The Unofficial Start of Summer

Happy almost Memorial Day! It's kind of hard to believe that the unofficial start of summer starts in just a few days. I wrote in previous posts that this May has been a blur. It won't slow down much in the upcoming weeks, because we have things going on pretty much every week until after the 4th of July. 

We survived graduation week. This was the last picture that I took at the graduation.  We thought this picture was really funny when I caught him mid jump. It is a keeper for sure! I am currently planning his graduation party which is planned for mid June. 

While I will be making some custom wrappers for our party,  I did just add some new  printable graduation candy bar wrappers in my Etsy shop this week.  

We are looking forward to having a few extra days off of work to celebrate Memorial Day this year.  We will be attending a cookout, but I am not sure about the rest of the weekend.  If you are having any parties or cookouts that you are going to host or attend,  here are a few of my previous patriotic posts  if you are looking for some new ideas. 

While I originally created this post for 4th of July a few years back, these Easy Pops might be a fun treat for your Memorial Day parties.  I have been asked to bring potato salad to the party we are attending, but I might make these again for the 4th of July.  

If you are out and about buying flowers this weekend, I thought I would share one of my favorite planters I made.  I loved the look of the red, white and blue flowers.  You can read more about how I put it together here.

When it was time to celebrate the 4th, I added these easy fireworks to make it even more festive.  This would be a fun craft to make with kids. 

Whatever you do this during this unofficial first weekend of summer, I hope it is a good one! 

 

 

Read More »

Happy Memorial Day

While we are having cook outs and spending time with friends and family today, it is good to remember why we are having Memorial Day.  We are remembering those in the armed forces who died for our freedom.   I love this picture I took of my daughter several years ago. She was walking with her brownie troop in our town's Memorial Day parade.  She was so excited when the processional started moving that she raised her flag in the air, and started waving it. Maybe you went to a parade today. Maybe you will be celebrating with friends.  However you decide to spend the day, I hope you have a safe and happy Memorial Day. 

Read More »

Memorial Day

This picture was taken several years ago, and it is still one of my favorites.  Kara was marching in the Memorial Day parade with her brownie troop.  Just as the parade started, Kara held her flag up high and excitedly  started waving it.   It is easy to forget what this day is really about..  a day to remember those who fought and died for our freedoms.  Many of us spend the day cooking out with our families and friends. While we are doing so, let's also be like that excited little girl who waves her flag proudly.   I hope you have a Happy Memorial Day. 

Read More »

Last Minute Ideas for Memorial Day

With today being the start of Memorial Day weekend, I thought I would do a round out of some of our Patriotic Posts to give you some last minute ideas for this Patriotic Weekend.   You can make these Patriotic Wreaths in just a couple of minutes, and they are affordable too. All of the supplies can be found at the Dollar Tree.  They were featured last year on Crafting with Kara.

*this post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if you buy anything from the links. 

Read More »

Crafting with Kara- Quick and Easy Patriotic Wreaths

Do you remember last year when Kara made this wreath?

Well recently we were at the Dollar Tree, and we noticed they had some different  fun shapes, and some more of the red, white and blue garland. We decided to buy some of  the items, and come up with some more styles of the Quick and Easy Patriotic Wreath.

*this post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if you buy anything through these links. 

Here she is posing with the supplies for the shooting star wreath. She used one blue garland, a small straw wreath, and a shooting star.

She wrapped the garland around the wreath form.

One garland fits the small wreath perfectly 

She used twist ties to attach the shooting star to the small wreath. 

To make the larger wreath, we used a large straw wreath, 2 red and blue garland, and a hanging star.  The wire garland was in the picture in case we used it, but we decided not to. 

Once the wreath was wrapped with the two strands of garland, a tinsel star was attached in the center.

Super simple, but perfect for both Memorial Day and the 4th of July.   

If you are ever looking for inexpensive wreath forms be sure to check the Dollar Tree, not only do they have nice quality wreath forms for only a dollar but all kinds of crafting supplies in their Crafter Square section.  Wreath forms are available can be ordered in smaller quantities and shipped free to your local store.

Read More »

Last Minute Memorial Day Ideas

Do you have plans for this Memorial Day weekend?    Are you planning a party with your friends, or maybe attending a parade?  I just love this picture of my daughter when was in the Memorial Day parade in our town a few years ago.  He holding up the American flag was just so fitting for the day.   

One of my favorite Pinterest Boards  is my 4th of July Party board. It is full of great patriotic ideas that would as work well for Memorial Day, in addition to the 4th of July.    A lot of the ideas would be quick and easy to put together at the last minute so you could still have them in time for your party or cookout this weekend.  

If you want to repin any of  these fun  ideas, please click through and pin from the original source! . 

  

This first idea is from foodnetwork.com.  I just love how delicious looking and colorful this Patriotic Berry Trifle is in the picture.  It would make a great dessert at any party or cookout. 

Decorate some rice krispie treats to look like flags, like these from     Classbrain.com

How about a flag fruit pizza like this one from Sabby in Suburbia

I love these colorful red, white and blue drinks from Katrina's Kitchen

The kid would love to make these Rocket Pops by Hoosier Homemade

Candy lovers will love to try this Firecracker Bark from Not Your Momma's Cookie

If you would like to have more party ideas be sure to follow me on  Pinterest

Read More »

Red, White & Blue Dessert

For dessert tonight, we wanted to make something red, white and blue in honor of the day.  I came up with these delicious sundaes!

We started with a pastry base.  I had some crescent seamless dough on hand, so I used that to make the cinnamon cookies

.
I cut out some circle shape and sprinkled with a little cinnamon sugar.  I then baked them for about 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

The cookie looks a little  lonely on the plate.

I then added some blueberries and bananas.  I had planned on adding some strawberries, but the container I bought just a few days ago, had already gone bad.

I improvised and instead of strawberries drizzled on cherry topping.














I added a very large dollop of whipped topping and a maraschino cherry on top.  These were so good, I had two!  These were so much fun to make and even a little bit healthy.  I used sugar free ice cream, and a lot of fruit .



I will be linking up this yummy dessert on these link parties here.

Read More »

Crafting with Kara-Quick Patriotic Wreath

We were at the Dollar Tree recently when Kara saw some red, white and blue items.  She said she had an idea and asked if she could buy a few to make a craft.    She picked up a wreath, two blue garlands with stars, and some bows.  She couldn't decide if she wanted large or small, so she bought both.

*this post contains affiliate links.  I will receive a small commission if you buy anything through those links. 

She started wrapping the garland around the wreath.  The two garlands were the perfect to size to wrap the wreath entirely.

It looks pretty with just the garland, but it is not quite finished.

She decided on the big bow. It gave it more of a wow factor.

We found the perfect place to hang it.

It is perfect for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.  The best thing is that with all the supplies at the dollar store, it also only costs a couple of dollars to make.

If you are looking for inexpensive crafting supplies, be sure to check out DollarTree.com. When you buy from Dollar Tree online you can have your items shipped free to your local store.

Read More »

Patriotic Pizza

Are you still looking for ideas for your Memorial Day picnics this weekend?   How about a patriotic fruit pizza?    Taste of Home shows you how to make this tasty treat  here.

Read More »

Red, White and Blue, Patriotic Cookies

I recently featured kool aid colored cookies from  Red Couch Recipes..   Today her red, white and blue version are being featured  on BettyCrocker.com.  These cookies would be a great addition to a Memorial day picnic!  You can see how to make them at Red Couch Recipes here.

Read More »

Patriotic Kebobs

Memorial Day is this coming weekend!  If you plan on having a bbq or get together how about something like these patriotic fruit kebobs by from glitter to gumdrops .  I saw these red, white and blue beauties on Pinterest and knew they would be perfect for your summer parties.  Make sure to check out from glitter to gumdrops because she has many fun ideas and likes to put things on sticks.

Read More »