A Smorgasboard of Cinco and Carnivals=FIESTA!

Welcome! I am so glad that I am back. I had quite the time weening myself away from the computer and all my bloggy pals last week. I came to realize, or rather confirm what I already knew-I enjoy hearing from you, I enjoy reading your blogs, and I enjoy the camaraderie. I missed all of that and am glad to back in the swing of things. I am appreciative of you, really I am. I thank you for your following, your friendship and kinship and support. Like meeting a neighbor every morning at the back fence or over coffee, I have come to depend on this blog for the great kinship, friendship, advice and inspiration that I receive from you. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I also want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Chandy for hosting Thrifty Thursday last week. Mucho, gracias!
Now onto the post at hand....It's Thrifty Thursday!

Thrifty Thursday is a show and tell of sorts. It is time for you to showcase your thrifty find. It can be an old find or a new one. It might be something that you found at a thrift store, a consignment store, flea market, garage/yard sale, dumpster diving, even antique stores. It's it was a thrifty find, then it meets the requirements. I am not picky, It can be a great pair of boots & a killer vintage dress, jewelry, home decor, even fishing lures. It is your thrifty find. Tell me about it.Where did you find it? What is it? What do you plan to do with it or how do you plan to use it in your home? Do you want to sell it? Thrifty Thursday's are about the thrill of the hunt...and the treasure you found. So....do show and tell! Be sure to grab a button and link back.

In addition to Thrifty Thursday I am also participating in two other weekly carnivals:
Tablescape Thursday is hosted by the ever gracious and lovely Susan of Between Naps on the Porch.

Foodie Friday is hosted by Designs by Gollum. Be sure to go by and see all of the participants of this most Tasty day of the week!

I am combining all of the carnivals into one post this week, as I have much catching up to do!

This Friday is Cinco de Mayo, it's a perfect time to celebrate, and it just happens to be the theme to this week's Foodie Friday. It's also my theme for my tablescape, And you can probably guess what resources I used to decorate....thrifty ones!
Lets begin.

First for the menu, which I will be making on the actual Cinco De Mayo. My dear friend, Zinnia has taught me some great recipes from her native Mexico. It's some of these authentic Mexican recipes that I am preparing for our fiesta!

Cinco De Mayo Menu:

Taco Soup
Zinnia's Spanish Rice
Leigh's Vegetable Fajitas
Leigh's Super Salsa with Chips
Chicken Soft Tacos
Chile's Rellenos
(all of these recipes can be found at my recipe blog, Plates and Places)
And of course, we need a little something to cool us off....

Rum Rita (Because Tequila isn't a friend of mine....)

1.0 crushed Ice
1.0 can Limeade
6.0 oz Rum
10.0 whole Strawberries

Directions:
Crush ice with rum in blender. Add one can of limeade and strawberries. Blend together. Serve in margarita glasses.

My tablescape consist of thrifty finds. The tablecloth is an actual Mexican blanket, a thrift store find. The black plates as well as the colorful bowls, I have shared before, both are thrift store finds. The margarita glasses are handpainted, a Dollar Tree find. The cut glass pitcher is an inherited piece, as is the rooster, which came from my grandmother's estate.

All make up for my idea for a fun fiesta! I hope you can use one or more of these ideas for your fiesta!

Happy Day! Come back tomorrow for some of the lowdown of my vacation adventures, in the meantime...I need a vacation from my extended vacations. I know, that is so bad...but I have literally traveled approximmatley 650 miles over a long weekend. After a quick nap...You'll find me over at your place playing catch up! Leave me a "roadmap". OLAY!

MR LINKY:

1. http://ofbeingdomestic.blogspot.com/2009/04/thrifty-thursday-free-puppy.html

2. The American Homemaker

3. Kristin -The Goat (Thrifty Meats)

4. http://bigblackdogs.blogspot.com/2009/04/country-kitchen-brunch.html
5. Marty

6. http://myjoyfulhome.blogspot.com/2009/04/thrifty-thursday_29.html

7. Chandy

8. Lorna~ Lace and Ivy Cottage~
9. http://thoughtfullyblendedhearts.blogspot.com/2009/03/shadow-shot-sunday.html

10. Jen Dust Bunny Hostage
11. Kim at My Domestic Bliss

12. Cass at That Old House

13. jerri

14. http://christinaandvictoria.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-round-of-thrifty-finds-and.html

15. Newlyweds (Jalapeno Cheesecake)

16. http://kathleenellis.blogspot.com/

I will be adding more links here within my post throughout the day as people link up. This Mister Linky is "old school" and not my favorite, in fact my least favorite, but for soem reason I have problems getting the newer version to run. Certainly the error of the one behind the keyboard. Sorry! Welcome to the party!