"ING": Tailgating, Giftgiving, and Celebrating

On Saturday Tricia from the Boutelle Family Zoo had a neat carnival asking her readers, " What inspires you?". It was fun to visit the participants and see just where people receive their inspiration. Eveyone's post was a bit different. I mentioned many of the ways I receive my inspiration, one of those reason being through you! When I visit your blogs, I always  come away with ideas, from parenting to crafting, blogging to decor and that is why I enjoy blogging so....that as well as the friendships that I have made-priceless.

This weekend my friend, Judy had a tailgate party at her gift shop, The Monkey Basket in Helena, Alabama. I stopped by to represent my favorite football team, the Crimson Tide of Alabama! Judy gave away shakers to everyone that came dressed in their respective team logos.  She also had all kinds of delicious food to sample, perfect for tailgating, as well as for those armchair quarterbacks at home. Delicious food, such as chili, barbeque sauces, dips and both savory and dessert cheese balls. Everything was made simply by using one of the mixes that you can pick up at her store or order online at her website. I took home a Wind and Willow brand BLT cheeseball ($5.00) and made delicious rollups using the cheeseball that were the hit of my tailgate party!

I just spread some of the cheeseball over a flour tortilla and added ham, but you could add your favorite lunch meat and toppings such as lettuce and diced tomato. Roll  from one side to the next, you can serve it as a sandwich as I did, or cut into pinwheels and serve on a platter for perfect and easy appetizers.

Any of The Monkey Basket's food products would make a perfect hostess gift when attending a tailgate party! She also has adorable collegite team logo merchandise from serving platters to napkins to wallets and baby items. Be sure to check out her website for some great and affordable party necessities.

The Monkey Basket
4075 Helena Rd
Helena, AL 35080
(205) 664-2542

On the subject of inspiration, these post inspired me this weekend....you can gather more of what I did by visiting the below blogs.
Over at Sweet Cottage Dreams, my sweet friend  is serving up the most delicious summer salsa-it would go great with that ham and cheese roll up and a side of pita chips! Sweet Cottage Dreams has the recipe for you!


Over at Mamie Jane's she always has the most clever ideas....for example this one: Pottery Barn, eat your heart out. I like her version better!
And this one....which I will be making for Christmas gifts this year. Shh, don't tell anyone! Aren't they adorable! And GREEN-reuse, repurpose and treasure and adore!
 
I adore YOU! Thanks for taking the time to drop by Bloggeritaville today!
 
Before I go, I want to extend HUGE birthday wishes to a very special and dear friend of mine. Actually, Big Daddy and I have known this fella half of our lifes, over twenty years to be exact, and he just gets better as he ages. Happy Birthday to my friend, Freddy Sanchez! Forty never looked so good! Big Hugs Big Guy!! WE LOVE YOU!!!