Two things I’ve learned to love while living in Texas:  piñatas and micheladas. (A michelada is a spicy beer cocktail, like a beer bloody mary). I always thought piñatas were limited to kids’ parties, but since moving to Texas, I’ve seen them at birthdays, house parties, engagements, and random celebrations.

(Witch for Halloween in the bonfire, US Army tank for a couple visiting Germans, Rafael for an Italian’s birthday)

I’m missing my friend’s big 30th birthday party, but I wanted to send some Texas love—in the form of Pepe, the piñata, and a michelada kit.

I found Pepe at Cost Plus and filled him with candy and toys from Party City and Dollar Tree. (He looks a bit scared, knowing his fate.)

For the michelada kit, I bagged everything except the ice, lime, and beer.

Michelada recipe (from my friend, Tommy):

1. Start with a chilled pint glass and fill it 1/3 with ice. Optional: salt rim of glass before adding ice.
2. Add 3-4 T of fresh lime juice.
3. Add 1 dash of worcestershire sauce.
4. Add 1 dash of Maggi seasoning.
5. Add 1 dash of soy sauce.
6. Add 1-2 dashes of Tabasco.
7. Add a Negro Modelo, Dos Equis, or other Mexican beer.
8. ENJOY!

For the semi-DIY gift, I thought I would engrave a michelada beer glass. This is a great idea in concept…but after many practice attempts with my Dremel 290-01 Engraver, it just didn’t look pretty. The writing kept coming out cracked and crooked. Maybe I should have invested in the diamond point, but you can only buy it online and I was short on time.

A semi-DIY failure! So what’s a crafter to do?…take the easy route and use paint pens. At least it looks kinda pretty.

That’s how we do it in Texas. 🙂