Showing posts with label easy summer entertaining. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy summer entertaining. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

easy end-of-Summer entertaining . . . and a vintage tablecloth



I took a few weeks off from blogging while we hosted my husbands family in our home.

Although I took a few weeks off from writing, I still managed to take photos along the way (smile).

August is a wonderful time of year to dine al fresco . . . and so we did.

We enjoyed most of our meals outside on a long table covered with this vintage table cloth, as the morning and evening breezes were a welcome break from the heat.




I've become a big fan of easy entertaining.

For me, this means little fuss. Sometimes it can be as simple as adding a table cloth and a few flowers to your setting, which can make a casual gathering feel special.



 


a simple setting . . .
Shortly after I got married, my mom surprised me with several beautiful vintage tablecloths that she bought at an antique store.

I adore them . . . and love to find special occasions to use them.

When my husbands family was here, I chose to dress our dining table with this white one.  Its golden yellow hem reminds me of August . . . and has the feel of Summer winding down into Fall.

I love its golden tones, as it pairs well with beautiful end-of-Summer flowers like sunflowers and black-eyed Susans (an all time favorite of mine).




When our home is full of family . . . 
                   I try to make hosting a little easier.

So I place a tall stack of white plates on the side table in our dining room . . . along with a tray of forks and a pile of napkins . . . for quick and easy use.

I also keep plenty of vintage pitchers filled with ice water, as well as a stack glasses nearby, so that our guests can easily enjoy a glass of water.



  


Flowers . . . I love them!

I'm a big fan of small bouquets like this one, especially for casual gatherings. They're quite pretty placed down the center of your table . . . and low enough that your guests aren't struggling to see one another across the table.





I love how simple touches like these can make casual gatherings feel special.                                                                               Cheers!






LET'S STAY in touch!







Thursday, July 11, 2013

summer strawberry soda!





Don't you!?!

This is my version of a Summer one!  

Instead of adding cherry grenadine to a lemon lime soda base, I add Torani's Strawberry Syrup

To make my Strawberry Summer Temple's extra special, I freeze the strawberry syrup in pretty ice cube molds, like these ones I found at IKEA

Add a few fresh berries and lemon slices, and you have a beautiful &            
              refreshing Summer drink!


Here's how . . . 

Step 1. Fill ice cube tray with Strawberry Syrup. Place in freezer for 3 hours.



Step 2.  Remove from ice cube tray and place on bed of ice cubes for serving.
                                   

Step 3. Add Strawberry flavored ice cubes to clear soda. I recommend 1 strawberry ice 
                                cube per 8 ounces of soda.


Step 4. Garnish glasses with fresh strawberries and lemon slices. Add festive paper
                              straws . . . and  
                                                                       Enjoy!



The stars are so pretty as they melt into the clear lemon-lime soda, turning your Strawberry                    Summer Temple PINK!




Happy Summer entertaining, friends!









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