United States Road Trip Party (Learn the 50 States Party!)

 My daughter is in 5th Grade this year...Time to Learn the "50 Nifty States" and their Capitals
I thought this would be a great way to learn about the states by cooking different foods that are know for their state.

 I bought these plastic plates on sale at Target last year, they were in the Summertime collection, (good for camping!)...one of those finds that inspire a party!
When you see those special things, buy them and save them!

This is my new cupcake holder, of course I already have one, but I saw this black one at Target (Halloween Section), and I decided it will come in handy for other things....

In this case, I displayed food items from different States

 I hung up a United States map (I used it at another party) and added  State Flash Cards on a clothes line

 During dinner we played a 50 State Trivia Game (found on line)

Dinner Menu:

Texas Bar-B-Q chicken sandwiches (click here for recipe)
Boston Baked Beans
New Mexico Cornbread
Idaho potatoes with Wisconsin Cheese
Alabama Southern Potato Salad
South Carolina Southern Cole Slaw
Florida Key Lime Pie

Other Food ideas:
Maine: Lobster/blueberries
Massachusetts: Toll House Cookies
Georgia: Peaches, Peanuts, Valdalia Onions
New Jersey: tomatoes, Italian Sub Sandwiched
Maryland: Crab Cakes
Vermont: Syrup, Cabot Cheese, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream
New York: Pizza, Cheesecake
Louisiana: Gumbo, Jambalaya
California: Avacadoes, Garlic, Grapes, Wine
Florida: Oranges, Sugar, Key Limes
Hawaii: Pineapples
Alaska: Salmon, Eskimo Pies!
Washington: Rainier Cherries, Apples
Michigan: Kelloggs Cereal
Pennsylvania: Philly Cheesesteak, Hershey Chocolate
Mississippi: Mud Pie
Illinois: Chicago deep Dish Pizza, Chicago Hot dogs
Idaho: Potatoes

feel free to add to the list....
This is also a good idea for celebrating just your state (California Party, Florida Party, etc.)

Texas Bar-B-Q Chicken Slow Cooker Sandwich

This was so easy and great fro a party or just dinner any time!

Slow Cooker Bar-B-Q Chicken

Ingredients:
6 boneless chicken breasts
1 Bottle of Bar -B-Q Sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays Original)
1/3 bottle of Italian Salad Dressing
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
1 sliced onion

Place chicken in slow cooker.
In a bowl mix together all ingredients except onions.
Place sliced onions over chicken.
Pour sauce over chicken and onions.

Cook 6 hours on low (or 4 on High)
Take out breasts and shred with forks, put back in slow cooker for last hour.

Serve on toasted garlic rolls!

Yummy and Easy!

Family Scavenger Hunt Night

Family Scavenger Hunt Night!

Parties don't always revolve around cupcakes (even though they always make everything feel like a party!).

The other night I surprised my family with a "Family Scavenger Hunt"

This is easy and free!

I wrote the instructions and placed them in sealed envelopes....

each envelope gave PLACE, TIME, MEETING PLACE, AMOUNT OF ITEMS TO FIND, AND COLOR OF ITEM TO FIND...

example:

1st stop: Home Depot

time: 15 minutes

amount of items and color: 3 PINK items

                                                      

                                                      

                                                     

next was Pet Supermarket: color Purple

                                    

                                                         

                                                         

Office Depot: Blue

                                         

BJ's Warehouse Club : Green

                                        

                                                     

Target : Rainbow (this was more difficult!)

                                    

                                               

                                               

                                               

Mike Won...he got to take us to dinner!

We ended the night at a pizza restaurant and had a great Family Party Night!