Family Fiesta

One advantage to having a small party like we had last week for Elle is that we still have a family party! Our Family Fiesta included my favorite Mexican dishes - fajitas, black beans, rice, salsa/chips-and a new Fiesta Dip I tried along with Sweet Tea and Margarita Punch and, of course, birthday cake with ice cream! With exception of the Fiesta Dip and Margarita Punch, you can find the recipes HERE from my Cinco de Mayo blog last May.

 

 

 

 

Once again, the Publix bakery came through "with flying colors".  I found a photo through Google images and they were able to make it just as I ordered! Even the cute tall, skinny, colorful candles came from Publix! So delicious, too! And not expensive!

 

 

 

Two new recipes add to my recipe box! Fiesta Dip and Margarita Punch! I had seen the Fiesta Dip recipe but almost forgot about it until the last minute. Then, of course, I couldn't find the recipe so I made it from memory! That's scary but it turned out great and was a big hit!

 

Fiesta Dip

 

8 oz. cream cheese softened

1 can of chili, no beans

8 oz. Mexican blend cheese

 

Spread cream cheese in the bottom of a small baking dish. Cover with chili. Cover with cheese and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with Scoops!

 

Margarita Punch

(Non Alcoholic)

 

12 oz. can frozen lemonade

12 oz. can frozen limeade

1 cup powdered sugar

3 cups crushed ice

 

Mix all ingredients together well (the powdered sugar tended to clump so I stirred it an extra long time) and freeze in a large pitcher. Remove from freezer 1-1 1/2 hours before serving. Just before serving add a cold 2 liter lemon-lime drink.

 

This, too, was a big hit! Not a drop left! Nothing like the flavor of lime with Mexican food.

 

 

 

To add color and festivity to the Fiesta, I made colorful flowers from paper napkins and banner from colorful tissue paper. See how to make them HERE Super easy! Super quick! Super Cheap! So much color!

 

 

 

Also part of the decoration and a tribute to Elle's 12th Birthday, the family put together "Top 12 Reasons to Celebrate Elle"! This is a fun and meaningful gift that can be done by a group or individual for any birthday. I have especially enjoyed doing it with my Birthday Club for milestone birthdays.

 

To Elle, may all your wishes come true!