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Kitchen Fireworks

2 Jul

I’ll bet your Happy Buddies think you are a superhero for teaching them how to make all kinds of cool firework crafts for the 4th of July!

I’ve got something that will make them think you are even more of a superhero when you tell them that you are going to make some fireworks in the kitchen.

And when your Happy Hubby looks at you nervously with one hand reaching for the fire extinguisher (because yes, you have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen because yes, you have had to use it before), just smile and say,

“Oh honey, we’re in good hands with All-State.”

All you need are the following 3 items…WHOLE milk (It must be whole – no substitutions, sorry!)

Food coloring

Dishwashing liquidStep 1 – Pour milk into a baking pan.  Drop several different colors of food coloring all around the milk.Step 2 – Add a squirt or two of dishwashing liquid and watch the colors BURST and SWIRL!How It Works – The dishwashing liquid separates the fat from the other liquids in the milk, thus causing your beautiful fireworks!If your fireworks slow down, add another squirt of dishwashing liquid.

The whole experiment takes only about 60 seconds, so this would be a fun thing to do after dinner on the 4th as you wait for your city’s firework display.

Speaking of waiting for the fireworks…

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The Crafting Chicks said that her Happy Home gets excited to see the fireworks every year, but every year they get there really early.  To help pass the time before the show begins, she puts together a little firework basket that is filled with snacks, treats, glow sticks, and even some sparklers (adult supervision please!).

LOVE IT!

Happy Kitchen Firework-ing! :-)

Festive Food for the 4th

1 Jul

Are you planning your menu for the 4th of July??

If you are, then boys howdy do I have some incredibly magical ideas for you!!

First things first, check out my post about The 4th of Jell-O pronto.

Now that the creative cook in you is warmed up, keep reading…

My motto is – The little things are the big things.

Seriously.  Your Happy Buddies will probably forget about the firework display at the end of the day, but they will forever remember your Grand Old Flag Cheese Spread (see below).

So, my Happy Home Friends, here are some little ideas to make a BIG impact on your 4th of July picnic table!

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Start things off with this Grand Old Flag Cheese Spread from Kraftfoods.

And speaking of cheese…

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Star-spangled cheese-burgers are a must!

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These Rocket Dogs from Family Fun will blow everyone away because they are so out of this world!

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 Use a star-shaped ice cube tray (I found mine at the Dollar Tree!) and colored liquids (like red or blue Gatorade, Kool-aid, or punch) to add some patriotic pizzazz to drinks.

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Make festive fruit kabobs.

Or get even more festive with these…Don’t you just love that????

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I feel like singing the National Anthem with these inspiring strawberries from Scrambled Henfruit!

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 You can get your flag on with these patriotic pretzels of wonder from Poca Cosa!

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And I saved the best for last.  Is this not the most ridiculous thing you have ever seen?!?!  Glorious Treats certainly delivered one gloriously fabulous flag cake of amazingness.Now all you need to do is head on over to Disney and print out these brilliant patriotic Mickey and Friends food flags and stick them in all of your Festive Food for the 4th.

Oh, and make sure that while you are preparing all of this Festive Food for the 4th your toes look like this.

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Happy Festive Food for the 4th-ing! :-)

4th of July Head Gear

30 Jun

It’s important to decorate your head for the 4th of July.

Here’s a fun idea I picked up yesterday from the amazing art teacher at our church’s summer camp (and I think she might have picked up her inspiration from Family Fun).So cute, right?!

It’s so easy to make – I literally put one together while the Happy Buddy was eating his dinner last night.

And then while he ate dessert we made one for his neighbor buddy, Reese.

Here’s what you need:Red and white construction paper

Blue Duct Tape

Glitter Foam Star Stickers (I found mine at Target!)

ScissorsStep 1 – Cut your red and white construction paper into strips.Step 2 – Cut a piece of blue Duct Tape to fit around your Happy Buddy’s head (leave a little to overlap when you wrap it around).  Lay the Duct Tape sticky side up on your work surface.Step 3 – Place your construction paper strips on top of the Duct Tape.Step 4 – Lay another piece of blue Duct Tape on top of the other piece – covering up the construction paper strips.Step 5 – Decorate with lots of glittery foam star stickers.Step 6 – Cut the construction paper into thin strips – cutting all the way down to the Duct Tape.Step 7 – Attach the two ends of Duct Tape to form your hat.  Secure with another piece of Duct Tape if necessary.Step 8 – Wear your patriotic hat.

It feels really cool to shake your head around.

Step 9 – Ham it up a little.

This is America, people.  We are proud of our heritage.

Happy 4th of July Head Gear-ing! :-)

Patriotic Decorating – Outdoor 4th of July Magic!

29 Jun

Oh, Happy Home Friends.I wish I could tell you that the house above belongs to me!

Seriously.

Who could drive or walk by that house and not say, “Now that house looks like a Happy Home!“?

That house is definitely my decorating inspiration for the 4th of July!

I headed to Good Ole’ Faithful (aka The Dollar Tree) for my decorating supplies.  Everything you see in the pictures below is from the Dollar Tree!I put red, white and blue bows on our sconces.And the Happy Buddy and I hung a bunch of red, white and blue cut-out stars in the windows.We also bought a bunch of these patriotic flowers…And made a little garden.Someone likes to pull out our patriotic decorations and play with them.We also decorated the sidewalk with some patriotic chalk art.

And yes, the weeds are a part of our patriotic decor – please don’t judge me. :-)

Next year I think I might kick it up a notch and just repaint our whole house to look like this. :-)

Happy Patriotic Decorating! :-)

Crafts that KABOOM for the 4th of July

28 Jun

When I was a wee lass, my family would walk to the local high school football field every 4th of July to see the fireworks.

I could not WAIT to see those massive explosions of sparkly wonder do their thing in the night sky.

I must get it from my dad – who literally gets choked up watching firework displays.

Fireworks have also played an important part in my love life and in the birth of our Happy Buddy – but you’ll have to wait until the 4th to hear about that. :-)

Here are some firework crafts that KABOOM with creativity!

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Y’all KNOW I can’t resist a project that involves GLITTER!  This easy peasy craft from I Heart Crafty Things requires just some *glitter*, glue, and construction paper.  It is super cute and will make your fridge (and floor) very festive-looking.

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Brimful Curiosities made these super cool fireworks by spraying colored water over a plastic cup cut in the shape of a firework.  What an original idea – go check it out!

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Look at the fireworks Family Fun made by blowing some paint around with a straw!

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Preschool Playbook used a doily to create these elaborate fireworks!

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Color some cupcake liners like Teaching Two and glue to bright blue construction paper for a craft that makes a big bang.

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This is one of my favorites!  Nick Jr. cut out their glitter glue fireworks and attached them to popsicle sticks.  Your Happy Buddies will LOVE waving these around at your 4th of July neighborhood parade!!

I have a few more non-dangerous firework activities coming your way this week, so stay tuned!

Happy Firework Craft-ing! :-)

4th of July Conversation Starter and Joke Cards – FREE Printables!

27 Jun

Things are getting very patriotic here at Happy Home Fairy!!!

Are you planning a 4th of July picnic with all your family and friends??

Then you are definitely going to want to have these handy dandy 4th of July Conversation Cards to keep things fun and lively!

Or, you could use them around your dinner table during the nights leading up to the 4th!!

Either way, your Happy Home will be bursting with laughter and American Pride!CLICK HERE for your FREE Patriotic Conversation Starter Cards!!!

And if you like these cards, I’d be thrilled out of my mind if you popped over to my FACEBOOK page and gave Happy Home Fairy a ‘LIKE’ so that you can stay up-to-date on all the Happy Home Fairy holiday magic!

Happy 4th of July Conversation Starter-ing!

The 4th of Jell-O

24 Jun

J-E-L-L-O!

Did you sing that song as a kid?!

I don’t know what it is about Jell-O, but it seems to make its way into every holiday.

Especially the 4th of July!

Something about all those bright colors just makes me feel so festive.

When I was growing up in New Jersey our neighborhood had a 4th of July Block Party and my mom liked to make a Jell-O mold in the shape of our wonderful country.

That Jell-O mold made me so happy, I thought I would share with you some other fun patriotic Jell-O treats for your Happy Home this July!

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Glorious Treats made these beautiful layered patriotic cups.

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These star-spangled, stain-glassed Jell-O treats from Brown-Eyed Baker are so magical looking!!

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Of course there is the ever-popular Jell-O flag cake from Kraftfoods.

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This red, white and blue trifle with cheesecake Jell-O pudding from The Girl Who Ate Everything is total eye candy – and probably mouth candy, too!

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Have you ever made a Jell-O poke cake like the one above from Kraftfoods?  These are sooooo fun – your Happy Buddies will love the finished result!

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The Happy Hubby loooooves cookies, so these cheerful 4th of July Jell-O goodies from Jamie Cooks It Up will probably be on our picnic menu!

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Layers of inspiring American wonder from Sherelle Christensen Designs.

Anyone feeling like saying the Pledge of Allegiance yet? :-)

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And it wouldn’t be summer without some popsicles!!  These yummy Jell-O Rocket Pops from Make Life Delicious are exactly what I want dripping down my hands on a hot summer day!

Thanks, Jell-O, for all these delicious patriotic options!

Happy 4th of Jell-O-ing! :-)

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