Top 5 4th of July Friday Finds (Check them out!)

Hey Friends! Happy Friday to you! Are you ready to celebrate the 4th?? Woo Hoo!!

I know I already posted my 4th of July Family Fun ideas (recap here) ~ but I couldn't resist sharing some more amazing 4th of July Finds with you!

Here is my Top 5 list of 4th of July Friday Finds (make sure to scroll through the whole list ~ # 5 is my favorite!)

1. Traci Michele @ Ordinary Inspirations was the first one to introduce me to these Star Spangled Cupcakes. Check them out! Would your kids not love these or what???

You can get more directions to make these amazing creations here!

And I just came across a new, family fun (not so healthy) 4th of July dessert I can't wait to try. Check it out here. (I'll keep you posted how it goes!)

2. If you are wondering how best to lift our country in prayer for the 4th, there are a number of 4th of July prayers here.

3. If you want to spend some time sharing some 4th of July trivia, you can print off a copy here.

4. If you live in Michigan and are wondering when your favorite parade and/or fireworks are being held, you can check out an up-to-date list here.

5. And last, but certainly not least, please check out this Youtube clip. You will love it! I don't want to ruin the surprise ~ but it does go with our 4th of July theme. Would you believe over 3 million people have watched this talented artist?! (He also happens to be Dave, the brother of my best friend Julie). Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed my 4th of July Friday Finds! Have a safe, joy-filled 4th of July! Many blessings to you!!

On Having a Personal Chef for the Day

If you are looking for 4th of July Family fun ideas, be sure to check out my recent post!

I'm busy with "M & M Camp" this week (Manda & Mommy Camp) ~ but never too busy to share one of my favorite Things I Love Thursday posts! Enjoy this repeat from last summer!


As I've mentioned before, I will never be known for my fabulous cooking skills (recap here).

However, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy reading and collecting recipes or visiting cooking blogs.

In fact, my all-time favorite cooking blog is Art From My Table. I love it!

Chellie, the chef extraordinaire and blog author of Art From My Table, is passionate about cooking, intentional about serving fresh and whole foods to her family, and does an amazing job of posting creative, healthy, mouth-watering dishes.

When I saw her recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salsa, my mouth began to dance!! Yum!

Jokingly I invited myself to be her official taste tester (believe me, I know salsa!) ~ and Chellie, being the awesome friend and woman that she is, offered to come to my home and prepare it for me and my family.

In fact, she offered to prepare a whole meal. WOO HOO!!

The menu I selected: Enchilads verde, the black bean and corn salsa, and then Chellie surprised us with Blueberry Crumble for dessert.

What a blessing to have Chellie hard at work in my kitchen, while I was hard at work in my office. I loved hearing the chop, chop, chop from my desk. I think I need a personal chef every day!! :)

Before she left, Chellie taught me how to cut an avocado. Can you believe it? I'm 40 years old and never knew. But no longer! Look at what a serious avocado student I am!


To enjoy the delicious recipes and a photo recap of Chellie's cooking adventure in my kitchen, head on over to Art From My Table here.

Please be sure to introduce yourself to Chellie and let her know you came from *She Sparkles*. I know she'd be glad to meet you!!!

And for more Things I Love Thursday ideas, hop on over to my real-life neighbor Jill at The Diaper Diaries.

What things do you love today??? I'd love to hear from you!!!!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles* !! Have an amazing, joy-filled 4th of July!

4th of July Family Fun

If you haven't signed up for my Carol Kent book GIVEAWAY it's not too late! Be sure to join the fun! I'm busy with "M & M Camp" this week (I'll fill you in later) ~ but never too busy to share my celebration ideas! Enjoy this repeat from last year!

Hi Friends! :)

I recently received the following note in my mailbag...

Dear Cindy,
Any suggestions for 4th of July Family Fun? I would like to do some fun things, but not sure where to start. You are my “party go to expert”....

I'm so glad you asked, dear friend! I am in 4th of July planning mode (my family would tell you I get a little excited about the 4th) ~ and would love to share my family~friendly ideas with you!

I've already pulled out our 4th of July books. This is my favorite.....


I've also stocked up on 4th of July t-shirts (it's a tradition, everyone gets a new 4th of July shirt from Target or Old Navy ~ for $4 you can't beat it!).

I purchased cheap red, white, and blue nail polish, and my girls and I will give each other festive pedicures before the big day! ( Nail ideas here)

And how will our family celebrate on the 4th of July??

Typically, I get up early and head to the bakery for festive doughnuts (we rarely have doughnuts in the morning, so this is a special treat).

Here's a fun early morning picture from a few years ago....

Next we head to a local 4th of July Parade. I love it!

We invite lots of friends and family, and have a mini "tail gate" before the parade starts. I bring a basket filled with doughnuts, juice, fruit, etc.. and lots of festive napkins.

For the kids, I stock a bag filled with color sheets, paper lunch bags to catch the candy (and markers for them to decorate the bag while we wait for the parade to start).

I also bring the nail polish again (and paint more toes while we wait), tattoos, leis, and mini flags. If you haven't guessed ~ I am a kid magnet that day (and love every minute of it!!)

In the afternoon, we fill our day with ...

Crafts ~ideas here or here or here

Coloring Sheets, Word Searches, Mazes ~

Games ~ Of course, it wouldn't be a celebration without 4th of July BINGO with red, white, and blue M & M's ~ here

We spend late afternoon celebrating with dear friends and family. Typically I need to bring side dishes along, so here are some of my favorite simple kid-friendly food ideas...

* Red and blue finger jello (star shaped, of course)

* Cupcakes for the kids (Fun Recipe here and here)

* Flag cake (Recipe here) Always a huge hit!

And then, of course, it wouldn't be the 4th without fireworks!!

Whew!! What a day ~ I can hardly wait!!

Do you have any tradition or family fun ideas to celebrate the 4th?? Share with us please ~ I'd love to hear from you!!!

Have a wonderful, joy-filled 4th of July!! May I encourage you to "mark this moment" in some special way. Your kids will remember. You will remember. :)

Many blessings to you!!

P.S. For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, head over to We Are That Family.

P.S.S. My celebration ideas are obviously very kid-friendly. If you're looking for more "grown up" recipe ideas, there are more great recipes here.

Tuesday's Top Ten ~ 4th of July Parade Essentials

If you haven't signed up for my Carol Kent book GIVEAWAY it's not too late! Be sure to join the fun!

It's almost the 4th of July. Woo Hoo!

One of my favorite traditions is to start the day attending a 4th of July Parade (actually we attend two!). I love it!

Here are my Top 10 "must haves" when heading to a 4th of July Parade ~

1. Blanket ~ Of course a red, white, or blue blanket works best :)

2. Color sheets and Markers ~ We like to grab a parade spot early, so I bring color sheets and markers to keep the kiddos busy while we wait for the parade to start.

You can print color sheets here.

3. Lunch bags (for parade candy) ~ I pack white paper lunch bags for the kids to catch the candy (and markers for the kids to decorate the bags while we wait for the parade to start).

Be sure to bring extra bags...you'll be surprised at how many extra kids will head your way when they see you having lots of decorating fun!

4. Nail Polish ~ I also pack a bag filled with red nail polish, white nail polish, blue nail polish, cotton balls, and nail polish remover to the parade. I love painting my girls nails/toes before the parade. What fun!

5. Donuts/Drinks ~ OK, you may think I'm crazy, but one year I searched all over town for the most festive 4th of July donuts. I found them!

Now, every 4th of July I get up early, go to my favorite bakery, and buy dozens of cute, colorful donuts. I pack a picnic basket with the donuts, flag napkins, drinks, etc.. and have a "mini tailgate" before the parade. I love it!

We rarely have donuts, so it's a very special treat for my kids. And I love having extras to share with parade friends!

6. Party supplies (leis, fun sunglasses, hats, etc.) ~ Fun! Fun! Fun!

7. Tatoos ~ Another fun idea for the kids while we wait for the parade to start.

8. Sunblock ~ Not exciting, but definitely an essential!

9. Flags ~ Be sure to have plenty of flags to pass out and wave in celebration!

10. Camera ~ You won't want to miss a moment of the fun!

How do you celebrate the 4th? Do you go to any parades? What's on your Parade Essentials list? I'd love to hear from you!

And if you live in West Michigan and don't have a parade plan yet, let me know. I'd love to have you join us!

Thanks for stopping by *She Sparkles*! Have a Terrific Tuesday!!

P.S. For more great Top Ten lists, hop over and visit Oh Amanda!



P.S.S. I created a "Parade Checklist" that I print off before the parade (I don't want to forget anything in all my excitement!). If this would be a helpful resource, send me a quick email at cindy.bultema@gmail.com. I'd be happy to forward it to you!! Happy Parading! :)