Make fruit skewers that look like arrows with this easy tutorial    I made these arrow fruit skewers inspired by Bard the Bowman for the Hobbit birthday party.   Because as well all know, it may have been Bilbo's cunning that found Smaug's weak spot, but it was Bard's arrow that took the dragon down.

How to prep corn ahead of time for camping, so you can easily cook amazing grilled sweet corn over the campfire.

It is HOT down here in Phoenix. This is essentially our version of winter, when we hide inside for three or four months to protect ourselves from the elements. And get a bit of cabin fever, especially with the kids home for the summer, when you can't even shoo them outside. It was time for an escape, so we decided to attempt our very first family camping trip.

Turn dollar store flip flops into hairy hobbit feet with this easy, no-sew tutorial.  These DIY hobbit feet make a great Lord of the Rings costume accessory, or party favor for a LOTR birthday party.

At my daughter's hobbit-themed birthday party, I knew I wanted to use some of Tolkien's original art from The Hobbit.  I've always loved the fact that Tolkien did his own illustrations, and wanted to pull that into the party design.

My Kia Sedona minivan had plenty of capacity (I loved the space), but it died a horrible, complete death 2,000 miles after it was out of warrantee. Two months after it had been at the dealer for regular maintenance and an inspection. Have not had a response back from Kia.

Turn a store-bought dinosaur piñata into a dragon piñata with this easy tutorial.  I used this technique to make the Smaug piñata for my daughter's Lord of the Rings birthday party.

My Kia Sedona minivan had plenty of capacity (I loved the space), but it died a horrible, complete death 2,000 miles after it was out of warrantee. Two months after it had been at the dealer for regular maintenence and an inspection. Have not had a response back from Kia.

I have become a real fan of customized, single-use wine charms.  I first made them for the daisy-themed 40th anniversary party.  And I couldn't resist a LOTR twist on the idea for the adults' beverages at the hobbit party.

Invitations set the tone for any party, and I love to make something special.  When I have enough time.  I have been known to send out email invites and hand-deliver the pretty invitations very late--sometimes the day of the party.  ;-)  But for the Hobbit Party, I actually impressed myself and had them delivered almost two weeks in advance of the date!  Woo hoo, go me!