Gotta Try This...{Wedding Keepsake}

While browsing the TaterTots & Jello Weekend Link Party I came across the cutest little gift idea... Although I almost gagged when I saw the Halloween and Christmas stuff out at Michael's yesterday (It's JULY, people), I had to rack my brain to remember if I saw those clear Christmas balls there...Anyway, look at this: 

Not only did this talented lady find an awesome use for the super-expensive wedding invitations that most people throw away, she created an amazing gift. How cute would it be to do this with someone's shower invite, wedding invite, and then follow up with future Christening or Birth Announcements!! 

Now, off to see if I can find any of my wedding invites around!! 

{My Parties}... Kristn's Graduation!

My sister recently graduated from high school and we threw a bbq to celebrate. I ordered adorable invites, bottle wraps, banners, and cupcake toppers from The Frog Prince Paperie after seeing some of their amazing work in blog land. Being that it was 90 degrees outside, we had tons of drinks- including my beloved lemonade stand!! (although I have lemonade stand envy- check this out PARTYLOVES LEMONADE STAND) 

Cute bbq themed water bottles!

In addition to the water, we had lemonade, strawberry lemonade & cucumber water. I had blue and yellow paper straws out since those were the school colors. The frames were from Caileigh's Cereal Buffet

I really wanted big bouquets of fresh sunflowers on the tables, but I had to remember the party wasn't for me..So, I painted wooden frames from Michael's red and used a flower embellishment from the scrapbook aisle. I had pictures from throughout Kristin's life all over.

Inspired by Hostess with the Mostess, we had a make-your-own hot dog bar... 

 I wrote out all the different recipes on the brown paper, but I'm pretty sure people invented their own

 My beloved Pottery Barn Stand served as a roll holder...

For the dessert table, I repurposed an old wooden window and my husband's saw horses. I am sorry for the lack of a close up of the cupcakes and toppers!! I don't know what I was thinking! The basket was filled with cakepops! 

Here is my daughter attempting to get closer to the sweets posing with Aunt Kristin before we dig in.

Congrats to Kristin & the class of 2011!

{Thursday's Treat} Lemon- Blueberry Bread...

Two of my favorite flavors in the summer- lemon & blueberry bread. I came across this recipe in "Martha Stewart Living".

Ingredients

• 1 stick unsalted butter, plus more for pans
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest, plus 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 4 lemons)
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• Salt
• 2 large eggs
• 6 ounces blueberries (1 1/4 cups)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter nine 2 1/2-by-4-inch baking pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
2. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves and syrup is thickened, about 4 minutes. Let stand while making cakes.
3. Meanwhile, combine heavy cream, remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and the vanilla in a bowl. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in another bowl.
4. Beat butter, lemon zest, and remaining cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to low, and add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with cream mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Gently fold in blueberries using a rubber spatula.
5. Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake on a rimmed baking sheet until a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 30 minutes.
6. Transfer pans to wire racks, and brush tops of cakes with lemon syrup. Let stand for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes from pans, and brush all over with remaining syrup. Let cool completely on wire racks.

Variations

To make a large loaf instead of several little ones, use a 5-by-9-inch loaf pan, and bake for 55 minutes.

I made 2 small changes- I used cooking spray instead of butter & flour to grease the pans and I used 1 cup whole wheat flour...

My very critical, highly trained food critic seemed to enjoy them!

Enjoy!

{WANT IT WEDNESDAY} Pottery Barn Mason Jar Drink Dispenser

I am in love...

I have a slight mason jar obsession (remember, I told you all about it here) and this drink dispenser would be a great addition to any party...

P.S. - Pottery Barn isn't paying me for this endorsement, but if they happen to be reading this I would like them to feel free to send money or free gifts my way :) 

WInner!

Sorry for the crappy picture! Between Blogger and camera issues, I can't win! Anyway, the lucky winner is Evelene S!! I will contact you via email! 

Remember, check out Lisa's At Home America Site for some awesome stuff :) 

Lisa's At Home America

Graduation BBQ... Planning!

We are hosting my sister's high school graduation party and we are going with an old fashioned BBQ theme!

Here's some of my inspiration!!

Hostess with the Mostess posted this wonderful BBQ awhile ago & it totally got my brain going! I love the corn on the cob with the corn chips. She also had some wonderful gourmet hot dog recipes for a make your own hot dog bar! I'm loving the idea of a hot dog cart for the table:

I'm thinking of writing the "hot dog recipes" on brown kraft paper...Like this from Host It Notes

I'm using some of these beautiful images from Country Living to inspire my table designs...

And last (but certainly not least!)- DESSERT! Thinking some delicious cookies and pies... displayed nicely like this!