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Part 5: Minecraft Madness!

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This cookie cake was simple and a huge hit will all the guest. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow.

This cookie cake was simple and a huge hit will all the guest. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow.

 

 

This is the last installation in the Minecraft Madness series. We’ve gone over an easy game to make, our gaming trailer rental, schedule and glitches, food presentation, DIY favors, and more. You’ll find many different printables on each of the posts within this series.

For part 5, we’ll go over the Minecraft cake, decorating ideas and other printable/idea links that were helpful.

The Cake

Made from a cookie cake recipe, it was topped with green frosting and chocolate bars broke into bricks for the eyes, nose/mouth.

Since so much effort was put into decorations, appetizers, and snacks, it was the perfect ending to an amazing spread of food.

More Inspirational Minecraft(MC)

I’m sure most people reading the MC Madness series are either interested in throwing a party or making something cool for your loved one. After looking at a plethora of pins, images, and more, I can guarantee a mind or two has been swimming from all the possibilities. Yet, below are a few more ideas worth mentioning:

Edible gems can be made in so many Minecraft colors. Image and recipe by Wendy at http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/09/how-to-make-sugar-gems/
A visually appealing way to hand out TNT. Thanks to Rainy Hot Coupons at Buzzfeed.
Don’t forget to deck the bathroom out with Minecraft items as well! Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow. All rights reserved.
Instead of giving grab bags, have your guests make their own! Image and tutorial from Catch My Party on Buzzfeed.
Light up your party room with these homemade torches. Directions can be found by Sev_Scorch at Instructables.com
Having a Minecraft Easter Hunt? These DIY Creeper eggs work well. Image/directions courtesy of Katie Stiles on Instructables.com
Dollar store black hats can easily be transformed into Enderman or Creepers. The same can technique can be used for towels. Image courtesy of Pie Popper on Instructables.com
Want to make your party over-the-top? Make this giant robot creeper that actually moves remotely! Directions seem pretty easy by Teisha on Instructables.com

 

Not overdosed with Minecraft info yet? Check out the links below for more MC  printables,ideas, and even coding classes for Minecraft too!

20 Minecraft Projects
Oh My Fiesta
JB Cookie Cutters
Minecraft Food Tutorials
Simple Minecraft Party Ideas
30 Awesome/Easy Minecraft Party Ideas
Youth Digital: Learning to code Minecraft

 

Part 2: Minecraft Madness!

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Using a girl skin helped us make our simple invite work for our daughter. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

We chose a skin that emulated Megan in the Minecraft world. The simple graphics gave us the space needed for info to parents. Invitation image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

This post is part of a series of how we successfully pulled off a Minecraft gaming party for over 45 people. Follow the link to Part 1: Minecraft Madness, if you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the first tutorial.

When we first mulled over the idea, we knew we wanted the party taken to a new level. Yes, some may feel it is a bit extravagant, but looking at other options of bowling parties, activity zones, and other options for 9-year-olds, it only cost a few hundred more for THE party of a lifetime. You know, if a husband gets excited about a kid’s party, there’s credence to it. Continue reading →

Last Minute Appetizers

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Tortilla Pinwheels are visually appealing, easy to make and you can't eat just one! Image courtesy of appetizerrecipes.blogspot.com

Tortilla Pinwheels are visually appealing, easy to make and you can’t eat just one! Image courtesy of appetizerrecipes.blogspot.com and the Frugal Gal’s own recipe is below.

 

 

We’ve all been there…more people show up at our party or the food is going quick. Maybe it was a last minute effort to have a party. No matter which reason fits your scenario, you can make a fabulous spread quickly.

The Biggie: Asking for Help

No matter what, it won’t help you feel any better if you’re frazzled with stress because you’ve done it all yourself. At least one of those friends and family members that are at the party or coming can help. Understandably, some of us have more pride than others, but swallow it and face reality that you deserve a good night too.

You can also avoid everything on your shoulders by asking people to bring a dish to pass. Yet, this doesn’t always solve the problem since not everyone gets that a dish to pass means one large enough for a crowd. So here are some last minute appetizers that can save the night. Continue reading →

DIY Noise Makers for New Year’s Eve

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This beautiful vintage inspired noise maker can really wow your party crowd. Image courtesy of vintageimagecraft.com

This beautiful vintage inspired noise maker can really wow your party crowd. Image courtesy of vintageimagecraft.com

What could be more fitting than to add a nostalgic popper to the night we often look back on as we sing the Scottish poem of Auld Lang Syne? A soda can has never looked better and the tutorial is easy to follow.

You can also let 2014 go out with a bang by making a bunch of noise makers with the recent leftovers of gift wrap, basket fillers, candies and more!

Continue reading →

Make Gingerbread Houses Without Gingerbread!

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Pretzels work great for building a "gingerbread" house. Image courtesy of The Pretzel Eater's Club.

Pretzels work great for building a “gingerbread” house. Image courtesy of The Pretzel Eater’s Club.

 

 

If you’re hankering to make a few gingerbread houses but don’t really want to buy the pre-fab house parts or make your own gingerbread  pieces, there are so many other ways to build a “gingerbread” house.

The Rules of Gingerbread House Making

Most people agree, there are a few “rules” to making a gingerbread house or village. 1) It should be made of all edible ingredients – anything else is sorta cheating. 2) You need a great Royal Icing recipe in order to secure things quickly.

There are recipes that are eggless and can still do a good job “gluing” your pieces together well. In fact, there are at least 10 different varieties of recipes that can work well as “cement.” Icings that have any fat (margarine, butter, shortening), usually will not harden enough, so they will not be appropriate.

Building Supplies that are not Gingerbread

Continue reading →

Part 4: Let the Baking Begin

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If you have a love for sweet and salty together, you'll love Butterscotch Haystacks. Image courtesy of verybestbaking.com

If you have a love for sweet and salty together, you’ll love Butterscotch Haystacks. Image courtesy of verybestbaking.com

 

 

This is part 4 from the series Get Ready for the Christmas Baking to Begin! This is the final installment in the series, where you’ll find the recipes for Butterscotch Haystacks, Coconut Balls, and a Truffle recipe that can be used in many variations.

 

 

 

 

Butterscotch Haystacks Continue reading →

Part 3: Let the Baking Begin

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Neapolitan cookies have multi-layers of flavor: Almond, raspberry, apricot, and chocolate. Image courtesy of thehopefulhestia.wordpress.com

Neapolitan cookies have multi-layers of flavor: Almond, raspberry, apricot, and chocolate. Image courtesy of thehopefulhestia.wordpress.com

This is part 3 of the series: Get Ready for the Christmas Baking to Begin. These next two holiday favorites are easier to make than expected. Both goodies run about $9 a pound at your local bakery and this frugal gal knows that you can go broke trying to purchase a nice platter of these delightful morsels. With that in mind, I offer you two great gift-worthy recipes:

 

 

 

Italian Neapolitan Cookies
*Coming from an Italian family, I can tell you this recipe is authentic in nature. Other recipes call for other flavored fillings, but most bakeries use these ingredients.

Supplies: Continue reading →

Get Ready for the Christmas Baking to Begin!

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Homemade Christmas cookies warm just about everyone's heart. Find your favorite recipe that you can pass on for generations. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

Homemade Christmas cookies warm just about everyone’s heart. Find a favorite recipe that you can pass on for generations to come. Image courtesy of Debbie Morrow, All Rights Reserved.

The days are ticking quickly by and if you are anything like me, you already have your supplies on hand. No? Well, I can offer you my most requested cookie/candy recipes that have been pleasing people for over 35 years. Since some directions are longer than others, multiple posts will be needed as follows:

Part 1:                                    Part 2:  Chocolate Italian Balls
Spicy Gingerbread Cookies               Peanut Butter Balls
Italian Butter Balls                                 Almond Sugar Cookies
Rum Balls

Part 3:                                    Part 4:  Butterscotch Haystacks
Chocolate Fudge                                 Coconut Balls
Italian Neapolitan Cookies                  Truffles (multi-flavored)

Part 1: Spicy Ginger Bread Cookies

Gingerbread man image courtesy of What Ronronia Wants

Gingerbread men image courtesy of What Ronronia Wants @ blogspot.

Continue reading →

Fun Fall Food Recipes

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Let the family munch on this turkey while waiting for the real mcCoy. Image and recipe can be found at:http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/turkey-cheese-ball

Let the family munch on this turkey while waiting for the real mcCoy. Image and recipe can be found at:http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/turkey-cheese-ball

 

 

 

With the American Thanksgiving Feast almost upon us, it’s not too late to plan a few creative recipes that will produce a smile, giggle, or maybe a little awe.

Creating Fun Appetizers

Imagination is key to creating little works of edible art and luckily, there are a lot of people who have the gift of making appetizers that delight.

Leaf cookie cutters help make this fall cheese and crackers tray pop! Image courtesy of blog.dollhousebakeshoppe.com
These little teepees can stand alone as a sugar cone dipped in chocolate and topped with pretzels or you can take it a step farther and turn them into upside down cupcakes. Image courtesy of Pinterest and recipe directions can be found at: http://www.realcoake.com/2012/08/sugar-cone-cupcake-baking-easy-way.html
These rose pastries will impress a crowd. image and directions can be found at: http://thethriftycouple.com/2014/09/17/apple-rose-flower-pastries-dessert-recipe-delicious-easy-and-beautiful/
Sugar cone cornucopias can be filled with pretty much anything – candy, trail mix, mini crackers, etc. For this image, Host the Toast has filled them with pumpkin cream cheese. The directions can be found at: http://www.thrillist.com/eat/nation/cornucopia-cannoli-recipe-by-host-the-toast
This fruit turkey can be the star of your appetizer spread. image courtesy of Lucky Hua on Pinterest
A chocolate kiss, nilla wafer, and a chip can create these acorn cookies. Image and recipe can be found at:https://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipe-details.aspx?id=8805

 Delegating the Work Load

It won’t take much to motivate one of your kids or family members to help in making these fun foods and you may start a new tradition of having a small competition of on who can make the most creative dish. It will not only take some pressure off of you – the main cook – it will spur conversation and delight.

Have a wonderful and plentiful Thanksgiving!