Birthdays

Travel Tic Tac Toe

Original DIY Tic Tac Toe travel game board from the 1990's

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I loved this DIY Tic Tac Toe traveling game so much as a child that I still have the original game that I made.  It's super easy to make for your child and even with your child that you may feel brave enough to have a large group of kiddos over to instruct.  Adult Child Group Fun!  a.k.a. birthday parties, project parties, rainy days, etc.  The best part... The game board and playing pieces are made out of felt so that when playing in the car, the pieces are not lost. So clever.

I think I was about 6 to 8 years old, so I believe it was my awesome Sunday School teacher Denise Kistner who instructed our class to make this project.  I don't want to leave out Connie Hester either...just in case it may have been her as she was another one of my awesome Sunday School teachers.  Kudos!

Make it yourself using the instructions below.

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The felt pieces don't fall off when tipped over

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Write the kid's name and a message of your choice

Materials Needed:

  • Felt, 4 different colors
  • Pinking Shears
  • Foam Core Board
  • Glue
  • A Permanent Marker
  • Gallon Size Zipper Bag

Instructions:

  • Measure the foam core board to 8 inches by 8 inches and cut.
  • Write a message on the back on the side you have determined to be the back of the board.
  • Measure felt color #1 and cut with the pinking shears. Approximately 8 inches by 8 inches (make sure it's large enough to cover the board!).  Once cut, glue this to the foam board.  Gluing it now will allow it to have some time to set prior to adding the next layer.
  • Measure strips from felt color #2 and cut using the pinking shears. Approximately 1/2 inch by 8 inches.  Not too thick, not too thin.  If the fabric is cut with the pinking shear points lined up then the width may go a little over a half inch, that is okay.  Make 4 of these.
  • Measure rectangles from felt color #3 and cut using the pinking shears.  Aproximately 1 inch by 1 3/4 inch.  Again this is approximate, the main point to remember is to make sure the pieces are large enough for hands to pick up easily but small enough for them to fit inside the tic tac toe boxes. Make 5 of these and perhaps one back up if you'd like.
  • Measure circles from felt color #4 and cut using the pinking shears. Approximately 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch.  Again this is approximate, the main point to remember is to make sure the pieces are large enough for hands to pick up easily but small enough for them to fit inside the tic tac toe boxes.  Make 5 of these and perhaps one back up if you'd like.
  • Glue the measured strips that you cut from felt color #2 to the felt covered foam board, using the lattice style method.
  • Do NOT put your foam rectangles/circles on the foam board until you know the board has completely dried.  You wouldn't want to accidentally glue pieces to the board making them permanently unplayable, would you?
  • When complete, store in a zipper bag and keep it in the family car.

With Angela O'

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Make at least 5 pieces each shape

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BAG IT AND STICK IT! in the car

DIY Glam Pinatas


Friend and Blog Guest Jenna Holtschulte whipped up these cute pinatas for her sweet baby Micah's first birthday. Super easy to make but the her only requirement: Just make sure you have a little extra time on your hands the day you take on the task. Jenna made this from 100% scratch! However, if you are short for time then you could go to Jo-Ann Fabrics and stock up on the premade paper kraft letters for about $2-$3 each.

The Letters:
Scrap Cardboard Boxes
Pencil
Exacto Knife
Brown Packing Tape

The Fringe:
Glue
Scissors
Tissue Paper
Tacky Glue Pens


This pinata is perfect to hang over the dining room table

The Finishing Touches:  Micah' Gold Bow, Micah is One Cake Topper, The Pom Garland













The 30 Brief


President LBJ's Airforce One
I admit it, for once I just got way too busy for my own blog and I apologize.  Usually I can at least load text and then schedule a post once I set up the pictures.  Not this time!  The last month of my twenties was very intense, but it was fun.  In July, I got my last set of wisdom teeth taken out.  Yikes!!  Of course, I was sedated because I cannot handle anything where my body is the subject under examination without major panic or passing out.  I was told that I was a phenomenon as I woke up repeatedly throughout the event, even after the dentist knocked me back out as safely and effectively as possible.  I have the best dentist/dental surgeon in the world and I know they administered as much knockout drug as they legally could.  My body just decides to go through weird phases sometimes!

A week later, we headed to the Plain White T's concert at The Belmont.  I was quite pleased to see them but not sure I should have been allowed to play with my phone on the day of my dental surgery.  I somehow purchased concert tickets, enrolled in swim classes for 3 months, and held multiple phone conversations with random people.  Then I convinced John to take me to Target to do shopping less than 12 hours after my surgery.  The next day....I didn't really remember all of that.  Whoops!

John and I took a weekend trip to Fredericksburg.  Oh, to celebrate my German heritage.  Two absolutely favorite parts of the trip.  1. Grape Creek Winery, we were given a private tour.  2.  The Texas White House, home of former President Lyndon B. and Lady Bird Johnson.


Tapping the Barrel

These grapes are absolutely delicious right off the vine


Then it was time to celebrate my birthday!  I headed to Florida to visit my closest friends and family.  It was a wonderful time and I am so thankful for the time spent with my favorite girls Rhonda, Aria, Allison, and Nannie.  We enjoyed ourselves with bit of a mustache party, touring Hogwarts at Universal Studios, sunning at Cocoa Beach, and eating delicious cupcakes made by Hollis Wilder the Cupcake Wars Trifecta champion. After a gorgeous week in Florida I came home to breakfast in bed and a delicious candlelight dinner made by my husband, then a fantastic party with my Austin friends.

My buddies and a very happy staff member

The 30 Brief:  One, first and foremost:  NO Children before 30!!  I live by this philosophy.  And the majority of people I know agree, including medical professionals.  Nobody in today's society should be having children before 30.  We are way to young mentally, physically, and socially for this. It is a different world than it used to be. Until 30, we are still children and we need to figure out our own lives and enjoy it so that when children come we can commit all of our love and knowledge to them. Now of course, I think it is absolutely rude and completely insensitive when individuals inquire about child-bearing to a couple, including family members.  However, I had to share such great 30 news that I couldn't withhold.  Secondly, John and I are finally passport holders!  Woohoo!!  Third, we made our very first and second big household purchases. A brand new bed mattress and a complete refurbishment of our linen closet with a new towels.  It feels great!  Now to work on project number three and four for the home.  New dishware and new drink-ware.  Must be plain white dishware and must be tastefully clear drink-ware   Must be universal so that we can easily replace when one piece is broken or when we need to grow our set.  No junk, I hate hording and random shit.  It drives me up a wall.  I hate little knick-knacky things and anything that does not belong in it's place.  Goodbye CRAP!

hugs & quiches,
xoxo 
~Angela O'




Double Chocolate Cake

Some of you have inquired about John's birthday cake.  I'll share the recipe with you.


Prep - 30 minutes
Bake - 30 minutes
Stand - 30 minutes
Cool - 10 minutes
Oven - 350 degrees


Cake Ingredients:
3 eggs
2 c - all-purpose flour
3/4 c - unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp - baking soda
3/4 tsp - baking powder
3/4 c- butter, softened
2 c - sugar
2 tsp - vanilla
1 1/2 c - milk
1/2 t - salt
3 oz - dark or bittersweet chocolate, grated

Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:
1/2 c - butter, softened
2, 3-oz pkg cream cheese, softened
5 oz - unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled (I think I used like 8 ounces!)
6 to 6 1/2 c - powdered sugar
1/4 c - milk


Cake Instructions:

  • Allow eggs to stand at room temperature 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, grease three 8x1.5-inch round cake pans.  Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper.  Grease parchment paper and lightly flour pans; set aside.  In medium bowl stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350 F.  In large mixing bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high for 30 seconds.  Gradually add sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium until well combined.  Scrape sides of bowl; beat 2 minutes more.  Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.  Beat in vanilla.  Alternately add flour mixture and milk to butter mixture, beating on low after each addition just until combined.  Beat on medium to high 20 seconds more.  Stir in grated chocolate   Dived batter among prepared pans.  (If you do not have three pans, refrigerate remaining batter until ready to use.)
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean.  Cool cakes in pans on wire racks 10 minutes.  Remove layers from pans.  Cool thoroughly on wire racks.
  • Frost with desired frosting.  Store, covered, in refrigerator. 
  • Makes 16 servings
  • Each Serving (with frosting) 605 cal, 26 g fat, 92 mg chol, 334 sodium, 92 g carb, 4 g fiber, 7g pro.

Frosting Instructions:
  • In large mixing bowl beat butter and cream cheese.
  • Add chocolate and vanilla; beat until blended.
  • Gradually beat in 3 cups powdered sugar and the milk.  
  • Beat in enough remaining powdered sugar to make a spreading consistency.
  • Makes 4 cups.
  • Prep 20 min


*Recipe from Better Homes & Gardens magazine, February 2011


DIY - Holiday Gift Tags

A super easy way to put a unique spin on your holiday gifts this year.  Just make your own gift tags.  You can chose any method you like.  Use ribbons, scrapbook paper, glitter or whatever you find around the house.  Heck why not try birdseed.

See below!  Super Easy.


What you need:

  • Blank Gift Tags (various sizes & colors available at your local craft store)
  • Glitter, Ribbon, or Scrapbooking paper
  • Glue/Glue Pen
Voila !!








Joyeux Anniversaire! Happy Birthday August!!

A simple celebration, a gathering of friends; here is wishing you great happiness, a joy that never ends.

I give salute to the month of August.  Quite frankly it is the best month of the year.  So many wonderful people have birthdays in August.  Including ME!!!  Go August 21st.   I have always celebrated the month of August like it was a national holiday.  Finding ways to enjoy my birthday 2 weeks before and after the date!!  It is just an Angela O' tradition...that and celebrating my half-birthday faithfully.


 Happy Birthday to all of you:

August 1st: Nicole James, my dear friend
August 4: Brian Williamson, my brother
August 8: Elsa Barron, my dear friend
August 21: Angela O'
August 27, 1906: Verna Altevogt, my great grandma who has already passed
August 29: Rhonda Feltman, my bff
So many other great people who are not listed enjoy their day in August too.  I wish you well!!

Happy Anniversary to all of those wonderful couples out there!!  There are 4 couples I know to speak of who are celebrating this month.



A few famous quotes pulled from BirthdayMessages.com


Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself.
-Tom Wilson

May you stay forever young.
- Bob Dylan

Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young.
- Fred Astaire

The best way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.
- H. V. Prochnow

Homemade paper confetti by Angela O'   
Contact me if you want!! It's environmentally friendly and more fun than the traditional stuff.



This Great Candelabra will be on my dessert this year.  Compliments of Fred.  I love that company :-)