Make your 4th of July Sparkle!

Make your 4th of July SPARKLE!

Well summer is officially here- and believe me, we are feeling the heat in Texas!! Summer means Swimming and SPARKLERS- Happy 4th of July Yawl!

P is for Party created this precious patriotic inspiration board! Flags make a great decorative accent.

July 4th is a great time to celebrate our independence with a spectacular cookout. Start out by thinking Red, White, and Blue! Walmart is a great place to start- I love these red, white and blue tin pieces.

Can't you just imagine stacking bright red apples in these cute bins...or maybe fill them with ice and bottled sodas!!!!

Serve sweet tea or home made lemonade from these great patriotic jugs...$10 each at Walmart!

Who would have thought- cupcakes, strawberries, and marshmallow kabobs!! YUMMY! Step by step instructions at http://www.cupcakeactivist.com/

Poshtot Events created a wonderful inspiration board. Mason jars make a great way to serve

ice tea, ice cold lemonade or koolaide! Scrapbook paper twirled in a cone shape is a fun way to serve chips or popcorn at your July 4th party! Watermelon and Cucumber salad is a treat all of your guests will enjoy.

Tomato and Watermelon Salad: Poshtot Events

yield: Serves 4 to 6

If the idea of tomatoes and watermelon together sounds odd to you, this dish will be a revelation. There is a saying that what grows together goes together, and in this case it is true. If you think of tomatoes as a fruit, which they are botanically, this combination makes more sense. Seasonality, however, is the key. I make this salad only in the summer, when tomatoes, watermelon, and cucumbers are at their peak of flavor. Rich, creamy Hass avocados are included to lend a nice contrast of flavor and texture. I always toss this salad together before serving, but for the photo opposite I was inspired to create a painstaking mosaic of the ingredients. If you’re so inclined, feel free, but don’t say I didn’t warn you—it takes a lot of time.

Ingredients
3 or 4 small to medium heirloom tomatoes, in assorted colors, cored and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1 small English or regular cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 cup 3/4-inch-cubed yellow or red seedless watermelon flesh
1 Hass avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 tablespoon chopped mixed fresh herbs, in any combination: basil, tarragon, chives, and cilantro
1/4 teaspoon coriander seed
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation
In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, watermelon, avocado, and herbs. In a spice grinder, grind the coriander seeds to a fine powder. Add the ground coriander to the tomato mixture and toss gently.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the tomato mixture and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.

Could a burger look any BURtter!!!
epicurious.com Jalapeno-Cheeseburgers-with-Bacon-and-Grilled-Onions

Posh Pixels has created cupcake toppers and candy stickers- you can even print them FREE if you are a fan on their facebook page. Poshpixels Facebook.

Martha Stewart makes the simplest table pop with cupcake wraps and CHERRIES- yum!

Add patriotic scrapbook paper to empty vegetable cans. Create a special way of displaying flatware by folding napkins around the fork, spoon and knife.

Aren't these patriotic name cards the cutest!?! Check out the DIY process at Country Living.

Sparklers Up!
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