happy fourth…

7 / 4 / 15

Happy Birthday, America – 239 years old today! The Fourth of July. A celebration of our red, white and blue. Flags flying high and proud. Displays of patriotism around every corner. Amidst the BBQ and fireworks, the tri-color jello molds and the stars and stripes fingernail art – I think we sometimes get too busy, so wrapped up in all of the preparation and planning (myself included) that we forget. We forget to stop… and say “thank you”.

As they say, “there is no land of the free, without home of the brave“. To our men and women , past and present, who have served this great country of ours… we are forever in your debt. Thank you, thank you; a million times… thank you.

That being said, I also 100% LOVE all of the wonderful family and friends traditions that we celebrate this glorious day. So many memories, going all the way back to my grandparents’ boathouse on the river when I was a little girl. Spending the day on the little “beach” with a picnic lunch, catching tadpoles and shooting the rapids. Returning, exhausted, to our tiny little river house to enjoy smokebombs, “snakes” and sparklers, before we crashed, 2-3 people per bed, underneath a bizillion stars, in the middle of nowhere – the chirping of the crickets almost deafening… Flash forward – Another vivid Fourth of July memory – exactly 25 years ago today. Pregnant with twins and confined to bedrest, I was feeling ~~overwhelmingly~~ a little “stir crazy” and decided to “sneak out” and watch the fireworks that night. Ha!! Let me tell you, there is absolutely NO WAY to “sneak” ANYWHERE when you are 36 weeks pregnant with twins. Never-the-less; we did it anyway. I went into labor exactly 10 days later…

I woke up this morning remembering the past 25 years with our kids… like a filmstrip of memories all jumbled up into a big ball of happy. Parades and popsicles, family and friends, petting zoos and jump houses, tattoos and water balloons, pony rides and decorating the bikes, neighborhood pool parties and family BBQ’s… I’m not gonna lie; I have felt a bit melancholy all day. Sigh…

fourth of july kyle

So I chose this beautiful pic and quote (at top) this morning as my inspiration for this year – July 4, 2015. Not a focus on our “rights”, as such… but, rather, our privileges. As Americans, we are so mightily blessed. As a nation we must reject prejudice and embrace honesty. We are called to do the right thing. Just because. As (a very wise woman) Ellen says everyday at the end of her show… “Be kind to one another”.

OK. I’m done. Tri-color jello, anyone…? Happy Fourth, friends xo

lazy days & BBQ’s

8 / 28 / 13

So here we are nearing the end of another summer… Wow. Where, oh where, did the time go…??? This was originally posted just in time for Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer season. With Labor Day weekend right around the corner, I figured it was worth sharing one more time!! Enjoy…

lazy days & BBQ’s

5 / 20 / 13

I’m taking part in a blog series to help you plan and throw the best BBQ this summer. Follow the below links for the all the tips, tricks, and recipes!

Step 1: Planning {Dawn of Joyful Scribblings}

Step 2: Decor / Tablescapes {Cathy of Creations by Cathy}

Step 3: Appetizers {Chelsea of Whatcha Makin’ Now?}

Step 4: Main Dishes and Sides {Nicole of Daily Dish Recipes}

Step 5: Desserts!!! {Katie of What Katie’s Baking}

Step 6: What to wear {Ginny of My New Favorite Outfit}

Now to my section….
So it’s almost party time, and we are ready to set the table and set the mood. I love, love, love a theme! It just seems to make everything so much more fun and festive for you and your guests! Whatever your theme, I’m a big believer in carrying it through from beginning to end.

Let’s start with the front porch, or wherever your guests will first enter your gathering. This is not something that should break the bank! In fact, most of your “shopping” can probably be done right there at home! Let’s start with fresh flowers. If you are a gardener, flowers from the backyard are perfect. Otherwise, a big bunch from Costco should cover it. Touches of fresh flowers here and there, including a little sprinkling in the guest bathroom… Always a nice touch. For this little gathering, why not sub in a stack of bandanas next to the bathroom sink in place of your guest towels?

When it comes to setting your table and arranging your food, start by “thinking out of the box”. We always hear decorators telling us to bring a touch of the outdoors; in. Same goes for bringing the inside…out! Here I mixed my everyday plates with fun “outdoor” utensils and bandanas for the napkins. Slip a slim glass vase inside a cowboy boot, and you’re ready to display your fresh flowers. One thing that I like to do is take a few specific items and integrate them throughout for a sense of continuity. Since this was a BBQ themed party I selected bandanas, cowboy boots and pigs! (Even down to the cute little silver piglet S&P shakers!) I must admit that I’m a little partial to cute little “pig stuff”…Ha! Tying a bandana around your wine or water bottles keeps them from becoming slippery with condensation. Plus it just looks so darn cute!

Don’t drop the ball when it comes to your appetizer and/or beverage set up! Keep that theme going! My theory is that you don’t have to make everything difficult, or “homemade’, when it comes to the food – as long as you make the décor something fun! And “out of the box” certainly works here, too. A cowboy hat to hold the chips, a margarita glass for the salsa and some cute (inexpensive) cocktail napkins for the “margarita bar”! Easy peasy!

One final note, and then I think we’re ready to start the BBQ! Always pay attention to those small details throughout the planning process. Little things like selecting your playlist ahead of time can really enhance the tone of the party. I am a detail person, so for me it’s really all about the little stuff. (Yep. “Can’t see the forest for the trees“, kinda gal) I may run out of time to take a shower, but you had better believe that I had time to put the mayo, BBQ sauce, mustard and relish in cute little decorative serving jars… Ha! I know. It’s not right; is it? Oh well. I’ll just meet them at the door with a margarita and a big smile. Tonight I’m a cowgirl and I’m ready for a party!

ice cream sandwich day?

8 / 2 / 12

Yes – You heard me correctly… It IS “National Ice Cream Sandwich Day”!! Who knew; Right??? Well that doggone thermometer continues to hover at triple digits, and there are absolutely ZERO age limits for celebrating this “national holiday” – So a big WooHoo to that! I loved this blog post that I found at Twig & Thistle (below) because it is not so much a recipe as a “how-to”. Simple instructions and a beautiful, tasty little package of cold refreshing sweetness!! Even better – you can make them up ahead of time and pop them in your freezer. Done. Then at your next outdoor BBQ or summer party you can whip them out and impress your friends, smiling politely as they “Oooo and Ahhh…” Give it a whirl before the summer comes to an end.

There are few things that I love more than ice cream in waffle cones. It doesn’t take much convincing to go for a scoop so when I saw waffle butter cookies at Trader Joe’s I knew excatly what I had to do: ice cream sandwiches! They’re super easy to do and would make a great treat for Easter, just pick a pastel ice cream, sandwich it between waffle cookies and violá! Easter eggs! I used strawberry here but mint or sherbert would be cute too, honestly though, can you ever really go wrong when it comes to ice cream?

What you’ll need: Carton of ice cream Butter waffle cookies from Trader Joe’s Round cookie cutter bent into an oval Large knife Cookie sheet Parchment paper Wax string

Directions: Take your ice cream (the boxed kind works best) and cut off a 3/4″ thick slab, it doesn’t have to be exact just thinner than your cookie cutter. Next, use your cookie cutter and cut out ovals from the ice cream, set the ovals on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and put the sheet in the freezer to firm up.

While you wait, cut out 9.5″x2.5″ strips of parchment paper to use as holders for the finished product.

Once the ice cream has chilled for a bit, transfer to the cookies with a spatula. For a little extra sweetness, add decorative chocolate sprinkles; simply roll the edges through the sprinkles for an even coating.

For the final touch, wrap in parchment paper and secure with waxed thread or baker’s twine then freeze until ready to serve. Enjoy!

live happy… laugh, love, dream, create