4th of July

4th of July Printable Party Collection

Found on Etsy by Tweedle Dee Designs
$8.00

I love this idea! You can order this party pack collection for only $8.00 and in includes all of the items below:

1. 5x5 Invitations
2. Party Punchables
3. Stars and Stripes Banner
4. Party Labels
5. Patriotic Straw Flags
6. Mini Notecards
7. Bottle Labels
8. Treat Bag Toppers

Starbucks

I am in love with my new Starbucks cup! I fill it up every morning with ice water and take it out with me all day, and even drink from it at home. It's helping to keep my hydrated during these hot summer days. Apparently the Venti size is difficult to come by, but Costco even offers a similar insulated cup with straws.
Thanks Carley! :)

Arizona Hunger Campaign

Mission Community Church is joining with other Phoenix area churches and organizations to help end hunger in our communities. The goal of the campaign is to collect five million pounds of food in one year. The food collected will benefit Open Arms Care Center, and also House of Refuge; if their capacity is exceeded then donations will go to other food banks in the area. Please bring your food donations on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month to Mission Community Church.
AZ Hunger Campaign Needs:

Canned Fruit
Canned beans
Hearty Canned Soups
Peanut Butter
Canned Vegetables
Canned Juices
Canned Meats
Spaghetti Sauce
Cake Mix/Frosting
Flour
Sugar
Oil
Macaroni & Cheese
Tuna
Pasta
Jelly
Rice
Muffi n Mix
Granola Bars
Cereal Hot/Cold

Greek Pesto Fettuccine with Toasted Pine Nuts and Feta Cheese

• 16 oz fettuccine
• 1 cup of Pesto (recipe link below; or you can use a store bought pesto)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 zucchini, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1/2 orange bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 bundle of aparagus, tops cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 can artichoke hearts, quartered
• 1 cup of grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/3 cup kalamata olives, halved
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add the fettuccine, cook until tender. Drain the pasta and toss with the pesto.  Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan and add the first 5 vegetables. Saute until tender. Add the tomatoes and olives, stirring to heat through. Toss the vegetable mixture with the pesto fettuccine and then top with the toasted pine nuts and feta cheese. Serve warm. 

Pesto recipe by Ina Garten

Casey and I had this pasta dish at a restaurant in La Jolla, and I decided to recreate it at home. It is a really easy recipe to make and can serve 6 to 8 people. You could even toss chicken into the pasta as well.

Mason Jars

Lots of mason jars to put to use after Carley and Matt's wedding. I started putting them to use last night to hold some lemonade. I garnished the drinks with lemon slices and mint leaves. A simple summer drink, but the jars and straws make it more fun! Planning to add some wire to others to hang in the trees out back with candles.

Summer Side Dishes

Green Bean, Corn, and Tomato Salad

Grilled Onions and Peppers

Grilled Corn on the Cob

The recipes for each of these summer sides can be found on marthastewart.com by clicking on the links.

Watermelon Mint Margaritas

Use leftover watermelon to make this slushy summer drink.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Freeze: 4 hours
Yield: Makes 5 cups

Ingredients

• 4  cups  seeded and chopped watermelon
• Fresh lime juice
• Sugar
• 1/2  cup  tequila*
• 1/4  cup  sugar
• 1  tablespoon  grated lime rind
• 1/4  cup  fresh lime juice (about 3 limes)
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh mint leaves
• Garnish: fresh mint sprig

Preparation

1. Place watermelon in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze 4 hours or until firm.
2. Coat rims of cocktail glasses with lime juice; dip in sugar.
3. Process frozen watermelon, tequila, and next 4 ingredients in a blender until slushy. Pour into glasses. Garnish, if desired.

*1/2 cup orange or apple juice may be substituted for tequila.

 

Southern Living, JULY 2006

Felt Flower Flip Flops

My sister-in-law Carley is getting married this weekend and I put these flip flops together for the bridesmaids to wear after the ceremony. I made these flowers with felt and used a template I already had cut out from a previous project that I made from the purl bee's site. If you'd like to print out the flower shape template you can find it here. It was originally used for a party garland that is soo cute, check it out at the purl bee. I found a mustard yellow yarn to tie the flip flops together, and also to loop under the flowers. Each set of flip flops has a different button for the center. I used thread to fasten the button, and the yarn to attach the flower to the flip flop.