Inspirational and interesting 4th of July ideas

The long 4th of July weekend is just around the corner and I just can’t wait!   The taste of BBQ, hearing the kids squealing with joy while running barefoot through the sprinklers, the beautiful nighttime display of fireworks . . . These are just a few of the things that I love about the 4th of July holiday.

Many web sites and blogs are now featuring a lot of really cute, new ideas for decorating and entertaining the 4th of July. One of my favorites blogs that I’ve recently come across is TipJunkie.  Apart from the wealth of knowledge found on this site,  you’ll also see above and beyond (but realistic) patriotic decorating ideas submitted from their followers.

As for entertaining, I’m always semi-confident on the food side (make sure to check out the YUMMY recipes at Delish), but always get stumped as to how to set up an easy bar.  This is where another recent new web find comes in handy.  The Kitchn features a great article on how to build a basic summer bar.  Now, no more worrying about if I have the right bar stuff on hand.

And what 4th of July celebration isn’t complete without some decedent desserts!  Hostess (with the mostess) has her 4th of July Dessert Roundup (take 1 & 2) up and I have decided that I’m making it a goal to try each and every dessert (hello red-velvet cake with raspberries and blueberries)!

Enjoy your 4th of July holiday and remember the freedoms we enjoy.  Also, we’d love to hear how you plan on celebrating the 4th.  Let us know your favorite decorating or menu ideas in the comments below.

Contributed by Heather Dietrich, Sterling Pear

Making a Memorable Memorial Day

For most of us Memorial Day marks the official start of summer. While the original purpose behind Memorial Day is to commemorate and honor those who lost their life in battle, more and more people are now taking advantage of the three-day weekend to recreate with friends and family. Hosting a Memorial Day party can incorporate both the traditions of the holiday and allow for plenty of relaxing as well.

Memorial Day Decorations
 
If you decide to host a party, don’t be afraid to go blatantly patriotic on your Memorial Day celebration. Put up American flags outside your home, and even go a little crazy and use a few of them as decorations indoors. On your tables, spread blue tablecloths with red runners. You can use the holiday’s red poppy as your centerpiece flower, or you can simply use American flags in vases. Your unused 4th of July tableware and utensils will really come in handy on Memorial Day, so don’t forget to bring them out.

And in a true Memorial Day tradition, if you have a flag in your yard or lawn, fly it at half-mast from morning until noon in honor of all the fallen soldiers.

Memorial Day Food

Memorial Day often brings with it the first really warm weather of the year, so take full advantage of the weather and barbeque outdoors (plus, clean-up is MUCH easier!).

There are lots of great foods that go along with good old-fashioned grilling; watermelon, potato salad, deviled eggs, home-made ice creams are a just a few of my favorites.    Keep in mind, guests will inevitably ask, "what can I bring?" Even if you tell them "nothing" they'll bring something anyway. Best to use this to your advantage -- ask them to bring something you'll use at the party. Guests feel useful and you can then check something off of your list and stay within your budget better. BYOB is, of course, a classic way to cut your party budget -- drinks ain't cheap. Plus, folks get to drink exactly what they want and you don't have to worry about providing an array of choices to suit everyone.

Memorial Day Activities

It's safe to say that many Memorial Day activities usually involve something to do with water; a pool, lake or the beach.  If you're hosting a party and don't have a pool, it's easy to buy a $7 kiddie pool and scatter beach chairs around.  Guests can then sit and sip their cool drink while dipping their toes in some cool water.  Plus, anything containing water is bound to entertain kids for hours.

If you want to take some time before your party begins to honor our fallen soldiers, visit a local cemetery or attend a church services in their memory. You can even volunteer to put American flags on the graves of the fallen soldiers to honor their memory.  These soldiers died nobly for the country, so it’s only right to put aside a little of our time to remember and visit them, even if we are not related to them.

Whatever your Memorial Day plans are, please take a minute to remember the people who have died to defend the freedoms we enjoy.  Have a great Memorial Day!   Another small tip:  make sure you save any left over decorations -- you'll be a step ahead for the 4th of July celebrations!

Contributed by Heather Dietrich, Sterling Pear

Elegant and Easy Easter Centerpieces

In a few days, you’ll be sitting down to a fabulous Easter brunch, or perhaps you’ll be hosting a family dinner after the egg hunt outside.  How does your table look?  If you're feeling at a loss and want to try something different from the standard Easter bouquet, we have several easy and beautiful ideas that you can try this year! 

One quick and unique table centerpiece idea is to find several small baskets or, if you’re lucky, a few “nests.  Gather up your decorated eggs and fill each basket or nest with dyed Easter eggs.  A good decorating tip:  if you fill each nest with the same color, it will really pack an elegant punch!  

Next, scatter votives or candlesticks throughout (in coordinating colors if you have them), and you have a simple and elegant Easter table!  Want to take it one step further?  Tie the napkins with raffia in coordinating colors.

Another modern but stylish idea is to take a pair of clear glass hurricanes and fill with a few inches of water in the bottom.  Next, add pure white hard-boiled eggs.  

You can then accessorize with your favorite white blooms using the eggs below to secure the stems.  Even in the most sophisticated home this modern arrangement will look amazing!

Our last idea is just plain simple and really easy.   Use your dessert as your centerpiece!  If you are having cake, why not frost it in pure white and decorate it with edible flowers (be sure they are edible, and not from a nursery where they might have been sprayed with something less than safe).  Place the cake on a snazzy, footed cake plate, toss a few petals on the table surrounding the cake plate, and your table will look luscious!

Enjoy trying something new this Easter!

Contributed by Heather Martinez

Easy and Memorable Valentine's Day Table

Still trying to come up with a plan for Valentine’s Day?  Are you past the need to head out for that romantic restaurant with all the other couples?  Well, why not set a pretty table for dinner in! Kids/no kids, paired up with friends/just the two of you, take-out/homemade -- it’ll make for a nice change from the typical Sunday night routine.

Start by repurposing holiday items.  Break out a red table runner or tablecloth from the recent holidays.  For a focal point, take a clear glass or crystal vase and fill it with conversation hearts.  Finish by adding your favorite white, pink or red flowers.  Remember, don’t fill the vase with water or your hearts will become mush! 

Next scatter candles across the center of the table.  You can also fill small ramekins or glass bowls with chocolate covered almonds, cashews, raisins, or blueberries.  Arrange these amid the candles. 

Finally, a quick and easy way to dress up place settings is to replace napkin holders with red or pink satin ribbon tied in a big, beautiful bow.  With just a few minutes’ work, you’re set for a memorable dinnertime in the comfort of your own home!

Oh, some quick dessert ideas:  make a pan of brownies and cut them out with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.  Serve with your favorite ice cream and garnish a side of strawberries or raspberries.  If your selection of cookie cutters is non-existent, make a quick heart-shaped stencil out of paper.  Place it over cupcakes (square-cut brownies, slices of Bundt cake, larger round cakes will all do the trick too) and shake confectioner’s sugar or cocoa onto the stencil.  Gently remove the stencil, and voila! A beautiful presentation for easy, everyday desserts!

Contributed by Heather Martinez