Wordful Wednesday: Let's Throw a Block Party

Don't forget my New POPrs Giveaway...Click here to find out the details!

What a GREAT idea! Someone should get in Block Party Mode...Well, why not you? It's not hard, and you'll have so much fun, it will become an annual event. Here's how to get started.

Enlist help. Another mom or two and you're on your way.

Call the city. You need permission to block off the street, and the fire department needs to know about any barricades. Where we live, city workers delivered the barricades early the morning of the party.

Make flyers. Give people enough notice so they can plan ahead. Games on a Saturday afternoon and grilling at 5-6 p.m. works great. Ask people to bring a dish to share. The planners can provide hot dogs & burgers. Ask everyone to call to rsvp, and ask them what they are able to bring.

Have a list kind of ready-paper plates, condiments, buns, chips, salads, desserts, drinks, etc. And you could even make Summer Block Party Chicken Salad, since you know my recipe and all!

Have the neighborhood kids help with games. If they are part of the planning, you won't believe how much help they will be!

Put enough garbage cans out! And ask your neighbors to bring chairs, too.

Have name tags, and make it a point to speak to as many people as possible. Pull up a chair next to some of the older folks and really get to know them. You'll make someone's day.

Tune in tomorrow for some game ideas. Some you will no doubt have thought of, but I'll bet there is a new idea there for you, too!

And don't forget to comment about why you want to win the 10 pack of POPrs.

These great summer block party ideas are brought to you by Angie, and her Wordful Wednesday.

Care for Some Carrot Cake?

Aunt Julie, The Pop'r Queen, is at it again, Dear Readers. Remember, she's the one who's always on top of things in the kitchen. Didn't that Blueberry Pie just make your summer? What about the Strawberry Rhubarb number? And the Summer Block Party Chicken Salad? Did you positively salivate over Aunt Julie's Strawberry Salad? And who could forget that delightful Sherbet Watermelon, or the actually Good-For-You Fruit Pizza? But of course, I can't sing Aunt Julie's praises without mentioning the Taffy Bars, which are just perfect for Fall!

Aunti J., she of so many accomplishments, whipped up a Dee-LISH Carrot Cake recipe that's certain to please everyone in my household, for sure! Julie first wanted me to remind you that you only have Two. Days. Left to enter The Great New Pop'rs Giveaway. Don't miss out on your chance to be a Grand Prize Winner! We're pickin' two of 'em, ya know!!

I don't know about you, but Carrot Cake's my fave. Especially, when we use Aunt Julie's recipe!

Aunt Julie's Carrot Cake
2 cups sugar
1 ½ c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 cup coconut
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts

Bake at 350 degrees in two 8" layers (sprayed with non-stick spray) for 45-50 minutes. I make a recipe-and-a-half, to get three layers, and make a really high, impressive cake! Decorate with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Aunt Julie's Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, softened (not low-fat!)
1 cup butter, soft (2 sticks)
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
(Be sure to make extra frosting, if you make three layers!)

Aunt Julie, you've done it again. How many of you think Auntie J. should start a recipe blog? I sure do!

Try Something Cool and Delish for a Summer Potluck!

Aunt Julie and Uncle Lynn, The Pop'r Queen and King, live in a family-friendly neighborhood. That means lots of kids playing, lots of parents on the lawn chatting, lots and lots of potlucks.

Auntie J. spends some of this social time gathering recipes from the neighbors. Here's some simple summertime fare, which Aunt Julie calls a "real hit at our block party a few years ago."

Summer Block Party

Chicken Salad

2 ½ cups cooked chicken, cut in chunks
1 ½ cups cooked white rice (really!)
¾ cup red or green grapes, halved or whole
¾ cup diced celery

1/2 cup pineapple tidbits (drain)
½ cup mandarin oranges (drain)
Dressing:
½ cup Hellman’s mayo
1 cup ranch dressing

Top with Slivered Almonds.

I've never heard of ranch dressing in chicken salad, but my mouth's watering already! This is a delightful dish that would pair well with one of Aunt Julie's pies. Hope you've had a chance to try either her Scrumptious Blueberry Pie or Tasty Strawberry Rhubarb Pie, or even both--I know I have!

And hey, Pop'rs Pals: You've got all or part of Four Full Days to enter our Great Pop'rs Giveaway Contest! So get crackin', and let us know where you like to spend those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer! We have a pretty funny photo--shot by the Talented Aunt Julie, of course!--for tomorrow's post. I know--you're on the edge of your seat, right? Well, folks, you should be--see ya then!