Beyond Cookies

Very often, the response that comes back from other parents (not all) about Girl Scouts is – “Is it the one where kids sell cookies? We don’t like how the kids knock on doors and ask us to buy cookies”. To believe that Girl Scouts and cookies are synonyms is a myth.  Is this lack of awareness about Girl Scouts predominantly exists within my community? I am not sure about it.

I agree that there are some Girl Scout parents and troop leaders out there who are very aggressive and take it very personal on selling cookies so as to out beat others or just to get more revenue for their troop. I know how the people get in a spot when someone asks them to buy Girl Scout Cookies, when they are not interested to buy.  Occasionally these become an awkward situation to face either with the family, friends or at workplace. But, denying buying (if not interested for any reason) might be the best bet than to buy them out of social obligation. It would be a valuable lesson to the scout as how to deal with denial.

It is not a sensible decision not to enroll one’s kid into Girl Scouts just because they have to sell cookies. Selling cookies is just one aspect of numerous activities that the organization undertakes. Yes, Girl Scouts does talk or advertise a lot about their delicious cookies, because that is the cash cow for this voluntary, non-profit organization.

Girl scouts teaches girls to be strong, to lead, to help, to consider, to give back, to have fun and to be responsible – some or all of the basic traits a girl needs. In short, it makes the girls to learn how to be socially and environmentally survive in this competing world. It is much more beyond just selling cookies.

Tickled in Pink

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013.

A day to remember all the sacrifices...
A day to blow trumpets....
A day to smile.

 Telangana Tickled in PINK!!!

Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K. Chandrasekhara Rao garlanding the statue of Father of Telangana Agitation late Prof. K. Jayashankar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf
Source:The Hindu

Congratulations to the people of Telangana on endorsement for declaration of State of Telangana.

Luau for Birthday

Choosing a theme for the party and coming up with ideas for constructing the event around it is one interesting hobby for craft ardent people like me.  

I always admire those people for their creativity and their patience to document their skill with pictures and step by step detailed instructions.

So, here I am all set to document the event that has passed by with lots of compliments from guests who were  4 -8 years. old This post is to say thank you for all those bloggers out there for taking time from their mundane chores and sharing their creativity.

Theme of the party – Luau / Hawaii

The party setting at a glance

Party food on the table

Getting outdoors inside

Now in close up…

Helpful Tools:

• 81/2 X 11 inches white paper
• crayons
• paper streamers
• 3M Magic Tape - this is a real magic tape which is easy to take it off after the event and it does not peel the paint.
• Black Sharpie
• Scissors
• Raffia and Ribbon from Michaels
• Favors from Oriental Trading
• Paper Goods from local dollar store

Lei garlands - made from straws and streamer paper were nice accents. 

Palm Trees - Trunk of palm tree was made attaching 4 81/2 X 11 inches paper. Drew parallel lines and colored with brown crayon. Leaves were drawn on paper again and colored with green. Outlines with black sharpie has completed the effect.

Grass was green tissue paper torn by hand into long strips. 

Birds - Printed out some coloring designs from web and colored with pencils

Fringe Streamers 

Hula Skirts - These were the highlight of the party and kids really liked them. The time spent on them was totally worthwhile to see those bright smiles. Idea from Budget101

Music - Hawaiian music gave that true feeling of pleasant, and serene atmosphere. These were picked from local library. Thanks to BirthdayPartyIdeas for this tip. Kids did a freeze hula dance too other than playing these tracks in the background through out the party

Snacks and Treats
     going clock-wise -
        * popcorn served in cups decorated as hula skirt with tissue paper
        * carrots dipped in ranch served in ketchup cups
        * mixed fresh fruit with fruit forks
        * lucky to find theme related paper goods at dollar store :)

Party Favors
Pineapple cups, lei, hibiscus clips, color yourself visors and hula skirt

Games and Activities:
Limbo, freeze dance, coloring visors and free dance to pop music

and there was a blast of fun...

Celebrations and Gatherings

Thanks giving to New year is fun and festive. Here goes the list of things that were fun to do and cool to cherish...

* Paper Flower Center Pieces - Inspired from Zakka Life. They were elegant and adorable on the tables for a family party.

A couple of twigs, a little paper folding, a bud vase and TADAA...!

*  Finger Sandwiches - Recipe from Manjula's Kitchen (Picture is from her blog). Best thing about the recipe is easy to make... and were easy to carry for a pot luck at work...and were delicious...and got to hear nice compliments. :)

Personal Favorite - Pineapple and Pepperoncini.

*  Idli and Peanut Chutney for another potluck

*  Fruit Kebab for Girl Scout Holiday Party - Colorful, Healthy and Fun!