Fun April Fools Day Ideas and Food

HELLO, HELLO, HELLO again. Have you planned your April Fools Day Dinner Yet? In case you missed it I posted all the details with menu ideas and foods in my last post. But here are a few FUN April Fools Ideas that you might enjoy!

Ideas we used Last Year

We put a green apple with gummy worms on a plate at each persons place to greet them when they sat down. The kids loved it!

When you 'ordered' a napkin for part of one of the courses (see menu) we gave them a St. Patricks Day Napkin or other holiday napkin ...(April Fools) and used these fun glasses as napkin rings.

More Ideas

Mock Apple Pie

This recipe has been around since before I was born. And its really good and perfect to trick your family and /or guests on April Fools Day. I promise you they'll think it's made with real apples!

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/ritz-mock-apple-pie-53709.aspx

Undrinkable 'jello' juice

  http://www.ivillage.com/undrinkable-juice/3-r-129761#ixzz1qdAokrB9

Egg and Toast Dessert

( Pound cake, yogurt and apricots)

http://www.ivillage.com/egg-and-toast-dessert-almond-cake-yogurt-and-apricots/3-r-129759 

Meat Loaf Cupcakes with Cheesy Mashed Potato Frosting

http://www.ivillage.com/tasty-pranks-april-fools-day-recipes/3-b-129779#ixzz1qdJe5Hye

Chinese Takeout Cupcakes

(These will really surprize you)

http://www.ivillage.com/chinese-takeout-cupcakes/3-r-139112

Mini faux ice cream cones 

(Rice Krispies & Marshmallows

cuteasafox.com.

Mini Melons

(Limes and strawberry-flavored gelatin)

from Victoria Belanger's book Hello, Jell-O!

THANKYOU for joining me today. Hope these fun April Fools Ideas and Foods will add to your families delight on April Fools Day this year. Have FUN with it all and do see our menu ideas from the last post. You'll be glad you did! Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.

Nann

I will be joining these linky parties:
Color Connection http://www.kids-e-connection.com/2012/03/water-globe.html 
Show And Tell Friday, Show Off Your Stuff, Potpourri Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Inspiration Friday, Friday Favorites, Flaunt It Friday, Frugal Friday, Friday Unfolded, Tickled Pink, I'm Lovin' It Friday, Saturday Nite Special, Pink Saturday, Show And Tell Saturday, Sunday Showcase, Sundae Scoop, Seasonal Sunday

An April Fools Day Dinner and You're Invited!

About two years ago one of my daughters came and told me about an April Fools dinner she wanted to do. But because it involved quite a bit of kitchen counter space and a whole lot of dishes to get it prepared and served, she wanted to have it at our home. Well what a dinner it was. It was Fun Fun Fun! It has now become a tradition and this will be our third year doing it. When people hear about it.... everyone wants to be invited! Its grown from 8 of us to over 20 this year. And it goes without saying that the grandkids absolutely LOVE it!  And really... so do the adults.

So How do you give an April Fools Dinner?

The menu is of upmost importance. And you start with that.

This is the outside of the menu. The menu is folded in half.

   Kristi, our daughter, designed this 'official menu'  on the computer. Since its April Fools Day she always comes up with a fun name for the Cafe. This year it's The Joker Cafe.  She and I figure out the name of each food once we have decided what to serve.  We have so much fun doing this part of it.

Here you see the Menu opened.

 Notice each side of the page. On the left you see the 'menu' and on the right the three courses that you fill in. You select four things for each course. And you can only put an item down once. Part of the 'menu' includes your eating utensils, napkins and water. It's great if you choose at least a fork or spoon in the first course... but it's sometime hard to know. You have to figure out what the food is by the title. And mum's the word when making out your choices.  The 'servers' (my daughter and myself) then gather the menus and get each course prepared for each person. What a surprize when everyone gets their food. Sometimes its really funny!!

     

Menu Translation for this year.

This is the translation of this years menu. We keep this in the kitchen when making up the plates for each course. The first year in 2010 we served spaghetti. Can you imagine ordering that and no utensils? (smile) But once you do get your utensils...then you keep them throughout the rest of the dinner. Sometimes because of a persons choices they don't get some of the utensils until the last course...which has happened. And... can  you imagine eating spaghetti without utensils. (smile) 

Here are two former menus. They were delicious and so much fun to serve.

April Fools Day Menu 2011

     April Fools Day Menu 2010

Stay tuned for photos and tablesettings. I'll be posting these very soon.

Thanks for joining me today! More fun surprizes await you.

Nann

I'll be joining these fun Linky Parties:

Color Connection  http://www.kids-e-connection.com/2012/03/water-globe.html

 Show And Tell Friday, Show Off Your Stuff, Potpourri Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Inspiration Friday, Friday Favorites, Flaunt It Friday, Frugal Friday, Friday Unfolded, Tickled Pink, I'm Lovin' It Friday, Saturday Nite Special, Pink Saturday, Show And Tell Saturday, Sunday Showcase, Sundae Scoop, Seasonal Sunday

Lets Dish http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesdays http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

The Bunny Hop http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Whats It Wednesdays http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Spiritual Notes for the Sabbath ....The Lords Prayer

The Sabbath Day is such a spiritual and special day. I would like to share with you a video and music of 

 Andrea Bocelli and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing

The Lords Prayer

It truly is beautiful. Enjoy!

                                                                               

Thankyou for joining me today. I pray that the Lord's Choicest  Blessings will be with you and your family.

                                                                                 

Nann

I will be linking up with:

Think Upon these Things
http://gratefulprayerthankfulheart.blogspot.com/2012/03/think-on-these-things-6-springtime.html

Spring Birthday Tea Parties

Welcoming Spring.....I want to share with you two darling birthday tea parties that two of my granddaughters had at our house last year. And they were so FUN!!! They were held about two weeks apart.  One was for our grand daughter MeLisa, who turned 13 and one for another grand daughter, Kaia, turning 10.  A pink floral theme was perfect for both of them.      

                                                              

The Table(s)

    This is the table looking down from one of our balconies.  The table is a 6 ft. banquet type table. Didn't it turn out just darling!!! 
 

                                                                  

I made a pink plaid tablecloth from fabric that was on sale at Hobby Lobby. At each placesetting we put down squares of 'faux' long grass from Hobby Lobby. (also on sale). I LOVED these little flower paper plates with their scalloped edges. When I saw them at the dollar store I bought several packages. I knew they would be PERFECT for these parties.

  MeLisa wanted to make a special little cake for her place. She took a cupcake out of its paper and turned it upside down and poured pink frosting over it. She then took melted pink candy melts and piped out an M and let it dry and then put it on top of the cupcake. She was so tickled with herself and so was I.  

Two of MeLisa's friends brought their little sisters and so we set a special table for them.We used the petite teacups and saucers that I've had forever. The little girls just loved them. And the bigger girls loved having their own cup and saucer that they got to take home with them. I also bought flower stems from the dollar store and pulled them apart and set them around the grass mats. And we used pink paper napkins with either gold or silver ware. We put bright pink 'peeps' in cupcake papers with a few pastel mints. 

                                                                                  


 At Kaia's party we used several darling china tea sets that my daughter has been collecting over the years.  There was Hickory Dickory Dock, Cinderella etc. I will be doing a special post on  those later this spring. Any child would LOVE to use them. And the little girls did.

     For a CENTERPIECE we used a little wrapped gift that we put on a little cake pedestal with faux flowers around it.  

                 

                                                                    
   Kaia's mom (my oldest daughter) made cupcakes for the girls and taught them to do these cute marshmallow cupcakes. They each made their own and had a ball! They each proudly took theirs home to show their family.  We'll do a tutorial on these later this spring.They really are easy to do and the girls loved doing them. They also recieved fun goody bags with flower seed packets, candy and other cute things.                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                     

    MeLisas mom (my third daughter) made fun goody bags for the girls to take home. Besides candy and other goodies she put the cutest little pink polka dot ceremic eggs halves that had a soil pellet & seeds for the girls to plant their own little flower 'pot.'                                                 

Both girls wanted their parties to be held in the 'white' room.  It's open and airy with high ceilings that looks out onto our large wrap around porch/veranda.                             

The party wouldn't have been complete without a 'tiny' tea party for baby bunny and her angel friend that was displayed in one of the corners of the room. One of the girls put this together. I thought it was really cute.

                                                                                  

Besides the dainty tea foods that were served we also had a little candy 'buffet' for the girls. I'll be posting photos and recipes of the yummy tea sandwiches and desserts in a future post.

                                                                                 

Both of my grand daughters helped alot with the tables and food for their own parties. They were so excited to do it and it was so fun to work with them. And they did a great job. I was so proud of their catching on to doing the 'details' that make a party so special.

                                                                                     

THANKYOU for coming to see our little parties. I hope you enjoyed them.  Memories were made that I know my grand daughters will never forget. And thats just the way I want it. They are all so special to me and we feel abundantly blessed to have the large wonderful family that we have.

Nann

I will be joining these fun linky parties:

Lets Dish http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/

Wow Us Wednesday http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

The Bunny Hop http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/

Share your Creations Thursday

Whats It Wednesdays http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Cozy Home Scenes http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/

Tabletop Tuesday http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Debbie Doos Newbie Party http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2012/03/vintage-rooster-newbie-party-started.html
Sunday Showcase  http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/03/sunday-showcase-party-no-94.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+UnderTheTableAndDreaming+%28Under+The+Table+and+Dreaming%29

Sundays Best Par.tay http://my1929charmerblog.com/sundays-best-24-par-tay/
Seasonal Sundays http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
Color Connection  http://www.kids-e-connection.com/
Tea Party Tuesday  http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/

Foodie Friday http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Sherry of No Minimalist Here for Open House Thursday;Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home;Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfold.Pink Saturday http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink-saturday/

Tablescape Thursday http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2012/03/pottery-barn-easter-table-setting.html#more

Tea Time Tuesday  http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
Simply Sweet http://angelwingsandapronstrings.blogspot.com/

A Return to Loveliness http://blissfulrhythm.blogspot.com/
Tea Cup Tuesday  http://www.marthasfavorites.com/

Tuesday Cuppa Tea   http://antiquesandteacups.blogspot.com/
Friends Sharing Tea

Tea Cup Thursday                                                                          

Sweetology http://sweetology101.blogspot.com/2012/03/memories-of-tea-time.html

                                                                                

                                                                                  

                                                                 

                                                                                              

It's National French Bread Day & heres a Killer Recipe

Today is National French Bread Day. And to celebrate I want to share a KILLER recipe that I got from a fabulous blog called Plain Chicken. I stumbled across this blog one or two months ago and I'm so glad I did.  Steph is real and so is her blog.....and down to earth.  And she has incredible recipes. 

Artichoke Bread

...and it's to die for!

                                                                                 
                                                                                   

    Doesn't this look just FABULOUS!  And it is!!!

                                                                            

 Artichoke BreadAdd this recipe to ZipList!

1/3 cup butter
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
4 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
½ cup sour cream
1 French bread loaf
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the artichoke hearts, Mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese and sour cream. Stir to blend. Remove from the heat and cool. Slice the bread lengthwise and scoop out some of the center. Spoon the artichoke mixture evenly into the bread shell and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Place each half on a baking sheet and cover lightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese melts completely. Cut into slices and serve warm.

From...PLAIN CHICKEN BLOG
http://www.plainchicken.com/2009/10/artichoke-bread.html

This bread is really incredibly delicious. We LOVED it. And it's really not that hard to make. Try it I know you'll be sold on it too!!! I guarantee the men in your life will go nuts over it.

THANKYOU for  joining me today. Be  sure and check out

 this great blog. And please tell Steph that I sent you.

 Hope you  enjoyed my little celebration of  National French

Bread Day.  Rather tasty wasn't it.



Nann

I'm linking up to these fun parties:

Stonegable for On the Menu Monday
DebbieDoos Newbie Party http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/2012/03/vintage-rooster-newbie-party-started.html
Sunday Showcase Party http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2012/03/sunday-showcase-party-no-94.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:%20UnderTheTableAndDreaming%20(Under%20The%20Table%20and%20Dreaming) Seasonal Sundays  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
Sundays Best Par.tay http://my1929charmerblog.com/sundays-best-24-par-tay/
Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish; Ivy and Elephants for What’s it Wednesday;The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday;for Susan at Between the Naps for Tablescape Thursday;Sherry of No Minimalist Here for Open House Thursday;Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home;Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfold.
Foodie Friday  http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Our Shamrock Soiree....

Dear  Readers..... Before I begin I want to send our sincere condolences to Anne from....Domesblicity... on the untimely passing of her dear mother. Anne is from Austrailia and it is because of blogging I have come to know and love her. Our prayers are with you and your family Anne, that you may have peace and be comforted by our Lord and Savior. 



Last week  we decided to make a surprise visit to one of our daughters. It's a very long drive (11 hours) through 3 states. But our daughter was So surprized and happy to see us. We hugged and cried for joy. But alas as the week progressed her precious 9 month old baby became very sick with bronchial problems and had to be hospitalized. We were grateful we were there to be able to help her and her husband with the other children and be a support to them.

   This is 'Dellie.' That is her nickname but her brothers (3, 4 & 10) like to call her 'Dellie Bean.' And she is such a precious baby.  They were able to bring her home from the hospital a few days ago and she is doing fine now but still has to have numerous breathing treatments daily.

I am now back home at my computer and it's been a week since I posted.   Even though it is now over

I wanted to share our St. Patricks Day Dinner and table.

(Not held on St. Pats Day though).

      I put a white lace cloth on my counter and held it buffet style.

Slow cooker smothered pork chops, velvety mashed potatoes and rich gravy were at the beginning. Of course we added our green shamrocks of parlsey to each dish to make them officially 'Irish'.

                                                    
         

        Next came the tried and true 'green bean casserole.'   

Notice the white serving spoons. I purchased these at a Chinese Supermarket several years ago and we just love them. They make a large generous scoop and even the grandkids can easily hold them to help themselves. And they are quite inexpensive.

           And of course  fresh tossed green salad with a choice of dressings.

 FRESH Steamed and glazed asparagus....

 my husbands very favorite (recipe given in a future post)       

 OUR neighbor Michelle brought her crusty homemade artisan bread that she colored green for this special occasion.

                                                     

And for dessert... everyone had a cupcake that they frosted and decorated to their liking. (And of course it was green & white)

                                                       

 Some of the grandkids 'decorated' the center of the  table with fun St. Patricks Day things. To make this large of table that seats 10-12, I put two 6 ft. oblong banquet type tables together. To seat 16, I put 3 of the tables together. And it works!

      A green tablecloth was put on first and

then a white lace tablecloth was put over it. There was a third table that seated 8 that was also decorated with a green and white checked tablecloth and the same centerpieces. Since the group was so large  including many small children, we used cute  St.Patricks Day paper napkins, plates and plastic cutlery for the placesettings. The kids LOVED it. ( I think the 'kid' in the adults did too...smile)

While visiting our daughter I found a new Homegoods store just a couple of miles from her home. Boy did I luck out. They still had darling Shamrock dishes left and I bought my share including the last five dinner plates, a few salad plates, little green bowls, a sugar bowl with lid and a cute little teapot. And here are the plates!

For this tablesetting I put a green placemat (dollar store)  and two of the shamrock plates from Homegoods.  The salad plates were marked down to $2 and the dinner plates to $2.50.  What a buy!! And all the other Shamrock things were marked way down too. I really cleaned up on this sale. Also I bought some beautiful green goblets from the dollar store to round out the table. Several people have already asked where I got them because they sure don't look like they were only $1.

THANKYOU for joining me for our Shamrock Soiree. Its always nice to have you come by. Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated. 

Nann

PS. My dear friend Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen has just started her new linky party. Come join in as she'd love to have you be a part of it. Just go to

I will also be joining these fun linky parties:

Seaonal Sundays  http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/
Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish; Ivy and Elephants for What’s it Wednesday;The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday;Sherry of No Minimalist Here for Open House Thursday;Kathy of A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Thursday;Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday;Sheri at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home;Courtney of French Country Cottage for Feather Your Nest Friday;Alison of Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfold.
Inspiration Friday...http://www.atthepicketfence.com/
Pink Saturday http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/pink-saturday/
Foodie Friday http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/
On the Menu Monday http://stonegable.blogspot.com/2012/03/on-menu-mondayweek-of-march-19-2012.html
Debbie Doos Newbie Party http://debbie-debbiedoos.com/front-porch-entry-spring-and-a-happy-day-it-is
Metamorphosis Monday http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
Tabletop Tuesday http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2012/03/egg-xellent-spring-mantlescape-party.html
Cozy Home Scenes http://cozyhomescenes.blogspot.com/
Cuisine Kathleen http://www.cuisinekathleen.com/
The Bunny Hop http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/search/label/Bunny%20Hop%20Wednesday
Saavy Southern Style http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/wow-us-wednesdays-58.html
Whats it Wednesdays http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/

Show me what you got party

http://www.ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/2012/03/show-me-what-you-got-linky-party-6.html