A Pineapple Boat Full of Fruit

The Catamaran - A Lanai Pineapple Boat from Favored Cooking

Summer party fun always consists of great fruit and fabulous fruit centerpieces.  I recently came across this wonderful way to arrange fruit that replicates a catamaran boat.  The boat itself is cut from the pineapple shell.  Then it is filled with a variety of delicious cut fruit.

The Catamaran - A Lanai Pineapple Boat 

The Catamaran - Lanai Pineapple Boat by Favored Cooking

On Favored Cooking, Fay shows us exactly how to create this beautiful fruit masterpiece.  It would be the perfect centerpiece for a summer party or cookout.  The fruit itself makes a delicious and healthy appetizer or finger food.  

Any fruit dish is my favorite food at a party.  Fruit is definitely the very best snack food!  This particular Lanai Pineapple Boat centerpiece would be a lovely addition to the table, as well as a delectable treat for guests.

Fay shows us exactly how to carve the pineapple so it will double as the serving dish.  She recommends filling the boat with diced pineapple and other cut fruit.  Then adding toppings if desired.  She offers a multitude of additional fruit suggestions for your boat that are not shown in the photos, as well as a sauce recipe for your fruit salad. 

This really is a fun food that you can play with in your own kitchen to achieve the look and taste you desire.   I have no doubt it would be a delightfully refreshing treat to serve during the hot summer festivities.  You could even take it as your contribution to a dinner party.  It would certainly be a welcome addition by any party hostess.

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Recipe & Image Credit: 

  The original "Catamaran - A Lanai Pineapple Boat" image, recipe, and pineapple cutting instructions can be found on Favored Cooking

Marshmallow Jello Pinwheels Recipe

If you want a really fun and fast treat to make, then I have the perfect suggestion for you here today on Fun Food! 

These Marshmallow Jello Pinwheels are great "pop in your mouth" appetizers, party treats, after school treats, or even lunchbox treats. 

Since jello does have to be refrigerated, you would need a Lunch Ice Pack in the lunchbox, but it would certainly be worth that little extra effort.  Your kids would love it and no doubt, their lunch pals would be requesting that you send extras tomorrow.  My children always loved being able to share treats with their friends during lunch at school.  I kept those freezer cubes in the freezer at all times just for these types of special lunch treat.   All I had to do was reach in the freezer and grab one to stick it in their lunchboxes. 

Marshmallow Jello Pinwheels Recipe

The Marshmallow Jello Recipe is super easy and takes on a few minutes to whip together.  They are made with the combination of jello and marshmallow as the recipe name indicates.  What really grabbed my attention was the way they are cut into little roll-up treats.  Heidi from Simplee Thrifty, tells us exactly how to easily cut the solidified jello treat into a delicious roll-up finger food.  Her method is "simply thrifty" and nifty! 

Check out her recipe and cutting tips to make your own Marshmallow Jello Pinwheels.  The kids will love you for it!

Recommended Lunchbox Cooler Packs

When my children were in elementary school, I used these blue ice packs often, almost daily, to keep the food in their lunchboxes cool.  They really do work!  Just remind your children to leave them in their lunchboxes and not throw them away with their trash.   Once our daughter switched over to lunch sacks instead of a lunchbox, I inserted the little ice pack in a homemade fabric sleeve so she could throw away the sack, but keep the blue ice in her backpack to bring home.  However, a baggie for the blue ice pack would work just fine too.
 

Thermos Ice Mat, 9 Cube - 2 Pack…Check PriceFit & Fresh Cool Coolers, Slim Ice Packs for Lunch Boxes, Bags and Coolers, Penguin Shapes for Kids, Set of 4, MulticoloredCheck PriceRubbermaid Blue Ice Weekender Packs - Includes one each.Check Price

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Recipe & Image Credit: 

 Marshmallow Jello Pinwheels by Heidi at Simplee Thrifty

Valentine Cookie Balls

Are you ready to give the gift of delicious homemade love!

It is hard to believe that it is almost Valentine's Day and I have not made my sweetheart a special treat yet.  

I went in search of something new to make for Valentines Day this year and look what I found!  I have to admit, I am pretty excited to get started.

Valentine Cookie Balls Recipe

These fast and easy cookies are the perfect gift and treat for Valentines Day.  I think it would be awesome to make a batch of these Valentine Cookie Balls and place them in a heart shaped box to give to our sweethearts.  

Homemade gifts are often so much better than a store bought cookies or candy, if for no other reason than that they are fresh.  Plus,  the recipient knows you cared enough to go to that little extra trouble to make something special just for them.

I know what I am making now for Valentines Day!  How about you?

Decorate this paper mache box exclusively for your sweetheart!  

It would be perfect for your Valentine Cookie Balls.



Paper Mache Box-Heart 12"

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Recipe for Valentine Cookie Balls by mbgphoto

Blood Shot Deviled Eggs for Halloween

Halloween will be here before we know it!

I do love Halloween and all of the fun food created just for that holiday.  It takes a really creative mind to come up with a lot of these awesome creations.

A friend recently shared this easy fun food creation with me and now I want to share it with you. It is truly hauntingly perfect for Halloween!

Blood Shot Deviled Eggs Recipe for Halloween

 

Mandee, aka DecoratingforEvents, has written and shared step by step directions for creating your own frighteningly fantastic Blood Shot Deviled Eggs.  

This recipe immediately caught my attention because I loved deviled eggs.  They make an excellent appetizer or side for any party buffet, but decorated like blood shot eggs for Halloween is simply ingenious.

These eggs are bound to draw every eye to them when you "decorate" your Halloween party table with them!

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Blood Shot Deviled Eggs by Mandee, one of our own in-house Halloween Haven Hostesses

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball Recipe

A really cool appetizer that adds additional beauty to the party table!
 

I am always searching for unique designs for visual appeal on my serving table and this one is really neat! 

Not only is it a delicious treat, but it adds real character to the party food.

When I first discovered this article, the idea of mixing peanut butter and cheese did not appeal to my taste.   However, in looking at the recipe, I found that it calls for cream cheese.  Now, that I can handle!

Making the Peanut Butter Cheese Ball is actually  very easy and well worth the time.

Therefore, bring on the peanut butter & cream cheese and let the party begin!

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Recipe & Image Credit:  Party Food Ideas - Peanut Butter Cheese Ball by DecoratingForEvents

PRETZEL ROD DECORATING

If you are looking for a bit of fun on a rainy day, an easy snack for any party or a fabulous treat, you are going to love these Pretzel Rods!
  
This is the perfect way to combine sweet and salty all in one great, big "crunch".

Not only are they delicious, they are pretty little treats suitable for showers, receptions, teas, luncheons, parties or any gathering.  Oh, and wonderful appetizers! 
Instructions for making these awesome Pretzel Rods are provided in this article:
Pretzel Rod Decorating 

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Image Credit and Article: Pretzel Rod Decorating by DecoratingforEvents