Back to Basics

Recently, I have been trying to simplify my life. On a recent weekend retreat with some wonderful women, I came to the realization that I need to go back to basics. Thus my new life motto for this year. "BACK TO BASICS"

There is something about the 4Th of July that just makes me smile. I'm not sure if it is the meaning behind it or if its the chance to get together with family and friends, or if it is all the cute decorations, but I just LOVE the Red, White and Blue. Since I'm going "Back to basics" I decided this year I was going to really go back to basics with our 4Th of July BBQ.

I promised myself that I wouldn't go and buy ANYTHING to decorate with for our BBQ. So, I set out to recycle things I had used before and find new uses for others. I started by decorating the tables with plain white linen tablecloths. Then I layered a blue floral fabric over the white and then topped it off with a red bandanna. I think the three things together really looked cute.



For the centerpieces, I used scrapbook paper to create these super easy and super cute "Firework" picks. I made a red, white and blue for each table along with a star in each color for each table. I have lots of just plain greenery centerpieces that I keep around just for this kind of project. I simply just changed the ribbon to a red, white and blue stripped ribbon and stuck my homemade picks in the greenery and you have a instant patriotic centerpiece.




For the drinks, I wanted to of course use something that I had a lot of, so I used mason jars for cups. These were a huge hit. The adults and kids alike loved drinking out of them. There is something so refreshing about a big glass of lemonade.



For the food, we kept it really simple. Everyone brought their own meat to grill and also brought a dish to share. We had all the classics. Watermelon, Potato Salad, Corn-on-the-cob (fresh picked) Baked Beans, Every kind of chips, brownies, cookies, cupcakes, 4 different kinds of pie and then the best part of all......HOMEMADE ICE CREAM...YUMM-OOO!! We actually made two different flavors. Classic Vanilla and to spice it up a bit, I made a lime sherbet. The vanilla was gone in two seconds flat, the lime...well, it's still in my freezer. (That's what I get for not sticking to the basics)





We swam in the pool, played croquet, laughed, talked, played cards, and when it was time to watch the fireworks, we pulled our chairs out in the yard and the kids got to watch as much of them as they wanted to and then jump back in the pool.





It was by far the best 4Th of July I have experienced so far. And it was all possible, because I decided to go back to basics. And I feel extremely blessed to be Forgiven, Loved and FREE! Happy Fourth Of July everyone.



Thanks for stopping by

Love,
Kris