The 4th of July is a truly fabulous celebration. Not only does it give you an automatic theme (red, white and blue), there is an excuse to eat hot dogs, drink beer and just be AMERRRICUN. (That's American in a rugged redneck voice.)
I think there is also some historical reference to our country finally being free from Britain... but you can all Google that on your own time. Let's get down to the important business of cute 4th of July party recipes and cheap DIY decor ideas. That's what the Declaration of Independence was really talking about. I think there was some sort of famous quote in that old scroll:
"I NOW DECLARE YOU INDEPENDENT FROM THROWING UGLY PARTIES."
sincerely with sugar on top, JACKIE HANCOCK
(get it... John Hancock...know your history people!)
Enough of this history class mumbo jumbo. Let's show you some ways to make your 4th of July celebration fabulous.
Recipes
Would we be independent without our food? Nope. We would not. Here are some adorable red, white and blue treats I have found around the web. I opted to show you desserts because I think that is where the red white and blue theme can really shine. Plus, dessert is awesome.
(Click on the images to see them in a larger format.)
(Image Credit: 1, 2 and 3)
1. The classic stars and stripes cake is always a winner. I used to see this in my mom's magazines every summer when I was little and I always loved it. I made it last year, and it was just as fun I imagined it would be.
2. Star-shaped shortcake. Doesn't get much easier than this. I was JUST at my local grocery store and the 4th of July goodies were literally thrust in my face as I walked in the front door. Some of these goodies? Angel food cake, strawberries, blueberries and cool whip. You don't even have to walk in to the grocery store to buy these items, just stand at the door and reach your arm out. Throw your money to the cashier and you are good to go. I know some people like shortcake as a biscuit, but I prefer it with angel food cake. Cut it into a star, you don't even need a cookie cutter for this shape - no excuses!
3. See number 2 above. Buy readily available items at the store, then just layer them prettily. I made similar parfaits for Memorial Day.
(Image Credit: 4 and 5)
4. These adorable cupcakes look classic and clean. What a cute idea!
5. This is a must make for me. This fruit flag kabob idea is so cute I practically shed a tear when I found it. I love fruit kabobs and am just plain jealous that I didn't think of it first. How cool would that have been? You will see pictures of this at some point, I can guarantee it.
For more patriotic treats, don't forget to look back at my Memorial Day post HERE.
Patriotic Decor
Do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence worked in an ugly, sparsely decorated, non-themed room? Doubtful. You know there was red, white and blue everywhere up in that place.
(Image Credit: 6 and 7)
6, These are cute and economical. Find some sparkler decorations and stick them into a mason jar filled with sand. If you are at the beach, just take some sand from the beach! (Is that legal?) An easy and cute centerpiece that takes about 10 minutes. Love!
7. These little bandanna toppers are really cute because they don't SCREAM red white and blue! They incorporate the color in a unique way minus the American flags. I will be using the American flag toppers at my party, but I have them leftover from Memorial Day. If I didn't, I would jump on this idea.
(Image Credit: 8, 9 and 10)
8. DIY Pinwheels. I think these are SO cute, and you can even make them spin. Mr. Fo almost had quite the paper project set out for him before I found pre-made pinwheels at the Dollar Store of all places. Sometimes I am so thrifty I even impress myself.
9. At pretty much any party store in town you can find blue and red stars. String them up using ribbon and you have an instant garland. Score!
10. Now this doubles as a snack item and also decor, but here they used snow cone cups to display blueberries and strawberries. Can't you just see some cute little kid decked out in red white and blue holding a little cone full of blueberries in his grubby little hand? I can. Is that weird?
Red, White and Blue Cocktails
Along with all the crazy decorations they had in the signing room for the Declaration of Independence, you know those crazy guys were imbibing a little sauce while signing their names. Maybe they sipped on some of these delicious looking cocktails, as seen on the Simply Stated blog. Go there for links to all of the recipes to these fine looking beauties. I'll take one of each please, just as our forefathers did.
(Image Credit)
And finally, for my gazebo, Martha Stewart provides us with decor ideas for our gazebo. Thank GOD because I was wondering how I would decorate my very own personal gazebo. Here's the thing Martha - Can you provide decorations for a house that is as big as this gazebo? That's kind of where I'm at right now. But this is pretty cute for those of you who have readily available gazebos to decorate. Martha just cracks me up. It's like, "Hey Martha, can you also provide etiquette on how to tip your butler and a free subscription to Mansion Weekly?" Oh Martha. How I Love/Hate you. Let me count the ways. (As a side note, my mother in law did just gift me with Martha Stewart's Cupcake book. Ain't nothin' to hate in that book of treasures. Thanks Sus!)
(Image Credit)
Once I am done decorating my gazebo and the west wing of my mansion, I will be getting ready for my cousin Lauren's visit! While she is here, we are having a cookout and are making an amazingly fabulous treat. I can't tell you about it yet, but let me just tell you - it's going to be legendary. Intrigued? I knew you would be.
Well, I am off to delve into a world of red, white and blue! Hope everyone has a happy and SAFE 4th of July!
I think there is also some historical reference to our country finally being free from Britain... but you can all Google that on your own time. Let's get down to the important business of cute 4th of July party recipes and cheap DIY decor ideas. That's what the Declaration of Independence was really talking about. I think there was some sort of famous quote in that old scroll:
"I NOW DECLARE YOU INDEPENDENT FROM THROWING UGLY PARTIES."
sincerely with sugar on top, JACKIE HANCOCK
(get it... John Hancock...know your history people!)
Enough of this history class mumbo jumbo. Let's show you some ways to make your 4th of July celebration fabulous.
Recipes
Would we be independent without our food? Nope. We would not. Here are some adorable red, white and blue treats I have found around the web. I opted to show you desserts because I think that is where the red white and blue theme can really shine. Plus, dessert is awesome.
(Click on the images to see them in a larger format.)
(Image Credit: 1, 2 and 3)
1. The classic stars and stripes cake is always a winner. I used to see this in my mom's magazines every summer when I was little and I always loved it. I made it last year, and it was just as fun I imagined it would be.
2. Star-shaped shortcake. Doesn't get much easier than this. I was JUST at my local grocery store and the 4th of July goodies were literally thrust in my face as I walked in the front door. Some of these goodies? Angel food cake, strawberries, blueberries and cool whip. You don't even have to walk in to the grocery store to buy these items, just stand at the door and reach your arm out. Throw your money to the cashier and you are good to go. I know some people like shortcake as a biscuit, but I prefer it with angel food cake. Cut it into a star, you don't even need a cookie cutter for this shape - no excuses!
3. See number 2 above. Buy readily available items at the store, then just layer them prettily. I made similar parfaits for Memorial Day.
(Image Credit: 4 and 5)
4. These adorable cupcakes look classic and clean. What a cute idea!
5. This is a must make for me. This fruit flag kabob idea is so cute I practically shed a tear when I found it. I love fruit kabobs and am just plain jealous that I didn't think of it first. How cool would that have been? You will see pictures of this at some point, I can guarantee it.
For more patriotic treats, don't forget to look back at my Memorial Day post HERE.
Patriotic Decor
Do you think the signers of the Declaration of Independence worked in an ugly, sparsely decorated, non-themed room? Doubtful. You know there was red, white and blue everywhere up in that place.
(Image Credit: 6 and 7)
6, These are cute and economical. Find some sparkler decorations and stick them into a mason jar filled with sand. If you are at the beach, just take some sand from the beach! (Is that legal?) An easy and cute centerpiece that takes about 10 minutes. Love!
7. These little bandanna toppers are really cute because they don't SCREAM red white and blue! They incorporate the color in a unique way minus the American flags. I will be using the American flag toppers at my party, but I have them leftover from Memorial Day. If I didn't, I would jump on this idea.
(Image Credit: 8, 9 and 10)
8. DIY Pinwheels. I think these are SO cute, and you can even make them spin. Mr. Fo almost had quite the paper project set out for him before I found pre-made pinwheels at the Dollar Store of all places. Sometimes I am so thrifty I even impress myself.
9. At pretty much any party store in town you can find blue and red stars. String them up using ribbon and you have an instant garland. Score!
10. Now this doubles as a snack item and also decor, but here they used snow cone cups to display blueberries and strawberries. Can't you just see some cute little kid decked out in red white and blue holding a little cone full of blueberries in his grubby little hand? I can. Is that weird?
Red, White and Blue Cocktails
Along with all the crazy decorations they had in the signing room for the Declaration of Independence, you know those crazy guys were imbibing a little sauce while signing their names. Maybe they sipped on some of these delicious looking cocktails, as seen on the Simply Stated blog. Go there for links to all of the recipes to these fine looking beauties. I'll take one of each please, just as our forefathers did.
(Image Credit)
And finally, for my gazebo, Martha Stewart provides us with decor ideas for our gazebo. Thank GOD because I was wondering how I would decorate my very own personal gazebo. Here's the thing Martha - Can you provide decorations for a house that is as big as this gazebo? That's kind of where I'm at right now. But this is pretty cute for those of you who have readily available gazebos to decorate. Martha just cracks me up. It's like, "Hey Martha, can you also provide etiquette on how to tip your butler and a free subscription to Mansion Weekly?" Oh Martha. How I Love/Hate you. Let me count the ways. (As a side note, my mother in law did just gift me with Martha Stewart's Cupcake book. Ain't nothin' to hate in that book of treasures. Thanks Sus!)
(Image Credit)
Once I am done decorating my gazebo and the west wing of my mansion, I will be getting ready for my cousin Lauren's visit! While she is here, we are having a cookout and are making an amazingly fabulous treat. I can't tell you about it yet, but let me just tell you - it's going to be legendary. Intrigued? I knew you would be.
Well, I am off to delve into a world of red, white and blue! Hope everyone has a happy and SAFE 4th of July!
