The Best Party Punch

Today was the big double birthday party for the kids.  It's always a huge undertaking for me...house cleaning, cake baking/decorating, party favors, etc.  This is the second party I've done while being in my third trimester of pregnancy.  This year we had a pajama party.  I thought all of the kids enjoyed it.  Who doesn't love wearing their pj's?  We also played eat the doughnut game...we put powereded doughnuts on string and taped them to our large door frame...and the kids had to eat them without using their hands.  It was so fun to watch!  We were all cheering and laughing and the kids did a great job!  Instead of a birthday cake, I did cake batter pancakes with powdered sugar icing.  They were fun, but I made a ton...and have a lot left over!  For our party favor, I made no-sew fleece scarves (blue and purple) and cut some different fabric shapes (along with two amazing ladies who came over to help me with the craft time) so the kids could decorate their scarves.  It turned out really cute.  And the food.  I had some easy party food...little smokies in bbq sauce, cheetos, chips and dip, the pancakes, and a make your own ice cream sundae bar.  Easy and good.  But...my Granny came to the party and made some of her DELICIOUS homemade salsa, chicken salad, pimento cheese, and brought lots of different kinds of chips.  Thank you, Granny!  My Mom asked me if there was anything she could make and I immediately said, "Could you bring some punch?"  She said, "You think one batch or two?"  I said, "Go ahead and make two."  And I'm glad I did!

Let me tell you about this punch.  We've had it at family gatherings for years...and it's always a hit.  One thing I love about it is the texture.  It's got that flaky (um...yum!) ice texture and it just about melts in your mouth...but it's just cold and icy enough to have some crunch.  Mmmm.  I'm totally craving that right now.  It's also got a sweet, fruity flavor and is basically addictive.  Just ask our party going friends today.  The kids and grown-ups enjoyed it, and by the end of the party I had several requests for the recipe while we were scraping the bottom of the punch bowl to get the last of the second batch out.  I thought I vaguely remembered having the recipe, so I decided to go take a look and low and behold...I had it.  For those who requested it today, and those who've never had it who would now like to try it, here's the recipe!

Party Punch

(serves 20+)

1 box (small) jello (strawberry)

2 cups boiling water

Juice of two lemons

1 can of pineapple juice (46 oz)

2 cups sugar

1 2 liter of Sprite

Mix together well and pour into 1 gallon milk container.  Add water to fill about 3 in. from the top of container.  Color may be added if desired (without coloring it's a pinkish color).  Cover securely.  Place in freezer the night before.  On the day or night this is to be served, take out of freezer 1 hour to 30 min. before use.  Add Sprite.  Serve.  (To me, it's best when you serve it up right away to get that good icy texture.  The longer it sits, the less icy it is.)

Enjoy! : )

Birthday pics to come!