Gifts For Others .... Father's Day Bottle Label's & Tags

I know I'm a little late on this idea, but with Caden's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party, I'm a little behind.  This is a simple gift that turned a normal gift of beer into something special.  My dad is a special guy, being an only child I was the daddy's little girl.  For many years it was just the two of us and he would work crazy night shifts to be with me during the day.  He is also one of those guys that has everything.  If he doesn't have it he would have bought it for himself.  But I do know how he loves a good beer.  When I saw this fun idea to dress up bottles of beer I knew it would be perfect.  I found this free template on Botanical Paperworks for fathers day but I've found several on a Google search that can be used for any special day.

What you need:

Free printable downloaded

Card stock paper

Glue or double-sided tape

Twine

Scissors / Paper Cutter

Hole punch

Print the download on  card stock.  Be careful and cut each tie and bottle wrap out.  I took a hole punch on the tie and used twine to attach to the neck of the bottle.  I found double-sided tape was the easiest to attach the label to the bottle.  After done put all the bottles back in and you have a great gift!

Tada easy and a special gift for the special dad.

It sure brought a smile to my dad's face.

This year Dad and I even shared the day, my bday landed on Father's Day.

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Grandfather Book (Or Father's Day Book) from the kids

It was my dad's birthday last week and funds are a little tight around here so I wanted the boys to make something special for my dad.  I found this on Pinterest for a fathers day gift and thought this would be perfect for my dad.  Cole when he first started to talk started calling my dad "Bapa" we have no clue where this came from (my mom he named Monnie, I guess it was like mommy so he went with it).  So with a little letter switching I made this Father's Day Book into a Bapa Book for my dad's birthday.  You can always take her design and go with dad (since father's day will be here sooner then you know it, plus it lands on my birthday this year ... whoo hoo).

My Juice Cup came up with this Father's Day Book (I tweaked it a bit for Bapa).

My "Bapa" Version

Her's said Dad with a D

What you Need:

Card Stock Paper (I used Brown, Green & Blue)

White Paper

Ribbon (I used Green & Blue)

Hole Punch

Colored Pencils

NOW she printed a D and then traced onto Card Stock and cut it out.  I'm a little on the lazy and time crunch side so I went to the Cricket used the largest setting typed a B and then went one size down and did another B.  I then went to a size or two down to type in the word Bapa.  I then cut down the brown card stock to make a smaller book, then I cut down some white paper and folded it in half to be like book pages.  I put the brown on top to be the cover and back of the book.  I then took my glue stick and added the big B and added a smaller B on top of it.  I then added Bapa at the bottom.  I then added two holes with my hole punch.  I added some ribbon and tied it threw each hole.  I did two colors to give it a little something extra (you can use only one if you want).  And hey it reminded me SeaHawks football team .. brown for the ball and Green and Blue for the team colors ... ok I'm reaching here but you could do it in team colors :).

When book is complete let the kids color and add notes on the white pages.  A book made especially for them from the kids.

Hello 36, bringing it in with fun!

I had the most amazing weekend full of amazing friends and so much love!  Friday my Tuesday dinner friend was so sweet and planned a dinner for me.  She made a great dinner and a HOMEMADE cheesecake!  For those who know me know that is my favorite dessert, just a little bite for me but it was DEVINE!  And a big surprise she invited my best friend from when I was 9.  It was a great surprise and we had  a great time laughing and enjoying a wonderful night.

Saturday was a great day too!  I got up and worked my shift.  Then off we went running, we had Sylvan for Cole.  While he was studying Caden and I hit Target to make a diaper cake for babyshower.  One of my dearest friends from grade school was having another baby 2 boys and a now a girl!!  It was so amazing to see all the friends from school.  It was so much fun laughing and enjoying each other!  I sadly had to run and couldn’t stay long my dad was watching the boys and I was given 1 1/2 hr window.

I ran to pick up the boys and spend a little time with my parents before I headed home.  My amazing bosses called and surprised me with a gift card for dinner!  Since I had no luck on finding a babysitter for the night we took the boys with us to our favorite fancy usually date night no kid restaurant.  We splurged and had a wonderful bill and when the bill came and I opened it up to see over $100 I almost fell off the booth, thank God the GC more then covered it.  I have never had a bill over $60 … lol.

I even started with a bloody Mary, I never order a drink when we go out for the cost (unless with my parents and dad is paying … lol).  We even got a appetizer of clam strips.  The boys and Rick have never had them and were surprised they liked them.  Rick of course got clam chowder.

Then for dinner Rick had Steak, Caden had pasta, Cole had grilled cheese and I splurged and got a smoke salmon fettuccini (that was to die for). 

When even had DESSERT, that is a NO NO when ever we go out.  All 3 boys had hot fudge sundaes and I had a burnt cream.

It was a full packed day and I think we finally got home around 11pm!  Then Sunday was back to the busy go go!  Off to the 9am Church Service.  And quick to home to do a few things and then we headed up to my parents house to wish my dad Happy Father’s Day.  The boys helped me put together a BBQ basket for Rick.  Sadly he had to work the whole weekend but it was nice we were able to carve out a little time together. 

Thank you for all the amazing friends!  The cards and gifts were so thoughtful and just made my day.  I am truly blessed to have such great people in my life!

MSM ~ Fathers Day All Day Meals

Technically I didn't make these all for Rick but I did make them ... hehe! I just thought it would be perfect way to show a whole day of recipes! Yes Rick didn't get a big fancy day of food, payback for mothers day ... lol :). I know I'm evil but he does get to eat these special treats like this every day.

BREAKFAST

Strawberry Pancakes by Rachel Ray - Nothing like homemade pancakes for breakfast. Who doesn't want to wake up to that goodness?

INGREDIENTS:

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted, plus more for serving
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• Pure maple syrup, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla. Preheat a nonstick griddle over medium heat.

2. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir in the melted butter. The batter should be thick and smooth. Fold in the strawberries.

3. Spoon the batter onto the griddle 1/4 cup at a time. Cook the pancakes until set and thoroughly bubbly, about 3 minutes. Flip them with a spatula and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes more. Serve with butter and maple syrup.

   ALEXIS NOTES: I did half whole wheat and white flour. I think I used to many strawberries so a little runny, I would add more flour next time.

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LUNCH:

Chicken Salad Pita Pockets - Rick loves chicken salad and will always buy it at the store for like $5.99 a pound!!! It kills me so I had to make a yummy version for him at home.

Chicken Salad Pita Pockets

4	boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2	tablespoons olive oil
1	cup nonfat Greek yogurt
2	tablespoons lemon juice
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1/4	teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1	red bell pepper , cored, seeded and chopped
1	3.8-ounce can sliced black olives, drained and chopped
1/2	red onion , diced
1/4	cup cilantro, chopped
1	15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
4	whole wheat pita breads, cut in half
1/2	head bibb lettuce, leaves separated
1	tomato , sliced
	coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

[1] Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place in a greased baking pan and cook for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool and cut into cubes.

[2] Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, cumin and red pepper flakes in a small bowl; set aside. Combine chicken cubes, bell pepper, olives, onion, cilantro and garbanzo beans in a large bowl.

[3] Add yogurt mixture to chicken mixture; toss gently to coat. Line each pita half with 1 lettuce leaf and 1 tomato slice; add 1/2 cup chicken mixture to each pita half and serve.

ALEXIS NOTE: I didn't have any pita left but I found these amazing thin buns that are like a thin bread. The only way the boys will eat bread is these they have no crust and are thin. This turned out yummy, it needed a little extra seasoning.

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DINNER:

Chicken Rice and Green Bean Casserole - Ricks favorite at holidays is the green bean casserole dish. I came across this dish an had to try it out, how can you go wrong with chicken, cheese and fried onions! This was so yummy I wanted to keep going back over and over to get more!

Chicken Rice and Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients

- 10 3/4 ounces cream of mushroom soup - 2 cups milk - 1 cup white rice, uncooked (do not use instant rice) - 2 cups chicken, cooked and cut into bite sized pieces - 1 pound frozen green beans, slightly thawed - 4 ounces mushrooms, drained - 2 tablespoons pimentos, chopped - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (use more if desired) - 1 (2.8 oz. container) French fried onion rings (optional)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Coat the casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a large sauce pan, combine milk, cream soup, and rice.
• Bring mixture to a boil.
• Reduce heat and add chicken, green beans, mushrooms, and pimentos.
• Stir to combine.
• Remove from heat and pour into the prepared casserole dish.
• Spread shredded cheese on top of the mixture. Sprinkle the onion rings (if desired) on top of the cheese.
• Bake uncovered for about 20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and cover the casserole loosely with foil to prevent over-browning. Bake an additional 20 minutes.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used brown rice along with canned green beans and skipped the mushrooms. Next time I would add a little more milk and cook longer when using the brown rice.

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DESSERT

Banana Rice Custard - Since I'm on a HUGE rice kick why not use the banana and make up some yummy rice custard! I made a double batch to take some to the church youth dinner I was making.

Banana Rice Custard

3 medium bananas, fully ripened
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 cups cooked rice
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 cups milk
Nutmeg, sliced bananas and whipped cream for garnish (optional)

1. Mash bananas with fork; stir in lemon juice. Blend with rice in 2-quart baking dish.
2. Beat eggs; add salt, sugar, lemon peel and milk; stir into banana-rice mixture. Sprinkle with nutmeg.
3. Place baking dish in larger pan; half-filled with hot water.
4. Bake in 325°F (160°F) oven for 1 hour.
5. Chill thoroughly, at least four hours, before serving.
6. Serve with whipped cream and sliced bananas for garnish, if desired.

Makes 8 servings.

ALEXIS NOTES: I used the white rice because I wasn't sure how the brown would do I may try brown next time. I didn't have a lemon peel so I skipped that part. I also needed for it to cook a little longer.

Phew now that is what I call a day of recipes I hope you enjoyed and will try one or all of them :).