ideas for you. And if you don't celebrate the 4th, maybe you'll find something fun to try anyway!

I love this easy craft because if I like one thing, it's glitter...and if you add crafty tapes, I'm extra happy. I could see getting one wooden background and substituting different washi tapes for the seasons, a heart for Valentine's Day, a star for Christmas, etc. It's easy to remove and I'm betting you have some themed washi you could use. Head to No. 2 Pencil to see more.

If you want the kids and the adults to get in on the fun, you can get the supplies for this craft and set up an outdoor craft station to make popsicle stick flags. You can go here to Giggles Galore to find more directions.

If it's hot like it is here in Ohio, here are some cooling games to play at your party, including a Duck, Duck, Goose game called Drip, Drip, Dunk that uses a cup of water. Buzzfeed has some dry outdoor games in this link as well. I'm loving the Yard Yahtzee.

No gathering is complete without delicious treats, so add one or more of these recipes to your menu for red, white and blue fun! These whoopie pie cookies from Fun Squared look easy and delish!

If you're more of a fruit-for-dessert person, why not make these fun kabobs? Fork and Beans has a watermelon "cake" idea too.

I also love how delicious this drink looks, though I'd add a festive blueberry or flag topper.

What if you're not in the mood for a party? Then I suggest popping in your favorite themed movie (Independence Day, Jaws, 1776, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington), making some holiday popcorn and enjoying the air conditioning.

Happy July!

Chark

You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

The Academy Awards is this weekend and we always have a few friends over to celebrate and watch the show. Of course we tally the winners and the night's best guesser gets a little trophy of sorts. We've had a mug decorated with an Oscar statue, a First Place blue ribbon, a little gold trophy and a magnetic picture frame with Oscar Winner printed and framed. 

We always dress as something from one of the year's nominated movies (and you can dig deep and go for something for nominated for Sound Editing if you need to) and every year it's a mad rush to figure out what to wear. I still don't know what I'll be doing, but I'm leaning toward blue face paint and blue hair spray for the little blue character, Sadness, from Inside Out...up for Animated Feature. I don't plan to be sad, but she's cute and blue.

Here are some Oscar ideas if you want to throw a party or just jazz up your family's viewing. 

A popcorn bar...interesting. I love popcorn, especially taco popcorn, where you sprinkle on some dry taco seasoning and throw in some Cheeze-Its. Tasty!

Tuxedo Mousse Cups...um, yes, please. But only if someone else makes them :)

Oscar Cupcakes...these are pretty advanced but fun.

And these seem more doable and less work, but just as fun!

Love this idea too, I think some of my friends might fight over the Mrs. Clooney tag.

Okay, that's it for today, let me know if you watch the Oscars or fill out a ballot...the best kind of voting is the low-pressure kind. If I get the Best Picture wrong, well, I don't get a plastic trophy. I'm okay with that. 

Happy Wednesday!

Chark