Casual Alfresco Dining…Tips & Recipes!

Lori

August 25

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Casual alfresco dining and summertime go hand in hand! My family loves eating dinner outdoors and that’s where you’ll find us most evenings all summer and fall! There’s just something about being outside that makes the most simple meal seem special. And late summer means all the bounty from gardens & farm markets is readily available so we can easily prepare fresh & healthy meals! Today I’d like to share some of my favorite tips and a couple recipes my family loves. I promise they’re easy, healthy and delicious! So let’s get right to it and savor the flavor of summer and memories around an outdoor table!

alfresco on a slow summer eve!

Celebrate

A Groovy Decade Party!

Lori

August 20

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A groovy decade party is such a fun theme for guests of all ages! And it was just what my family needed this summer to celebrate being with friends again. During the dog days of the season we had some 1970s fun at our house…and because the music of the decade is so fabulous, the teenagers participated too! Simple but festive 70s decor, treats, and of course, great tunes made this little summertime soiree feel like a real bash! We kept it simple by having guests each bring an appetizer to share and that gave me more time to concentrate on all the fun stuff without worrying about all the food. And when I refer to the fun, I mean the decor! A blend of flower-power with a touch of disco is how I decorated…and I’m excited to share the simple ideas and party tips with you today…

let’s celebrate 70s style!

Celebrate, Savor

A Candy Charcuterie!

Lori

July 28

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A candy charcuterie is a fun and delicious treat for any celebration! In addition, you can customize it to fit any party theme or color palette…and it’s the easiest to create! No baking required either, just a trip to your local grocer will supply you with all the goodies you need! I LOVE charcuterie boards of all kinds, and though I’ve shared several ideas in the past, this one is especially fun because it fits a particular theme. I want to share this easy tutorial and inspiration because you can use it to create a multitude of designs or colors with these basic steps. So I hope you enjoy this sweet treat and consider making one for your next party! Let’s get going with some sugary fun…

groovy candy…charcuterie style!

Celebrate, Savor

Pink Pool Party S’mores!

Lori

July 14

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Pink pool party s’mores are the perfect way to celebrate summer even if you don’t have a pool! We might be missing a poolside patio at our house, but it won’t stop me from having some splish-splashy fun…if just in food form! Recently I experimented with a favorite treat, giving it a seasonal twist and serving it in pool-party fashion. Simple party supplies helped me to make easy s’mores cups for a self-serve treat, perfect for a girl’s night in! And to give these gooey snacks an unexpected flavor I made white chocolate berry bark to stand in for traditional chocolate! Let me share how easy it is, and the simple summertime decorations to make it feel like a poolside soiree!

s’mores served poolside-ish!

Celebrate

Easy Summer Appetizers!

Lori

July 7

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Easy summer appetizers are exactly what I love to serve for casual gatherings on our patio. We love being outdoors with friends as often as we can, so having simple nibbles on hand comes in handy! And you know that simple never means it can’t look pretty, taste great, and even be on the healthy side. If you add a few simple details you can make a small spread look really inviting! I’d like to share some of my favorite goodies to keep in the pantry and some inspiration for serving them when the occasion calls! Enjoy every moment of the season…

summer appetizers made easy!

Celebrate, Savor

Cumin Chicken Salad on the Patio!

Lori

June 30

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Cumin chicken salad is an easy and healthy meal for summertime! Not only is it delicious with hints of savory spice, but it’s the simplest to make too! My family loves lighter meals during the hot summer months and this one is a new favorite. You can serve it strictly as a salad or make it a tad heartier in a sandwich form. Either way, this chicken salad will be a hit for lunch or dinner…and can pass the party food test too. Whip up a big bowl full and it could easily feed a crowd! Today I’ve teamed up with Spicely Organics to bring you this yummy recipe and share some inspiration for serving it on a summertime table! Be sure to grab the printable recipe & a coupon code at the end of the post! Let’s eat light & healthy AND deliciously…

cumin chicken salad!

Celebrate, Holidays

Patriotic Picnic Snacks!

Lori

June 16

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Patriotic picnic snacks can be super easy and still be festive! If you’re like me, this spring has been extra crazy and simple ideas that I can pull off are much appreciated! After taking some time off to celebrate both my boys graduating (from HS AND college!) I’m really ready to kick back and relax. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want our holiday celebrations to feel like an afterthought. So today I’m sharing a few simple ways to create patriotic picnic snacks that you can add to your 4th of July BBQ with no extra fuss! It’s time to start celebrating again…but we should keep the stress at bay! Take a peek at a few ways you can bring some delicious joy to your holiday festivities…

simple patriotic fun!

Celebrate, Holidays

A Red, White, and Blue Berry Bar!

Lori

May 26

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A red, white, and blue Berry Bar is a fun and healthy idea for the holiday weekend! And if you’re trying to cut down on all the sugary treats this summer, this buffet might be for you! Fresh berries are so refreshing, delicious and are naturally perfect for patriotic party treats and snacks. No baking, or fussy preparation…just pile them in bowls and let your guests customize their own! A few optional goodies can make this healthy alternative compare with any sweet dessert…without all the guilt! Let me share this simple inspiration today for setting up a holiday buffet that’s easy-peasy and oh, so good!

celebrate with red, white and berries!

Celebrate

An Easy S’more’s Bin

Lori

May 12

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An easy s’mores bin or basket is a fun idea for spring, summer AND fall entertaining! S’mores are such a treat for friends & family members of ALL ages and really easy to serve too. My family enjoys this gooey dessert right up until the snow starts to fall…so i usually keep a container full of the fixings at easy reach for spur-of-the-moment munching! This season I decided to decorate a s’mores bin that looks cute sitting right out in the kitchen until we have our next bonfire. With common supplies you can make a darling display of deliciousness to keep at your fingertips for quick family fun! I’m not sure I know anyone who doesn’t love a s’more…and there’s so many different ways to make them you can surely please even the most finicky eaters. Let me share how simple it is to create with items you might already have in the house!

get ready for s’more fun!

Celebrate, Holidays

Easy Taco Table Ideas!

Lori

April 30

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Easy taco table ideas are especially nice when Cinco de Mayo is just days away! And bonus…taco Tuesday precedes May 5th so you can indulge on fiesta food two days in a row! I love a simple celebration and it’s pretty effortless to create a “taco buffet” without rearranging your dinning room or kitchen. Just pile what you need to build your own right on the tabletop. It can still look special with a few easy decorations that will make this casual dinner feel like a party! Let’s get ready to fiesta with our families without lots of stress OR major prep! That alone is reason to celebrate! Here’s some inspiration for you today…

alfresco on a slow summer eve!

let’s celebrate 70s style!

groovy candy…charcuterie style!

s’mores served poolside-ish!

summer appetizers made easy!

cumin chicken salad!

simple patriotic fun!

celebrate with red, white and berries!

get ready for s’more fun!

taco time made easy!