Recap 3-30 to 4-5

Monday - 3-30 Wow - this week is off and running at a fast pace already. I don't think I'm gonna get anything BUT the birthday party done this week - and that's odd for me cause I am a multi-tasker extraordinaire.

Took Mom & Lucas out - shopping for groceries - (6 different stores in 1 day and we still forgot to pick up ice cream LOL) Got most of the groceries bought & put up. Broke down the burgers & dogs for the party. Little guy acted like he felt wrung out - busy W/E. Hung out with my sis for a bit (I never get to see her - she had early out from work). And the finally home & bed. Figured out something - if I come home, make my bedtime tea and take a short bath - I sleep MUCH better. Get there faster & stay asleep.

Fit-N Family time & household chore (groceries)

Tuesday - 3-31 - Oops - Lucas is SICK. I don't know what's wrong with him, but WOWSER, that little guy is down & out. Here's to hoping he gets better before his birthday. Headed over to the rents to run some errands for my dad - post office, bank, Hardees. Then did a bunch of runs to Wally World.

On the phone with DH between A/B/C and (Still chuckling) I have to say your comment just MADE my day (even if was not the nicest thing to say). You will never realize how good it felt when you jumped to my defense like that. I didn't realize how deep hurtful comments can penetrate but laughter chased them right out.

Next up - back to town for coffee with the 30s. No one under 29(& holding) allowed LOL. No drama needed. And no word vomit this time. Had a very good time talking with both of you. Especially since it was someone I have missed for awhile (Oh yeah and Damn you looking GOOD) - Thank you again.

Fit-N Family time, errands for Dad, Will & Grace Coffee/Lunch, planned daily goals.

Wednesday - 4-1 - Did you fool someone today? Got off work and hit the ground running. Over to the rent's to grab mom and the soon to be birthday boy and go pick up ice cream, meds and run some other errands for dad. Ended up staying a good chunk of the day - little dude was abso SICK. His mommy had to come home and take him to the Dr.

Since there wasn't any games planned for the BDAY extravaganza - I took it upon myself to plan and prepare at least one game. Dino Dig. I ended up baking a bunch of Dino Bones.

Fit-N Family time, creativity

Thursday - 4-2 Baked the cake in between 36 thousand other things I had to do today.

Friday - 4-3 OMG - I got up really early this morning (well for me - it was early) got dressed (applied mascara & lip gloss), ran out the door, hit target paid bill - saw the OOT family - kissed the LD - Grabbed a breve, next up Party City - helium tank & balloon, Micheals for "trees", the rents to drop off the tank, and the HOME to do the CAKE!

I freaking LOVE this cake!!!!

It came out SOOOOOO Perfect.

Fit-N Family time, creativity, financial

Saturday - 4-4 Lucas' 3rd Birthday Extravaganza - Check out the Family Ties section!

Fit-N Family time

Sunday - 4-5 Got up - but not too early, headed to the Rents, grabbed Evil Auntie (LOL), and trotted off to Edward McKay's (used book store) to see if she could find some books she wanted. I ended up with an arm load (bunch of new I guess I'll try them).

Took the Evil Auntie back to mom's, grabbed the hubby, went to Olive Garden for a late lunch/early dinner to celebrate Ashley's Bday (thank you again Mom), then DH & I went out for coffee, on the way home - spotted the street fair & stopped in for a bit. All in all a VERY fun day.

Fit-N Family time, hubby date, yoga, reading

Weekly Stats -

	Start	Previous	Current	Difference	Total
Weight	252				7

I forgot to weigh in this week - LOL

Bento 43 - Chef Salad

Packed up and ready to roll - in the Tink box my egg & pecans didn't want them getting soggy, large box lettuce, tomatoes, ham & cheese. Dressing in the small container.

And of course my latest addiction - Yogi GreenTea SlimLife Blueberry Tea, it's a party in your mouth!!


MMMMM, I love a good salad - and this is yummy. Compari Tomatoes (pure tomatoe flavor heaven), Crunchy Romain Lettuce, Delicious sliced ham, sharp cheddar cheese, and ranch.

Haven't had a smiley face in awhile - so I decided to arrange the egg, I like it.

Recap 3-23 to 3-29

Monday - 3-23 - I'm off - Spring Cleaning didn't happen. Spent the entire day RUNNING ragged with Mom, AuntiE, and others. No joke - we started at 9a and I did not even see my house until after 10:30p - 12 straight hours of non-stop shopping - well we did wrap up all the decos and needed items for the neffie's 3rd Bday Dino-travagansa Party for 20 kids. And we actually wrapped up the entire easter line up (14 kids) plus family baskets, so in all we did really good.

OMG - Bebe beat Nina - I'm addicted to RuPaul's Drag Race and now it is over and I honestly feel the wrong person won. Not that Bebe isn't a wonderful Queen - it's just Nina is so totally different and unique and SPECIAL. I agree Shannel - Rebecca should have gone home before you.

Tuesday - 3-24 - Was supposed to meet up with a friend for coffee and that didn't happen, but TG - because I managed to make a Fit-N group and met the most wonderful interesting lady. She is 85 years old, has been a "working" witch for a good deal of those years and has the most amazing list of herbology in her head & home remedies galore. Fit was a group walk today and Queen walked the pants off several of the younguns (myself included) but wow - it was truly amazing to listen to her.

Unfortunately the "friendship circle" (not affliliated with Fit-N) is crashing in and I'm afraid the kids will be the ones hurt by the sudden loss of all things witchy. The only hope is that each family continues to study on their own and hopefully they will all locate a good match - like I did. Jackie once again - thank you for you magical invitation.

Dinner - Pan Fried Chicklen Cutlet w/Brocoli

and I did FINALLY get my closet cleaned out - any one want some clothes?? There are some good pieces going bye-bye because I just plain don't like them.

Wednesday - 3-25 Considering the fact that I was asleep by 930a I would have to say that I was exhausted and seriously needed the sleep. Cooked up some Chicken Wings for dinner and tossed together a "tail gate box". No picture - it wasn't interesting. Making up the menu plan for the next 3-4 weeks so that way I can buy everything I need and concentrate on family & Fit for the next month.

Thursday - 3-26 Had a blast this morning - met a friend for a coffee/gab session (I'm gonna start calling them the Will & Grace - Go yak yak yak, My turn, yak yak yak, Your turn, yak yak yak) that really seemed to worked to lighten both of us. The only down side was the word vomit - you just start bitching about the "wife & kids" - I mean it's negative but sometimes you just have to vomit - to clean your system. Hehehe, it was too funny, but I know I feel 100% better and hopefully my refound friend will know that I can be there when they need me too. Not that I always want to have the word vomit sessions - I miss you being you!

DH & I got an invite to meet with a new group of people on Saturday - I think universe is telling me that it is time I got out again. What do you think?

I Fit-N again today - and I couldn't be more proud of myself. Dinner tonight is crock pot roast beef. Yummy.

Friday - 3-27 Picking mom up 1st thing this morning to go hit the stores for some more shopping (see Monday's Note) - I'm seriously hoping it is not a repeat. And it wasn't - just a bunch of fussing in the dressing room and I don't wear that hmmm it looks good. But we did get her an dress and a pant set so no matter which way the wedding goes - she's covered.

Oh yeah, and found out that the traditional Mother's Day brunch ain't gonna happen - Mom's going to church to hear my cousin & his kid sing (not that Ryan doesn't sing heavenly) but what happened to tradition. AND 4th of July is not gonna be traditional cause they are taking Lucas to PA for the week. *sigh* Why is it this cancel tradition stuff only works for everyone else?

Dinner is Pepper Steak minus the peppers - hehehe - thought I had a bell pepper in the fridge, but I didn't, anyhoo - loving this combo, tender strips of steak cooked with onions and a very light ginger/garlic sauce. Served up with calirice. HEAVENLY!!!

Saturday - 3-28 First off - I really don't appreciate you chasing me to bed this morning - just so I could get up early. I told you I would go to sleep & I did, but I wanted to at least get in some yoga, since I didn't Fit-N.

Got up SUPER early so I could go to a party with the hubby & I'm not certain I want to do that again EVER. You can't tell him any thing. It's raining and the roads are slick and he's trying to go 90 down a twisty road and do the whole look ma no hands bit and then gets mad at me for "Daring" to say something about it. Look dude you are driving my car - show some MotherF***ing respect. I'm about 2 steps away from packing up and walking out that door and you are seriously pushing me closer & closer. AND you know I don't approve of drinking & driving, and you think I'm just gonna let you drive home from the party after 5 beers & no food, just to prove you're a man. BULL.

On the other hand (if I quit fussing about the KOM) I met some really great people tonight & I really enjoyed the conversations. It was something different and I had fun. Can't wait to get together again - maybe go out for coffee - this time when I'm actually awake LOL. J&E - it was really nice of you to invite us and I had a great time and wow those burgers were FABU. J&J - hope you finish getting everything done with the house and complete your move.

Congrats Holly & her beau - they got hitched today. I'm glad everything went well. Lucas evidently performed the Ring Bearer duties without a hitch. (Side note - just heard - it might not have been without a hitch, but he is almost 3, did you really expect him to act like he is 6 or 7)

Dinner tonight - It's the clean out the fridge night - Leftover Roast Beef & Leftover CaliRice. And my phone is dead, so no picture tonight - sorry.

Sunday - 3-29 It felt so heavenly to SLEEP, SLEEP, and SLEEP. Wow, I needed a recharge on my battery. Because this week is going to be fun but H-E-C-T-I-C. I did yoga when I woke up while dinner was cooking. I'm having Oven Roasted Chicken, Smashed Cauliflower and a fresh salad. I think my phone battery is totally toast, I'll pick up a new one tomorrow.

Weekly Stats - as I progress I'll add more here!

	Start	Previous	Current	Difference	Total
Weight	252		245	7	7

I told you I would do it.

Hi, I'm WitchBaby aka Windy Marie Graham. I started this blog so that my family & friends could join me in my goals to become a healthier person. It's not so much about weight loss - that's just a nice by product - I want to be healthier physically, mentally, emtionally, and spiritually. So go ahead and join me on this journey! Hit the follow button to the right and away we go.

I quit smoking 5-17-08 and now I want to loose weight and shape up. Check out my before info here. Follow me as I find the real Witch Baby. Expect a weekly check in on weight loss, measurements, and the general This is a Week in My Life. And if you need some helpful words try these out. I realized that every one is not always supportive and neither am I.

I read ALOT, so I decided to join some of the reading challeges that float around the net - checkem out and hopefully I will be able to get up some honest opinions of the books I read.

I signed up for & completed the Bento Box challenge from Just Bento in January 09 and loved every minute of it - so now I'm packing a healthy lunch and making it Bento. Then I found tons of inspiration in several other really good blogs. Google it!!!

I'm Going Green and you can too.

I'm also planning for the future by jumping on the GET OUT OF DEBT TRAIN

And another thing I'm trying is to prepare for the worst (all while hoping for the best) in Girl Scouts,

Crafts are another thing that I am really interested in - currently, the categories are Scrapbooking, Candle Making, Lotions & Potions aka Homemade Bath & Body stuff, Kid Stuff, Cake decorating, and then other stuff.

And since I'm trying to mellow out Life in General (keeps my household running like a well oiled machine) & the Holidaze in particular - I'm making my life a little easier and planning things out: Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day, New Years

I'm trying out entrepreneurship and selling some Gift Baskets.

I'm keeping my cook book / recipes aka being Betty Freaking Crocker over at the cookbook.

Other ideas in the works are

• Romance 101 or Date Ideas
  
• Witchy Stuff - request to be added
  
• Party Central (whatever the occasion),
  
• Pretty much anything else that catches my attention
  

And of course - take time out to laugh.

Hehehe - I told you so. I won't promise this will be the last time the blog gets a face lift (everyone would know I'm lying anyways - I can't leave anything alone) but I think it's gonna be a bit better this way.

Paranormal 999 Challenge

Description: 9 books in 9 different categories, all read in 2009. For an added challenge, try completing your books by 9/9/09! This group is to help you track your progress on the Paranormal 999 challenge

You choose your own categories.... but you must have 9 categories and they must be paranormal....some examples are:

Vampires, Werewolves, Ghost, Witches, Wizards, Demons

Just post here or Library Thing and let us know how you're doing and the books you choose for the categories!

---

• Vampires
  
  1. Blue Bloods - Melissa De la Cruz 3-27
     
  2. Guilty Pleasures - Laurell K Hamilton 3-30
     
  3. Children of the Night - Mercedes Lackey 3-30
     
  4. Darkling - Yasmine Galenorn 6-13 Review
     
  5. Demon in My Vein - Amelia Atwater-Rhodes Review
     
  6. Fangs 4 Freaks - Robar 8-27
     
  7. Magic Burns - Ilona Andrews 8-18 Review
     
  8. Fangs 4 Freaks - Robar 8-27
     
  9. Halfway to the Grave - Frost 9-4
  
  
  
• It's Magical - Witches/Wizards/Mages
  
  1. Charmed - Nora Roberts 3-31
     
  2. Charmed: The Power of Three - Constance Burge 4-7
     
  3. So you want to be a Wizard - Diane Duane 4-2
     
  4. Circle of Three Book 1:So Mote It Be - Isobel Bird 3-31
     
  5. Bras & Broomsticks - Sarah Mlynowski 4-4
     
  6. Harm None - MR Sellars 4-23
     
  7. Witchling - Yasmine Galnorn 5-12 Review
     
  8. A Charmed Death - Madelyn Alt 5-26
     
  9. Skin Trade - Laurell K Hamilton 6-6 Review
  
  
  
• ShapeShifter
  
  1. The Snow Queen - Mercedes Lackey 4-8
     
  2. Real Vampires Don't Diet - Gerry Bartlett 4-14
     
  3. Rejar - Dara Joy 4-23
     
  4. Changling - Yasmine Galenorn 6-10 Review
     
  5. Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers - Angie Fox 7-14
     
  6. Wolf Moon - Charles DeLint 8-2 Review
     
  7. Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews 8-8 Review
     
  8. Scent of Darkness - Christina Dodd 8-11 Review
     
  9. Prey - Melinda Morel 8-21 Review
  
  
  
• The Fae/Fairies/Sidhe
  
  1. Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr 3-24 Review
     
  2. Blue Girl - Charles DeLint 3-25 Review
     
  3. Fairyville - Emma Holly 4-12 Review
     
  4. Red Headed Stepchild - Jaye Wells 5-24 Review
     
  5. The Faerie Path - Frewin Jones 6-9 Review
     
  6. Dates From Hell - Anthology (MaryJanice Davidson story)
     
  7. Kiss Of Shadow - Laurell K Hamilton 7-30 Review
     
  8. Midnight's Daughter - Karen Chance 8-17 Review
     
  9. For a few Demons More - Kim Harrison 9-4
  
  
  
• Ghosts
  
  1. The Mediator:Shadowland - Meg Cabot 4-8
     
  2. The Trouble with Magic - Madelyn Alt 4-9 Review
     
  3. Sex and the Psychic Witch - Annette Blair 4-20 Review
     
  4. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming - Joshilyn Jackson 5-27 Review
     
  5. Ghost of a Chance - Yasmine Galenorn 6-8
     
  6. Demon Mistress - Yasmine Galenorn 6-30 Review
     
  7. A Caress of Twilight - Laurell K Hamilton 8-3 Review
     
  8. The Summoning - Kelley Armstrong 8-4 Review
     
  9. Touch of Darkness - Christina Dodd 8-16
  
  
  
• Time Travel
  
  1. The Very Virile Viking - Sandra Hill 4-24
     
  2. Child of a Rainless Year - Jane Lindskold 4-24
     
  3. Moreta:DragonLady of Pern - Anne McCaffrey 6-11
     
  4. Goddess of the Night - Lynn Ewing 6-21 Review
     
  5. The Iron Hunt - Marjorie M Liu 7-16 Review
     
  6. Breath of Magic - Theresa Mediros 8-29
     
  7. Claimed By Shadow - Karen Chance 9-1
     
  8. BloodFever - Karen Moning 9-10
     
  9. 
     
  
  
  
  
• Mythical Creatures
  
  1. Necklace of Kisses (Mermaid) - Francesca Lia Block 4-9
     
  2. DragonSong (Dragons) - Anne McCaffrey 4-5 Review
     
  3. Dragon Wytch (Unicorn) - Yasmine Galenorn 6-19 Review
     
  4. Magic's Pawn (Companions) - Mercedes Lackey 7-7 Review
     
  5. Fairy Godmother (Unicorn) - Mercedes Lackey 7-31
     
  6. Must Love Dragons (Dragon) - Stephanie Rowe 8-15
     
  7. Eragon (Dragon) - Christopher Paolini 8-30
     
  8. Furies of Calderon (Furies) - Jim Butcher 9-8
     
  9. Over My Dead Body (Dragons) - Michele Bardsley 9-11
     
  
  
  
• Psychics or Other paranormal Talent
  
  1. When Lightning Strikes - Meg Cabot 4-9
     
  2. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen 4-25 Review
     
  3. With Red Hands - Stephen Woodworth 5-17
     
  4. Dark Summer - Iris Johansen 5-30
     
  5. Dark Nights, Dark Dreams - Savannah Russe 6-3 Review
     
  6. Witch Way To Murder - Shirley Damsgaard 6-9
     
  7. Magic's Promise - Mercedes Lackey 7-9 Review
     
  8. Gone With the Witch - Annette Blair 8-6 Review
     
  9. Into the Shadows - Christina Dodd 8-31
  
  
  
• Angels/Demons/Gods/Goddesses
  
  1. Witch Blood - Anya Bast 4-16
     
  2. Girls Just Haunt to Have Fun - Victoria Laurie 5-22 Review
     
  3. Living With the Dead - Kelley Armstrong 5-29
     
  4. Accidental Demon Slayer - Angie Fox 6-18
     
  5. Night Huntress - Yasmine Galenorn 6-25 Review
     
  6. Deja Demon - Julie Kenner 7-3 Review
     
  7. Secondhand Spirits - Juliet Blackwell 7-26
     
  8. Kiss of a Demon King - Kresley Cole 8-10 Review
     
  9. Goddess of Light - PC Cast 9-3 Review
  
  

2009 YA Reading Challenge

Guidelines for 2009 Young Adult Book Challenge

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. Read 12 Young Adult novels. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.
4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

Go to J Kaye's Book Blog to see the starting point.

---

1)The Blue Girl - Charles de Lint Finished 3-25-09
2)Blue Bloods - Melissa De la Cruz Finished 3-27-09
3)Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares Finished 3-28-09
4)Circle of Three Book 1: So Mote It Be - Isobel Bird Finished 3-29-09
5)Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr Finished 3-30-09
6)So You Want to Be a Wizard - Diane Duane Finished 4-2-09
7)Bras & Broomsticks - Sarah Mlynowski Finished 4-4-09
8)DragonSong - Anne McCaffrey Finished 4-5-09
9)Charmed: The Power of Three - Constance Burge Finished 4-7-09
10)The Mediator: Shadowland - Meg Cabot Finished 4-8-09
11)Necklace of Kisses - Francesca Lia Block Finished 4-9-09
12)When Lightning Strikes - Meg Cabot Finished 4-9-09

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Book Description

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.

Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.

But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.

---

I love having friends who are too busy to read - A coworkers daughter saw this book and wanted to read it. Since she is 14, mom bought the book, brought it to me to read, & get my opinion.

It is a really alternative lifestyles book - characters have tats & pierce EVERYTHING, but hey that is the scene in a lot of places. I wouldn't necessarily recommended it for then younger YA audience due to some mildly adult commentary & situations. For any YA reader - have a trusted adult read (or yourself) it first and make sure that it doesn't cross your personal line. (In this case I did feel that it crossed the line for this particular 14 year old.)

Personally, I was really impressed with her style of writing. It is not overly wordy and yet remains extremely descriptive. Ms Marr writes along the lines of a DeLint or LiaBlock and I just adore their books, so it's no big shock that I ended up adding her to my TBR.

A-Z Reading Challege

Updated 3-31-09

A
6-15 Accidental Demon Slayer - Angie Fox
5-26 Alt, Madelyn - A Charmed Death

B
3-25 Blue Girl - Charles De Lint
3-29 Bird, Isobell - Circle of Three:So Mote it Be

C
3-31 Charmed - Nora Roberts
4-8 Cabot, Meg - The Mediator:Shadowland

D
4-5 DragonSong - Anne McCaffrey
3-27 De la cruz, Melissa - Blue Bloods

E
6-21 Ewing, Lynn - Goddess of the Night Review


F
4-12 Fairyville - Emma Holly
7-14 Fox, Angie - Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers


G
4-25 Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen
5-12 Galenorn, Yasmine - Witchling

H
4-23 Harm None - MR Sellars
3-30 Hamilton, Laurell - Guilty Pleasures

I
5-20 In Between Men - Mary Castille

J
4-22 Joy, Dara - Rejar

K
7-30 Kiss of Shadow - Laurell K Hamilton Review
7-3 Kenner, Julie - Deja Demon

L
5-29 Living with the Dead - Kelley Armstrong
3-30 Lackey, Mercedes - Children of the Night

M
6-11 Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
6-18 Marr, Melissa - Ink Exchange

N
4-9 Necklace of Kisses - Franseca Lia Block
8-19 Nash, - You are so Cursed

O
9-11 Over My Dead Body - Michele Bardsley

P
3-29 Promises in Death - JD Robb
8-28 Palmer, Robin - Cindy Ella

Q

R
4-14 Real Vampires Don't Diet - Gerry Bartlett
4-6 Ravenwolf, Silver - Hedgewitch

S
4-2 So You Want to Be A Wizard - Diane Duane
8-19 Sinor Dr, Barbara - Addiction

T
4-9 Trouble With Magic - Madelyn Alt

U
6-10 Um, Like Om: Girl's Guide to Yoga - Evan Cooper

V
4-23 Very Virile Viking - Sandra Hill
7-31 Vorpagel, Russell - Profiles in Murder Review


W
3-30 Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr
5-24 Wells, Jaye - Red Headed Stepchild

X

Y


Z
6-10 Zeer, Darrin - Office Spa

Bento 41 - Pepper Steak

Minus the peppers - hehehe - thought I had a bell pepper in the fridge, but I didn't, anyhoo - loving this combo, tender strips of steak cooked with onions and a very light ginger/garlic sauce. Served up with calirice.

I wanna Swap

I have just be introduced to the world of swapping :) and I thought it was a wonderful idea.

Now the sort of stuff I have to swap:

• American Candies
  
• Stationery, memos, pencils, stickers, erasers, letter sets ect
  
• Movies (mostly DVD's but I do have some VHS
  
• Books - I read a lot
  
• Post cards
  
• Scrapbook papers, stickers, etc
  
• Other Craft items
  
• CDs
  
• Lip Gloss / Make Up / Body Stuff
  
• Teas, coffees, cups & mugs
  
• And the list goes on and on, but you get the idea

The stuff i would like receive:

• Bento Stuff - I just started bentoing and I love it
  
• Stationery, memos, pencils, stickers, erasers, letter sets ect
  
• Movies & Music - I want to broaden my horizons
  
• Anything Kawaii
  
• Books, Magazines & Comics
  
• Scrapbook papers, stickers, etc
  
• Anything you think I'll like - Just please include a letter (it is always nice to know a little about the person, and of course I will write back)

100 Books You MUST READ!!

Known fact: I love books. So I was cruising blogs, when I found this list. It’s the 100 Books You MUST Read, or something along those lines.

The Average Adult has evidently read about six of them. I read too much cause I’ve read 45 of them.

Instructions:
-Bold the books you’ve read.
-Italicize the books you plan on reading eventually.

---

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. Harry Potter series - JK Rowling (The 1st book was the best)
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (Excellent book.)
6. The Bible
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. 1984 - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. Adventures of Huck Finn - Mark Twain
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown The book is 1 bazillion times better than the movie
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47. Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood Very interesting read - cool movie
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Marten
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac (partial read)
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones’ Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92.The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. Divine Comedy - Dante
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

The Very Good Taste Omnivore's 100 List

Rules:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

---

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail (does the candy count??)
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (A resturant near hear used to feature a Roadkill Chicken sandwich w/tire tracks on it - does that count?)
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Let's Loose Some Weight

I'm not a diet expert. I'm simply going to share some of the tips I discovered which helped me knock off pounds. I'd suggest you find a diet you can live with - and stick to it!

I didn't read or find a particular diet that I can tell you about. I asked a few people I felt knew what they were talking about for a few pointers. The only diet I have seen that makes any sense to me, is the one geared around our blood type. I buy into that concept.

The most basic rule of dieting is simplest: you have to take in less calories than you expend, in order to lose weight. The only way this happens is with regular exercise. If you try dieting without exercise, your results will be minimal - unless you starve yourself - which is very unhealthy.

Tip # 1: Portions are crucial. I doubt any one thing helped me more, than cutting back on the "actual" portions I consumed. I always had trouble when dining out - because I was raised to "finish my plate". However, the key to weight loss is to stop eating - just short - of getting full.

Tip # 2: Chewing your food. A big part of getting all the nutrients as well as maintaining a good digestive system, is completely chewing your food. This was "big" for me - because I'm always in a hurry. I used to drive everyone crazy with how "fast I ate". Initially, I just couldn't get the hang of this - old habits die hard.

The "trick" that finally got me over the hump was making a rule of "setting my fork down" - between bites.

Tip # 3: No (or minimal) carbohydrates after 2:00PM. Carbs play a key role in burning off fat. However...after 2:00PM - they rarely have enough time to "break down" before you hit the sack. Thus, they have a habit of becoming "love handles" - if I don't manage them correctly. Try to stick to "protein" in the afternoon and evening: egg whites, chicken, - (my favorite - canned tuna in spring water), etc.

Tip # 4: Salads. I happen to love blue cheese salad dressing. I had a friend in Weight Watchers who gave me a tip that really helped me with "this". Order your dressing "on the side" - and dip your fork into the dressing before filling your fork with lettuce. You'll get the flavor you are after, but only consume about a fifth of what you'd normally put on your salad. It will feel a little "light" at first - but you'll get used to it. Just think about that hot little bathing suit you'd love to put on. *Smile*

Tip # 5: The thing that helped me the most was fruit drinks. I can usually stick to a basic diet, but it's those "in between" times I have a hard time getting through. I mix orange juice and cranberry (sometimes add apple juice) and add crushed ice - to a large glass. I focus on "chewing" the ice - not drinking the liquid. It's almost like eating sherbet ice cream.

Tip # 6: Water. Nothing will get you losing weight faster than drinking water. I have a close doctor friend that is an Internist who once told me: "If people drank the eight glasses of water they were supposed to every day, I'd be out of business." I could never get into this habit, until I started buying gallon jugs of water. You can "chug" them so easily. Keep them all over the house - at your work area, in the kitchen, next to your bed - and take a "swig" - every chance you get.

An important note: Most everyone actually gains weight when they first start a decent diet combined with exercise. Anticipate this. Don't get discouraged. If you'll stick to your exercise and diet - the weight will start rolling off in no time.

You go Girlfriend!! ::))

Bento 40 - Italian Pan Fried Chicken

A very delectable italian herb encrusted pan fried chicken breast with fresh steamed brocoli and an 5cheese sauce.

Bento 39 - Low Fat Enchiladas

Thanks to a new friend that I made - got a recipe for homemade enchiladas that eliminate a lot of the fat and makes them oh so yummy. Also, use lettuce wraps instead of wraps.

Week in Review

Monday - 3-16 - Worked last night. Had Chicken & Pastry for dinner - no picture cause finances suck right now. Maybe I'll ask for a new camera for my birthday.

For those of you who don't actually know me. I work third shift usually from midnight to nine am. A lot of days when I get off work, I head over to my parent's house (been married for 45 years) and take care of what ever errands they need done. Sometimes it's grocery shopping (like today), sometimes it's take Lucas (my nephew) or entertain him for a little while.

Spent the morning with Mom & Lucas. I love my Mom - she is just ultra supportive and loving. Just being around her makes me feel better most days. And Lucas - wow what a trip today. 1st he didn't want to go shopping & then when I told him we had to go get a cake mix - he couldn't get in the car fast enough. Let's GO!!!! Stopped for a quick bite to eat, then headed out on a cake mix hunt (we were grocery shopping, but Lucas was happy & content because we were hunting cake mix) - And wow - let me tell you I'm shopping with Mom at South Post from now on (provided I can use my recycled bags next time) - bought a buggy load full and didn't spend that much. And to top it all off - they have my tea there for almost $2 less than anywhere else. Mom bought me a box to say thank you for taking time out of my day to help her with her groceries.

And then the day tanked - went home (in the pouring cold rain) - couldn't get my cooler to come out of the car & got soaked trying. Finally made it inside & started dinner - made my cuppa bedtime tea and took my bath. Curled up in bed and Thump-thump thump-thump. Stupid music. Right beside my bedroom. My neighbors are selfish idiots. Would you hand your car keys to a 12 year old and say - here go listen to the radio, momma wants to get stoned. This stupid twat hands her keys to her kid and says put your baby brother in the car and I'll be out in a few minutes. And the 12year old goes out and starts the car and turns the radio up FULL BLAST!!! I hate idiots.

Tuesday - 3-17 St Patrick's Day - Did you remember to wear the green!!!

Well I remembered to wear green - even if I woke up late because of above. Nearly freaked out thinking "lovely I haven't even got time to set up a simple bento - and no frozen foods to go either". Then my husband makes my week. "honey you put a roast in the slow cooker, but didn't put anything else with it - I made Beef & Rice is that okay" As he is packing my bento box into my cooler. How sweet is that? I really wish I had a picture cause he tried to draw a smiley face in the food with rice. Too cute.

Work was same old same old tonight - but I am trying a new take on complaining. Instead of saying "OMG the stupid people keep calling" it is now "Thank you stupid people - you are putting cash in my pocket". It seems to be working. Reinstated the Catch All Notebook (CAN) - 1st entry - Go to Mom's and bake cupcakes!!!! for St Patrick's Day!! Met my rents at Hardee's for breakfast - swapped cars with my dad & then took my Mom & the neffie back to her house. Rounded up all the implements to bake with (while Lucas was underfoot the ENTIRE time - but then that's the fun in baking with the under 5 crowd). He was so ULTRA excited to bake GREEN cupcakes, but did get upset that he didn't get to pinch me. He was just too cute - after baking & icing - we took a pair of pretty fairy cakes up to Grandma & Grandpa Great (as Lucas calls them aka my grandparents). Then settled down on the couch to watch Beverly Hills Chihuaha.

Wednesday - 3-18 - Casual Day at work and then I'm off. I curled my hair before I went to bed and WOW I had a ton of curls when I woke up, but they didn't really stay. Note for next time add some product then roll then sleep.

I really wasn't feeling like waking up - but I got up early enough to watch "The Mentalist" (wasn't impressed with this episode), but missed "NCIS". (Caught the missed episode on CBS.com - gotta love TV on demand) - dinner was Chicken Wings, Celery Sticks, & some chips. I wasn't into a "meal" tonight.

Ended up over at the Rent's after work - even though I wanted to just go home. And then I ended up having to DRIVE to Mt Olive, because my dad forgot to pack his printer when he went out on assignment. I was wasted after that - totally wasted. And needless to say no the closet did not get finished.

Thursday - 3-19 - Woke up with a MASSIVE headache and just feeling yucky - arguement w/the hubby about something really stupid - got into it with my mom - life stinks. Enough said. Oh yeah I'm OC today so I can't do anything.

Friday - 3-20 - Happy Ostara!! Hmmm, I did something a little different today, went out and met up with the girls for Fit-N. It was soooo much fun, working out and then afterward grabbing water, camping out on yoga mats and going over a bunch of stuff. WOW - I'm really glad that I opened my heart to finding these wonderful ladies. I'm certain these sessions will help lead to a healthier me. It was just so super pleasant to get together with real working functioning witches and discuss openly tactics for handling everything from where to get your ritual supplies to wannabes & posers. No stupidity, no drama.

Work mid to 7a and then I shall sleep away my saturday - I'm just really glad that I should have some time off next working week. I put in for it anyway. Dinner consisted of Chicken Cordon Bleu done healthy, garlic mashed "potatoes", and green beans almondine. - Can't you tell I had left overs for my dinner. Ended up working way later than I expected but hey it's worth it.

Saturday - 3-21 I ended up putting in an extra hour Friday night due to a coworker being sick and another just acting like a fool. And OMG, you should hear the make believe drama going on in my life right now, but I'm not supposed to be spreading hate, ask me in a PM and maybe I'll let you in on all the BS. But hey it's all good because I actually have better things to do with my time. Like Fit-N!!! I loved it. Thank You Jackie so much for inviting me. And I can't wait to see you Sunday!! It's gonna rock.

Dinner is lowfat high flavor Enchiladas, love the recipe Roberta - you were right. That little extra is what makes it supper yummy.

Sunday - 3-22 *SIGH* I have to add another 1.5 hours to my schedule today, but it's all good cause that means OVERTIME. And once I leave work - I'm off for the next two days. Ostara ritual here I come, then Challenge, then eventually bed! I'll tell you how it went later!!!! And no baby drama the next couple of days.

Update!!! OMG it was the best day EVER - breakfast with my wonderful hubby, workout with Fit-N group, ritual, new metaphysical shop, coffee date, and then a wonderful dinner out also with my hubby!!

Back Up Brain

First lets explain what the Notebook is all about. This is a second brain for most of us! It houses all those to do that we need to do and remember.

Step One - Get yourself a notebook. This notebook can be spiral bound or loose leaf in a binder. I would suggest a smallish one that can fit into your purse or pocket. It can be pretty or plain or just about anything as long as it is portable.

Step two - Set up your categories - but start a few pages into the notebook. I use the one page per day system & set up each page as To Do, To Call, To Check, To Go, To Pay, Notes (you get the idea) - Then at the BACK of the notebook I put a label - reference. More on that later.

Step three - You wanted to know why I said start a few pages in - on page one write at the top of this page Quotes! This will be your place to write all of the quotes that inspire you which you come across each day!

Step four - Grab all those lose pieces of paper and start filling in the areas with current to do’s - go wild - make notes for a couple of days.

And Finally - this step is probably the most important! Carry it with you everywhere you go! That's why you need to make sure it is portable.

**A reference is anything you need to remember but really does not have an action step with it! Numbers, websites, a possible book to read, a movie to see, a website that you want to check out

**The more you get out of your head and into the notebook the more brain power you free to use on other things. The key is to make sure to visit it each night so you can reflect on what the next day holds for you.

Week in Review

Monday - 3-9 Off today - Spring Cleaning Anyone??? Would have loved to start - but I have NO HOT WATER!!! Sigh - this is a major disadvantage to living where I do. Upkeep Sucks! Maybe tomorrow. Waited and waited for the Maintnance Crew.

Tuesday - 3-10 And continued to wait for the maintnance crew - and just as I was about to start screaming in agony - they showed up. Hmmmm, the hot water heater had a melt down. Cindy came over for a little while today. Dinner and bento was "What's in the Fridge" Pasta and a salad. It was really really yummy.


Wednesday - 3-11 Full moon madness - Made extra sure I got up early today so I could celebrate the full moon with the hubby. Did a power circle and Prosperity Flow spell. Hopefully these will help in the coming months. Quick burgers & fries for dinner.


Thursday - 3-12 This is so not my day (and this is personal rant if you don't want to hear it skip down to the next paragraph) - as some of you know - My job is undergoing a MAJOR change as we speak and we should be switching over to a new system soon. Well yesterday I got word that it would be May 1, 2009. This morning I asked when I could expect to get trained on the new system and (duh duh duhhhh) I was told "that is still not clear" - now to me that means either

Arghh!!! As most of you know my meals are for one day - but then I take pics of them on the next calendar day (cause I work 3rds) - And Friday the 13th struck me down - ahhhh!!! My camera won't snap pics and my phone won't send them to the blog. *sigh* Dinner was another all american - pot roast.

Friday - 3-13 Another Friday the 13th - won't hold me back! This is the most traditional bento I've had lately (even if I did forget the egg rolls) so I borrowed a co worker and got this picture. I even put roe in the rice - it was soooooo yummy.


Saturday - 3-14 No picture tonight. Camera is still down and the phone is acting wonky. Chicken salad for a ultra yummy change. I tackled the OC and (LOL) I spent way too much time in BimboLand tonight. But I think I'm getting the hang of this editing thing.

Sunday - 3-15 Today was heavenly - I slept SOOOOO good. It was raining all day. I started the crock pot when I got home (cooked the chicken that way) and then after Jim got up for the day - he added the noodles and let it cook some more. Yet again - no picture, but I had a cold wet day staple - Chicken & Pastry.

Bento 38 - Teriyaki chicken plus

My phone and camera are still down - but I borrowed a friends because this has to be one of the most traditional meals I may ever have LOL.

So From Top to Bottom

1C Fried Rice with salmon furikake topped with Roe
Teriyaki chicken Cut into bite sized pieces
Water Chestnuts
Sugar Snap Peas & Brocoli
Carrot Disks
Crab & Cucumber Maki (riceless sushi) with Ginger

I loves me Baby

Bento 37 - All American Burger and Fries

I was feeling like an american classic today - only problem I left the lettuce & tomato at home. *sigh*

Bento 36 - What's in the Fridge Pasta

Recap 3-2 to 3-8

Monday - 3-2 I just tossed together a "Southern" Bento - fried chicken, gravy & rice.


Tuesday - 3-3 Off work today due to dentist appt - I love Dr Barbaro, but I hate going to the dentist.

Wednesday - 3-4 Off work (normal day off) - Spent today at ChuckE Cheese with the neffie and the GeeGee (my Mom) - He totally had a blast riding all the ride ons, playing games, and eating pizza. Check out the pics.




Thursday - 3-5 OC today - started off fairly well, then got called in. *sigh* There goes my 3 day weekend LOL. It's all good, a coworker was sick and I know how much of a PITA it is coming in when you are sick. So I ended up working - wasn't a full shift so I didn't bring in a bento.

Friday - 3-6 Up early today, so I could go bake a Bday cake with the neffie. He just loves to bake. However today - he was most insistant that we were supposed to be making HIS birthday cake - "DINOSAURS aunt wee". The cake pictures were too dark - I knew I should have used the camera and not the phone. (no lunch or cake picture today - my phone is acting crazy)

Saturday - 3-7 Woke up late and totally not functioning (I hate getting too much sleep) Dinner was fast food - pizza rolls and Evian

Sunday - 3-8 - off work - Had a wonderful date with my DH. He's the greatest - took me out to dinner (FYI Patron is GOOD)and then cause there weren't any movies I've been dying to see. Bought me Another Cinderella Story (SO CUTE) I love the Disney Stars!!

Fake Bento

I really didn't feel like cooking.

Carnival of Fun

Alternate Names: "child's name"'s Carnival

Invitations:Use your imagination

• Large Colorful Ticket to the Carnival - *include 1 per child* Entitles bearer to fun, food, and a great time +20 tickets
  
• Clown Faces (use Paper Plates to make a mask - all party info on the backside)
  
• Popcorn Buckets w/the info on the inside
  
• Animal Crackers w/the info printed & glued to one side
  

Decorations: Think bold

• use bright colors red/white, blue/yellow, multi-colors
  
• Set up multiple game stations with banners "Face Painting HERE!!" "Pop any balloon - win a PRIZE" "Fortunes told Here" - Use card board boxes painted in bright colors
  
• Paint a large cut out face for pictures
  
• Ticket Booth
  
• Balloons & Streamers all over
  
• Popcorn Boxes - red/white striped "boxes" w/balloons stapled to the top
  
• Attach a helium balloon to each child's chair - write their names on it with permanent marker
  
• Hang paper towel holders with string (connected to both ends) as little trapezes and hang stuffed animals on them. Best if you hang these higher than the kids' height so they won't fool with them.
  
• Balloon animals - A fun thing to do is blow up lots of long balloons beforehand and put them all in a big empty (and clean) trash can. Place the balloon can in a corner of the party area. This is where the kids can come with their parents to make balloon animals
  
  

Treat Bag Items:Instead of just goody bags use a prize redemption center where you trade tickets for prizes to go into the treat bag - use small items 10-15 tickets, medium items 15-30 tickets, large items 30+ tickets - ideas (or adjust to fit your items)

• whistles
  
• kazoos
  
• spinning top
  
• lollipops
  
• hard candy
  
• card game
  
• silly putty
  
• yo yo
  
• Bouncy Balls
  
• any cheapie bag of toy
  
• paddle ball
  
• punching balloon
  
• Any small item can be used
  

Food:Serve food like a vendor at a circus. Make a tray by cutting off the bottom of a box and spray painting it. Make holes on the sides and string through rope to use as a shoulder harness

• Corn Dogs
  
• Candy Apples
  
• Popcorn
  
• Cotton Candy
  
• Soft Pretzels
  
• Hot Dogs
  
• Peanuts (best with the shells)
• corn on the cob
  
• Colorful candies (M&M's, skittles, gumdrops, jelly beans, etc.)
  
• string cheese
  
• watermelon
  
• Animalwiches - use animal cookie cutters to cut out shapes of ham, bread, & cheese
  
• Pizza
  

Drink:

• Tea
  
• Fruit Punch
  
• Lemonade
  
• Magic Punch
  

Cake:

• Clown Face Cutout Cake
  
• Fairground Sheet Cake
  
• Burried Clown Cake
  

Games:Use the formula 1 ticket for 1 ball/color, 2 tickets for 2 balls/color, 3 tickets for 3 balls/color

• Ping Pong Toss - glue 16 or 20 small cups to a piece of wood (cups about 1-2 inches apart) give each child 3 ping pong balls to try
  
• Balloon Dart Pop - using small balloons - thumbtack them to a cork or other soft wood surface - 3 darts per try
  
• Bean Bag Toss - using 3 bean bags & 3 size coffee cans - paint the insides to reflect different colors - smallest can is worth the most points
  
• Ring Toss - place 10-15 small bottles with different colored liquid inside into a small box - each child gets 3-5 rings
  
• Pin the Nose on the Clown - like pin the tail on the donkey
  
• Penny Toss - toss pennies onto a flat surface with circles painted
  
• Mouse Holes - use a cardboard box and three golf balls. Cut 3 "mouse holes" on the box. Use a piece of Tape to mark the starting point. The children roll the balls and attempt to get them into the holes. I cut the holes in various sizes for different skill levels
  
• Lollipop Tree - With 3 different colored markers, place a dot on the end of each lollipop stick and insert them into the Styrofoam ball. The players pick one lollipop and collects a prize from the corresponding prize bag.
  
• Jelly Bean Guess - who ever guesses a number closest to the actual number takes the jar home.
  
• Knockdown - Put empty tin cans on a table in the form of a pyramid and let the kids throw beanbags or balls at them. If they knock down a certain amount, they get a prize. You can also have the kids use water guns to squirt water at the tin cans and knock them down.
  
• Feed the Lion - On a big cardboard box paint the face of a lion with a hole for his mouth. Designate a throwing line and let the kids toss beanbags into the lion's mouth.
  

Carnival Booths:

• Fortune Teller/Gypsy - use Oreo Cookie Divination
  
• Face Painting
  
• Temporary Tattoos
  

Active Games:

• Clown Tag - This game needs lots of room - like a backyard. Split into two groups - each team gets their own Clown Nose and color of crepe paper. Tie the crepe paper around the waists of each player - like a belt. The goal is to rip off the other teams belts before they rip off yours. Once a player gets de-belted, they sit down. The last person left standing with his belt on wins.
  
• Circus Acts - Stage your own Lion Tamer Show in the center ring. Get the Lion Tamer Straw Pith Helmet and a Lion Hat. Hear the Roar! This lion hat is a great way to be king of the jungle and entertain your guests. Have guests be performers. Write stunts on paper and let each child pick one. Then they take turns acting out the stunt: walking a straight line for a tight rope; dancing like a trained dog; roaring like a lion; walking and imitating an elephant; stunts like a clown; swinging on a trapeze.
  
• Bubble Mania - This is one of those kids birthday party ideas that's always tons of fun. You can designate a section to be the bubble section. On a small table put out bubble liquid and accessories (you can put fly swatters, little bubble wands, take metal hangers and sculpt them into a circle with a handle, etc.) and let everyone make their own huge bubbles
  
• Party Hat/Goody Bag Decorating - Set up a table and place precut cone-shaped paper hats (take large square or rectangular shaped patterned papers and roll them into a cone, staple it to hold and trim the edges so that the brim is even). Then you can give the kids all kinds of things to decorate with, such as markers, glitter, pompoms, etc. After the hat has dried from the decorations seal the seam with tape and staple on an elastic cord to put under the chin.
  
• Musical Clown Noses - This game has the same concept as musical chairs. Place a pile of red sponge clown noses on a table or on the floor and have the kids walk around them in a fairly large circle while music is playing. Once the music is turned off the kids need to grab a nose and put it on (there needs to be one less clown nose than there are kids). Whoever is left with no clown nose to put on needs to leave the game. The game continues until there is one kid remaining (who is the winner).
  
• Mystery Box - Take a large box and cut out one side of it. Then put a little sheet over the cut out side so that you can lift it when you need to and cover it when you need to. On the other side cut two armholes. Then take two sleeves from an old sweatshirt and duct-tape them to the holes so that no one peeks through the holes. Then let the kids stick in their arms and only by touch they need to guess what's in the box. Since the other side is open you can always change the objects. You can put ordinary things like a toothbrush, spatula, light bulb, or even wet and gross things like a squished ripe tomato :-). You can then paint the outside with bright colors and cover it with lots of big question marks.
  

Characters:other wise know as what friend can you con

• Clown
  
• Magician
  
• Ringmaster
  
• Strongman
  
• Animals
  
• Fortune Teller/Gypsy
  

Rentals: This depends on your budget

• Pony Rides
  
• Petting Zoo
  
• Cotton Candy Machine
  
• Helium Tanks (for balloons)
  
• Slushy/Sno Cone Machine
  
• Bouncy Tent
  
• Dunking Booth
  

Fairy Land

Once upon a time - A little fairy dreamt up the most enchanting child birthday party idea ever seen. And here is her very own child birthday 'fairybration'.

Alternate Names:Tinkbell's Garden, Fairy Haven,

Invitations:

• Take a rectangular piece of paper (so that the long side is horizontal to you) and fold in both of the sides to the middle so it looks like a gate.
  
• Cut out magical wands (a long rectangle for the stick and a star for the top of the wand). Using a silver gel pen, or any other nice pen, you can write a poem on the rectangular paper before rolling it up.
  
• Wording for invitations
  
  
  
  • "Fairies, fairies, did you hear? (Your child name)'s birthday is this year! You'll dance, you'll eat, and you'll have sweet fun - you'll be a fairy before it's all done."
    
  • "Wear you fairy best, a tutu will do. You wings and accessories await you. The party is at (time), please say you'll fly by. (Birthday child's name) god-mother awaits your reply!"
    
  • "Far, far away, in a magical place, sits a small little fairy, with her soft smiling face. She waits for her friends, in the warm summer sun; won't you come on (date of the party) to join the fun? With fun foods to eat, and fun games to play, your arrival at (time of the party) will make (kid's name's) day. She anxiously waits, as each day passes by, while her fairy parents await your reply" (and then write RSVP and your phone #).
    
  • "Take a peek through the garden gate". Then on the inside put lots of fairy and butterfly stickers peeking out through holes you've cut in the gate itself. Inside you can write: "The garden fairies have gathered to celebrate a special day for a great little fairy" (and add her name and age). "Please come join the fairybration".
    
  
  

You can also write that all the fairies come dressed in their fairy best - and boys in their pixie best. Don't forget to add a lot of fairy dust (glitter and confetti), and possibly fairy stickers to the invitation (you can also enclose fairy tattoos).

Side Note - For thank you notes, you can write something witty like "Thank you Fairy Much".

Decorations

• The dominant colors of your Fairy birthday party should be lavender, pink, purple, blue cream and silver (and more pastel-like colors).
  
• Hang Metallic foil curtains in the doorway so the kids will feel like they are entering a magical place.
  
• A fun child birthday party idea is to throw some sparkle glitter on the guests as they arrive or set up a cool bubble machine in the entrance to shower the guests and get them into the fairy mood as the arrive.
  
• Take flowers (even real ones) and tie their stems to clear fishing line and hang them from the ceiling. For a different effect hang them from colored yarn.
  
• Place flowers in vases all around the house and disperse them on tables and shelves.
  
• If you have a garden or a nearby park, it can serve as a great setting for the kids to eat and play.
  
• If the party is at night, another idea is to line the pathway to your house with different colored lunch bags half filled with sand and with a candle inside. The bags glow magnificently once you light the candles (you can also punch holes in the top part of the bag to create twinkling stars).
  
• Add the magical touch by decorating the party area with white Christmas lights.
  
• Scatter confetti in a path leading to the house and on the floor in the party area, telling the kids that those are "fairy footprints."
  
• To make an outdoor fairy garden, cut out cardboard toadstools, giant paper flowers and beanstalks. Attach all cutouts to garden stakes to create the fairyland scene. Make a gumdrop tree by hanging small bags of gumdrops on tree branches using ornament hooks.
  

Costumes:
Dress up your little girl as a fairy with ballet clothes and a garland.
If you have some spare time on your hands, you can make your own fairy wings. It's lots of fun, let alone rewarding.

If you've made or purchased fairy wings, have each guest earn them as they arrive by going outside and looking for a little fairy hidden in the yard. Once a guest finds a fairy, they can go choose wings and put them on. This can also be used as an ice-breaker game.

Ice-Breaker Activities

• Transformation Stations -make your guests feel like dainty little fairies with a sparkly makeover.
  
  
  
  • fingernail station - you can offer a couple of different non-toxic nail polish in bright sparkling colors (use a blow dryer to dry them quickly or ask each little fairy to flick her fingers in the air for about sixty seconds).
    
  • lipgloss station - you'll need your choice of lip gloss that sparkles
    
  • Glitter station - glitter blush or eye shadow, and tiny prismatic stickers to jazz up the activity.
    
  
  
• Beaded Wand Activity - Have the kids make wands out of wooden steak skewers. Prepare star shapes out of any thick paper. Have the kids glue on a star to the tip of the wooden skewer, and then glue another one, to the back of the first star, so that the wooden skewer isn't seen (so for each wand, 2 stars are needed). Once the glue is dry, either spray paint the whole thing silver, having the kids decorate it, or let them color their stars with markers, stickers, etc. And, of course, have them sprinkle different color fairy dust (glitter) over their wands to make then truly magical.
  
• Beaded Fairy Ring Activity - This is a fun fairy activity in which the girls make their magic rings and can then swirl them above their heads and watch the ribbons flutter in the air.
  
• Fairy Craft Area - Necklace-Making Child Birthday Party Idea or this box-of-beads kit. Or, for the sake of simplicity, have the kids make tasty edible necklaces out of licorice string, fruit loops, cheerios, and gummy lifesavers.
  
• Plastic Champagne Glasses - Another cool party idea is to get a bunch of plastic champagne glasses and have the kids decorate them with stickers, markers, stick-on jewels, glitter, etc. Later on, the kids'll love using these glasses as their drinking glasses.
  

Drink:

• Magic Punch
  
• Fairy fizz - Place a full glass of red punch in front of each guest and add some fairy dust (a few Pop Rocks candies) to each cup. The kids just love it when the candy crackles, pops, and splits when it comes into contact with the liquid.
  
• Sparkling apple cider
  
• Fairy punch (raspberry sherbet and Sprite)
  
• Pink lemonade
  
• Strawberry tea (If you want to add more of that strawberry taste to your strawberry tea, do the following: make half a pot of strawberry tea with three bags, let it steep a bit and then add a few drops of strawberry extract and three or four drops of red coloring. Then add milk and sugar to taste
  

Food:

• Fairy Wand Cookies - Simply use your favorite sugar cookie recipe or get the Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies. Roll out the dough, and cut it out using a star-shaped cookie cutter (then bake according to instructions). As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, and are still warm and soft to the touch, carefully push a plastic straw or wooden skewer (with the tip cut off) between any two points of the star (this makes the handle for your magic fairy wand). Then frost the cookies with glossy icing. You can also add a few drops of food coloring in the dough for different colored wands (these wand cookies are a bit fragile, but they're very tasty and fun treats to eat!
  
• Fairy Bread - Lightly butter white bread, spread with lots of sprinkles, and cut into triangles.
  
• Fairy Burgers - Cut the hamburgers into star shapes with star cookie cutters.
  
• Hotdog wands
  
• Cream cheese and strawberry jam sandwiches (you can cut these with star, heart, diamond etc. shaped cookie cutters)
  
• Jewel Salad (a salad with dried cranberries, golden raisins, cherries etc.)
  
• Fruits out of wine glasses (or in a watermelon basket where you can cut the watermelon with heart, star, diamond etc. shaped cookie cutters)
  
• Magic wands (pretzel rods dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with star-shaped decorations or just plain sprinkles)
  
• Fresh-fruit wands (take wooden steak skewers and put grapes, strawberries, and other cut fruit on them and at the top put a melon cut into the shape of a star using a star-shaped cookie cutter).
  
• Chocolate-covered Fruit
  
• Heart-shaped or star-shaped rice crispy treat wands (you can add a stick in them to look like wands; also you can dip in chocolate and add sprinkles for more of the wand effect)
  
• Magic gems (A bowl of pastel colored jelly beans, skittles, etc.)
  
• Cotton candy wands
  
• Marshmallow wands
  
• Fairy dust (pixie sticks)
  
• Dainty Sandwiches - Prepare your child's favorite sandwiches. Cut them into various shapes (such as stars, hearts, and flowers) using cookie cutters. Have the guests choose their preferred sandwich shapes.
  
• Fairy Parfait - In parfait cups, put a layer of yogurt topped with granola and fresh fruit. Make several layers and top the parfait with whipped cream. Serve with long-handled spoons.
  
• Star Jell-O Jigglers - Prepare Jell-O according to package directions and cut with star-shaped cookie cutter.
  
  
  

Extra Note - sprinkle fairy dust onto the food, use small containes and a puffy paint write on them "sweet fairy dust" for sugar, "sea fairy dust" for salt, "kicking fairy dust" for pepper, "green fairy dust" for parsley, etc.

Party Favors:

• fairy dust (pixie sticks)
  
• fairy stickers and tattoos
  
• wands
  
• bubbles
  
• ring pops
  
• stick on earrings
  
• plastic jewelry
  
• hair accessories
  
• body glitter
  
• candy necklaces
  
• golden chocolate coins
  

Party Games:

• Fairy Clay - Make your own play dough. Provide each child with a ball of dough and some fine glitter (craft store). The children will work the glitter into the dough. Package each of the guests dough into a Zip -loc bag to be taken home as a party favor.
  
• Bubble Burst - Blow bubbles and have the children try to catch them without bursting the bubbles. The first child to catch a bubble and return it to you without busting their bubble wins. You might want to have plenty of party favors so that each child can win at this game
  
• Lost Magical Stones - have the children find stones/gems around the area that were hidden by busy little gnomes
  
• Fairy Dress Up Relay - This kid game is a relay race in which the kids dress up as fairies and race to the finish line. You can even separate the two groups into Fairies against Pixies. Arrange for each group to have funny, colorful and oversized fairy attire - including wings of course. Determine a starting line and a turn-back line about 15 feet apart. Place each set of clothes in mound at the starting line. Blow the whistle or say go! The first players in each line dress up us fairies and fly (flap their wings) to a designated point, turn back and return to the starting line and take off the fairy clothes. The next player in line does the same. The first team to finish wins. The more clothes you add, the funnier it gets!
  
• Fairy Tag - This is a kid game of tag in which everyone flies around with their fairy wings and the fairy who's IT can only use her wand to tag the others.
  
• Fairy Hunt - Print a map with clues and a poem to guide the kids to each location. At each location they'll find a garden or fairy-related prize they can keep. In the backyard you can have different fairies hidden. And every clue they find leads them to another clue.
  
• Panning for Gems and Gold - This kid game has a royal history. During the late 19th century each woman guest was invited to hold a handful of sand and let it sift through her fingers to find a precious gem left in her palm that was hers to take home. You can set up a similar game by getting a shoe box or larger box filled with clean sand or white cornmeal and bury inside a few small plastic rhinestones and golden nuggets. Have the boys sift for gold while the girls sift for gems.
  
• Bobbing for Apples - For this classic kid game, hang cored apples at the kids height (you can do this from a piece of long wood, which can be held up securely with a ladder and the side of the house), then the kids have to bite the apple with their hands behind their back.
  
• Bibble's on the Move - Play this game just as you would "Hot Potato".
  Position the girls into a circle. Pass a toy "bibble" from player to player around the circle while music is playing. When the music stops the player holding Bibble will sit in the center for one round, or she can be in charge of
  the music for one round.
  
• Stick the Butterfly on the Flower - Played just like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey".Draw a picture of a flower with on poster board. Cut several butterflies
  from card stock paper. On the day of the party, add double stick tape
  to one side of the butterflies and write the girl's names on the other.
  Use a fun fabric sash for the blindfold.
  
• Freeze Tag - Play this game just like "Freeze Tag". Give each player a small pouch of glitter before playing. One player will be "it". When you say "GO" the girls run. If she tags a player, that player is frozen until another player sprinkles fairy dust on her. Make sure that each player has a turn to be "it" and that each round does not take too long.
  
• Flower Pot Toss - Set up large flower pots around the area with a single flower stuck in Styrofoam in each pot. Give the players rings to throw and to ring the flowers
  
• Lily Pad Moat Crossing - Cut out four large lily pads from green cardboard (about 12"x15"). Divide children into two equal teams. Ask each team to line up behind a starting line. Give the first person on each team two lily pads. Lily pads are the only thing they can step on as they travel from the front of the line, around a chair and back to the line again. On the command "Go", children place one lily pad on the ground and step on it. Then they place the other lily pad on the ground in front and step on it. They then pick up the first lily pad and place it on the ground in front of the other. When they cross the moat they hand the two lily pads to the next person in line. The team to make it all the way across the moat first wins.
  
• Fairy, Fairy, Troll - Play this fairy birthday party version of Duck, Duck, Goose. Children sit in a circle, and one person taps others while saying "Fairy."
  When she says "Troll" she must run around the circle trying to occupy the spot where the Troll was sitting before being tagged by the Troll. Have the players flutter their arms as if they are flying.
  
• Floating Balloon Game - Give inflated balloons to all your fairy party guests. The object of the game is to hit the balloons up into the air, and keep them afloat for the longest time possible.
  
• Magic Present - Put small prizes in little-sized boxes before the fairy birthday party. The total number of "prize" boxes should equal the number of your guests.Have the kids sit in a circle, and get them to pass a large box (filled with smaller "prize" boxes) around the circle, while music is playing. When the music stops, the child holding a large box have to open it and choose one of the "prize" boxes. She then leaves the game, and the play continues until everyone has a prize.
  
• Fantastic Fairy Tale - Here is a perfect fairy birthday party activity to unwind. To start, ask one of your guests to begin telling traditional fairy tale. Move around the circle and get each guest to add her installment of the story. It's a great opportunity for the kids to use their imagination to come up with their own fairy tale.
  

And all that's left is to wish you a FAIRY fun party!