tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50316834462451158592024-03-09T19:46:32.591-07:00Larissa Another DayLarissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.comBlogger1222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-81044551525065093452019-08-27T19:27:00.000-06:002019-08-27T19:27:30.918-06:00Back To School Teacher Cookie Gift Printable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZvdHOvG76HNC3lXhy6YZVRg257ukH4n5oQ49nyyPwasO_JhstPGx5f891INScp3yMbj8ZvhZ4BpL_AFlntSl0WQ6BLKNkam-QBFUxz85Jy3JahVjyKzY9viHov-RDMj_lb6DJhDBTQ/s1600/Back+to+School+Teacher+Cookie+Printable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZvdHOvG76HNC3lXhy6YZVRg257ukH4n5oQ49nyyPwasO_JhstPGx5f891INScp3yMbj8ZvhZ4BpL_AFlntSl0WQ6BLKNkam-QBFUxz85Jy3JahVjyKzY9viHov-RDMj_lb6DJhDBTQ/s640/Back+to+School+Teacher+Cookie+Printable.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I know for like 90% of you, school has already started so this post is not going to help almost anyone this year. However, I have had a couple of people ask for the printable tag for this Back to School teacher gift and this seemed the easiest way to share.<br />
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So I am once again blowing the dust of my computer and making this tag available via ye old blog. Maybe I should have said "ye olde blog" to be more official. Ha.<br />
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Back on point...For back to school I gave our teachers a mason jar stacked with homemade chocolate chip cookies (link to recipe to follow) and I attached this little tag that plays off of the book <i>If You Give a Mouse a Cookie</i>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA61LRovQ-YqMzNs3EKKU-aK2ZMN8ZpwFpXYXR6_amd7-9QjSQ_rQ4Rp4tWnms-Xpwa4xjw-5syFPJCqnrRrzPWW-9pPOLYWqeXQ5fczzqdTCaPTGX7QXpfuddA9_DtMI0Oz2q4uTOg/s1600/Back+to+School+COOKIE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1095" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA61LRovQ-YqMzNs3EKKU-aK2ZMN8ZpwFpXYXR6_amd7-9QjSQ_rQ4Rp4tWnms-Xpwa4xjw-5syFPJCqnrRrzPWW-9pPOLYWqeXQ5fczzqdTCaPTGX7QXpfuddA9_DtMI0Oz2q4uTOg/s640/Back+to+School+COOKIE.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
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I printed a few off and then tied them to the cookie filled mason jars. They were really easy to throw together and were a big hit. Just make your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. If you are still looking for one, I really rather enjoy the recipe for <b><a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2014/10/my-favorite-chocolate-chip-cookie.html" target="_blank">My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie</a></b>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiAhdfsXjwPnG_9DyVmqrMGssop31_tkqyqmNnrihR4ve2iFuXMOZjPTw116I0hKEanY-olDGsbvI0iXH5SK2f27z6dQ2rNt6qAsQp-F6CiNKyJqa1s2uKBpA41fOJkIoSWgfKaBVmA/s1600/Favorite+Chocolate+Chip+Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiAhdfsXjwPnG_9DyVmqrMGssop31_tkqyqmNnrihR4ve2iFuXMOZjPTw116I0hKEanY-olDGsbvI0iXH5SK2f27z6dQ2rNt6qAsQp-F6CiNKyJqa1s2uKBpA41fOJkIoSWgfKaBVmA/s640/Favorite+Chocolate+Chip+Cookies.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Once your favorite (or my favorite) cookies are cooled, stack them in a mason jar or package them up however you would like and then attach one of these tags. I am pretty sure your kid will get A's all year long. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2rkcjj3vSioc4CNBNccjHuUSVsJm0ByzdbqhyE6Y0YzzvP2YHHzzRNsZn5y9Gt6fPFVo_6fNirwM2vAMEBXNGj5faajutKRPJxCJ28qG_7UrEJ6Di-hxhwmpjvKh2YBygaZGSyZJ3w/s1600/Back+to+School+Give+a+Teacher+A+Cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2rkcjj3vSioc4CNBNccjHuUSVsJm0ByzdbqhyE6Y0YzzvP2YHHzzRNsZn5y9Gt6fPFVo_6fNirwM2vAMEBXNGj5faajutKRPJxCJ28qG_7UrEJ6Di-hxhwmpjvKh2YBygaZGSyZJ3w/s640/Back+to+School+Give+a+Teacher+A+Cookie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Download <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GLBI8GP-VBBmivIa3EGZDNQ8nkhU_6nn/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-37138033288258026842019-08-09T18:28:00.000-06:002019-08-09T18:33:03.188-06:00Won Ton Chicken Salad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllpuI34pyL_agHSWZoRgJjPyvD5iecLoU21LVmdLVazYi2-NrtnOh-4YVOedkrSl68gBF0yHdjYNmk6p3ncbQ_4fLNYt9bgglavOh32eZD1TWaZtHoNFuxrJHpEr0dYr4tcDATK0dJw/s1600/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllpuI34pyL_agHSWZoRgJjPyvD5iecLoU21LVmdLVazYi2-NrtnOh-4YVOedkrSl68gBF0yHdjYNmk6p3ncbQ_4fLNYt9bgglavOh32eZD1TWaZtHoNFuxrJHpEr0dYr4tcDATK0dJw/s640/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+4.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Before I get to this ever so delightful <b>Won Ton Chicken Salad</b> recipe and what an easy show stopper recipe it is, allow me to share some thoughts. Although I am not sure who reads blog posts anymore.<br />
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I am not sure if I really plan to jump back into blogging. I often think about it but I have been out of it for awhile, and even when I was "in" it I was loads behind what was necessary to be a successful blogger.<br />
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There is a lot that goes into putting out a blog and I am not sure whether the monetary or time investment is really right for me. When people ask me if I miss blogging, I almost always have the same answer. Not really, except that I miss that it GAVE me a reason to be creative. I really enjoy putting together a pretty meal or finding a really great recipe. I adore throwing a party. I like decorating my home. Blogging gave me an excuse to focus more time on all that.<br />
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I also like to read, rest, and watch a good chick flick. AKA I enjoy a bout of laziness. Like down time is necessary for my emotional and mental well being.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs34Z3eBBf6z91pSJEOR_6AvIFDR9mu7-d_Lqeofs6fchmqnHtq_u8R5zoe2kSpo_qEP9z-aZhNgniiqAY5_CTRfLEephW17gZ4p35sVeyamP6hlxTuMZU8XgUSLBk_nf5p7sYF9sfQ/s1600/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzs34Z3eBBf6z91pSJEOR_6AvIFDR9mu7-d_Lqeofs6fchmqnHtq_u8R5zoe2kSpo_qEP9z-aZhNgniiqAY5_CTRfLEephW17gZ4p35sVeyamP6hlxTuMZU8XgUSLBk_nf5p7sYF9sfQ/s640/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Add all that on top of now working almost full time. I can accomplish a lot in a little amount of time, but I absolutely can not do that on repeat. Blogging requires me to do that on repeat.<br />
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So back to the original conundrum. Can I really get back into blogging? The content, the posts, the collaborating, the negative, the positive, and everything else. Heck, my blog itself needs a technical revamp. Links are missing. Graphics are missing. Every time I see it I panic for a second and then go, "Eh, oh well." Definitely not the appropriate blogger response.<br />
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As I type this out I have had three of my family members ask in shock, "Are you <i>blogging</i>?"<br />
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So yeah. It has been awhile. But today I am writing. Here is why--<br />
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One of the things I ALWAYS loved sharing was recipes. I like food. I like pretty pictures of food. I like sharing food. So it was always easy to post about food. So today, I am posting this recipe for <b>Won Ton Chicken Salad</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVpnKU9mZsiaXlSdKG3fsgr8SrSdAbIzDgGTLKXHa302aKrqYV8Dl0RBw1Jw_ph5kz4c4Ye9OjzHZo2lcdfIuVs7pbgVDPdB0BSHVGuGUaHNQFD8A7fC5tB9z9-nQi2MB9eCTvc9FEA/s1600/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVpnKU9mZsiaXlSdKG3fsgr8SrSdAbIzDgGTLKXHa302aKrqYV8Dl0RBw1Jw_ph5kz4c4Ye9OjzHZo2lcdfIuVs7pbgVDPdB0BSHVGuGUaHNQFD8A7fC5tB9z9-nQi2MB9eCTvc9FEA/s640/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I have actually posted this recipe on the blog before. Alas it was before food staging and good cameras. So the post is SUPER sketchy. When I had a friend over for a girl's lunch recently, I took a couple of photos of this salad in all of it's yummy goodness (because that is what I do). I realized that I wanted to post about it on Instagram but I didn't really have a good post to link to.<br />
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So here I am busting out the computer, opening up blogger and actually typing it out. I even have a printable recipe (Not a widget link because well blogger doesn't do that. Refer to the aforementioned lack of blogging technology.).<br />
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What can I say about this salad? Well first it is good enough to bring me out of the once-was-a-blogger crypt and publish it. That alone should say something. But seriously, this is a pretty light tasting salad. The textures are to die for. The combination of chicken, lettuce, almonds, and green onions is delightful and then you add those amazing little won ton crisps and I can't even. The dressing does not overpower the salad, but definitely gives it a little bite thanks to the pepper and the rice wine vinegar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIxNM1htpKC0hfsJxtko5glq14z4AxjuFuE4ciTUUrFhxd7khibOzsXiRCX4uU4b9olHPaSUT76VLhWNXgo0xUvGEhFMHEkrkEYLfjAl2iR0zz43AgHU1eZKUOcfy73dSxSQE0LuyWA/s1600/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIxNM1htpKC0hfsJxtko5glq14z4AxjuFuE4ciTUUrFhxd7khibOzsXiRCX4uU4b9olHPaSUT76VLhWNXgo0xUvGEhFMHEkrkEYLfjAl2iR0zz43AgHU1eZKUOcfy73dSxSQE0LuyWA/s640/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So if there is anything you get from this very reflective post, hopefully it is at least this recipe. Like I said, I have been making it for about 15 years and it is always a crowd pleaser. </div>
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Enjoy.</div>
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<b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Re1Kr4lJU5T3BUonZt5HiPLmxpWRM5aU/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">PRINT HERE</a></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlfsOXfjn8yILc2DSz-3gGmenKP1xOKAop-WQZJS82E2rDbcR-RJDoJ4iFatd2NgC6y9QhYTFIqwEr-6TuyhqmSXgWSi8623rzU1rNb8Vwjot9-Q0WkTu-y7Aj8UYgo1F4AiGoMO65A/s1600/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+RECIPE+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlfsOXfjn8yILc2DSz-3gGmenKP1xOKAop-WQZJS82E2rDbcR-RJDoJ4iFatd2NgC6y9QhYTFIqwEr-6TuyhqmSXgWSi8623rzU1rNb8Vwjot9-Q0WkTu-y7Aj8UYgo1F4AiGoMO65A/s640/Won+Ton+Chicken+Salad+RECIPE+%25281%2529.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-22883909974564139762019-05-06T22:41:00.000-06:002019-05-06T22:41:05.080-06:00Soda Teacher Appreciation Week Tags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dN-arVh0yFBsMcW_FaFN9QZ76cLFm54i7DHQvL3xZMAHfjTPbi6w5KsLnQveV238WNg2quc5m0Rgbhp41DS1QU5u01vU0JTJVVhxexzpiAbvEKsd5VEbqjUQgEkKsLDa-pbohDon6w/s1600/20190506_175626038_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1242" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dN-arVh0yFBsMcW_FaFN9QZ76cLFm54i7DHQvL3xZMAHfjTPbi6w5KsLnQveV238WNg2quc5m0Rgbhp41DS1QU5u01vU0JTJVVhxexzpiAbvEKsd5VEbqjUQgEkKsLDa-pbohDon6w/s640/20190506_175626038_iOS.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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Elephant in the room...yes this is the first blog post I have done in like a year and a half. Also, it is gonna be a short one. Ha.<br />
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I am coming to you today because it is Teacher Appreciation Week and I LOVE Teacher Appreciation Week. I posted a photo of one of my gift ideas on Instagram (@larissaanotherday) and before long I had several request to make the tags available to print. So I got my fanny in gear and put it online.<br />
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I had seen a similar idea to this but with alcohol instead of soda. I thought right away about how appropriate this was for at least one of my little men. He is a little bit of a cute wiggly handful. I knew I had to make these for our teachers Since I am not a drinker and neither are my boys' teachers, I had the idea to attach a gift card to a soda shop. I made two sets of tags. The first set of tags have a space to attach a drink shop gift card and the second set was made to attach to a single drink.<br />
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<b>ATTACH A GIFT CARD: </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk-VRvkbu6BXRiYVlGkSTPwuKjd90dLcVB4zlfJH6OVZUCy5BNSJafvpvhBlgZjZGNyCb5-XBQdi8-temdcN-RkPWJ6SyJycPg0Ttl30d8mu4NWMt8pSUoSMu4SmdQcMSSo1qroIcfg/s1600/Teacher+Appreciation+Drink+Tag+GIFTCARDS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk-VRvkbu6BXRiYVlGkSTPwuKjd90dLcVB4zlfJH6OVZUCy5BNSJafvpvhBlgZjZGNyCb5-XBQdi8-temdcN-RkPWJ6SyJycPg0Ttl30d8mu4NWMt8pSUoSMu4SmdQcMSSo1qroIcfg/s640/Teacher+Appreciation+Drink+Tag+GIFTCARDS.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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Download Printable <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/19fRYEjLKNWeAW2bdMukYPhBOkCzswK0l/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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<b>FOR A SINGLE SODA:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfZMjSW1tmnofeB4FaJuhGHiLWU2C5xQWW07qvMNjLajrMYO1uL2Y8bYQXm4KAknrguP4X76V4RlKHVy-HXAQYA3-4pO9MMTcm9pZiYNJbw-XgexjP8L1cK5QjammP2hsu30-GzEZqQ/s1600/Teacher+Appreciation+Drink+Tag+SINGLE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfZMjSW1tmnofeB4FaJuhGHiLWU2C5xQWW07qvMNjLajrMYO1uL2Y8bYQXm4KAknrguP4X76V4RlKHVy-HXAQYA3-4pO9MMTcm9pZiYNJbw-XgexjP8L1cK5QjammP2hsu30-GzEZqQ/s640/Teacher+Appreciation+Drink+Tag+SINGLE.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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Download Printable <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1akdrEQPRzRwZ8GK4pvWEf-yQJ_cFbX5S/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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Hope that helps some of you out! Whew I am exhausted from all this blogging. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week.</div>
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-40249706027144255592017-11-30T10:35:00.001-07:002020-03-31T16:58:14.435-06:00Light The World for Yout<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVqHStJMwHjkl38cQqgZtoXkmosJ-kqT48MEJ05rKyRlcy-Lmakq_MA5VcknwUdsqijosBWZtEAbyjofwy4R5fwQP8yEftRzOE-88vmysLucTb4J-DfMBudC07pQgRmT1Xv-RBbzzkQ/s1600/Light+The+World+For+Youth+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVqHStJMwHjkl38cQqgZtoXkmosJ-kqT48MEJ05rKyRlcy-Lmakq_MA5VcknwUdsqijosBWZtEAbyjofwy4R5fwQP8yEftRzOE-88vmysLucTb4J-DfMBudC07pQgRmT1Xv-RBbzzkQ/s640/Light+The+World+For+Youth+2017.jpg" width="510" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.comeuntochrist.org/" target="_blank">Light The World</a></b> starts tomorrow, and I have been working all week on this Light The World Packet for Youth. I originally had thought to do just a couple of things to encourage my Young Women to participate. Then as I started creating, it just kind of took on a life of it's own.</div>
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When I started working on this there wasn't a program specifically for youth, and serving with and having my own youth, I decided it was a must. </div>
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I am really happy with how this turned out and I really hope and wish that this packet is helpful to other parents, youth leaders, and youth themselves. I hope you will share it and use it.</div>
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Here is what the packet includes:</div>
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<b>Light the World Calendar</b></div>
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<b>Idea Sheet (Several ideas for each day.)</b></div>
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<b>Scripture Cards</b></div>
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<b>Printables (Coordinate with the stars on the idea sheet.)</b></div>
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<b> - DIY Ornament</b></div>
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<b> - Set of tags</b></div>
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<b> - Sunshine Notes</b></div>
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<b> - Memories of Mom and Dad</b></div>
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Here are a few sneak peeks--</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS__9ip_OW3izZv1yzg6_Z93q9Un8jzQsyJZLBT53wVzwGmTIGRYAZc65dvVwiAsQqNfUVDX3KlbB3hxdLYdQNPczshHH7rv64o7F1yYJ_S_5ivmbHhfftp6rODH0MBJl3fVlYaLjmsA/s1600/Light+the+World+Ideas+for+Youth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS__9ip_OW3izZv1yzg6_Z93q9Un8jzQsyJZLBT53wVzwGmTIGRYAZc65dvVwiAsQqNfUVDX3KlbB3hxdLYdQNPczshHH7rv64o7F1yYJ_S_5ivmbHhfftp6rODH0MBJl3fVlYaLjmsA/s640/Light+the+World+Ideas+for+Youth+1.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa9gFnmLIdC7_kO-ZEEV24QIN39XFkUF7KiwCpV5KqPxLEcKNwjacIlq5KA7k2cB3_C_qMyH1HG9oTANcpyRz5ZWt-Cf9yHfsa61dZch3nbAOwOrZKKNkMLFpnPxHHTyzRKs2hfvM4w/s1600/Light+the+World+Scripture+Cards+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa9gFnmLIdC7_kO-ZEEV24QIN39XFkUF7KiwCpV5KqPxLEcKNwjacIlq5KA7k2cB3_C_qMyH1HG9oTANcpyRz5ZWt-Cf9yHfsa61dZch3nbAOwOrZKKNkMLFpnPxHHTyzRKs2hfvM4w/s640/Light+the+World+Scripture+Cards+1.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27l_cQkD9IExxnkLgAwE34x-0oB8G5dVgaidEwvZMUHT95g8PJKcj0UHBWmxMuuouFXudLo-KFdaFeZIXEmhkzzDsBAal5MYwLmg5UYZuIFHxTw_Q-iYMMj1AArb05KPaK2cP8JlYxw/s1600/Light+the+World+Tags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27l_cQkD9IExxnkLgAwE34x-0oB8G5dVgaidEwvZMUHT95g8PJKcj0UHBWmxMuuouFXudLo-KFdaFeZIXEmhkzzDsBAal5MYwLmg5UYZuIFHxTw_Q-iYMMj1AArb05KPaK2cP8JlYxw/s640/Light+the+World+Tags.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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I know it is the day before and some of you might see this after <b><a href="https://www.mormon.org/" target="_blank">Light The World</a></b> has already started. The good news is that you can start at any time.<br />
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<b>Parents: </b>You can download and print one set and go over it with your youth. Print tags, scripture cards, and calendar on cardstock. The rest can be printed on regular paper.<br />
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<b>Leaders: </b>You can download, print, and make copies. Same printing instructions as above. Assemble all the pieces in gallon resealable bags. Explain to the youth how to use it. You can even do several of the activities on the days they fall on youth nights.<br />
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I really hope you enjoy this and that it helps your youth get excited about this AMAZING way to celebrate Christmas.<br />
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<b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/19yAI8uaKFko3WBW2N-3Kl2tbvETnassv/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download Packet Here</a></b></div>
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-18539752879643401102017-11-18T13:55:00.001-07:002017-11-18T13:56:15.980-07:00Thanksgiving Teacher Appreciation Mini Pies Thank You and Printable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tdPj2EiZ_JV1XZrjc-GwprC1csXJP75wNsTBAJsv59ki8mJgEyJejdso5OEKctrYkk80mnTpUJ-nUI0FILUzcjJcY-wR9s5oOQeAPATgQn9-TQKSKbc4c1YuMxdqoHr1KfYQoRut3g/s1600/20171117_235323522_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-tdPj2EiZ_JV1XZrjc-GwprC1csXJP75wNsTBAJsv59ki8mJgEyJejdso5OEKctrYkk80mnTpUJ-nUI0FILUzcjJcY-wR9s5oOQeAPATgQn9-TQKSKbc4c1YuMxdqoHr1KfYQoRut3g/s640/20171117_235323522_iOS.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I posted this Thanksgiving teacher mini pie gift on<b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/larissa_anotherday/" target="_blank"> Instagram</a></b>. I had a few people ask about how to get the tag. So I decided that I needed to put it on the blog so that people could get it easily.<br />
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I made this "We aPIEciate You" tag in <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> for our teachers. I specified it for them and the fact that the PTO was giving it to them. I have now made a few more generic options for those not thanking from a PTO and for those not thanking teachers specifically. There is a single option of each tag (which you can right click and save to your computer), a sheet of the teacher tags (not from PTO), and a blank one with instructions on how to personalize it.<br />
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I tied each tag to a mini mason jar pie. These were pumpkin pecan made from <b><a href="https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/28658/pumpkin-pecan-pie/" target="_blank">THIS</a></b> recipe. I quadrupled the recipe for the filling for 32 jars and tripled the topping. You could also attach a big ol' pie if it was for one person. You could buy those mini wrapped pies instead of making jar pies. Possibilities are endless.<br />
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Teacher/PTO one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqswGdQ-jzpkmKtI39ek2NcEo9FJnmI8hsalnjceWCsPOxLiJK-0NUQMVdujT7ebWfjw9RtQXAjfmAR6ScjhWetmDuYAxebmZW9WKmXLkaV3YdQzHcfFqyxyC2eKX1_0yjJApM2g9ReQ/s1600/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1071" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqswGdQ-jzpkmKtI39ek2NcEo9FJnmI8hsalnjceWCsPOxLiJK-0NUQMVdujT7ebWfjw9RtQXAjfmAR6ScjhWetmDuYAxebmZW9WKmXLkaV3YdQzHcfFqyxyC2eKX1_0yjJApM2g9ReQ/s640/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tag.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Sheet of Teacher/PTO tags.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnpB2xREkK0d6FXykCpuFPqzIF26Aef2Jf1MMlTi-DzoKcsHACdoabw6Y4fwqYS2QS3Wo7izek3uWIhm2gqnpavBb-KjqMX_SXZUiqZQC9wP-_W4E1TizM7DOnVfBeXlUmvW7shbnFQ/s1600/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tags+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnpB2xREkK0d6FXykCpuFPqzIF26Aef2Jf1MMlTi-DzoKcsHACdoabw6Y4fwqYS2QS3Wo7izek3uWIhm2gqnpavBb-KjqMX_SXZUiqZQC9wP-_W4E1TizM7DOnVfBeXlUmvW7shbnFQ/s640/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tags+2017.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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PRINT <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hY8998vq1tSd_-3KrwSnKvl4qLeJP-6h/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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Teacher/no PTO.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-9tc4vmzxJ0kuIlNyXoTB9ym8_vTrWkZ17FeSfac232Zl6W9_bKZ93bBkpZDkp8Wyx-LszQbd6HEGwN1wL6tVJcpWPAPB1LR1dqHJHYLDwupaPpBeCqS48VbcL0djmMbmnBtAI6l_A/s1600/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tags+no+from.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH-9tc4vmzxJ0kuIlNyXoTB9ym8_vTrWkZ17FeSfac232Zl6W9_bKZ93bBkpZDkp8Wyx-LszQbd6HEGwN1wL6tVJcpWPAPB1LR1dqHJHYLDwupaPpBeCqS48VbcL0djmMbmnBtAI6l_A/s640/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tags+no+from.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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Teacher/no from printable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQMLwC-WnWIeXeERkT-GpATiAthObd6fTEmrf9ur9vNZOnfFt-azMc4_VwwuY59rApeKPZknz57srCp43rlZW-5aoFTOIeD00m69tN0I7bzHZQM5oDB1gYr80XGByZ2aTm_hz9haX_A/s1600/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tags+Printable+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQMLwC-WnWIeXeERkT-GpATiAthObd6fTEmrf9ur9vNZOnfFt-azMc4_VwwuY59rApeKPZknz57srCp43rlZW-5aoFTOIeD00m69tN0I7bzHZQM5oDB1gYr80XGByZ2aTm_hz9haX_A/s640/Teacher+Thanksgiving+Tags+Printable+.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
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PRINT <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZWpo2C32rqRJc-izyPRYhky9gCERBQBS/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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Thank You Blank.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IT0PTBYDJQdKiSiM_CaXTeQR7GYi6dvbMkn1XJD-PCKhzBYSCz9j2xIJuOTyUFSLJt-yaSfjksPUWVvMYS8x4C96u7I8Qst3IX7xVvT8yOTOa2RASfWnX-pWXDGFAgKZFDlt7rRDWA/s1600/Thanksgiving+Thank+you+Tags+blank+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IT0PTBYDJQdKiSiM_CaXTeQR7GYi6dvbMkn1XJD-PCKhzBYSCz9j2xIJuOTyUFSLJt-yaSfjksPUWVvMYS8x4C96u7I8Qst3IX7xVvT8yOTOa2RASfWnX-pWXDGFAgKZFDlt7rRDWA/s640/Thanksgiving+Thank+you+Tags+blank+.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Okay so for the blank one. Here is how you personalize it.</div>
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After you have downloaded the image onto your computer, go to <b><a href="https://www.picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b>. Under the edit, choose the computer icon. Then select the saved image.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrjYiJhUvF-k2BGj1s6wImLMhxEuJHqIgeCwSOGx7RY2POzDI9oN7Pue_lW9eEJAQMX8Lw3kb6H1R5YRKOOximZF7pJwykxErqmEDFdK-MlMD16rLa3i6lhAQH3JQgELKpy0svX5AKQ/s1600/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1545" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrjYiJhUvF-k2BGj1s6wImLMhxEuJHqIgeCwSOGx7RY2POzDI9oN7Pue_lW9eEJAQMX8Lw3kb6H1R5YRKOOximZF7pJwykxErqmEDFdK-MlMD16rLa3i6lhAQH3JQgELKpy0svX5AKQ/s640/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It should look like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__UiiozZdeDnwdWCmFNFukUabtjza6p-iipn_t4Wi0oQcdWGxFj28kpCfKM-eswpMU5w7V93zNJHgZYdB_Lth0FsmSLtyQVz20HWjgdjUhEbjmrkZakzhMNQKiu_f5cLqH_HmdoU55g/s1600/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1545" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__UiiozZdeDnwdWCmFNFukUabtjza6p-iipn_t4Wi0oQcdWGxFj28kpCfKM-eswpMU5w7V93zNJHgZYdB_Lth0FsmSLtyQVz20HWjgdjUhEbjmrkZakzhMNQKiu_f5cLqH_HmdoU55g/s640/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The font you need is Chunk Five. Add Text.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2posp3zw9Cv1zCPyZZyHB13q8ZbNQn0OfBrdSpy-mmXYiFOoTls59Po6k1FwnaJrVnck7ySW2OhGwQZhsYXEh7n1mgK14FYmCbz4fdWEc5j4eNbe1dikiiE_BSKmyum8GiIb1I1kug/s1600/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1545" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD2posp3zw9Cv1zCPyZZyHB13q8ZbNQn0OfBrdSpy-mmXYiFOoTls59Po6k1FwnaJrVnck7ySW2OhGwQZhsYXEh7n1mgK14FYmCbz4fdWEc5j4eNbe1dikiiE_BSKmyum8GiIb1I1kug/s640/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Make the word of the person you are thanking fit. Also make sure your caps are on. Add spaces or increase the text size to fit the space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUjWUrj81q3BLY5KlZlmhrtQOfF06zg9DCoGva1UfPEfhdZKzL9H5IMYLwkVQl-KL1iclRXftPd8-A-ISWGtf4f5QurBYBlw_jCxGL47euFQNzxwgrf3-WCo-iCSh5OmUMz2Z5oqbfA/s1600/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1545" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUjWUrj81q3BLY5KlZlmhrtQOfF06zg9DCoGva1UfPEfhdZKzL9H5IMYLwkVQl-KL1iclRXftPd8-A-ISWGtf4f5QurBYBlw_jCxGL47euFQNzxwgrf3-WCo-iCSh5OmUMz2Z5oqbfA/s640/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Change the color to 8e0500 in the text edit box.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBtpIiT2kihm0jy-zXUEuid0pSwjlQaUweGrzTTERzx6MNn686LZ4iqFdSJsr1j9sbLascY2Iw6KacUPdCFjFmUIMv89PjywKC8s7Wr-OSxRfbJV50y_h5SsRLXd_Q5SaOSbO9FRyTg/s1600/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1545" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBtpIiT2kihm0jy-zXUEuid0pSwjlQaUweGrzTTERzx6MNn686LZ4iqFdSJsr1j9sbLascY2Iw6KacUPdCFjFmUIMv89PjywKC8s7Wr-OSxRfbJV50y_h5SsRLXd_Q5SaOSbO9FRyTg/s640/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you want to add a from, then type the text you want and adjust color and size.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh_REN_zb2k2LFLru_cgSlvwOonZTTALXYAT0oAkBt_rV9mTPnujSUg7tF7M4hSF6ks3bfC1FrENTJXuwFVEvBAUj9mPIPXfS0SlM2OE6MZdbPhwlWWpDibcdof2QDoNs3ELVBKg1mw/s1600/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1545" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJh_REN_zb2k2LFLru_cgSlvwOonZTTALXYAT0oAkBt_rV9mTPnujSUg7tF7M4hSF6ks3bfC1FrENTJXuwFVEvBAUj9mPIPXfS0SlM2OE6MZdbPhwlWWpDibcdof2QDoNs3ELVBKg1mw/s640/Thanksgiving+Picmonkey+howto+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then you can save and print it off. Woot.<br />
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Hope that make sense and that this makes thanking a teacher for Thansgiving easy peasy!Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-89592058098021368922017-11-16T09:42:00.000-07:002017-11-16T09:42:52.021-07:00Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup (with slow cooker instructions)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4X0saI0g5Q1bchCbyEgzhB2gmjC6XkeM7i8bVJbcamtPFfWgrmCj6CkWnh_uk75XE7zKHoVK597PSSmsI4yREaBlsHpcJw8i1TSOobhyjoSMN0KdqlQi0BPDsUtN7p5U8xOHjARsyw/s1600/Homemade+Tomato+Soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4X0saI0g5Q1bchCbyEgzhB2gmjC6XkeM7i8bVJbcamtPFfWgrmCj6CkWnh_uk75XE7zKHoVK597PSSmsI4yREaBlsHpcJw8i1TSOobhyjoSMN0KdqlQi0BPDsUtN7p5U8xOHjARsyw/s640/Homemade+Tomato+Soup.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Tomato soup is almost always a crowd favorite. Making homemade tomato soup in the past has been a challenge, producing less than delicious results. I had made this <b><a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2014/03/slow-cooker-tomato-basil-soup-slow.html" target="_blank">ONE</a></b> with grilled cheese croutons which I liked, but my kids still preferred the can version. So I had given up of finding something to replace the quintessential tomato soup from the can. You know the soup. The kind we all loved as children, and still secretly love as adults.<br />
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A few weeks ago I got the hankerin' not for chili as the typed accent would allude, but for homemade tomato soup. I was a little cautious about trying to make some because of the aforementioned soup disasters.<br />
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After some searching, and a little self pep-talking, I found a recipe that I thought would be successful. This recipe called for roasting tomatoes instead of using the canned ones. I thought that was a good start since all the previous recipes I have tried used the canned ones.<br />
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I had posted on Instagram about the smell of the roasting tomatoes and garlic. Gosh it was ever so delightful. From that smell alone I was hopeful. Roasting the tomatoes and garlic is the "hardest" part and really it was nothing.<br />
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The soup came together easily and I only made a few alterations from the original recipe.<br />
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The use of an immersion blender (best thing ever) made this soup so smooth. In our house, it is normal for us to top our tomato soup with a little bit of sour cream. The fancy swirly depicted was just for you, normally we just drop a large dollop smack in the middle.<br />
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Another tomato soup staple...well the grilled cheese sandwich of course.<br />
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A few months ago we had these amazing grilled cheese sandwiches at our local farmer's market. They were DIVINE. In fact, they were so divine that we followed them up to another farmer's market a few hours away. Kidding. We were already planning on being there and they just happened to be there too. We like to think it was divine intervention. Anyway. I noticed something about how they made there sandwiches. They grilled the bread and cheese separate at first. Big piles of ooey gooey cheese melted all by itself and then was added to the grilled bread before letting it cook a little more.<br />
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It. Was. Divine.<br />
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So I tried it. It was life-changing and I will probably only be making them this way from now on. But this post isn't about grilled cheese sandwiches. I digress.<br />
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You should give this soup a go. Seriously. If you don't have an Instant Pot, no worries you can make it in a crock pot too. I will put those directions too.<br />
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Happy tomato soup eating!<br />
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Okay guys, so let me explain this recipe "card" situation. Bear with me for just a bit longer. I have made these recipe print offs. I admittedly do this the hard way. There are not recipe widgets in blogger (yes I know I should switch to wordpress, but since I am not sure how much I am going to blog again I don't want to switch). Because of this I have to create my own recipe template. I had one I was using, but I wanted to switch it up so I created this layout using PicMonkey of course. The image is going to be in the post and then there will be a print option. For short recipes, there will be one page. For longer ones, two.<br />
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I know it isn't as fancy as a widget, but I think it will work nonetheless for either printing or screen shotting (since that is what a lot of us do anyway).<br />
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Thanks guys!<br />
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<b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/109IkpqlFrUhQ1F4oPeynXujfqju1TzOb/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">PRINT HERE</a></b><br />
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-15753219056693118532017-04-12T04:00:00.000-06:002017-04-12T04:00:15.677-06:00Simple Lego Star Wars Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a super fun and simple Lego Star Wars birthday party. Simple decoration and simple colors tie it all together.<br />
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I found these amazing Lego Star Wars prints from <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PixelatedPlus?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Pixelated Plus</a>. </b>They went with the color scheme I was using. I started with black and white and added light saber red, blue, and green.<br />
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I went really simple for this party.<br />
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Besides the posters the biggest wow factor was this giant number eight balloon. I love that you can buy fun number and letter balloons now.<br />
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We didn't have a lot of party guests, so I was able to make each guest an "I am with the resistance" tee. I made them in the red, blue, and green. I also found bubble wands in the right colors and turned them into light sabers.<br />
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Each place setting had a coordinating color plate too.<br />
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The food was one of the most fun parts of this party. There is all sort of inspiration for Star Wars party food out there. I used some of those ideas and I came up with some of my own. I also made my own tags using <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a>.</b><br />
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My boys' favorite idea were these Obi Wan Ka-Wiwis (Kiwis). I may or may not have giggled for quite a bit after I came up with it.<br />
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Everything else was pretty basic. Hutt Dogs.<br />
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Jello Carbonite.<br />
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Luke, I am your WATER.<br />
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This juice was pretty hilarious too.<br />
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Rock Candy made perfect light sabers.<br />
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My favorite treat were probably these Death Star cupcakes. They are simple chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting. The Death Stars are Oreos dipped in melting chocolate and piped with royal icing. I LOVED how they turned out.<br />
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The party games consisted of light saber tag using these pool noodle light sabers. We also built paper droids. Then we battled a pinata Darth Vader with a large dowel painted like a light saber.<br />
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We gave these buckets filled with treats for our thank yous. I had originally planned to cut out storm trooper faces from vinyl and put them on the buckets, but homegirl ran into a snag with my Silhouette and I didn't have time to fix it. Whatcha gonna do. Like Elsa, you are going to let it go.<br />
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This was my second party in three days. I was so glad when it was over. So grateful The Hubs puts up with my party planning ways. I enjoy it so much and I love the creative outlet throwing parties allows me to have.<br />
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My boys are getting older and I am throwing less and less birthday parties, so I am really happy when I do get to throw a party.<br />
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Where I got my party supplies:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Star Wars Lego posters-- <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PixelatedPlus?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Pixelated Plus</a></b></div>
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banners-- <b><a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a></b></div>
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paper products, balloons, cupcake wrappers, candy-- <b><a href="https://www.zurchers.com/" target="_blank">Zurchers Party Store</a></b></div>
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wrapping paper table runner-- <b><a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/" target="_blank">Hobby Lobby</a></b></div>
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-31922496519566065022017-04-11T11:19:00.000-06:002017-04-11T11:19:15.957-06:00Modern Lion Guard Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When your littlest loves the Lion Guard and wants a party with that theme but you the adult aren't feeling it, you opt for a modern take on it and throw a Modern Lion Guard birthday party. The party centered around safari animals and modern black and white with a pop of jungle green.<br />
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I almost always having a concept or a specific item that is the jumping off point for the whole party. For this party it was this insanely awesome lion print from <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCrownPrints" target="_blank">The Crown Prints</a></b>. As soon as I saw it, all the other ideas came flooding into my party planning brain.<br />
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I downloaded the print and then printed it off as a poster. Then I bought two flat wooden dowels, painted them black and then glued them to the top and the bottom for that scroll look. You can't see it, but I also have a black felt hanger that I glued to the top.<br />
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There is an overwhelming amount of black and white. There was a lot of black spray paint used. Spray paint is one of my secret weapons for decorating a party. I like to have a table for the tablescape, which also has some of the treats. Often times I also choose to feed our guests lunch. For several reasons. My number one reason is that it takes up time. Can I get a hallelujah?! One less game I have to plan.<br />
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I serve lunch first so I have that table all set up and decorated in a coordinating fashion. I decorate with really simple things. Here it is simply a felt runner, coordinating paper products, paper leaves, and spray-painted plastic safari animals.<br />
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I am a nerd and I try to coordinate the treats and food with the party either in the theme, color, or both.<br />
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I attempted sugar cookies with royal icing for the first time in years. Thank heavens I wanted them simple because they actually look decent. I would have cursed and struggled if I had actually had to legitimately decorate them.<br />
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Balloons and garlands/streamers are an awesome, inexpensive way to decorate. I loved this zebra balloon so much. Could it fit any better with the black and white safari theme/<br />
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Another easy inexpensive way to decorate is using craft paper. There is a local party store here that sells craft paper by the yard. I use it for table cloths all the time! For this party I painted some tribal patterns. They are rough and imperfect, but I love it.<br />
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I just kept my eyes out for black and white candy or food, black and white containers (most I already had), and I added some spray painted pieces. Modern Lion Guard tablescape done.<br />
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The activities are where I incorporated more of the Lion Guard theme. We had Fuli (the cheetah) races, Kion (the lion) Lion Guard roar contests, we painted wall paintings on canvas like Rafiki, and we made Ono (the bird) eye spy jars.<br />
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For the jars, I painted small safari animals and jar lid and rings black. There were bowls full of small items that could fit into the jars. We filled the jars 1/3 the way with rice. They picked out a few items and put them into the jars. We added more rice and and more little toys. Then we topped with more rice. After we screwed on the lid that kids each had their own eye spy jar.<br />
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To say thank you for coming, I filled these small party boxes with goodies to remind them of the party.<br />
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Needless to say, I think this newly five year old boy enjoyed his party. I think it also goes with out saying that I enjoyed throwing this party for him.<br />
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Where I got my party supplies:<br />
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lion poster-- <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheCrownPrints" target="_blank">The Crown Prints</a></b></div>
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zebra balloon, streamers, paper goods, gumballs, </div>
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black Sixlets, craft paper for leaves and tablecloth, tiny toys for eye spy jars-- <b><a href="https://www.zurchers.com/" target="_blank">Zurcher Party Stores</a></b></div>
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felt for runners, letters-- <b><a href="http://www.joann.com/" target="_blank">JoAnn Fabric</a></b></div>
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shirt--made by me using <b><a href="https://expressionsvinyl.com/" target="_blank">Expressions Vinyl</a> </b>and shirt from Walmart</div>
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Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-47629438143558025672017-02-23T04:00:00.000-07:002017-02-23T04:00:00.225-07:00Using PicMonkey to make Invitations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT_oMPP9qrXUITTL0r1kLsHQEHzr-KXyxi9fP-YNUk3kqWFaXiDeiNuROJ640_nXaTfS1YYVZL4ljjmEh9oc6QBeGPyzylUJDWWPdo0YYcUGRoQcbwfXjMXYlvFObu_pdKV9cZpJtCg/s1600/Picmonkey+to+Make+Invites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT_oMPP9qrXUITTL0r1kLsHQEHzr-KXyxi9fP-YNUk3kqWFaXiDeiNuROJ640_nXaTfS1YYVZL4ljjmEh9oc6QBeGPyzylUJDWWPdo0YYcUGRoQcbwfXjMXYlvFObu_pdKV9cZpJtCg/s640/Picmonkey+to+Make+Invites.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
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I have made it absolutely no secret on ye old blog how much I love and depend on <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b>. I use this amazing online editing program to edit my photos, to create images for t-shirts, and to make posters, hand outs, fliers, newsletters, programs, thank you notes, gift tags, and invitations. </div>
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Over the years I have really honed in on how to use <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> to do almost everything. While I may not have the elaborate functions of a program like Illustrator and that may mean I need to get creative; <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> does offer a glorious amount of functions and edits plus the cost is nothing for the basic membership and practically nothing for the royale membership.</div>
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So let's talk about how easy it is to make your own invites. Most of the invites in this post took a little bit more time because several of the overlays I created (I will talk about that a little more in another post). However, <b><a href="http://picmonkey/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> has two features that allow you to easily add overlays that you don't have to make.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYITnRc4S_52wDi-IlmlTjK8zV5FNLssXRRfzItCXZu_-UuGnQRhmzD5b68eZXy3Q1yBWzfmbMwGjzmGxrD1yRt6HtwAqyRygF05l8Z-Dti9jrXSEgl-vKofDf-4XGwsOlVDgdAxwK5w/s1600/Tate+Batman+Party+Invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYITnRc4S_52wDi-IlmlTjK8zV5FNLssXRRfzItCXZu_-UuGnQRhmzD5b68eZXy3Q1yBWzfmbMwGjzmGxrD1yRt6HtwAqyRygF05l8Z-Dti9jrXSEgl-vKofDf-4XGwsOlVDgdAxwK5w/s640/Tate+Batman+Party+Invite.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj-k-m192LEdKp_uj5_XkA0lcYBRTbzFb34f0RE5GPjG0dwZY7sZ7qNoQ-Smd_Y4S4wu-VP5uncpsbBrRoFm3de98aGZYukUQudXYC5M57_3Rqs_2hyphenhyphen00ZSC-myLQBnUzmaebKYKaSA/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkj-k-m192LEdKp_uj5_XkA0lcYBRTbzFb34f0RE5GPjG0dwZY7sZ7qNoQ-Smd_Y4S4wu-VP5uncpsbBrRoFm3de98aGZYukUQudXYC5M57_3Rqs_2hyphenhyphen00ZSC-myLQBnUzmaebKYKaSA/s640/Batman+Party+Invites.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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In the above batman invite, the batman head was designed and created by me in <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> using different geometric overlays, but the bat at the top was an overlay already available. </div>
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But I feel like I am getting a little ahead of myself.</div>
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First things first. Get an idea of what you want. When you have an idea, it is easier to create an invite. Once you have an idea, then it is time to start creating.</div>
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On the home page is a drop down menu. When creating any new project, you will use the design feature. I most often use the blank canvas feature, but they are also currently testing out a premade template option. I have used that once before on the BLOOM invite toward the end of this post. This feature is by far the easiest and fastest way to make an invite. However, if you want more of a creative say, then the blank canvas option is for you.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0yBo2U-O3X9Tv1QAvhwWi6CZXg8Cr-bjI_E9fE0zqIgdSISotWhALoiP96mjMMR9lbQCrhaNriU3HPQOL-1UsT4b3KoeYqnp3SYkbnHQEYKX1glL9TseyjcrCgTJry8kL7kqdlcYrw/s1600/picmonkey+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0yBo2U-O3X9Tv1QAvhwWi6CZXg8Cr-bjI_E9fE0zqIgdSISotWhALoiP96mjMMR9lbQCrhaNriU3HPQOL-1UsT4b3KoeYqnp3SYkbnHQEYKX1glL9TseyjcrCgTJry8kL7kqdlcYrw/s640/picmonkey+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The blank canvas option has tons of canvas size options. I most often use 4x6 or 5x7 when I am doing invites.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtRKBkjzeIsIBCGgV6qAcl0RWIHjcTUDornN3XU2mrx5VLf4gY_I6FzX7Cpa1CYUqUl7LrZ0WWFPp-dkYIa7M-2KVNI_53D0snjM3ULKNNBAlJKv2Y_Lwz069CxSDNd-Fit9kcHLo4w/s1600/picmonkey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtRKBkjzeIsIBCGgV6qAcl0RWIHjcTUDornN3XU2mrx5VLf4gY_I6FzX7Cpa1CYUqUl7LrZ0WWFPp-dkYIa7M-2KVNI_53D0snjM3ULKNNBAlJKv2Y_Lwz069CxSDNd-Fit9kcHLo4w/s640/picmonkey+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once you have your canvas, here is a quick and basic run down of making an invite.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y8Vr-27oDL2hVHHKwJmIwXK1GBT4MRMKf6kyGQW3TnMWS3Ggc2qF39x8oU7qcEfsfEbR8ozSIhFSCcYGCQL70cGfbwF0uwLKeyppGI9l7fdBypHYb-NA1AAGNkyf7h7xHPgafeiLdQ/s1600/YWIE+UP+Invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y8Vr-27oDL2hVHHKwJmIwXK1GBT4MRMKf6kyGQW3TnMWS3Ggc2qF39x8oU7qcEfsfEbR8ozSIhFSCcYGCQL70cGfbwF0uwLKeyppGI9l7fdBypHYb-NA1AAGNkyf7h7xHPgafeiLdQ/s640/YWIE+UP+Invitation.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTNOJqMJn9ftN6yEhkh5XPjfztm8O4gUn1wR7NZLYe-wiUnl_h-IjtXshf0C758xXJf9X5laI14uDHdHfP9vE09EFKn4KAHXst4EbTuEwaz3wtOyVmFFqoCYQDBM0meUuEQpLVYwIpw/s1600/UPlifting+YWIE+Invitations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTNOJqMJn9ftN6yEhkh5XPjfztm8O4gUn1wR7NZLYe-wiUnl_h-IjtXshf0C758xXJf9X5laI14uDHdHfP9vE09EFKn4KAHXst4EbTuEwaz3wtOyVmFFqoCYQDBM0meUuEQpLVYwIpw/s640/UPlifting+YWIE+Invitations.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKNM2UsPxsDmW5u6Iufrs7_FvnBI3kUe-Leh5_nylsyRQQp0o-FBUb4SsI9J89E1CqhR5jz6iLMZIc44KRBry3ywHYJwb8p_H-Y4UJgscqks7aIjT4bC-Dk7b_ATqpqQt7_gcVroTJA/s1600/UPlifting+YWIE+Invitations+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKNM2UsPxsDmW5u6Iufrs7_FvnBI3kUe-Leh5_nylsyRQQp0o-FBUb4SsI9J89E1CqhR5jz6iLMZIc44KRBry3ywHYJwb8p_H-Y4UJgscqks7aIjT4bC-Dk7b_ATqpqQt7_gcVroTJA/s640/UPlifting+YWIE+Invitations+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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1. Choose a canvas color, aka a background color. When in doubt, stick with white. It is more forgiving and versatile. Plus it is cheaper to print.<br />
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2. Pick your overlays, aka your pictures. You can choose from their overlays, or you can search clip art, or icons.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct6ZV954-u2RHvwYUDjX6PKdwep98mSJo8HIBB7sAa9rJHYnC8xMLXAXgw1bzkDb-z5qK-1bDfY15omLDJGi07LdUeqHavUuUNfScLhuSZ36bCQAMww824HNcFGD93aQdtAMmNfaaWw/s1600/picmonkey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct6ZV954-u2RHvwYUDjX6PKdwep98mSJo8HIBB7sAa9rJHYnC8xMLXAXgw1bzkDb-z5qK-1bDfY15omLDJGi07LdUeqHavUuUNfScLhuSZ36bCQAMww824HNcFGD93aQdtAMmNfaaWw/s640/picmonkey+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overlays can be found under the butterfly icon. A whole mind boggling drop down menu of options will appear.<br />
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Let's say I am throwing a farm birthday party. I quickly find some adorable farm animals. I choose them and arrange them how I want.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j2pbcr5QMNKpqFwM3HkJ2bZ-lIM9HtBOvzlAG-vggraml-jcfBe2Z95aGccS16z7xpblp-Q9c-cTmyxssrRUYlE7Al8Vd9_DWBtbKKKr8xOJdUtTrLgSrojVAnIJIMaNtiHEI3oxUQ/s1600/picmonkey+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3j2pbcr5QMNKpqFwM3HkJ2bZ-lIM9HtBOvzlAG-vggraml-jcfBe2Z95aGccS16z7xpblp-Q9c-cTmyxssrRUYlE7Al8Vd9_DWBtbKKKr8xOJdUtTrLgSrojVAnIJIMaNtiHEI3oxUQ/s640/picmonkey+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I would really like a cute barn. <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> doesn't have a barn overlay. No worries though. That is where the internet comes in handy. In this instance I simply searched for barn clip art. I found a cute one right away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3n2NzUIhpAENS6CDwpeeWJaImp_DsaKvkoDTlU-4ERDxAyf6V1BN5Pe-13j7q7plHONwIsNrhtGRPrpwhd85-1HpjPRCGlARB7hi9pehgJxgeWO3qkE9pysmzMlkDZAg2mjm0_FXBQ/s1600/picmonkey+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3n2NzUIhpAENS6CDwpeeWJaImp_DsaKvkoDTlU-4ERDxAyf6V1BN5Pe-13j7q7plHONwIsNrhtGRPrpwhd85-1HpjPRCGlARB7hi9pehgJxgeWO3qkE9pysmzMlkDZAg2mjm0_FXBQ/s640/picmonkey+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After I save it to my computer, I go to the "add you own" button in the overlays. Here you can pick from images you have saved on your computer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9oA4YyEETT4YbAc-GQ5-mgI1xu4F4yEVOs7MGp2S62Jv27_5a8hFrAdtrQ2uwjjboTjI2k0gP10BDs638uHyxwVqLtocxPcRMlEfZSejgvsk8aU0FlEkILOlcsrOHjn_DllGPUsZFQ/s1600/picmonkey+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9oA4YyEETT4YbAc-GQ5-mgI1xu4F4yEVOs7MGp2S62Jv27_5a8hFrAdtrQ2uwjjboTjI2k0gP10BDs638uHyxwVqLtocxPcRMlEfZSejgvsk8aU0FlEkILOlcsrOHjn_DllGPUsZFQ/s640/picmonkey+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then put the image where you want it. As you can see, I changed my mind about where I wanted the animals. That is part of the fun. Play around with it. As you can also see, I decided the animals needed some color. This is done SO easily, by clicking on each image and changing the color.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJErRzBCdIp4HG9-yQtWPDJlM0giCL8PElBqPEuHmJW4RZ0nWvSwRgz4T6yKFRV-LxuiHhtfObuBLpIF3SO8dOC8rhbM0NDvqVX8m5GUuG6sIqPpvAnWT9x9Zzz5lzllmCY-xxX87rQ/s1600/picmonkey+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJErRzBCdIp4HG9-yQtWPDJlM0giCL8PElBqPEuHmJW4RZ0nWvSwRgz4T6yKFRV-LxuiHhtfObuBLpIF3SO8dOC8rhbM0NDvqVX8m5GUuG6sIqPpvAnWT9x9Zzz5lzllmCY-xxX87rQ/s640/picmonkey+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: both; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">3. Next is the fonts.</span><b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank"> PicMonkey</a></b> has a ton of great fonts. Some are only available with the royale membership. You can also use your own fonts. That is right, the fonts on your very own computer. Mix and match fonts. Use a big bold font for themes and main points. Then use a softer simpler font for the bulk of information.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
Here I used Chunk Five for the main themes and Geo Sans Light (a personal favorite) for the information. Again, play around with placement and size of the text.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKod2CvIYKHjHRQBDN0D-ahdPOyHFTogkcd_coVD-5YUcCPl9OkzO7XGHnlNelMMhch-9dS-fCpDFPNDFTJOBy4y7pq_QMSZXhvH3YscvtyJ3lZy99Gf2pd9HrqZvqoUge2U9nZZnI_Q/s1600/picmonkey+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKod2CvIYKHjHRQBDN0D-ahdPOyHFTogkcd_coVD-5YUcCPl9OkzO7XGHnlNelMMhch-9dS-fCpDFPNDFTJOBy4y7pq_QMSZXhvH3YscvtyJ3lZy99Gf2pd9HrqZvqoUge2U9nZZnI_Q/s640/picmonkey+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can approach you text in many different ways. Text can be in a frame.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmNaCXJShc9XccySjkj3_PAJlRlVlPAPFZOijrjfs627Lknf9AdnO5Es9ysuQAnPMVyJQYydImvH3wv5VZAVsFgseIn4U5SJgTKPi71pKa3MbvlB3Fawp9VH1Z1LPZUP8AViwf2uckw/s1600/One+in+a+Melon+Invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmNaCXJShc9XccySjkj3_PAJlRlVlPAPFZOijrjfs627Lknf9AdnO5Es9ysuQAnPMVyJQYydImvH3wv5VZAVsFgseIn4U5SJgTKPi71pKa3MbvlB3Fawp9VH1Z1LPZUP8AViwf2uckw/s640/One+in+a+Melon+Invite.jpg" width="460" /></a></div>
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Text can be different colors or in banners.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vx4b-kVIwwbue1wCOiJSpiYrTQ-EQM6BF4J8iuaR0RrwhGg4TqusRiFnmh8NVWevsM2M0Ch8VACjtDFuscN6QMHSEg7k6TiJ0eNspLrme4LmWFmnooA1PxbRhk5RKBVkNTAdcIilJA/s1600/New+Beginnings+2017+Donut+Invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Vx4b-kVIwwbue1wCOiJSpiYrTQ-EQM6BF4J8iuaR0RrwhGg4TqusRiFnmh8NVWevsM2M0Ch8VACjtDFuscN6QMHSEg7k6TiJ0eNspLrme4LmWFmnooA1PxbRhk5RKBVkNTAdcIilJA/s640/New+Beginnings+2017+Donut+Invite.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The options really are endless.<br />
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4. Borders. It is almost always a good idea to add a simple boarder. It finishes off the invite AND makes it easy to cut out. There are a lot of different boarder options found under the picture frame icon. Almost 100% of the time I opt for the Simple Edge. I like that it is cleaner and doesn't distract from the invite.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RRUzo-EaUvBvh3feTucKfHx-9f_GFFMEM2eeWEECUXATtHEB4SIKflfvoZEYj18_LgjR6pla4fofJHrE1Dqptw59CBx7J5_eojyA3UGI7P_cTrzsqryMA2HOpOuNKDJQZIK3m_e0cA/s1600/picmonkey+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RRUzo-EaUvBvh3feTucKfHx-9f_GFFMEM2eeWEECUXATtHEB4SIKflfvoZEYj18_LgjR6pla4fofJHrE1Dqptw59CBx7J5_eojyA3UGI7P_cTrzsqryMA2HOpOuNKDJQZIK3m_e0cA/s640/picmonkey+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once you are done, you will have a really cute invite. An Etsy quality invite that you made completely by yourself. You simple need to save it onto your computer. Then insert it into a Word type document. You can print them off yourself or you can put them on a USB drive and take them to an office supply store. I have done both.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjf-6Cybk8kOZgX3uw1V_RGi2ct9J4pAWp2q1lIBHJ8biD8tyWHHGXxj-CynMvYuOQTkA7tMBDdi1WyXd29KBvTQKXfLUqigl6kImC3HvuGbG0uCrA41eMP6t99YMpTtZcz3UvihOgcg/s1600/Sample+Invite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjf-6Cybk8kOZgX3uw1V_RGi2ct9J4pAWp2q1lIBHJ8biD8tyWHHGXxj-CynMvYuOQTkA7tMBDdi1WyXd29KBvTQKXfLUqigl6kImC3HvuGbG0uCrA41eMP6t99YMpTtZcz3UvihOgcg/s640/Sample+Invite.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
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Remember have fun and play around. Explore all the options that <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> has. Whether it be adding your own text into a premade template, like this beautiful BLOOM invite,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbbVVn8-6ZvOZemRd1FZbS_KTxmyK0lVp2RPn-4-T6fh7LvHP-hIh9zRqGKAn8FBJH45uvkRgb4cwXJ0khE7PilVYNPUdfEms1XtNk3WQqyCVxYOg6hq5811fz36ZbYrVxJvXHsG49g/s1600/20161106_151517337_iOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbbVVn8-6ZvOZemRd1FZbS_KTxmyK0lVp2RPn-4-T6fh7LvHP-hIh9zRqGKAn8FBJH45uvkRgb4cwXJ0khE7PilVYNPUdfEms1XtNk3WQqyCVxYOg6hq5811fz36ZbYrVxJvXHsG49g/s640/20161106_151517337_iOS.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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or whether it be a compilation of your own creative juices, <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a></b> will up your invite game. Seriously once you start you won't be able to stop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdxosEErYWPPi0rZ1tlhFMMBm8mqfLlcTis_u5visgieaH9koERNRU0duc0swKIOio-HTqZ988z4iA0ohRKv3wvZgHpDnoo3vzZN3CTGGkLzxmZbpWaERoTDuSwi8mu6QNNULukjmNA/s1600/YW+New+Beginnings+Invite+2016.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVdxosEErYWPPi0rZ1tlhFMMBm8mqfLlcTis_u5visgieaH9koERNRU0duc0swKIOio-HTqZ988z4iA0ohRKv3wvZgHpDnoo3vzZN3CTGGkLzxmZbpWaERoTDuSwi8mu6QNNULukjmNA/s640/YW+New+Beginnings+Invite+2016.png" width="456" /></a></div>
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I hope this was helpful. I tried to keep it informative yet simple. Obviously I could go more in depth about some things (like how I make my own designs using only geometric overlays), but this post was already getting long enough. Like write a novel long, and no one wants to read that novel.<br />
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So I will be done with all the instruction now. Again, hope it was helpful!Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-45396288645750102402017-02-22T10:01:00.002-07:002017-02-22T10:01:41.118-07:00New Beginnings: Donut Forget Personal Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9QHHmFKkYKeXzA-gEMBIFE9wCPFz_izvGTh5jWRdFAxn3FaFhv05rMZrO0FqME2WNzNc8MqHYekBJf4Us6OSXMDpUo45C7CqfNK04kZ5SogwcFHmZkPFh2y0zBM-0MOzRp3bdSHtZg/s1600/New+Beginnings+Donut+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9QHHmFKkYKeXzA-gEMBIFE9wCPFz_izvGTh5jWRdFAxn3FaFhv05rMZrO0FqME2WNzNc8MqHYekBJf4Us6OSXMDpUo45C7CqfNK04kZ5SogwcFHmZkPFh2y0zBM-0MOzRp3bdSHtZg/s640/New+Beginnings+Donut+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Donuts are always a good idea. ALWAYS.<br />
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I recently used my love of donuts as a theme for New Beginnings for my church girls. New Beginnings focuses on <b><a href="https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress?lang=eng" target="_blank">Personal Progress</a></b>. I had seen an idea while perusing pinterest using donuts, but for Young Women in Excellence. I loved the idea of using the play on word of donut with "don't". So away I went planning.<br />
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Once I had the idea of using donuts as the theme the rest came together really easily. I used the donuts as decorations and in the talk I gave about personal progress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-ZAiIbn3oBs15zro4fwlm5Fc1YGV-lAk9VSdXiLDXmOTV1vtXlE6LGJ1gUCtREGZ_nm3mIRgs2J6G5R89winVGavhMA9nV33hJP6R_-Sng-YWKhUjkrHCi5p8ltwKrodcTbEGj-FMQ/s1600/New+Beginnings+Donut+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-ZAiIbn3oBs15zro4fwlm5Fc1YGV-lAk9VSdXiLDXmOTV1vtXlE6LGJ1gUCtREGZ_nm3mIRgs2J6G5R89winVGavhMA9nV33hJP6R_-Sng-YWKhUjkrHCi5p8ltwKrodcTbEGj-FMQ/s640/New+Beginnings+Donut+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We chose bright and fun colors for the evening. We started by handing out these invites, which I made using PicMonkey. You might notice that the nights tag line is different on the invites then it was on the chalkboard for that night. Basically, I just remembered wrong. HA. Either way, the tag line works. And I don't think anyone noticed my <i>faux pas</i>. While these invites are adorable, they weren't the best part.<br />
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The real show stopper was the peg wall of donuts in the value colors. Can you say dreamy much?<br />
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The idea of a peg wall of donuts is not a new one. Pinterest is full of images of peg wall donuts. However, since it was New Beginnings I figured donuts in the value colors were a must. We worked with a local bakery, and they NAILED the colors. The wall of donuts was not only decorations, but it was also part of the dessert for the night (and breakfast for my boys the next morning). The first donuts to go were understandably the gold ones.<br />
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Aren't those shimmery, metallic gold donuts magical? The bakery glazed them in a golden yellow and then brushed on the gold powder.<br />
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Before I get to what we did for the program let me talk about the other donut details. I put donuts on the straws for the milk we served.<br />
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I also made two donut cakes. The donut-shaped pan made it a breeze. I used a boxed vanilla cake mix. I frosted it with buttercream frosting and used homemade marshmallow fondant for the "icing".<br />
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I copied the image of the donut from the invitation to the cake and the paper donuts used as decorations.<br />
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Now, for the program.<br />
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We started with an explanation of personal progress from our secretary (also over personal progress). She read from the personal progress book and shared why we do personal progress.<br />
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Next I talked about personal progress in reference to making donuts. The theme was Sweet is the Reward of personal progress. We compared the sweet reward of making donuts and doing personal progress. I used a recipe that had eight ingredients and gave each ingredient a value.<br />
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Milk---Faith<br />
Sugar---Divine Nature<br />
Yeast---Individual Worth<br />
Butter---Knowledge<br />
Eggs--Choice and Accountability<br />
Flour---Good Works<br />
Salt---Integrity<br />
Glaze--Virtue<br />
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I had eight <b>Value Bakers</b>. They each had pre-assigned parts and little half aprons that I made from fabric the color of each value. I talked about just as donuts need specific ingredients to turn out, there are specific attributes, characteristics, and principles that we should develop to help us achieve the sweetest reward, eternal life.<br />
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Here are the parts I handed to the girls. I printed them out, cut them into strips and then gave them to eight different girls.<br />
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Download HERE</div>
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We "made" donuts. I called up each value baker one at a time. Prior I printed out clip art pictures of each ingredient and cut them out. I had already given each value her coordinating "ingredient". I would call up the ingredient and the value baker would come up with the picture of her ingredient. She put the ingredient in a bowl I had and then said her part.<br />
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After each value, I talked about the importance of that specific value. You could also have girls share and experience with that value. After the whole donut theme and that donut wall, these little value baker aprons were my favorite.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD_e6SNLKucVGPwiAUqyiNsprPrjk27MWOCniwmaAxcAtnAhdxyw5okZkAmwBwnhY8v77B3WCd1vOIAb_jTO2bf3J8-JhC7mKQJ7DTHsGf3JpwnYHW88QaqbXTehWlRga5xj-9-pvsg/s1600/New+Beginnings+Donut+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmD_e6SNLKucVGPwiAUqyiNsprPrjk27MWOCniwmaAxcAtnAhdxyw5okZkAmwBwnhY8v77B3WCd1vOIAb_jTO2bf3J8-JhC7mKQJ7DTHsGf3JpwnYHW88QaqbXTehWlRga5xj-9-pvsg/s640/New+Beginnings+Donut+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Especially since they were on some of my beautiful girls.<br />
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This night was so fun, and relatively easy (setting aside the sewing of the aprons and the making of the donut wall). I certainly hope that my girls donut forget about personal progress and that you donut forget about this idea the next time you are planning a New Beginnings.<br />
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-17153532521996891052017-02-10T04:00:00.000-07:002017-02-10T04:00:00.804-07:00You Drive Me Bananas Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjTCrf2aS2GeWZUGOo0N3z6OLiVinAdxB75ROqOV85s-Y0KxFaL70t5x1-7gGvp6PcTBrlY9ps8jEBf7Fxykcm7ktfxsMejteAzUsy6XZW7zedjXS1zPDqPNTVnA-ET0ywrFcle-X6Q/s1600/Bananas+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjTCrf2aS2GeWZUGOo0N3z6OLiVinAdxB75ROqOV85s-Y0KxFaL70t5x1-7gGvp6PcTBrlY9ps8jEBf7Fxykcm7ktfxsMejteAzUsy6XZW7zedjXS1zPDqPNTVnA-ET0ywrFcle-X6Q/s640/Bananas+Valentine.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Contrary to much public opinion, my children like the banana flavored Runts. In fact, my youngest really likes them. So add that to the fact that <a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank">PicMonkey</a> had this ADORABLE monkey face overlay and I really couldn't help myself. I just had to design this banana classroom valentine.<br />
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It is a simple tag that can be attached to a small bag of banana candy. Did you know that you can buy bags of just the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JV6F96O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">banana Runts</a>? Well you can. Huzzah! I bought the bag of banana candy, and thank heavens there were enough for small fingers to steal some while we were assembling them.<br />
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They really are simple and perfectly sweet. My itty bitty is so excited to had these out at preschool.<br />
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Download the printable. Print on cardstock. Cut and attach to a small treat bag of banana candy. Easy as pie...a banana pie. Sorry, I had to. I obviously have a problem. Seriously though, these will come together so fast and are sure to be a hit. Remember, even if you don't like the banana flavored candy (insert hand raising here), most kids do.</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GESzhkak1kc3JTV1U/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Download HERE</a></div>
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Make sure to also go and check out my <b><a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2017/02/pl-izza-be-my-valentine.html" target="_blank">PL-IZZA Be Mine Valentine</a></b> classroom valentine from yesterday. There is also a list of some of my other classroom valentine ideas.Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-6075747847244195402017-02-09T07:47:00.002-07:002017-02-09T08:10:10.260-07:00PL-IZZA Be My Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfI5rRVrPU_8EqXu1WBHOXz5xIu6gNsG2uUhdoDp804kLHBlWWd_g-wna32vuVubRvxrcGROeZ76FNmTX1cfWO7Ii5ByNfos7gBbjk2d2BjqsgOLXS6ntRtjHEePekvA6_qUbL-p1QQ/s1600/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfI5rRVrPU_8EqXu1WBHOXz5xIu6gNsG2uUhdoDp804kLHBlWWd_g-wna32vuVubRvxrcGROeZ76FNmTX1cfWO7Ii5ByNfos7gBbjk2d2BjqsgOLXS6ntRtjHEePekvA6_qUbL-p1QQ/s640/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Classroom Valentine's are kind of a big deal at our house. I have said this before, but every year I think I am out of new ideas. In fact, I was pretty close to just using an old idea or one of the meeeellions of cute ideas on Pinterest. Then out of no where-okay not really no where since I have been obsessing about an idea all day every day. Anyway, I came up with this pizza valentine idea.<br />
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Seriously, "PL-IZZA be my valentine", I still giggle when I say it. Just ask my husband. I giggle and he rolls his eyes at my adorableness. These are my favorite for sure this year, if not of all the ones I have done. In fact, like I said on Instagram (@larissa_anotherday), I liked them so much I am making two of my kids use them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbst_WQoHU0yUoXYvWcE29IX0eCpDlZGTsOr6bZmIqhgspIcHQQVY7rnzEqWKEW4Mgdw4VzoQqsS14v58rNbj2RQOlsNQ79Ik1JSvzvOUOPvxTLI3v4Z67f1kJEXQRUO9C1Dx959MNOQ/s1600/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbst_WQoHU0yUoXYvWcE29IX0eCpDlZGTsOr6bZmIqhgspIcHQQVY7rnzEqWKEW4Mgdw4VzoQqsS14v58rNbj2RQOlsNQ79Ik1JSvzvOUOPvxTLI3v4Z67f1kJEXQRUO9C1Dx959MNOQ/s640/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I ordered these cute <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NMHXIW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">efrutti gummy pizzas</a> (they came in a box of 48, just perfect for two of my kids to use).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7C82Lm4CuqYSibOg6dPoo9e48EccpOy0LiDivJX_uhoqWUDLYGv2UJLsjEfuz1rjTa8ibPk-bdRFm3OsRPNicsF434hIbXuZG68o81wF1HJdid7baJjt0RTY03HfRP5TCRBX2aGIvA/s1600/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7C82Lm4CuqYSibOg6dPoo9e48EccpOy0LiDivJX_uhoqWUDLYGv2UJLsjEfuz1rjTa8ibPk-bdRFm3OsRPNicsF434hIbXuZG68o81wF1HJdid7baJjt0RTY03HfRP5TCRBX2aGIvA/s640/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+4.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Here is the available print off. Seriously, I know they might be "cheesy", but anything pizza is always a good idea. Oh gosh. I think I am so funny. Some one has too. Click on the link to download the file. Print off on cardstock. Last, attach a gummy pizza.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7sOLxl2cD8CoTSI4m24HKV-r_os5lhoXFG6QbcsGUrtNrgqi6ZELyDKZOwJpDeo5tGRALZbZQsn1M06MjEaIMtZ221XOaE2sAcn8FHq6acpDATsjoD5cqsyQLvkPjzjlzaXepshepQ/s1600/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+Printables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7sOLxl2cD8CoTSI4m24HKV-r_os5lhoXFG6QbcsGUrtNrgqi6ZELyDKZOwJpDeo5tGRALZbZQsn1M06MjEaIMtZ221XOaE2sAcn8FHq6acpDATsjoD5cqsyQLvkPjzjlzaXepshepQ/s640/PLizza+Classroom+Valentine+Printables.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Download <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GEMWp2TUt2eVQtaGc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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This is a great gender neutral valentine. Which is a big deal around these parts because boys don't approve of unicorns, hearts, and any thing too cutesy (unless they are being ironic). Look for my next classroom valentine idea tomorrow.<br />
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Also, be sure to look at my other classroom valentine ideas.<br />
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2016/02/ofishally-best-valentine.html" target="_blank">O-Fishally The Best</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2016/02/youre-so-cool-valentine.html" target="_blank">So Cool</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2016/01/you-are-soda-best-valentine.html" target="_blank">Soda the Best</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2015/01/love-you-like-love-song-valentine.html?m=0" target="_blank">Love You Like A Love Song</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2015/01/all-that-and-bag-of-chips-classroom.html?m=0" target="_blank">All That and a Bag of Chips</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2013/02/a-very-funny-valentine-how-to.html" target="_blank">Funny Valentine</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2014/02/outta-this-world-valentine.html" target="_blank">Outta This World</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2015/02/blow-my-mind-bubblegum-valentine.html" target="_blank">Bubble Gum</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2014/02/minecraft-be-mine-valentines-printable.html" target="_blank">Minecraft Be Mine</a></div>
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-67553812870475979692017-01-01T06:00:00.000-07:002017-01-01T06:00:09.351-07:002017 LDS Youth Theme Posters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkzs9bqnu0kT55NLyNu_6-oncXMXQd8XCKtBb8S0WSX8esghwUdIhhkR2nGTMZMdf6h8doc9aLitqXiIRwiFJx4coI2XK8xcXyRk2KFW5o2kR3t_EQ5nLP8I8277QHCirr2AkykcE1A/s1600/2017+THEME+POSTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMkzs9bqnu0kT55NLyNu_6-oncXMXQd8XCKtBb8S0WSX8esghwUdIhhkR2nGTMZMdf6h8doc9aLitqXiIRwiFJx4coI2XK8xcXyRk2KFW5o2kR3t_EQ5nLP8I8277QHCirr2AkykcE1A/s640/2017+THEME+POSTER.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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With the new year, comes a new spiritual theme for LDS Youth. The 2017 LDS youth theme for this year is the scripture <b><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/james/1.5-6?lang=eng#4" target="_blank">James 1:5-6</a></b>. <br />
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I work with some amazing young ladies, so I get to learn and work on the theme each year. Every year the theme is based on a scripture. For the whole year we spend time memorizing and focusing on activities that represent this theme.<br />
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So to start the year off right, I am teaching a lesson about asking and praying to your Father in Heaven for answers. I made the above poster to help with the memorization of the full scripture reference. I also made a simplified poster inspired by this moving<b> <a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/theme/2017?lang=eng" target="_blank">VIDEO</a></b><a href="https://www.lds.org/youth/theme/2017?lang=eng" target="_blank"> </a> introducing the theme. <br />
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I am really excited about this theme and the reminder it is that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father who wants to hear from us. He wants to know our questions. He wants to answer us. He is there for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7quBJ3H8JAMCwax7OU3g0frTOiQpYQKhAkiDbwl9hhiSAtmxCR7xDK55iWy70uw02_95YzRiUhNssKFc0UkFoo7KATOzh_93peL_xgqrot1AU7ll8sY0PVDjIVldQRl439TXUzCKeA/s1600/ASK+2017+Theme+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7quBJ3H8JAMCwax7OU3g0frTOiQpYQKhAkiDbwl9hhiSAtmxCR7xDK55iWy70uw02_95YzRiUhNssKFc0UkFoo7KATOzh_93peL_xgqrot1AU7ll8sY0PVDjIVldQRl439TXUzCKeA/s640/ASK+2017+Theme+Poster.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Both of these printables can be downloaded as posters. I will only be printing off the full scripture as a poster. I will be using the simplified image as cards that they can put in their scriptures, hang up in a locker, or put on their mirror.<br />
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I put together a printable with this smaller option. I suggest printing them on cardstock. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-mQSnvzCdUYOY84EqE_B7_BcSw5BiuHfAV4rgAhwmBplnC5Weotwa_aGdTkg46KBNVZH9psURrMnbkmz2zGur0utVV9oJv4hjk8fX4eAoddasNkXdFIMhMohqgyL3a-GnTscC9LuoA/s1600/2017+Youth+Theme+Simple+Printable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-mQSnvzCdUYOY84EqE_B7_BcSw5BiuHfAV4rgAhwmBplnC5Weotwa_aGdTkg46KBNVZH9psURrMnbkmz2zGur0utVV9oJv4hjk8fX4eAoddasNkXdFIMhMohqgyL3a-GnTscC9LuoA/s640/2017+Youth+Theme+Simple+Printable.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Download 2017 Youth Theme Poster <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GERVV0WnlxeWRNWjg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><br />
Download 2017 Youth Theme Simple Poster <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GEbTQ2ZUF2dks5TG8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><br />
Download 2017 Youth Theme Simple cards <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GES053MTFTazlxOHc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><br />
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Happy New Year. I hope you find these printable useful and that they help inspire your youth.</div>
<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-13022772242777495892016-12-16T15:28:00.000-07:002016-12-16T15:28:41.800-07:00Teacher Christmas Gift- Lunch Elf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35WxEi7rJzTdnFW4F2hOwloPrD9HJLDz2OSTTBHFAiTzpz00T9yPIUYaCnNlFzkfG0hEwaQTYMzMDqpBxKBIzVXqoFRqnDUhhngAuReLAVDx1DZAxW8TdQPYjuVbwXTRlLkyK6jKSEg/s1600/Teacher+Christmas+Lunch+Elf+printable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35WxEi7rJzTdnFW4F2hOwloPrD9HJLDz2OSTTBHFAiTzpz00T9yPIUYaCnNlFzkfG0hEwaQTYMzMDqpBxKBIzVXqoFRqnDUhhngAuReLAVDx1DZAxW8TdQPYjuVbwXTRlLkyK6jKSEg/s640/Teacher+Christmas+Lunch+Elf+printable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yesterday I posted on Instagram (@larissa_anotherday) about my Christmas teacher gift and I have had several people ask for the printable. So I decided to post about it and offer the printable.<br />
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This is an easy Christmas teacher gift, AND word on the street is that teachers LOVE it. Bring your favorite teachers lunch for a Christmas present. I have learned that one of the things that stress teachers out is having to figure out what is for lunch. I don't blame them. I wouldn't want to deal with it either.<br />
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So the Christmas Lunch Elf to the rescue.<br />
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Here is the run down.<br />
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First find out what their favorite lunch restaurant is (or just pick an sandwich type place). Then download and print off these <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GEdTQtZEUzRkgwVGs/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Teacher Christmas Lunch Elf</a> printable</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7Iv_PF6toWZGR4J_iwq1BHgQt3eJVDv31-ru3xVnwNofIzMSpeJjCDdp3Onj8PG-9oXtvve27HxkAaD4wnGX3SW6tEwQe-4_FTNLfTugX9A55i6REvpDF0NaMJNZSbMPTg_rCwIRgA/s1600/Teacher+Christmas+Lunch+Elf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7Iv_PF6toWZGR4J_iwq1BHgQt3eJVDv31-ru3xVnwNofIzMSpeJjCDdp3Onj8PG-9oXtvve27HxkAaD4wnGX3SW6tEwQe-4_FTNLfTugX9A55i6REvpDF0NaMJNZSbMPTg_rCwIRgA/s640/Teacher+Christmas+Lunch+Elf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GEdTQtZEUzRkgwVGs/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">DOWNLOAD HERE</a></b></div>
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After you print out the Tag, print off a lunch menu from their restaurant and attach it to the back. One year I went to a sandwich place that had paper order forms already. This year I went online and was able to print off one for one restaurant, but I had to make one for the other restaurant.</div>
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I drop off the order form the day before early, so that I can get it back that afternoon. I am kind of lucky because the school secretary lives by me so she just brings them to me. Then the next day I go and pick up the lunches, add in a dessert and drink, and then I take it to them. </div>
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This really is such an EASY teacher Christmas gift. The only planning is making sure restaurants are open in time to get the teachers their lunch, since often teachers have earlier lunches.</div>
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Now you are all set. This really is a teacher Christmas gift that can be given every year. </div>
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-57476006502335463542016-12-15T09:27:00.000-07:002016-12-15T09:27:31.443-07:00Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Cocoa
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At our house we love making our own hot cocoa. We also love making homemade chocolate chip cookies. So when I found some chocolate chip cookie creamer at my local grocery store I knew some Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Cocoa was in our very near future.
Making your own hot cocoa is really easy and it taste SO so good. Heck, it tastes SO SO SO good. To make your own hot cocoa you only need a handful of ingredients.<br />
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For this out of this world Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Cocoa, you just need milk, flavored creamer, and chocolate chips. Of course it is a heavenly bonus if you top the hot cocoa with whipped cream and some cut up fresh chocolate chip cookies.
I mean I would. Oh wait. I did. Well, I would if I were you.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Hot-Cocoa-2.jpg"><img alt="Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Cocoa 2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-26030" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Hot-Cocoa-2.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a><br />
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Could you just die over this glory in a cup? Man. This hot cocoa is good. I may want it to drop in temps and dump buckets of snow just so I have an excuse to make more.<br />
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Maybe I will just turn down my thermostat. Ha.
Basically I will find any excuse I can to make and drink this hot cocoa.
I highly recommend you do the same thing.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Hot Cocoa</div>
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Cook time: 10 mins</div>
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Total time: 10 mins</div>
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Serves: <span class="yield">6-8</span></div>
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A rich, chocolate chip cookie flavored hot cocoa</div>
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<li class="ingredient">3 cups milk</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 1/2 cups chocolate chip cookie flavored creamer</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 cup milk chocolate chips</li>
<li class="ingredient">whipped cream</li>
<li class="ingredient">chocolate chip cookie pieces</li>
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<li class="instruction">Heat up milk and creamer in a saucepan, but do not bring to a boil. Mix in chocolate chips and whisk until the chocolate melts completely. Turn heat down to low to keep warm. Serve topped with whipped cream and chocolate chip cookie pieces.</li>
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Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-41056853432641806792016-08-06T05:00:00.000-06:002016-08-06T05:00:16.827-06:00Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-6.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob 6" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29136" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-6.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a><br />
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When my husband was a teenager, he lived in the great heartland state of Ohio. He lived in a fairly small town that was full of small town perfection. He even worked on a farm. A sweet corn farm to be exact. I have heard many times about him driving the tractor, singing some country song while working, and the glories of fresh corn on the cob.
Seriously, don't get him started on fresh corn. He will declare at least once that if it is fresh enough, the best way to eat it is raw right off the stalk. He is also adamant that cooked corn on the cob should be almost as crunchy as the fresh stuff. He has a few opinions on the matter of corn on the cob if you couldn't tell.
So when I declared (I can do my own declaring after all) that I was testing out a new recipe that would involve corn on the cob, he looked at me skeptically and inquired how I was going to be cooking this corn.
"Why, in the crock pot." I sweetly replied.
He pretty much grunted in disbelief. Ya, well I will show you.
Show him I did. This corn was off the charts good. Plus it was a combo of two of my favorite things, Mexican Corn on the Cob and the ease of cooking in a crock pot.
After one bite from Husband (aka the corn on the cob professional), he declared, "Hey, that is pretty good. I am pleasantly surprised." He then ate several ears.
That my friends is what I call success.
So here is the low down on how to make your very own Mexican Corn on the Cob in the slow cooker.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29138" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a><br />
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Buy and husk the corn. Get ready the right amount of foil sheets (long enough to wrap up a corn cob), chili powder, Cotija cheese, finely chopped fresh cilantro, and butter or mayonnaise.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-2.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob 2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29132" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-2.jpg" height="630" width="420" /></a> </div>
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I will say, after trying both butter and mayonnaise I lean a little more towards mayonnaise but the kiddos liked the butter. You can use either.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-3.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob 3" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29133" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-3.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a></div>
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Place a piece of corn on a sheet of foil. Spread a healthy amount of mayo or butter on the top of the piece of corn. AND by healthy I mean a lot, not actually healthy. Sprinkle the chili powder, cheese, and cilantro on top.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-4.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob 4" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29134" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-4.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a></div>
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Wrap the corn on tight and snuggly, so that water used in the crock pot does not get in.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-5.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob 5" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29135" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-5.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a></div>
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Add 1/3 cup water into the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the foil-wrapped corn into the slow cooker. Mine holds six ears of corn. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
Remove from slow cooker with tongs and unwrap one beautiful ear of corn. Sprinkle with a little more cheese, some salt, and squeeze some fresh lime juice over the top.
Then dive right in.</div>
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<a href="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-7.jpg"><img alt="Slow Cooker Mexican Corn on the Cob 7" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-29137" src="http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Slow-Cooker-Mexican-Corn-on-the-Cob-7.jpg" height="945" width="630" /></a></div>
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You will be pretty happy that you did. Plus it will be sure to silence the harshest corn on the cob critics. Mostly because they will be too busy inhaling this delightful Mexican Corn on the Cob. </div>
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-48075589811186275962016-08-05T05:00:00.000-06:002016-08-05T05:00:19.475-06:00An Apple For Teacher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some are already back in school. We have about three more weeks. I really like to show up to back-to-school night with a gift for our teachers. Last year I chose to go with the classic "apple for teacher" theme. I thought a little outside the box and went with little apple pies for the teacher. I used store bought pie dough and apple pie filing. I lined the inside of the smallest sized mason jar with pie crust. A couple of spoonfuls of pie filling was topped with a lattice top. To make the lattice I cut out strips, wove them together and then used the ring from the jar to cut out a circle top. Then I sealed the top to the crust in the jar by gently pinching around the edge. Bake at 325 until the crust is golden brown.<br />
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Once they were done and cooled, I printed off these tags...<br />
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Download <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GEVG5GdGVvZzFmbmM/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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I put the mini pies in a cupcake box. Then I wrapped the box with yarn, punched a hole in the tag, signed our names, and tied it to the box.</div>
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I am pretty sure my kids got all A's because of these pies. I feel like they owe me or something. Kidding, my kids are smarties and didn't need no stinking pies. However, I am sure the teachers didn't mind getting them.<br />
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-88822491057015709472016-07-29T05:00:00.000-06:002016-07-29T05:00:41.694-06:00Simple Backyard Bridal Shower<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few weeks ago I threw my baby sister a bridal shower. The shower was a small lovely little affair that I did in my backyard. The party was simple and fairly easy to throw together. I just needed a few staple themes/items to make this simple backyard bridal shower dreamy and breezy.<br />
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I used lots of flowers and plants. There was an abundance of white dishes and serving ware. I raided my mason jar stash and used them for vases and for drinking glasses. I may or may not have had enough mix and match chairs to cover seating for all the guests. That is a lot of chairs. Insert blush here.<br />
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I went for a farm vintage look.<br />
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For a bridal shower, I am much more about the food than party games. In fact, there wasn't a single game played. It was simply a very ladylike lunch.<br />
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The Menu:<br />
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<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2012/03/chicken-salad-sandwiches.html" target="_blank">Chicken Salad Sandwiches</a><br />
<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2009/11/could-you-repita-that-please.html" target="_blank">Homemade Pita Chips</a><br />
<a href="http://www.larissaanotherday.com/2014/06/strawberry-soup.html" target="_blank">Strawberry Soup</a><br />
Mixed Salad<br />
Lemon Water<br />
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Then of course there was this...<br />
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I made my very first naked cake. I loved how it turned out and it was SO yummy. It was a simple vanilla cake recipe and Swiss buttercream frosting with raspberry filling.<br />
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The bride-to-be was lovely. The afternoon was lovely. So basically everything was lovely.<br />
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Have I mentioned before that I love to throw parties? Well I do. Love.Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-85036224550181216232016-07-28T05:00:00.000-06:002016-07-28T05:00:33.800-06:00Monte Cristo Roll Ups<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gya6Z4QDerFCbUIOUOo7nFpYN7BtgUOiCKg1ItazU95dY_nQjBTt9LJQ_OLS19aXtII6cBbGornmKGs4x5983NIWMNZMEx2G1M4_Ljs7pqW-4kxckxAwuAJibJG5eDHuPy1dvE93ew/s1600/Monte+Cristo+Roll+Ups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Gya6Z4QDerFCbUIOUOo7nFpYN7BtgUOiCKg1ItazU95dY_nQjBTt9LJQ_OLS19aXtII6cBbGornmKGs4x5983NIWMNZMEx2G1M4_Ljs7pqW-4kxckxAwuAJibJG5eDHuPy1dvE93ew/s640/Monte+Cristo+Roll+Ups.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Remember when I used to post a recipe every Thursday? Good times.</div>
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<i>Memories. All alone in the moonlight...</i></div>
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I will stop now. These Monte Cristo Roll Ups are a glorious way to welcome back Recipe Thursdays. Let me share with you how these little balls of divine yumminess came about.</div>
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A few weeks ago our family took a cross-country trip to the great state of Ohio. We visited friends and family. We also hit A LOT of our favorite places to eat. If you are ever in the Cleveland area, there are a couple of places we recommend you make time for.</div>
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First, make time for the West Side Market in Cleveland. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX2eSDK_mk0S2tvictDS570oeeZmsD0dnj8HsUfMKWA5lAbsm25uAYgzr9RrwJD8un1gLjVSbj8mdsqtSQQ37Nb7swbVZxxxpcu-DkB2PNeQRxjQWdYDlRzYfXmvV22TbM6T-v8gJGQ/s1600/West+Side+Market+Ohio+Trip+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeX2eSDK_mk0S2tvictDS570oeeZmsD0dnj8HsUfMKWA5lAbsm25uAYgzr9RrwJD8un1gLjVSbj8mdsqtSQQ37Nb7swbVZxxxpcu-DkB2PNeQRxjQWdYDlRzYfXmvV22TbM6T-v8gJGQ/s640/West+Side+Market+Ohio+Trip+2016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The West Side Market is similar to an indoor Farmers Market, with vendors there <i>almost</i> all the time during business hours. The atmosphere is delightful and we love walking around. We take a few laps, first hitting our must-stops favorites. Then after a few laps we pick a new vendor and try something from them.</div>
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A must, MUST stop is Steve's Gyros. Drool. So good. We dream of them. DREAM. They are closed Tuesdays and Thursdays, they only take Cash, and they only sell gyros. They also always have a line of happily waiting people with cash in hand for their gyros. They are THAT good.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsTNeLLgvmfeBqGPD-vnQ4LPVENPnXF8qawUxAQ5idTvZtFO-HfAdir3HyCrwVRuOtwSHTiODEAsWOTc-6Vy_yi0TrOQDM13a22Va9qwE7_jJ247OjJvEIvxTQdWaIuPiCpB0sCKawQ/s1600/West+Side+Market+Ohio+Trip+2016+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsTNeLLgvmfeBqGPD-vnQ4LPVENPnXF8qawUxAQ5idTvZtFO-HfAdir3HyCrwVRuOtwSHTiODEAsWOTc-6Vy_yi0TrOQDM13a22Va9qwE7_jJ247OjJvEIvxTQdWaIuPiCpB0sCKawQ/s640/West+Side+Market+Ohio+Trip+2016+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We normally also buy fresh made pasta and vanilla bean lemonade from vendors just around the corner from Steve's.<br />
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This year I tried these beautiful macaroons. I had never tried them before and they definitely lived up to all the hype.<br />
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So what about the whole Monte Cristo thing? First, do you know what a Monte Cristo is? It is a sandwich that is typically turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, and then battered and fried. Yes battered and fried. The first time that The Hubs called me from a business trip, raving about this heart attack on a plate, I questioned his mental status.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, it sounded good, but I was a little shocked by the gluttony the sandwich represented. I died a little inside.<br />
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Then I had one. You still might die a little inside (literally), but you will die happy. If you follow me on Instagram (@larissa_anotherday), then you know we had this monte cristo sandwich from the <b><a href="http://meltbarandgrilled.com/" target="_blank">Melt Bar and Grilled</a></b>. When we lived in Ohio they only had two restaurants in the Cleveland area. Now they have 3 up there and 2 in Columbus.<br />
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Isn't it lovely? This is a half sandwich plate. Yes the full is ridiculous.<br />
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So thanks to this Monte Cristo Sandwich, our family has been obsessed with them for years. We have tried a couple of versions of them over the years. The hardest was trying to make an actual knock off of the above sandwich. Epic fail. I don't recommend it. </div>
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However, a waffle version and these roll ups are a yummy much easier version. They are simplified, but still sporting the quintessential monte cristo ingredients. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYOi2XNi08bvgeyNBuOx69B6TadAq5KtQDX8AxqDRJ8fHgjiUezDXa2gZwl4H9Q-odCgayvQm-Hvi65_1D9slKOG-TcomUN841s5oa26lRYyRyBmnXTJQizVWbL-X4AZVm9ElDq-jQQ/s1600/Monte+Cristo+Roll+Ups+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYOi2XNi08bvgeyNBuOx69B6TadAq5KtQDX8AxqDRJ8fHgjiUezDXa2gZwl4H9Q-odCgayvQm-Hvi65_1D9slKOG-TcomUN841s5oa26lRYyRyBmnXTJQizVWbL-X4AZVm9ElDq-jQQ/s640/Monte+Cristo+Roll+Ups+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Give these roll ups a try. They are sure to be a family hit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyJAe3S6TWhXBnUodbeLj8BVf1q_B9fAKNYI8655pqVrfKaWKqzE5L5s45WvEZ75lr69Lii_mU8bWUF2VW4SqGwqMt-V1xbkOnc80wHBmASc7WjUO2GiN2Fq78Xkn-Egk7LZ2EO9-2g/s1600/Monte+Cristo+Roll+Ups+Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyJAe3S6TWhXBnUodbeLj8BVf1q_B9fAKNYI8655pqVrfKaWKqzE5L5s45WvEZ75lr69Lii_mU8bWUF2VW4SqGwqMt-V1xbkOnc80wHBmASc7WjUO2GiN2Fq78Xkn-Egk7LZ2EO9-2g/s640/Monte+Cristo+Roll+Ups+Recipe.jpg" width="514" /></a></div>
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printable version <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GESERJa1FSYzRIUFE/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
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Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-18028588652769181152016-07-27T11:59:00.000-06:002016-07-27T11:59:34.421-06:00Where To Buy Affordable Exercise Clothes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dIqlu4TsXCnDVA0ljnRmHjgYTdPf-4idVi3eXiKiXu_L82qAFGwJPbXg_mr1xwvsMBlhyphenhyphenziohXCkbT61tVZnnTmmaBfGFNnVhL9YPSkbxE9o6I7ecY8uf6z5d1lYEjkyj-TdPOjXYw/s1600/Where+To+Buy+Affordable+Work+Out+Clothes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dIqlu4TsXCnDVA0ljnRmHjgYTdPf-4idVi3eXiKiXu_L82qAFGwJPbXg_mr1xwvsMBlhyphenhyphenziohXCkbT61tVZnnTmmaBfGFNnVhL9YPSkbxE9o6I7ecY8uf6z5d1lYEjkyj-TdPOjXYw/s640/Where+To+Buy+Affordable+Work+Out+Clothes.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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When I was younger, I actually didn't give two figs about what I wore when I worked out. Probably because when I was younger we weren't even 1/12th as fashion savy as youth are today. We were happy in our over-sized Adidas t-shirts, plain shorts, and junky shoes. Work out clothes weren't really a thing. I swear it is a fall out from the over use of leotards, leg-warmers, and pantyhose worn during the Jane Fonda workouts of the 80's. Once we got to the 90's we wised up and just wanted to be comfortable whilst working out.<br />
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Fast forward a few, um 10's of years and we are living in a culture where fitness and fashion had a baby and we are brainwashed that it is imperative that we look stylish while working out. Not only to be cute, but also to appear as legit specimens of athletic and fitness ability.<br />
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You know the struggle is real. All the while I am complaining and making fun of this fitness wear phenomenon, I not-so-secretly want to look just as legit and cute as everyone else. My sister laughs when I want to coordinate all my workout outfits.<br />
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I would laugh at me too. However, it doesn't change the fact that I want cute work out clothes.<br />
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Here is the dilemma- a lot of workout clothes cost and arm and a leg. And quite frankly I need all my appendages to do the actual exercising, so I can't use them as payment for a cute pair of shorts.<br />
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So what's a girl to do?<br />
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This girl went on the hunt for cute and affordable work out gear. I am sharing my favorite places to buy work out clothes.<br />
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<b>1. <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Walmart</a></b><br />
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Yes, Walmart. Don't knock it until you have tried it ladies. I would say 50% of my work out clothes come from the racks of Walmart. Reason 1- even full price their stuff is affordable. Reason 2- you can find some ridiculous deals on their clearance.<br />
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My favorite finds from Walmart are their running shorts and their tanks. I have bought sports bras from there, but I don't need a lot of um..er...support (small chested) so I can do with a cheaper sports bra.<br />
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Walmart rotates styles quite often and if you are vigilant about watching their clearance you can get some freaking awesome deals. Just last week I got running shorts for $2 a pair. Insanity people!<br />
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<b>2. <a href="http://www.target.com/" target="_blank">Target</a></b><br />
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You all know how I feel about Target. The work out clothes selection at Target is dreamy and I wish I could buy it all. However, I have to watch for sales. The workout clothes from target, while more affordable, definitely can still be pricey. At least for my wallet. The good news is, they have pretty decent clearance too. Especially when it is close to the end of a season. I stock up on cold running gear in late winter/early spring, for the next winter.<br />
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My favorite buys at Target are sports bras and cold weather running gear.<br />
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<b>3. <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/" target="_blank">Old Navy</a></b><br />
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Old Navy, similar to Target can have great deals but you have to watch for them. I haven't loved their leggings, but I do really like their shorts and their tanks. Another work out item I buy from Old Navy is their socks. While that isn't really part of the "cute" work out gear, everyone needs a good pair of socks.<br />
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At least one time a year Old Navy has a killer sale on work out clothes. Keep your ears open for that sale and load up. It is pretty magical.<br />
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<b>4. Discount Retailers (Ross/TJ Maxx)</b><br />
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The variety at these stores is limited, but if you take a peek at the work out section whenever you stop by you could get really lucky and find some gems. One of my very favorite pair of leggings (that I have since had to retire) came from Ross. Like I said earlier, it can be more work to search for deals here, but it is possible.<br />
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<b>5. Online (Amazon, Zulily, etc.)</b><br />
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Online can be tricky because some online deal sites are not really that affordable. They may be cheaper than high end name brands, but they are really not that affordable. You guys might know what I am talking about. My trick with online is to make sure you get notifications of sales for work out clothes.<br />
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A very small percentage of work out clothes comes from online (at least these other stores). However, I still can find some really good deals. Okay, really my husband finds me some really good deals. Deals on things like Under Armour, New Balance, Brooks, and other brands.<br />
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<b>The Secret to Finding Affordable Work Out Clothes:</b><br />
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You need to be willing to look anywhere. Anytime you are at a store search their clearance work out section. Even high priced stores have affordable deals sometimes. You need to be willing to search outside the box. Also, be willing to not have name brand. While there is a reason, Nike and Under Armour are better, a stores brand will do the trick. I promise!<br />
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That being said, there are some items you really should pay more money for. I pay more money for good winter running clothes (mostly because I run in the frigid winters of Idaho) and for work out shoes. Your feet are working hard and whether you are running, cross-training, weight-lifting, or taking cardio classes YOU NEED GOOD SHOES. I still buy my shoes on sale, but I do not buy knock off brands and I do not buy the generic low price name brand shoe that is basically only good for walking around in your day to day life.<br />
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Hope that enlightens a few of you. Basically it comes down to this---YOU CAN WORK OUT, LOOK CUTE, and NOT SPEND A FORTUNE.<br />
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Trust me, I have been doing it for awhile now.<br />
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-15176565046532849602016-04-26T13:33:00.000-06:002016-04-26T13:33:23.716-06:00Batman Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Parties are my love language. Well how I speak in love language I guess. I love to throw parties for my boys. The older two are past the age our family does big old birthdays every year. However, the younger two still get parties. In fact, this year was Bean's very first friend party. He has had a <b><a href="http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2013/03/first-birthday-fiesta.html" target="_blank">First Birthday Fiesta</a></b>, a <b><a href="http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2014/03/go-cougars-football-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">BYU Football second birthday party,</a></b> and a <b><a href="http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2015/04/simple-dinosaur-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">Dinosaur party</a></b> last year. This year he requested to have a Batman Birthday Party.<br />
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Which was a little funny considering I am not sure really how in to Batman he is. No other party theme I threw at him would do though. So Batman it was.<br />
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One of my party decorating tricks is to pick a color theme that coordinates with the party theme and then to go crazy with it. I incorporate the colors in just about everything from patterns, food, and decorations. This year the colors were the traditional Batman colors black, gray, and yellow.<br />
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I even found this perfectly coordinating Batman doll.<br />
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PS Who really has thighs like that???<br />
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Anyway, I digress. I like feeding a simple lunch and easy snacks at a toddler party. Using food is not only an easy way to decorate, but serving lunch (or dinner) is a great activity for a party.<br />
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Another easy way to decorate a party is to add posters and tags. I made all of my posters and tags using <b><a href="http://picmonkey.com/" target="_blank"> PicMonkey</a></b>. I made the simple and modern Batman head graphic using only geometric overlays. Once I had the head the way I wanted it, I saved it and then could simply insert it within other tags and posters.<br />
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Lunch was simple. However, I served it in and on these cute lunch boxes and plates.<br />
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Wrapping the stem of a banana with washi tape may have been a little unnecessary, but I couldn't help myself.<br />
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After lunch, we had a few more activities. Like coloring.<br />
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Cape and mask wearing.<br />
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We had a bat-shaped pinata of course.<br />
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We also blew some bubbles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QK0GY2uxcz-RFdVsu3-jStZgWQdB_FQBIp5G2g2OJr159VMFzSWSxqcWmkK3cBpV7PX7uJQ6w05o7iuhgLrYeAE9VUV-bPRu_DxJBjNrdKRkGPOwDje4iSWS6QmUuPXPN4zd9qcbA/s1600/Batman+Birthday+Party++20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_QK0GY2uxcz-RFdVsu3-jStZgWQdB_FQBIp5G2g2OJr159VMFzSWSxqcWmkK3cBpV7PX7uJQ6w05o7iuhgLrYeAE9VUV-bPRu_DxJBjNrdKRkGPOwDje4iSWS6QmUuPXPN4zd9qcbA/s640/Batman+Birthday+Party++20.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuj39B_L6t_2xOTzC33uGd1i9gzzmk_r-R2Y5hbJBZkbxEGC-CFBakGbTf1hsVtELzsdGEVAmqB1IfrEjr3sIC8nnQ2-weljR6jCzEdkisnF8CqU_gi7jzKde7pAnuD7vtJ2pxtbkog/s1600/Batman+Birthday+Party+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuj39B_L6t_2xOTzC33uGd1i9gzzmk_r-R2Y5hbJBZkbxEGC-CFBakGbTf1hsVtELzsdGEVAmqB1IfrEjr3sIC8nnQ2-weljR6jCzEdkisnF8CqU_gi7jzKde7pAnuD7vtJ2pxtbkog/s640/Batman+Birthday+Party+23.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Before we sent off our friends with a thank you bag, we ended our party with a simple, but delicious Batman cake.<br />
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This party was SO fun to pull together, but it was slightly exhausting. Which honestly is why I have yet to throw my other March birthday boy a party. I still owe him one. Oops.<br />
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Here are the things I made--<br />
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Posters and Tags</div>
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Pinata</div>
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Cityscape Background</div>
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Chocolate-covered Oreos</div>
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Batman Capes</div>
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Tutus</div>
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Cake</div>
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What I purchased--</div>
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Batman- <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Walmart</a></div>
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Batman Masks- <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Walmart</a></div>
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Bubble Wands- <a href="http://www.walmart.com/" target="_blank">Walmart</a></div>
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Balloons, Paper Fans, Tissue Balls, Honeycombs- <a href="http://www.zurchers.com/" target="_blank">Zurchers</a></div>
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Paper Plates, Napkins, Straws- <a href="http://www.zurchers.com/" target="_blank">Zurchers</a></div>
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Treat Cups- <a href="http://www.zurchers.com/" target="_blank">Zurchers</a></div>
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Plastic Cake Stands (spray-painted black)- <a href="http://www.zurchers.com/" target="_blank">Zurchers</a></div>
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Letters- <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a></div>
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Fabric Banners- <a href="http://www.michaels.com/" target="_blank">Michaels</a></div>
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Lunch Boxes- <a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/" target="_blank">Hobby Lobby</a></div>
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Wrapping Paper (used as table runner)-<a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/" target="_blank">Hobby Lobby</a></div>
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Milk Jar Glasses- <a href="http://www.hobbylobby.com/" target="_blank">Hobby Lobby</a></div>
Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-84786004418055406972016-04-12T04:00:00.000-06:002016-04-12T04:00:19.113-06:00You Are Gonna Do FANTAstic Tags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5ckO7tgZXssCdlGdkLhCpLqvhENs2tvmpd89NbQb2-DUEzLbntDdrOuBlT8wYFI7d-CQH3REL8gjgHnkYhcksUyyiD_kZzPrkGb5yWa6lskoapcsW-d83IHc_uSrfEA1jWk6jDdNOA/s1600/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5ckO7tgZXssCdlGdkLhCpLqvhENs2tvmpd89NbQb2-DUEzLbntDdrOuBlT8wYFI7d-CQH3REL8gjgHnkYhcksUyyiD_kZzPrkGb5yWa6lskoapcsW-d83IHc_uSrfEA1jWk6jDdNOA/s640/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Every one needs a little pep talk once in awhile. They especially need it when they have a big event coming up.<br />
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In the last several months I have had quite of few beautiful young ladies I know taking college entrance exams. Do you remember those days? Were you cool, calm and collected? Or were you like me...a hot mess?<br />
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I wanted to cheer my girls on, so I made these FANTAstic tags and attached them to, you guessed it a colorful bottle of Fanta soda.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlkgVAVZFQm8op480JufC8gaa_c5yB3B2Hwa_vnd3xvaUy0aSOo56c0mFpXOk6-3Cg5Vd2odltRraOpnb-IjLIy-yn8WS-jmXYZsw1qeNXQGfekvb7HtXt4sk7Y8GWnWYYArP560Trw/s1600/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlkgVAVZFQm8op480JufC8gaa_c5yB3B2Hwa_vnd3xvaUy0aSOo56c0mFpXOk6-3Cg5Vd2odltRraOpnb-IjLIy-yn8WS-jmXYZsw1qeNXQGfekvb7HtXt4sk7Y8GWnWYYArP560Trw/s640/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I made four different colors to coordinate with four different flavors of Fanta. You can download your very own sheet of good luck tags. Just click on the link below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo1LmsGdrIxXSftIIykIAz8LZLfXrt7_ZItYQ2aO-gQsWO6Ale_YZBzDnpj4GZIpUw1abuYXUpS7-zCtxvKwvOdG_1AKfiTTFkar9yrYy9OO49mNI3yp8BDOCL_IZWOv0mFT7zou03g/s1600/FANTAstic+Good+Luck+Tags+Printable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo1LmsGdrIxXSftIIykIAz8LZLfXrt7_ZItYQ2aO-gQsWO6Ale_YZBzDnpj4GZIpUw1abuYXUpS7-zCtxvKwvOdG_1AKfiTTFkar9yrYy9OO49mNI3yp8BDOCL_IZWOv0mFT7zou03g/s640/FANTAstic+Good+Luck+Tags+Printable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Download <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GEejBSNE9EeUxFYmc/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></div>
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I know have a small stock pile of Fanta soda in my food storage just waiting for a moment to wish someone good luck. When the times comes, I can just print off a sheet of tags, cut them out, and tie them to the bottles with a scrap of fabric or yarn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIfKGXjlMb43mEWCXLlqe8oXYgv9pMGdPCiy8BFGfROyRyvRseFmS58QyHbu1ugUVG3jFGr016DT-W-4RoVIie_VkQv6-_Czqb9n9mmPYAA0Cv-UXirpSzmOcCEHMtcTGMK1vJzU5Kg/s1600/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIfKGXjlMb43mEWCXLlqe8oXYgv9pMGdPCiy8BFGfROyRyvRseFmS58QyHbu1ugUVG3jFGr016DT-W-4RoVIie_VkQv6-_Czqb9n9mmPYAA0Cv-UXirpSzmOcCEHMtcTGMK1vJzU5Kg/s640/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I am sure this "magic" Fanta good luck gave them the mental power they needed to ace their exams. In short, I am sure they did FANTAstic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkVE97gnyI9SuodhQr_PjLoOh4bFSlOmfyZ5X2jE4_8VdkA1nEiJ4P98VxhWnBsCfxwKLoKO-wCWK5_dC8FD7GVObU2_H9JokzuFipK8roiVzWskbTQHegkKHkDLz5Bi1tiHsk3JpbA/s1600/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkVE97gnyI9SuodhQr_PjLoOh4bFSlOmfyZ5X2jE4_8VdkA1nEiJ4P98VxhWnBsCfxwKLoKO-wCWK5_dC8FD7GVObU2_H9JokzuFipK8roiVzWskbTQHegkKHkDLz5Bi1tiHsk3JpbA/s640/Good+Luck+FANTAstic+Tag+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Good luck to you in all your endeavors today, and have a FANTAstic day!Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-69782686578509646452016-04-11T09:54:00.000-06:002016-04-11T09:54:14.188-06:00Batman Birthday Invite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2bi7F86FWH1u9WAt9R63TKcg21HkBdA3NtNXPzVTpj3rQOrUkMLjjz1kGAaDnm2d9sQDBHPE9_Y2afysGFLiXZVfbUKecBI3_AEPnKngMLIORWhv765OxfbkYolM2GTqvINmWGKfog/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2bi7F86FWH1u9WAt9R63TKcg21HkBdA3NtNXPzVTpj3rQOrUkMLjjz1kGAaDnm2d9sQDBHPE9_Y2afysGFLiXZVfbUKecBI3_AEPnKngMLIORWhv765OxfbkYolM2GTqvINmWGKfog/s640/Batman+Party+Invites.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Before I go into the details of this rather adorable Batman Birthday Party Invite, I would like to say something.</div>
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When you are out of the habit of blogging, almost two months goes by with no post, and you don't even realize it. I am not sure anyone else realized it either. Probably because of my "radio" silence increasing more and more over the last year, I am sure the few people I had reading this blog have given up on me. So let me say thanks for sticking with me that long.</div>
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I have come to the realization, that I am okay with my blogging life (or lack there of). Of course part of me wants to be read by thousands and thousands. I would be lying if I said I didn't want to be known in the blogosphere for my mad skills. I want validation from friends, strangers, and mega bloggers. </div>
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BUT...</div>
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I am not good at the life. I am not great at self promoting. I don't have the funds for a blog face lift (hence that I am in the dark ages and still have a blogspot) or to go to all the amazing and fabulous conferences out there. I am not a great entrepreneur (heck I couldn't even spell it...spell check had to help). I admire those woman who do and can. They are so very awesome at what they do.</div>
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For years I felt that because they are awesome at what they do and I don't do that well, it must mean that I am about as far from awesome as you can get. </div>
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So I backed off of blogging. I backed off because, someone could do it better. No one out there would miss me or what I do. I was getting an ulcer watching my blog views go down. My comments become nonexistent. Basically I backed off in a pity party kind of way. </div>
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So, why even blog a tiny bit now? </div>
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This is why. I still love creating things. I can say in some confidence that there are things I am good at. Even if only my mom reads this blog anymore (thanks MOM I love you), I still want to share. Who cares if I am not a dot com. Who cares if no one sponsors me. Who cares. Who cares.</div>
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So I "blog" for me right now. I create for me because I like to. I decorate when I can. I make stuff when I have time. I share because it is fun. If someone gets an idea from me. Great. If people occasionally stop by from Pinterest. AWESOME and welcome. However, even if just my mom reads, that is good too. </div>
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I had a good run for awhile. Who knows maybe when my kids are all in school if this blogging thing is still around I will jump back in with a little more professionalism. </div>
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For right now, I am good with just sharing what I do when I do it. </div>
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LONGEST intro to a blog post ever. Sorry about that.</div>
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So on to this Batman Birthday Party Invite. I wish I could say I came up with the concept of this modern simple batman invite all on my own. However, thanks to Pinterest I came across my inspiration on <a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2014/03/brave-batman-birthday-party/">The Hostess with the Mostess Blog</a> via a party done by <a href="http://www.posh-paperie.com/print/parties/">Posh Paperie</a>. I really liked her design style and the concept of the party so I copy-catted her a bit.</div>
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For the invite I turned to my handy dandy <a href="http://picmonkey.com/">PicMonkey</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2yFNpMjCeSaPvEX2XdLs3aqVLjUw11qKP_GQsyCQUO40joWChvjJpfD8DmuQaTtv4-wEc4OKSuKOwiUdYWHfNW2Qp-A62eqTteRQN5AKMfQMvvzVD2XrRoxJyOsL3wBX5xY-0E4xwQ/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2yFNpMjCeSaPvEX2XdLs3aqVLjUw11qKP_GQsyCQUO40joWChvjJpfD8DmuQaTtv4-wEc4OKSuKOwiUdYWHfNW2Qp-A62eqTteRQN5AKMfQMvvzVD2XrRoxJyOsL3wBX5xY-0E4xwQ/s640/Batman+Party+Invites+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I used geometric overlays for the flood lights. I used the bat overlays found in the Halloween section. The rest was just a mixture of some of my favorite fonts.<br />
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One of the things I liked the most was the idea of a geometric Batman. So I made one. This Batman was completely made from mixing and manipulating geometric overlays. He turned out pretty amazing if I do say so myself.<br />
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For the back of this card, I just copied and positioned image after image of the original Batman head.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLSddh2dtWAh_roYtA6VVoBrx-ePh5fji590VlLoK65iCiOGAuoAYaCiFdnxOeWIUJJP47Gm5iP8uyRHSwywvYJtSE4XyKKa5AoIelFw8wilkOCRMJZ7GCcqp5cdCkblt2qVDDWCzLg/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLSddh2dtWAh_roYtA6VVoBrx-ePh5fji590VlLoK65iCiOGAuoAYaCiFdnxOeWIUJJP47Gm5iP8uyRHSwywvYJtSE4XyKKa5AoIelFw8wilkOCRMJZ7GCcqp5cdCkblt2qVDDWCzLg/s640/Batman+Party+Invites+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I also used the Batman head for some birthday posters (which I will share soon) and these name tags that I taped to the outside of the envelopes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPIXz0tYMESsnC-68mkPZqnEamz_Xp9aroo-h3l0ea3zwisHbJMEeghg09ePFJl2_2uiPga42nH_41olVD571hJztNJvjyaSmn8lb6SuPYMdpqeJ8u7H44WN1WV_EZ2P7x7sIPDhljA/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPIXz0tYMESsnC-68mkPZqnEamz_Xp9aroo-h3l0ea3zwisHbJMEeghg09ePFJl2_2uiPga42nH_41olVD571hJztNJvjyaSmn8lb6SuPYMdpqeJ8u7H44WN1WV_EZ2P7x7sIPDhljA/s640/Batman+Party+Invites+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The whole invite ensemble looked like this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqn-_lKNY_SyOyZUKH3yj-lBFvApLMnC1UftqZ-5TNKujIyQyhmPH7SuB_FB5YHt1eMp0VUu3UejqZG6qUXH-OzJS-Dq8D3fBAnSEuOABtujHVHcx5YTHQyr6dXKGEN5VcL2Ra25ubRw/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqn-_lKNY_SyOyZUKH3yj-lBFvApLMnC1UftqZ-5TNKujIyQyhmPH7SuB_FB5YHt1eMp0VUu3UejqZG6qUXH-OzJS-Dq8D3fBAnSEuOABtujHVHcx5YTHQyr6dXKGEN5VcL2Ra25ubRw/s640/Batman+Party+Invites+5.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I was able to save this all to my computer and just print from my printer on to cardstock. Setting aside making the little Batman head image, it really was very simple and the perfect way to invite some fellow superheroes over.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN3TqgKSUvSE_7Z7p-WNFi7G6BYXxEy8a145jAHG6y-hazv5rOq7N3oIbWibyxva5Hr8aVyA_DOqBovugLusKybXU_hVvjeYeK1C3tqdzmieTUFjE6CxVZmYxTv2ZwzN-OGkIOUxx9w/s1600/Batman+Party+Invites+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN3TqgKSUvSE_7Z7p-WNFi7G6BYXxEy8a145jAHG6y-hazv5rOq7N3oIbWibyxva5Hr8aVyA_DOqBovugLusKybXU_hVvjeYeK1C3tqdzmieTUFjE6CxVZmYxTv2ZwzN-OGkIOUxx9w/s640/Batman+Party+Invites+6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-71643245001475459952016-02-15T14:24:00.003-07:002016-02-15T14:24:54.745-07:00Basket of Sunshine {with Printable}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLA7b5qW_o6v_XRmRLdWU32PNMD0b1A5odZcJq919fYQfHFq8roeDqs8XHdbfDMVsnas1Dg0qXZj8LCEA486zmav66Wc0bDPydB8UicuGndbdXGVoYnuLZ-79GcyFT10bKEleCj3OLw/s1600/Basket+of+Sunshine+and+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLA7b5qW_o6v_XRmRLdWU32PNMD0b1A5odZcJq919fYQfHFq8roeDqs8XHdbfDMVsnas1Dg0qXZj8LCEA486zmav66Wc0bDPydB8UicuGndbdXGVoYnuLZ-79GcyFT10bKEleCj3OLw/s640/Basket+of+Sunshine+and+Tag.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Is anyone else ready for Spring yet?<br />
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ME! ME!<br />
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I actually don't mind Winter. However, here in Idaho Winter comes early, hits hard, and lingers. So about the middle of February I start longing for Spring. In fact, in these here parts of the woods if we have a day in the low 40's we leave our coats at home and some even brave a pair of shorts (mostly adolescent boys).<br />
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So yes, I am ready for some sunshine and Spring.<br />
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Speaking of sunshine, today I have this fun and easy Basket of Sunshine idea for you and there is a free printable.<br />
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We used this basket of sunshine as an act of service. We had a person in our neighborhood who was going through a tough trial. We wanted to let him know we were thinking of him. So we went to the store and gathered up a cartload of yellow things.<br />
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Some of the things we chose:<br />
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-box of Golden Grahams cereal<br />
-snack size bag of Golden Oreos<br />
-Lay's in a canister<br />
-bottles of Fanta pineapple soda<br />
-bags of microwave popcorn<br />
-small bag of Peanut M&M's<br />
-Lemonheads<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbPgUYEzIjABV5khxkq6qHUcza2PYiw6DP-40CEWSTJHnNiWBREfDOruczmWTbhKDjVpzFSlchckbrMnSRQ7F__kw_zVKjVZptvzr9McoyyhoExc7rWCvB_tk7hN-vXQVkixueHryuw/s1600/Basket+of+Sunshine+and+Tag+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMbPgUYEzIjABV5khxkq6qHUcza2PYiw6DP-40CEWSTJHnNiWBREfDOruczmWTbhKDjVpzFSlchckbrMnSRQ7F__kw_zVKjVZptvzr9McoyyhoExc7rWCvB_tk7hN-vXQVkixueHryuw/s640/Basket+of+Sunshine+and+Tag+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I spray-painted an old crate we had bright and sunny yellow. Once it was good and dry, we loaded up the crate with our sunshine goodies. I tied a bit of fabric around it and attached the Sunshine tag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I8S4hyQDvSQbYb1gLOo50XN355uSkAPSdEC08AOBJdhhFQnVU5Lf0NJvYW85EJ6Ph4JB0ZNYFFbCHd77HOKymkMqn91xH0IH7Wycx4WrI-HJ8mExuybyLviDbFvOu-h799lsM4l35g/s1600/Basket+of+Sunshine+and+Tag+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I8S4hyQDvSQbYb1gLOo50XN355uSkAPSdEC08AOBJdhhFQnVU5Lf0NJvYW85EJ6Ph4JB0ZNYFFbCHd77HOKymkMqn91xH0IH7Wycx4WrI-HJ8mExuybyLviDbFvOu-h799lsM4l35g/s640/Basket+of+Sunshine+and+Tag+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9r-pMEIG_6pY-3ugVje_cfXVDwyPk5ojxz_53enCRFw3BLX29biKvL-1CGrPRa4irb3sJ2dqLZiF4ziXwKLsS1gnZAqLKo9umfaxTazdTP443OmP6dlZEKscWFq7PFhpziqIfZD7IA/s1600/Bit+of+Sunshine+Tag+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9r-pMEIG_6pY-3ugVje_cfXVDwyPk5ojxz_53enCRFw3BLX29biKvL-1CGrPRa4irb3sJ2dqLZiF4ziXwKLsS1gnZAqLKo9umfaxTazdTP443OmP6dlZEKscWFq7PFhpziqIfZD7IA/s640/Bit+of+Sunshine+Tag+.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
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Save the image of the tag to your computer and then you can print it off in the size you need.</div>
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This really is a fun way to brighten someone's day and to get out there and offer a bit of service. My kids really became invested in this little service project. I love service like that. Plus you guys know how much I love myself some color coordination. </div>
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<br />Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5031683446245115859.post-35041728834137534622016-02-09T14:11:00.000-07:002016-02-09T14:11:03.904-07:00O"FISH"ally The Best Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWGztSw2p76MH_zJjjKbIiey_mJtTO0vljvHgVlzy0XCcR9CK9F4nuFMt5Up77K4aUlDl9ESzxHpv9eGD_vmF3JCmTPZQySj7-EJ0ZWoXVPU-2JuE-64PJxMGLxO15EKygbyxz78TBw/s1600/OFISHally+The+Best+Valentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWGztSw2p76MH_zJjjKbIiey_mJtTO0vljvHgVlzy0XCcR9CK9F4nuFMt5Up77K4aUlDl9ESzxHpv9eGD_vmF3JCmTPZQySj7-EJ0ZWoXVPU-2JuE-64PJxMGLxO15EKygbyxz78TBw/s640/OFISHally+The+Best+Valentine.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I have another classroom valentine idea for you today. This O"FISH"ally The Best Valentine is not a new idea, but I made up a new tag. I used bright colors and fun fonts. This valentine is great for Goldfish crackers or Swedish Fish.</div>
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Since this little Valentine is for a bunch of preschoolers I opted for the Goldfish crackers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcq3aaC0bdzBH76Vc1AxxIKW_zG3KPlNxNC0fhQuEqmvCBHjBKwLlzh_AbC9rawPA14vGVbvutO_-fHSd6WO6Bg0uGCqgtyHSja3rEMqVCSRQS5KRX5Q_oayYnRCCPLrJTevKW-goWg/s1600/OFISHally+The+Best+Valentine+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcq3aaC0bdzBH76Vc1AxxIKW_zG3KPlNxNC0fhQuEqmvCBHjBKwLlzh_AbC9rawPA14vGVbvutO_-fHSd6WO6Bg0uGCqgtyHSja3rEMqVCSRQS5KRX5Q_oayYnRCCPLrJTevKW-goWg/s640/OFISHally+The+Best+Valentine+2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The printable is all ready and available for you to use.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jZNa0Jy25uqV7I2xhdjNVm5l_Msi8D1DZTllVuwp6mg-fLAPfXC1QXyntpQruSYY9z8CQMbkct_40m00h7rhV96IHgypxlMsMBRYSQYuZdpS7J1YmgkBG4vwtBrSXZmhsd-20Sqogw/s1600/O+FISHally+The+Best+Valentine+Printable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jZNa0Jy25uqV7I2xhdjNVm5l_Msi8D1DZTllVuwp6mg-fLAPfXC1QXyntpQruSYY9z8CQMbkct_40m00h7rhV96IHgypxlMsMBRYSQYuZdpS7J1YmgkBG4vwtBrSXZmhsd-20Sqogw/s640/O+FISHally+The+Best+Valentine+Printable.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Download printable <b><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwD54cYc5-GES2ZpbHhWQ0VPemM/view?usp=sharing">HERE</a></b></div>
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I cut out my tags and simply stapled them onto the bag. SO EASY!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkhFiWKOaj818Zkt7-5JQBsvCz695yOU8ur1MXqJPlh6lYQ7cchsQ0QI8BPZiSQOBAlKAsVxhfm6Nadc0WoaV5Kl-BH8VzD_0Ts4HVGf2mBG6qKJRNKtQ1B0Swbpw0qPagDyvosH4cA/s1600/OFISHally+The+Best+Valentine+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkhFiWKOaj818Zkt7-5JQBsvCz695yOU8ur1MXqJPlh6lYQ7cchsQ0QI8BPZiSQOBAlKAsVxhfm6Nadc0WoaV5Kl-BH8VzD_0Ts4HVGf2mBG6qKJRNKtQ1B0Swbpw0qPagDyvosH4cA/s640/OFISHally+The+Best+Valentine+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have already shared our <b><a href="http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2016/01/you-are-soda-best-valentine.html">SODA The Best Valentine</a></b> and our <b><a href="http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2016/02/youre-so-cool-valentine.html">You're So Cool Valentine</a></b> this year. I have one more to share and then our little clan will be all ready for Valentine's Day 2016.Larissa@Just Another Day in Paradisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02997227004283215106noreply@blogger.com0