Author: Bunco Betty!

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Bunco Game Food Style

The Bunco group that I belong to is one where we have a potluck meal before we play.  We basically have it down to a science: we eat for 45 minutes and then play two rounds of Bunco. Next, we eat dessert for ten minutes, play one round of Bunco, pass out the prizes and then play LCR (which is optional).  Whew!  We have ladies who love to chat and some who just want to get the show on the road. After three years of playing with mostly the same people we have figured out what works best for us as a group.

We are a large group and typically play with 18 to 24 people.  One time we had ten people bring dessert.  I was hosting and was left with way too many cakes and pies for a family of four to eat!  Now we limit it to four people bringing desserts, this way we don’t have an overabundance.  I have heard of groups who take turns being the hostess and she provides the food for her assigned Bunco game.  This sounds like fun and a great way to host for smaller groups.

Our potlucks do not include main dishes.  Our games are usually held at 2pm on Sunday afternoons so we prefer appetizers and snack foods. We have some really good cooks who play with us!  One of my favorite snacks to bring (I get requests for them!) are Cinnamon Candied Cashews.  They are easy to make and delicious.

Cinnamon Candied Cashews
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups raw cashews
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

Line a baking sheet with a silicon mat.  Put the nuts, sugar, water, and salt into a large skillet over high heat.  Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, and cook until the water is nearly evaporated and the liquid becomes syrupy, about 10 minutes.    After 10 minutes, sprinkle the cinnamon over the nuts and stir well.  Continue stirring constantly while the water evaporates completely, about 5 minutes.  When there is no longer any sugar syrup left in the bottom of the pan, turn off the heat and stir the nuts vigorously but carefully in the pan until the sugar seizes up and the nuts are evenly coated with crystallized sugar.  Turn the nuts out onto the silicon mat and spread evenly.  Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

If you put treats on the Bunco tables these nuts would be a great addition to your routine snacks.  They would look so cute on these Dice Plates. We used to have a lot of chocolate and hard candies on the Bunco tables.  The ladies in my Bunco group do not have much willpower when it comes to snacks being at their fingertips, so we have done away with anything too sweet on the tables.  Now we  have nuts or dried fruit to munch on and occasionally the candied nuts above for a treat.

Does your Bunco group have potlucks or rotate hostesses who provide a meal?  Do you have snacks on the Bunco tables?  Let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

Keep Calm and Play Bunco,

Bunco Betty
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Favorite Bunco Themes–Dirty Dancing Bunco

I was thinking about the (many) Bunco games I have played in the last eight years.  One of my most favorite Bunco games that I planned was Dirty Dancing Bunco.  It was the 25th anniversary of the beloved movie and I thought it would be fun to throw a Bunco party with a  Dirty Dancing theme.

Of course we had, you guessed it, the Dirty Dancing DVD on in the background.  We had the sound turned down and the movie soundtrack CD playing.  Everyone loved it and sang along!  I also gave Dirty Dancing DVDs and CDs away as prizes for Snake Eyes as well as  first and last Bunco.  Our group gives the first person to get a Bunco her $5 back as well as a prize.  They get to wear a fun themed necklace until we hand out prizes at the end.  If you roll triple ones when you aren’t rolling for ones, it is called Snake Eyes.  Whoever rolled it loses all of  her points in that round and must yell Snake Eyes. Whoever rolled the last Snake Eyes throws the plush fuzzy die (like this awesome one from Bunco Game Shop) to her and the person who has the die at the end wins a prize.

I brought watermelon cake pops for dessert (remember when Baby carried the watermelon into the dance hall?) They were so cute and a big hit.  Here is the (easy) recipe:

1 box white cake mix (or your favorite recipe)
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
1/4 teaspoon pink paste food color
3/4 cup vanilla frosting (ready made or your favorite recipe)
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
32  Lollipop sticks
1 bag (16 oz) green candy melts or coating wafers, melted
1 bag (16oz) white candy melts, melted
block of foam or cakepop holder

  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Spray 13×9-inch pan with cooking spray.
  • Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 13×9-inch pan, using water, oil and egg whites and adding pink paste food color.
  • Cool completely.
  • Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. I like to use two small cookie sheets from the dollar store. They fit nicely in my small freezer.
  • Crumble cake into large bowl.
  • Add frosting and mini chocolate chips; mix well.
  • Shape into 32 oblong balls to look like watermelon; place on cookie sheets.
  • Freeze until firm, at least an hour.
  • When cake balls are firm, transfer to refrigerator.
  • Remove several cake balls from refrigerator at a time.
  • Dip tip of 1 lollipop stick 1/2 inch into melted white candy and insert stick into 1 cake ball no more than halfway.
  • Dip each cake ball into melted candy to cover; tap off excess.
  • Poke opposite end of stick into foam block.
  • Let stand until set.
  • Dip each cake ball into melted green candy to cover; tap off excess.
  • Return sticks to foam block. Let stand until set.

What is your favorite Bunco theme? Do you use  Snake Eyes in your Bunco game?  What are some of your favorite Bunco rules? Let us know.  We would love to hear from you.
Keep Calm and Play Bunco,
Bunco Betty

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Birthday Bunco Bash Finger Food Ideas

One of our fans, Christina, is celebrating a fellow Bunco players 91st birthday with a Birthday Bunco Bash this month.  She would like to serve finger foods and needs some ideas.  Well, I have some tried and true favorites for you from the free download of the Bunko Junkie Appetizer cookbook available here.  There are 150 awesome appetizer recipes in this FREE download from Bunco Game Shop, so download your copy today!

This crunchy mix is a great addition at each Bunco table for snacking throughout the evening:

All-American Bunko Snack

3 cups thin pretzel sticks
4 cups Wheat Chex®
4 cups Cheerios®
13 ounces can salted peanuts
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup melted butter

In large mixing bowl or slow-cooking pot, mix together pretzels, cereals, and peanuts. Sprinkle with garlic salt, celery salt, seasoned salt, and cheese. Pour melted butter over all; toss until well mixed. Cover and cook in slow-cooking pot on low 3 to 4 hours. Uncover the last 30 to 40 minutes. Serve as appetizer or snack

Baby Porcupine Appetizers are spicy bite sized meatballs that everyone loves.  They are easy to make and the perfect bite sized Bunco snack. These meatballs would look so festive with these adorable dice party picks from the Bunco Game Shop.

Baby Porcupine Appetizers

1/2 cup rice
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon onions — minced
2 tablespoons green bell peppers — finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1 clove garlic
2 cups tomato juice
4 cloves
1/2 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Combine rice, ground meat, onion, green pepper, salt, celery salt and garlic; form into balls about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.

Heat tomato juice, cloves, oregano and Worcestershire sauce in skillet. Add meatballs. Cover tightly and simmer for 50 minutes. Remove cloves before serving.

 
Another popular finger food is chicken wings.  These Parmesan Chicken Wings are easy to make, baked not fried and delicious!  Bunco guests will love them!

Parmesan Chicken Wings

1 cup Freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Heaping — finely chopped fresh Parsley
1 tablespoon Fresh — oregano or marjoram
Chopped or 1 tsp. of either
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Fresh ground pepper
2 pounds Chicken wings cut up
1/2 cup Butter melted

Preheat oven to 375 deg. Mix cheese,parsley,oregano, salt and pepper together and place on a dry tray. Dip each piece of chicken into the butter,then roll in the cheese mixture,coating well.

Place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes,turning when brown. Wings will freeze well. Thaw in refrigerator,and heat in a 375 deg. oven. Makes 4 main course or 8 appetizer servings.

 

 

Please share if you try any of these recipes and let us know how they turned out.  If you have a finger food recipe that you love, please post the recipe and/or a picture.  I made all of these recipes today and they turned out wonderful! The kids loved the Bunko Snack mix after school today!  It was a fun surprise!

Are you playing Bunco soon?  If so, let us know about it!  There are so many fun products here at BuncoGameShop.com. My group loves the foam dice for roll offs when there is a tie for Most Buncos, Most Wins, etc.  We are having a South Beach themed Bunco this weekend.  The funny thing is that we live in the desert!  I will post pictures next week.

Keep Calm and Play Bunco,

Bunco Betty

 

 

 

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Bunco theme ideas

Hi there!  So I asked our Facebook fans to give me some bunco ideas and they were so cute!  Here’s what I got.  🙂

  • The Big Bunco Theory (like the big bang theory)
  • Pajama Bunco
  • Mardi Gras Bunco
  • Easter Bunco (bunny ears for the current bunco winner)
  • St. Patrick’s Day
  • Vampire Theme for the Black Dagger Brotherhood books
  • Alice in Wonderland meets Sex and the City Theme (fun hats and Cosmo’s)
  • Candy Land
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Best dress
  • Long Beach Housewives
  • Fabulous 50’s
  • Naughty bunco (bachelorette party bunco)
  • Ugly bridesmaid dress bunco
  • March margarita madness
  • Hunger Games Theme

The ideas were so cute!

I also wanted to share a picture of some cupcakes that someone made for an American Cancer Society fundraiser.  She did a fab job and they raised almost $500.00!

Way to go!!  They look yummy!!

Here’s another online recipe I thought sounded good…baked, not fried!  Yay!

BAKED MOZZARELLA STICKS!!

8 ounces mozzarella cheese

  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 2 teaspoons italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 teaspoons melted butter

Directions:

  1. Cut cheese in 1/2″ x 1/2″ x 3″ sticks.
  2. Toss with flour and set aside.
  3. In small bowl, beat together eggs and water and set aside.
  4. In separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, italian seasoning and garlic powder.
  5. Dip sticks in egg mixture, then coat with crumbs.
  6. Repeat this process.
  7. Place on a plate in a single layer, cover with foil and chill for 2 hours.
  8. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  9. Place cheese sticks on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter.
  10. Bake until crisp, about 8 to 10 minutes.Flip after 5 minutes.
  11. Heat a little spaghetti sauce to use for dipping.
I’m thinking of making the tonight for dinner!  LOL
Until next time Bunco Babes!!
Bunco Betty!
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Casino Bunco and Principal’s Pride!

Oh my goodness!  I just wanted to share with you ladies the email I got today from my Son’s Teacher!

“I’m so excited to let you know I’ve decided to nominate Bradley as Principal’s Pride for February!  He has done so well in spelling the past few weeks, and has shown so much progress with fluency, I am proud of him, and he deserves it! ”

Principal’s pride!  Yay!  I’m so proud of him!  He’s come so far and this year has been rough on him.

So, we are getting our bunco group together for a special LCR night this weekend.  We love getting together “just because” too!

Looks like we’re going to a Mexican restaurant downtown!  OH YEAH!

Not sure if I told you but my friend gave me his iPhone for free when he upgraded the the 4, so I have an iPhone!!  Anyway, since learning of my trip to Wendover, NV with my friend, I’ve been using this slot machine app on my phone.  It’s pretty pathetic but I’m addicted!  You just play with fake money OR you can purchase money on your iPhone to play with….I’m not that brave.

So, having casinos on my mind….has anyone ever had a “Casino Night” themed Bunco?  If so, I would love to hear how that went and what did you do for it?  I came across a poker chip collection the last time I was in Goodwill and thought about decorating for Casino Bunco Night.  Maybe everyone could be wearing the blinking bunco dice pin!

Bunco Blinking Dice – 1 Dozen Bunco Prize

Bunco Blinking Dice Pin / Necklace - 1 Dozen

Let me know what you think!

Hugs!!

Bunco Betty!

 

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Bunco gifts galore!

Ok, so I’m going to do a “My favorite bunco things” post!

First, I shall share with you some of the great sales we are having currently and I promise you will love them!  All under $10.00!!

Regular price: $12.99
Sale price: $5.99
Crystal Dice Wine Bottle Stopper - Gift Boxed

Regular price: $12.99
Sale price: $6.99
Bunco Center Piece Dice Candle - 5" x 5"

Regular price: $9.99
Sale price: $8.99
Large Acrylic Dice Keychains 1 Dozen

Regular price: $12.99
Sale price: $6.99
I could keep going, but I will fill up the entire page with just sales!  Check it out at Bunco Game Shop!
Things have been going pretty well.  My daughter loves her Gymnastics class and I love watching her!  When I was a little girl that’s all I ever dreamed of but my parents couldn’t afford it.
Work has been going good too!  And guess what?? My dear friend won an all expense paid trip to Wendover Nevada for 3 nights on a radio station and she’s taking me!  WhooHoo!  Mommies weekend getaway here we come!  The trip included the round trip flights for 2 and 3 nights at a casino.  It’s going to be so much fun!  3 nights without kids!  Sounds like a great getaway!  It’s the first weekend of March, so I’m saving my money!  Anyone been there?  I haven’t been to Wendover Nevada…I guess it’s on the border of Nevada and Utah.
Until next time my bunco divas!
Bunco Betty
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Valentines Bunco Gift

Well folks, I got a job!

Ok, I’ll say it again…I got a job!  I really wasn’t looking, as I have been blessed to be able to stay home with the little ones since day one.  It’s been about 8 years since I’ve had a job and was “Me” instead of “Mom”.  Well, as you all probably know from reading the blog, I love kickboxing and the Martial Arts Studio that I Kickbox at called me one day and wanted to see if I would work Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3-8pm.  UM YEAH!  Time away from the home, not too demanding and a super fun atmosphere!  I jumped on it.  Now, I’m “Me” for about 5 hours two days a week and can hang up my “Mommy” hat and have adult conversations!  I love it!

So that’s what’s new in my life…Hubby gets home tomorrow night…thank God.

The Facebook page for the Bunco Game Shop really has been doing very well and I wanted to thank you!  You guys are so awesome!!

What do you think about sharing recipes on the page?  Let me know!  We can exchange them!

So I know a lot of you out there are trying to get together a Bunco group.  Don’t forget that you can look for bunco babes on our site too!  Maybe post your name and the city you are in and see if anyone out there can help you out.

My dogs are looking at me weird…Maybe I should go feed them or see if they are out of water.

Here’s a special Valentines deal for you!

Free Valentine Flowers & Shipping for our VIPs!

Bunco Game Shop

Forward to a friend

Dear Bunco Friends-

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our Bunco VIPs! This year we are celebrating with you by giving away Valentine flowers PLUS offering free shipping on all orders of $39 or more through 2/14/2012. Shop Now to receive your Valentine gifts!

Visit Bunco Game Shop and enter code: BuncoValentine at checkout.

Hurry – offer expires Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Visit us now www.buncogameshop.com, or call us toll-free at 1-866-618-6382 to place your order now!

Valentine’s Flowers include dice container and seeds. Potting soil not included.

Cheers,
-Bunco Betty
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Forward this to a friend too!

Off to feed the doggies!

Bunco Betty

 

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February and March Bunco Party Theme Ideas

I can’t believe it’s already February!!!!  Everyone always said that when your kids are young, the time flies by so fast and that is SO true!

If you want some Feb & March ideas for your Bunco party, you can check some out here.  Also, I have been getting into the appetizer craze and my friend made one for Superbowl Sunday and it was YUMMY!!

Avocado, Cream Cheese, and Salsa-Stuffed Puff Pastries

Makes approximately 9 puffs, depending on size of squares and how thin dough is rolled

1 large sheet puffed pastry, thawed

1 ripe avocado, halved and mashed (approximately 1 tablespoon of avocado per pastry square)

1/3 cup cream cheese (approximately 1 teaspoon of cream cheese per pastry square)

1/3 cup salsa (approximately 1 teaspoon of salsa per pastry square.)

salt and pepper, sprinkled to taste

1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 400F and prepare two baking sheets with either parchment paper or spray them well with cooking spray.

Thaw one large square of puffed pastry for about 10 minutes. Flour your counter top or working surface and roll out the pastry square as thinly as possible.  With a pizza cutter or knife, slice the puffed pastry into approximately 2-inch by 2-inch squares.

On half the squares place a dollop of avocado, then cream cheese, then salsa, season with salt and pepper.  Use the remaining squares as the lids and place one lid over the filling mounds. Seal the pastry by pressing the edges with a fork, taking care to seal the edges well, pressing the fork in repeatedly, so no filling escapes during baking.

In a small bowl, beat an egg with a fork, and apply to each of the pastry packages. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until desired browning and puffing has occurred. Watch them closely after 10 minutes in case your oven is hotter or your brand of puffed pastry cooks faster.

Remove from the oven and serve.  Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and if desired, reheat leftovers in the microwave for approximately 45 seconds before serving.

So good and they were a hit!

I brought my cream cheese and roast beef pinwheels.  🙂

Lots of hugs to you bunco babes!!

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Bunco with no camera…no bueno!

Hey ladies!

This weekend we had our bunco night at Sandi’s house and it was a blast!  We played a couple of rounds of bunco and then some LCR.  I believe I drank too much wine and had too much food.  The food was wonderful and everything was wonderful except one thing…no one brought a camera!!!  AHHHHH!  I guess we’ll only have the memories…no photos.  🙁

My daughter wants to do gymnastics and I’m super excited to find a place for her.  This will help with her attitude…I’m hoping!  She has so much energy and needs to be a part of something.  Anyway, I’m hoping we can get her into it very soon.

My hubby took my son snowboarding Sunday and they had a blast!  That’s my husband’s favorite thing to do and he’s been snowboarding for about 20 years and is so excited that he gets to take the little guy.

They had SO MUCH FUN!  It’s nice to see the quality time together.  🙂  *H A P P Y*

We’ve been getting more “likes” on our Facebook page and I’m happy about that too!  Can’t wait for the giveaway!!  🙂

I feel like crap…you know, that lingering crappy feeling that just won’t go away?  Well, I shouldn’t complain because my dear friend has been walking around with a severe case of bronchitis and after a few weeks, finally got some good meds.  So….I won’t bitch anymore.  😉

Here’s another fab and healthy recipe for you!  😉

Skinny Taco Dip

8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese

  • 8 oz 1/3 less fat Philadelphia cream cheese
  • 8 oz reduced fat sour cream
  • 16 oz jar mild salsa
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded
  • 2 large tomatoes, diced
  • 1 cup reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2.25 oz black olives,

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, salsa and taco seasoning and mix well with an electric mixer. Spread on the bottom of a large shallow glass dish. Top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese and black olives. Serve with baked tortilla chips.

Hugs to you all!

Bunco Betty

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Bunco on Pinterest

After hearing about Pinterest…I finally looked into it and was invited!  I have one for Bunco Game Shop and I must say it’s pretty freakin COOL!
🙂  Lots of fun and pretty addicting.  I love seeing the other bunco lovers out there and all of the great ideas!  I’m going to share something I found today that I really want to try:

 

 

 

 

Arnold Palmer jello shots! 1 box lemon jello, Firefly sweet tea vodka, 10 lemons.  Cut the lemons in half, juice them, pull the pulp and skin out (I did it with my hands, but make sure your hands aren’t dry at all or it will burn!) Line the halves up in a cake pan so they’re snug. Then make the jello, put the mixture in a measuring cup with a spout for pouring and fill the lemon halves. Refrigerate over night and then slice in half again (with a sharp knife) before serving.

Now that I am sucked into pinterest…ahhhhhh!  Another obsession!!!

Today was a good day, I got lots of cleaning done!  Yay!  Hubby comes home tomorrow and hopefully I will sell my treadmill too!  I have someone coming to look at it so cross your fingers for me!  I really hate running…I went through a running phase and my wonderful husband bought me a really nice NordicTrack and now it just takes up room.  If I want to workout, I’ll go Kickboxing or do some P90X or Slim in 6.  So, if I sell it we will have “fun money” for date nights. 😉

My daughter is a ROYAL PAIN IN MY ASS.  I’m hoping you heard that right….she’s a PILL.  Boy, do I have my hands full.  God help me.

Anyone out there have beautiful evil 5 year old daughters?  PLEASE let me know I’m not alone.  🙂

Tomorrow night we are taking the kids to a hockey game!  I’m so excited!

Off to drink my glass of Vodka Tonic and watch some TV after a busy day!

Ta-ta for now!

Bunco Betty