Jackie the House Elf is Back

Jackie the house elf is back for another year of tomfoolery and festive fun.

 

Jet setting Jackie the house elf is back.  I wonder what trouble he will get up to this year #photoaday #project365 #ElfOnTheShelf #JackieTheHouseElf #ImBack #MandMs #BadElf

Jackie the house Elf loves to ride

Jackie the house Elf says "Would you like a Jelly Baby?"

Jackie the House Elf is Radagast

Jackie the House Elf likes a challenge, he walks the tightrope!  

Jackie the house elf starts his game with a Yahtzee on the first roll

Jackie the House Elf completes the Cube
 that nobody in the house could do! Clever The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie on a tree, that tricky Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the House Elf is a naughty boy!
He copied his behind.  The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie gets held up by the Emperors Lego Imperial forces.
 The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the house elf on the WC. The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the house elf caught in the candy mailbox.  #theElfOnTheShelf

Jackie taking photos of a local lady
The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the house elf and his new friend UK Barbie. Steady!
The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie and UK Barbie racing a cow and a gorilla.
The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the house Elf and friend discovers 
Stonehenge made from videos

Jackie and UK Barbie racing a cow and a gorilla. The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the house elf and Brit (yes she has a name)
taking in the sights. The advantage of being as small as an elf
is that binoculars work as a double telescope! The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie and Brit "Elfie!"

Jackie the House Elf and Brit decorate their tree. The Elf on the Shelf

Jackie the House Elf goes Tinsel Jumping

Jackie thinks that Santa is a Piñata!  The Elf on the Shelf

Ready to drive off into the sunset,
Jackie gets ready to start his journey back to the North Pole,
"Bye Brit, I'm off" #ElfOnTheShelf #SeeYouNextYear

See you next year!

Dinner and a Movie - Big Night

Food, drink and a movie is a great way to spend time with friends!  We joined 2 other couples to put on a Date Night dinner and a movie for some other friends. The inspiration for our party came from "Big Night," a wonderful flick about a small Italian restaurant and its final attempt to stay open.

In the movie, plate after plate of delicious food comes poring out of the kitchen.  Our chef Paul, attempted, and succeeded, in creating a similar experience, including the masterpiece Timpáno.

Our night started with cocktails and music. A wonderful collection of music, from the soundtrack of Big Night.  From "Mambo Italiano" to Paul Anka's modern classics with a twist.  You have got hear hear his version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

The wine was pored and enjoyed

The salad served

Next came the polenta and Shrimp

and of course the Timpáno!

After the main course, our guests (slowly) moved out to the garden to watch the movie on the Big Screen.

Afagoto with homemade Biscotti finished off a perfect night

 Big Tips for your Dinner and a Movie Night

• Divide responsibilities for each part of the night to different people. I (FunFlicks) provided the screen.
• Grab some close friends to host, you will have as much fun in the kitchen as your guests
• Make a rough plan for timing of the night taking into account each aspect of the night.  If hosting a movie outdoors look at what time the sun sets and what time you would like the movie to end (and your guests leave) and work backward from there.
• Try to provide service, fill water glasses, wine, serve the food and clear dishes
• If you are serving cocktails and other drinks, have someone act as a designated driver, to pickup and drop off your guests
• We connected a second screen indoors for when the night turned cool

Our Big Night was a Big Success 

Mangiare Bene (Eat well)

Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

Movie Themed Place Setting for Your Outdoor Movie

The County fair always has some great craft competitions.  My wife loves to look at the place settings for dinner party inspiration. This year, I was delighted to see a number of very creative movie themed entries.

Building a theme around your outdoor movie is always fun.  Be inspired and add touch of creativity to your dinner and a movie night with these theme place setting ideas.

The Hobbit\Lord of the Rings

   

The Piano



Breakfast at Tiffany's





The Wizard of OZ

Clue

Saving Mr Banks or Mary Poppins

Frozen

This summer we will be having a "Big Night" themed dinner and a movie night with friends.  These settings really help inspire us for our party, I hope they inspire you!

Enjoy
Paul the Outdoor Movie Guy

World Cup Viewing Party

Whether you call it soccer, football, futbol or just simply the beautiful game, the FIFA World Cup is here again!   32 teams have qualified for the month long tournament to see who will be crowned World Champions for the next four years.  Go team USA (unless of course they are playing England, then my true loyalties will show!)  Download the schedule here


We have received a lot of calls seeing if we can project the game.  Here are some quick facts:

Can you project it onto one of your screens?
Yes we can, it's great to grab some friends and watch together.

Can we view it outside?
Unfortunately the games are during the day and the sun is a lot brighter than a projector, so no.

What other options do I have?
Some people record the games and play them later at night.  With the games being during the day many people are at work anyway so this is a great option.

We can also set up in gyms, barns, wine caves etc. and view during the day.  We have even set up in a garage with the doors open with people sitting outside in the sun.

Do you have any cool viewing party ideas?
Before the game set up FIFA soccer on your favorite games console and play out a game between the teams that are playing in the game you are going to watch.



 Foosball tables are loads of fun, interactive and help get everyone pumped for the game.

Decorationswith a World Cup theme set the scene.

You may have a big screen, but make sure every room your guest will be in has a screen to view the game.

Who will win?
Search me... Brazil on home soil will be tough to beat.

What about the USA?
My prediction is the USA will creep out of the group stage after upsetting Germany and my beloved England will FINALLY break the curse and NOT loose on penalties (hey, a guy can hope)!

Your Football (soccer) loving Outdoor Movie Guy
Come on England! USA USA USA!