It's getting HOT around here...

Today I was working on something for our school's PTSO - as the current Vice President I get sucked into asked to participate in MANY projects.  We were asked to put together a auction basket for the Gilbert Education Foundation or GEF to auction off at their Annual Dinner mid May.  They encourage all schools in the district to participate in putting a basket together for their school.  

Our school had a Santa Shoppe in December where all the kiddos could come and purchase that special item for the junk drawer trinket for their loved one.  In our JUMBO BONUS Christmas stocking filled with lots of crap lovely gifts - we came across a few Mexican themed serving items and the idea for our basket was born.

My partner in crime and I headed out after a fundraising meeting on Tuesday and hit up every Mexican restaurant with in a 4 mile radius of our school begging asking for a donation for our lovely basket.  We were fortunate for 4 of those restaurants to oblige - Baja Fresh, Dos Gringos, Nandos and Chipolte - YOU ROCK!  Also, Trader Joe's gave us $35 of their Mexican food items - which we got a TON!   Three bags of chips, 3 jars of salsa, enchilada sauce, chili pepper sauce, taco mix, taco shells, chili spiced dried mango and pineapple and a jar of margarita mixer!  

Next we headed to Barnes & Noble where we were able to purchase 2 Mexican Fare cookbooks on clearance - they are fabulous!  Then to the Dollar Tree where we found the most adorable cactus stem Margarita glasses, shred and cello wrap.   Last stop was Ross where I had seen that awesome red metal beverage bucket ($19.99 and so worth it - my Ross had White, Galvanized and Red).

After lots of wadded up newspapers and some empty boxes were added to the bottom - topped with shred we arranged everything in the basket - added glue dots where we didn't want things to shift.  Placed the gift cards in clear cello bags with a wee bit of shred and tied off with a pretty bow and placed one in each of the margarita glasses.  Pulled the cello wrap up over everything and secured with these fun Mexican Tissue Flowers I made up with chili pepper centers to top it all off.  

I hope it makes lots of money for GEF - the money that is raised goes to Teacher Grants and scholarships in the Gilbert School District.  

As for my big white Goober....

The entire day he was pretty much like this - he's such a GREAT helper!  What a LIFE!