Party Planning

My baby girl turned the big O-N-E not too long ago and we're planning a big party with family and friends to celebrate. I love having people over, letting the kids run and play together, visiting with everyone, and most of all COOKING! I think there isn't anything better than making tons of food to share with others.

So! The food list. I love baking. Really. LOVE. Baking. Flour and sugar are undoubtedly the reason for my waist size, but that's a post for another day.

I'm making amazing and delicious cupcakes I found here.  I DO not (and never will) suggest using a box mix. Cake is super easy to make from scratch and tastes a thousand times better. My white cake recipe tastes a lot like sugar cookies, and while it doesn't rise as nicely as box mixes, it makes up for it in flavor. So mine will be made from scratch.

I'm making fabulously fun rainbow cookies. Though I must say, I'm not using her recipe. I have THE best sugar cookie recipe and why mess with excellence?

I'm also seriously considering making red velvet cupcakes. I have a serious love affair with cream cheese frosting and tons of people coming to our house sounds like an excellent excuse to make some.

I'll make separate posts about my food with pictures and recipes as I make it.

For regular food we're having classic grilled brats and hotdogs, the best sloppy joes, (and possibly hot wings and bbq rib pieces, depends on final head count), delicious BLT pasta salad, italian pasta salad, potato salad (because you can't have a summer party without potato salad, right?), my "just as good as KFC" coleslaw, I'll share the recipe for that later as well.

I'll also have rainbow goldfish crackers and a rainbow fruit AND rainbow veggie tray. I'm even making these yummy and fun rainbow popsicles.

I mentioned to a friend of mine just yesterday I might be getting carried away with the rainbow theme......

I've spent a lot of time on Pinterest looking up rainbow ideas for decorations that won't cost an arm and a leg. (I'm a frugal mama because I have to be!)
I have found TONS of ideas but I have 3 favorites.
Paper streamers, hanging paper cubes, and
gelatin plastic sun catchers.
You'll all have to let me know if mine turn out as good (or better!) than my inspiration!