• About GH&P
  • Contact Us

Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Tag Archives: Entertaining

{Party}Entertaining…how to set the table

06 Wednesday Jul 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Entertaining, Table setting

The first time I gave any thought to entertaining was during my teen years.  My best friend (BFF Sharon) and I were talking to Ann (BFF’s oldest sister) about a dinner party Ann and her then husband had recently given.  I totally envisioned a sophisticated event that undoubtedly included laughter, sips of something alcoholic and a casual but wonderful meal.

The Party, with Peter Sellers [if you’ve never seen this ’60’s movie you should, its hilarious]

My romantic impressions of entertaining were reinforced by my step-brother’s wife, Joyce.  Joyce was the closest thing to a “blue blood” (whatever that is) I’d ever met and she shared with this awkward teen (moi) all of her knowledge and etiquette on the topic.  I was fully launched and determined to “entertain” on a regular basis once I had a place of my own and certainly once I was married.

The Age of Innocence showed dining and table setting at it’s most elaborate!

 

I’m happy to say that while I’ve continued to entertain throughout the early years of independent living and continually since I’ve been married, I don’t make too big a deal of it.  I do enjoy setting the table and maybe even trying a new recipe or two on my guests, overall I keep it simple and only use my grandma’s china (seen HERE) on occasion.

Photo by Aimee Herring

Southern Accents

 


I recently used Ikea lanterns on a table for a spring dinner                                                                       The simple setting Gwyneth Paltrow used here is without place mats; the runner is lovely.

 

The fun part for me in the whole entertaining scenario is probably setting the table.  So I thought I’d pass along some tips and inspiration (via pictures) for setting the table when you have invited guests.

Table via Southern Accents

Above the plates are two different patterns.  I love mixing and matching my table accoutrements and think it makes the setting more interesting and fun.

1.     Once you have a date for the party, plan which dishes, flatware and stemware you will use.  If you’re like me, you’ll use the same stemware for each event, but I’ll add colored glasses that coordinate with some of my dishes.

Using colored stemware can add a wonderful reinforcement of the color scheme and simple glasses can be very inexpensive.  I’ve seen some great glasses at stores like Pier I and Cost Plus World Market.  Notice the little clay pot on the table, even though the picture doesn’t allow you to see it, it’s one more interesting addition along with the flowers at the center of the table.

2.     Think about a theme you might want to use, like a collection of figurines or architectural ornaments.  I’m happy to report that tablescapes have come a long way from the conventional vase of flowers plopped in the middle of the table!  Feel free to use fresh flowers but don’t be afraid to buy flowers from the nursery that can go into the ground or planter after the dinner party.  My friend Carla has mastered this technique for re-purposing nursery plants/flowers.  In addition, don’t feel you always have to use blooming  flowers of any kind;  greens, fruit and vegetables can create an unexpected riot of color.  I’ve seen asparagus lined up and tied with rough twine around a straight sided container with maiden hair fern used inside the container…your imagination is your guide.

The table above doesn’t use flowers, but notice the leaves inside the glass containers that house the candles.  I love the throws on the chairs as an addition in case anyone feels a chill from the outdoor air.  I remember seeing a table setting in Veranda created by Carolyn Roehm where she had draped a wool throw over the back of each chair on the outdoor deck of her Aspen home…the throws matched and it looked wonderful.

Notice  (on this table by Slim Paley) there are clusters of fresh grapes used in addition to the flowers and candles.

I like the use of the footed cake stand on this table and the height that it gives the flower arrangement.  The jelly jars are doing double duty as votive candle holders and vases, hanging them from a tree over your table is inspired.

Vignette Design sets some of the prettiest tables I’ve ever seen, visit her HERE for ideas and inspiration.


 

3.     Determine if you’ll use a table cloth, place mats, chargers or any combination of the aforementioned.  There have been some amazing “placemats” that are doing double-duty as kitchen towels after the event.  I’ve also seen quilts and throws used to great effect.  There are no taboos on what you use only that you enjoy the vignette you’re creating.

Image via Veranda, Toby West

4.     Another area of creativity can be the napkin rings.  We’ve all seen ribbon, raffia and twine used but to that you can add sprigs of rosemary, ivy or small flowers such as pansies or a recent blog site feature of a grape leaf with a wine cork tied to it via twine, which held the napkin (it was very clever use of something you might throw away –wine cork).

Image via Velvet & Linen during a visit to Belgium

I love the weathered plank as a runner on this table.  The simplicity of the white dishes and the juxtaposition of the silver holding the flowers and the weathered plank and a wonderful blend of elegance and basics!

 

Southern Accents


5.     Finally, after everything is set and before your guests arrive, sit down at the table to make sure nothing obstructs your view across the table.  Happy entertaining!

I would love to hear how you like to set the table when you have dinner guests.  Have you tried any new ideas you’d be willing to share?

Entertaining…by the numbers

16 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Misc, Party Planning

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Entertaining

While I love a dinner party as much as the next person I find I prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings over having 12, or more, guests; especially when I’m hosting the event.  I realize some of this is due to the fact that we (hubby and I) don’t have a cook to prepare, let alone a butler to serve, the meal (as in Downtown Abbey).

Downtown Abbey – Highclere Castle we’re not.

My favorite dinner party is hosting 2 other couples.  There is something about a total of 6 that seems to work very well where conversation is concerned.  I think it allows for a single conversation at the table since it is a smaller venue.

We entertain pretty informally; it’s all about the table settings and flowers for me.  I still love a couple of our groups of friends that bring the number up to 8 and 10 respectively but somehow when we host 12 it becomes less satisfying for me.  I think it’s because while cooking and serving I have less time to get around to visiting with everyone…sometimes that’s okay and sometimes I feel cheated out of a good visit with a friend.

That said here are some dining rooms I’d like to entertain in.

Ina Garten’s barn offers such warmth and style, while being so inviting.  I’d love to have this kitchen/dining area in my house.

We have chairs on the ends of our dining room table, but I do love the way this looks with chairs on each side.

Isn’t this the most cheery room.  Love the exposed beams and the lighting.

Gray…{sign}

Any room with a lantern light wins my vote.

I think these wicker chairs are great.

I wonder if a round table would require a larger number of guests so that you didn’t feel like you were talking across a great expanse of table?

I like the idea of having a table for 2 in the library.

Who wouldn’t enjoy entertaining with a fireplace in the dining room?

This is pretty, not sure about the color of blue, but I like the essence of the room.

Another great dining space in a library.

What is your preference when you invite friends over for a meal, formal or informal?





Deck the halls with boughs of holly…

20 Monday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Party Planning, Traditions

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Entertaining, holiday

…fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la ♪

Each year for the past 10 years one of my friends, Joyce, in our Birthday Group (to read more about that visit HERE or HERE) hosts a caroling party for the 5 couples {Joyce & Russ, Carla & Tom, Linda & John, Wendy & Thomas and Hubby and me}.

Joyce makes her home a Christmas wonderland with no detail left untouched by the magic of elves, angels, reindeer and Santa.  Her table settings are coffee table book worthy and along with all of her beautiful holiday decorations comes a warm welcome and a jolly time had by all!

Wreath

Joyce used to teach elementary school and she is a wonderful pianist (as is my friend Carla, who is also in this group).  We start the evening with wonderful appetizers, dinner and dessert and then the ladies do an ornament exchange.

Christmas floral centerpiece

Following this cavalcade of fun we drag the men in from the family room where they have been discussing everything from football to politics and truth be known, would probably rather just let the ladies sing, and make them participate.  We are not about to let them miss the fun!

Our host, Russ, is our very own Santa for the evening!

...fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

I hope you are enjoying the activities of the season.

A few of my favorite things about the season

08 Wednesday Dec 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Entertaining, Traditions

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

details of a home, Entertaining, holiday, Table Settings

I love this time of year…everything about it makes me happy.  I like cooler weather (I realize there are two distinct camps on this, I have friends that are warm-weather fans) I must have lived in Iceland in another life time! Anyway, here are a few of the things I like best about the season…

image via BHG

I guess it goes without saying, I like the decorating part of the season the best.  I think it’s fun to create new ways to dress up the house.  I’m a traditionalist at heart but its fun to try out new ideas for the home using greens and seasonal  fruit, nuts and the like.  I’ve not done this (above image) but once—hanging wreaths in windows side-by-side.  I think it looks great indoors and/or out.  The reason I haven’t hung live wreaths since the first time is that the hardwood floors were constantly filled with pine needles so maybe I need to find a different spot…but it does look festive and pretty, don’t you think?

image via Slim Paley (you will enjoy her site, visit HERE)

Right up there with decorating is entertaining. I’ve said it before, my house is definitely a winter house.  It looks it’s best when I have a fire in the fireplace and candlelight is emanating throughout.  (Maybe we all look better in candle light, I know I do).  But having good friends over for dinner with Christmas music in the background—good conversation, decent wine and comfort food, what could be better?   (Fans of summer need not respond :-))

image via Country Living

Along with entertaining comes using my Christmas Tree dishes by Spode.  Many of you may know of  my disease—I’m addicted to dishes, all patterns and makes, and I’ve read that there is NO cure.  By the way, I don’t have the red transfer ware pattern above but believe me I’ve eyed it with more than faint enthusiasm!

image via Country Living

And at the end of a beautiful day of holiday traditions I like to climb into bed, between my flannel sheets and catch some zzzzz.

Don’t forget to get your rest during this busy month!  Happy December.

Table settings and a good recipe

22 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Entertaining, recipes, Table setting

As I’ve mentioned before, I love to entertain and for me one of the best parts is setting the table.  I enjoy the process of deciding which dishes suit the occasion and often the ‘simple white dishes’ (Villeroy & Boch ‘Chardonnay’) are my go-to pattern (or lack thereof).  But sometimes, as in the case of a birthday dinner we hosted that took place shortly after I inherited my Grandma’s china, I used her pretty dishes and dressed the table accordingly.

My friend, Gretchen, found this fabric and then made my runner...it has violets that match the dinner plates.

For me it is more about a comfortable, casual feel to the table.  I really don’t use my crystal anymore but instead opt for a stemware pattern that has been discontinued by Mikasa—it’s simple and can be put in the dishwasher.  What could be better, right?  I’ve gotten very un-stuffy with entertaining—it suits my lifestyle and our home.  I realize trends in entertaining, much like fashion, come and go.  The main thing is making our guests feel welcome and comfortable.

This was the blue and white table setting for my birthday group.

I love the green and white plates off-set by the green flowers. {"Flair" by Joe Nye}

Joe Nye’s new book, “Flair” is a fun read if you enjoy entertaining and like setting the table.  He exhibits a flair (no pun intended) and creativity.

I realize most of us don't entertain the masses but I love the use of these lanterns and I think they would look good with only 6 guests and maybe 3 or 4 lanterns down the middle of the table.

{image by Salis Studio}

Ohhh, toile table cloth, I love it! {"Flair" by Joe Nye}

Fabric can be expensive but if you search you can find some great buys on decorative fabrics at JoAnns (where they have a weekly coupon for 40% off) and even Big Lots.

Beach Bungalow 8 featured this table setting recently. I love the use of greens.

What is it about white? I love it. I believe the table cloth is an off-white or even oatmeal. Subtle contrast but beautiful.

{Image via Country Living}

So simple, so lovely!

{Image via Country Living}

And to serve on these lovely plates…this super simple, but so yummy chicken dish.  My friend Carla first served this recipe some years ago at a birthday party—I request it whenever she hosts my birthday.

Carla’s Parmesan Chicken

Chicken  (serves 6)

—————————————————————————————————————————————-

INGREDIENTS:

3 eggs

6 chicken boneless, skinless breasts

6 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

Olive oil

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

6 ounces Parmesan, grated

1 tablespoon parsley

2 cups heavy cream

INSTRUCTIONS:

Dip chicken in egg, then seasoned crumbs.  Brown chicken in olive oil over medium high heat.  Place in 9 x 13 baking dish.  Cover with grated mozzarella, set aside.

Heat cream and Parmesan until cheese is melted and sauce is slightly thickened.

Bake at 350° uncovered for 30 minutes.

Great with white and wild rice.


A Blue and White birthday

01 Friday Oct 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Entertaining

I may have told you before; we enjoy a group of friends (5 couples, including hubby and me) that we call “The Birthday Group”.  Each couple hosts 1 birthday celebration for 2 of our “members” each year.

Stay with me…this year its my turn to host Carla and Wendy’s birthdays, two of my nearest and dearest.  The ladies in the group select names from a hat in December during our annual Christmas Caroling evening (but more about that  later) so we know well in advance what month we will be responsible for a birthday celebration dinner.

I ended up making the invitations since the blue card stock and envelopes were on sale at a party store “Where’s the Party“.  I used blue ink on plain paper for the invitation body and simply glued it to the card stock.  Note:  I thought I had taken a picture of the invitation before I sent them out but cannot find them in my photo file, sorry.

The invitation I made was pretty simple, not nearly as cute as this one from Paper Source, but they were very tailored and worked just fine.

Since I seem to be on a blue and white kick I decided to take my inspiration for the table setting from one of my good friends, Carol, as well as the impressive Carolyne Roehm [A Passion for Blue and White].

Carolyne Roehm's blue and white table setting was 1 of 2 inspirations.

Below are pictures of my table setting—I had fun with the blue and white vases and the Chinese Emperor that kept a stately watch on our dinner.

Note to self:  Must continue to practice photography!  I can only get better, right?

(I borrowed the vases from Carol, who had set this table for a ladies lunch back in February)

As hostess, I am only responsible for the main course portion of the meal and the birthday girls… Carla and Wendy, requested a recipe I’ve made before (see below for recipe).

MENU:

Appetizers: 2 delicious appetizers were provided by Linda

Linda prepared this Salsa Cheesecake which was so delicious. She served it with tortilla chips and a variety of crackers that complimented the wonderful flavors of salsa and creamy cheesecake goodness. She also made an amazing guacamole to go with the Salsa Cheesecake...yummy.

Entrée: Pistachio-crusted Chicken with Herbs and Mustard-Cream Sauce;

...must work on food photography. This is the Pistachio crusted chicken as it came out of the skillet. Too busy plating everything to remember to get a picture of the chicken with the sauce applied and the lovely garnish of two chives. Oh well, you get the jest of it, right? My guests seemed to enjoy!

Roasted potatoes — sorry, no picture (potatoes were absent on picture day)

Fresh Asparagus

I blanched the asparagus and then just before serving dinner I re-heated it in a little butter with salt and pepper and a squeeze (just one) of lemon juice.

Dessert: Brownie sundaes with ice cream and assorted toppings

Pistachio-crusted Chicken with Mustard Cream Sauce

(adapted from a recipe from Bon Appetit/June 1998)

———————————————————————————————-

Ingredients

  • 1 cup shelled raw pistachios (about 4 ounces)
  • ½ cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Oil for sautéing chicken
  • Mustard Cream Sauce (recipe below)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°.  Finely grind nuts in processor.  Add panko and blend, using on/off turns.  Transfer to shallow baking dish.  Spread Dijon mustard over both sides of chicken breast.  Dip chicken into nut/panko mixture, coating completely.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 2 chicken breasts to skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.  Transfer chicken to baking sheet.  Remove any leftover nuts from skillet and repeat process with remaining 2 breasts, adding more oil if necessary.  Bake chicken until cooked through, about 10 minutes.  Spoon mustard-cream sauce over chicken and serve immediately.

Mustard-Cream Sauce

Ingredients

  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • ¼ cup chopped shallots
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preparation Instructions

Boil white wine and shallots in a heavy medium saucepan over high heat until liquid reduces by half, about 3 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium-high.  Add whipping cream and simmer until reduced to 1 cup, about 2 minutes.  Add Dijon mustard and simmer 2 minutes to blend flavors.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

*I doubled the recipe but added enough chicken breasts to have 1 for each guest.

A wedding shower and beautiful antiques, what more could a girl want?

30 Monday Aug 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Decorating, Entertaining

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

accessories, antiques, Entertaining

I recently attended a wedding shower at a good friend’s home.  We started with a choice of raspberry blini, Champagne and/or iced tea.  (Who can pass up raspberry-anything?).  The two hostesses did such a beautiful job with lunch (Mandarin chicken salad, fresh popovers and strawberry butter; killer cupcakes from a specialty bakery in Newport Beach called Susie Cakes).  Due to my love of antiques and wonderful décor I failed to take pictures of the table with the fabulous meal, sorry.

An overview of Anne's living room

This print and wall sconce is in Anne's dining room.


The bride-to-be was in attendance with her mom and her maternal grandmother and all three women are delightful.  It was also fun to see a few friends I haven’t seen in some time.

…but the best part for me was getting to visit my friend’s beautiful home.  Anne has always had a way of creating a warm and welcoming ambiance while featuring amazing antique pieces and accessories.  She graciously allowed me to shoot a few pictures and while this is but a sampling of her home, there are a couple of antique secretaries with an interesting story (that’s part of the fun in having antiques, right?).

Anne's antique Dutch secretary---this photo doesn't do it justice. I love the blue and white ginger jars on top.

Anne explained, “The Dutch secretary (below) is late eighteenth century (and should probably be in a museum some where) and was given to us by Marr’s grandmother whose father was an antique dealer in Los Angeles.  It has beautiful inlaid marquetry of fruit woods into a walnut veneer.  It is all original except for the brass hardware which was replaced many, many years ago.  One of the fun things about it are the little wooden trays that pull out that would have been used to set candle holders on – simple eighteenth century lighting!  When the doors on the upper portion are closed over the shelves you are able to see the fine marquetry work in all its glory”.

The finish on this English secretary is amazing. Antiques give any room a sense of history and provide a warm and welcoming look, don't you think?

The English secretary (above) is as beautiful as the Dutch piece and stands out in Anne’s living room.  It has such a wonderful story as Anne shares, “The English secretary is, I believe, from the Sheraton period and is all in original condition including the glass.  The only change made to this piece was also the hardware – also done many years prior to our ownership.  We bought this piece from an estate sale when we were first married.  The woman who had the sale owned an enormous, beautiful old home in the Hollywood Hills.  Her husband had been in the film industry in Hollywood and had passed on. She was, at that time, quite advanced in years and was selling the contents of her home and moving to Paris to spend her remaining years.  She had a companion secretary that was just like the one we bought but a bit larger, and that was the only piece she was moving with her to France.  I wish now that I had taken time to know her story more thoroughly, I think there was quite an interesting life history there”.

This little painting (left) catches your eye when you pass it and I had to ask Anne if the artist was famous, she explained, “The little seaside painting is one I gave ML (Anne’s hubby) for his birthday some years ago.  It is by a local artist but I don’t know anything about the person.  I liked it because you could almost feel the windy day and smell the salty air from the way the artist painted it.  I also liked the people in their nineteenth century dress standing on the shore and looking out to sea”.

The painting above the mantle has a story as well---if I remember correctly, Anne's grandma purchased this little painting at Harrod's when she was young. I love the art in Anne's house---she has such an artistic flair.

Her kitchen looks very European---quite an accomplishment when you think about the tract look all of these houses originally featured.

Dining room.

Simple Summer Meal

20 Friday Aug 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Food, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Entertaining, recipes, tablesettings

I live in Southern California and somehow we were cheated our summer!  To be perfectly honest, I don’t miss the heat, but the sunshine, which SoCal is known for, is missing as well.  We get a burst of it sometime around 1:00 PM daily but honestly, is there anything better than waking up to a sunny morning?

So, I decided I needed to move my casual dinner for good friends indoors on Saturday evening.  We enjoyed our appetizer in the atrium and found it was relaxing and comfortable—but the idea of sitting on the patio for dinner seemed out of the question.  Its August for goodness sake!  We shouldn’t have to worry about cold this time of year.

My menu was:   Appetizer:  Skewered Greek Salad by Giada De Laurentis, roasted almonds.  Dinner:  Grilled Citrus Salmon (recipe below), Roasted Baby Potatoes with Herbs (Giada De Laurentis) and Barefoot Contessa’s Panzanella (from her Parties cookbook/her 2nd) and Dessert:     Mocha Alaska Pie (recipe below).

This is delicious and easy and you can assemble the skewers the morning of the dinner. Thanks to my friend Alison at paper{whites} for introducing me to this recipe.

Sorry for the slightly blurred picture.

This picture doesn't do this recipe justice---I really have to learn to take better photographs of food.

Since dessert was my favorite part of this particular meal I thought I’d start with that recipe:  Note, I couldn’t find my pie plate (I’m wondering if I got rid of the Corning pie plate in anticipation of purchasing an Emile Henri pie dish from Williams Sonoma, and then never got around to it?!)  In any event, I prepared this recipe and put it in a glass loaf pan—it really looked nice and the taste certainly didn’t suffer.  So here goes, super easy:

Mocha Alaska Pie (Loaf)

Mix:

1 cup finely crushed chocolate cookie crumbs (I used chocolate cat cookies from Trader Joe’s in the food processor and made crumbs).

¼ cup butter, melted

1 tablespoon sugar

Press into the bottom of a 9” pie dish or a Pyrex loaf pan or  (if you use a loaf pan, generously line the bottom and side of the pan with plastic wrap so that when you are ready to remove the dessert you can get it out of the loaf pan without problem, you will not be able to bake it using this method but it didn’t seem to matter.  The crust held together perfectly and tasted delicious)

If you use a pie plate you can bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350° then cool completely.

Meanwhile, let ice cream sit on counter for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly.

1 pint of coffee ice cream (you can substitute the coffee ice cream with chocolate if you don’t like coffee flavor)

1 pint of vanilla ice cream

1 jar of hot fudge sauce

Once the ice cream has softened spoon the coffee ice cream over the crust and press to even it out.  Then repeat with the vanilla ice cream.  Freeze.

Just before serving add hot fudge sauce over top and serve—yummy!  If you wanted to kick it up another notch you could roast almonds and sprinkle those over the top of the fudge.

Grilled Citrus Salmon (recipe from a 2004 Bon Appetit magazine)

Serves 6

1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 dashes ground red pepper (cayenne)

2 dashes salt

1 teaspoon dried basil (fresh can be substituted)

2 teaspoons capers

3 pounds salmon, fresh, cut into serving size portions

In a small saute pan over medium heat, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, butter, mustard, garlic, red pepper, salt, basil and capers.  While stirring, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Place salmon pieces skin side down on a piece of heavy duty foil with the edges folded up to make a pan.  Pour the sauce evenly over the fish.

Prepare your BBQ to medium fire/heat.  Place the foil pan (with fish) on the grill and cover with a lid.  Barbecue for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on thickness of serving portions.  The fish will be light pink and flaky when cooked.

More recipes next week.

Happy 4th of July!

02 Friday Jul 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Food, Party Planning

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

4th of July, Entertaining, holiday

Happy 4th of July (weekend).  This holiday has always signaled the start of summer for me.  I used to work at Disneyland and the 4th of July brought visitors from all over the world, the weather was almost always hot in Anaheim (where Disneyland is located) on this date, and it truly felt like the start of summer.

Edible 4th of July decorations, I love it!

According to Wikipedia:  In the United States Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

She's a grand ol' flag, she's a high flying flag...

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States.  ~via Wikipedia

You can make these using Martha Stewart's directions in Living-July issue.

Have a wonderful weekend, we're lucky to live in a country that's free!

Pictures via Veranda Magazine & Martha Stewart

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

Homes that welcome the season

A little this and that

The color of autumn

Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow

Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

Enter your email address to subscribe to GH&P and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Instagram




Follow gardenhomeparty on Twitter

Follow on Tumblr

Google Plus

Recent Posts

  • Homes that welcome the season
  • A little this and that
  • The color of autumn
  • Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow
  • Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

Categories

  • Accessories; details
  • Annual WP Report Card
  • Antiques
  • Architects & Builders
  • Architectural elements
  • Autumn
  • Bastille Day
  • Bathroom
  • Bedrooms
  • Christmas
  • Collections & Accessories
  • Cottages
  • Decorating
  • Designer
  • Dessert
  • Dining Room
  • DIY (do it yourself)
  • Drink
  • Easter
  • Entertaining
  • Fall Entertaining and Decorations
  • Family
  • Flowers
  • Food
  • Gardening
  • Gardens
  • Halloween
  • Holiday/Seasonal cooking
  • Holidays
  • House and Home
  • Independence Day
  • Kitchen
  • Maintenance
  • Misc
  • Outdoor living
  • Paint Color
  • Party Planning
  • Personal Information
  • Recipes
  • Renovating
  • Seasons
  • Simple Meals for the Avid Cook
  • Spring
  • St. Patrick's Day
  • Storage/Closets/Pantry
  • Study/Office
  • Summer
  • Thanksgiving
  • Traditions
  • Travel
  • Trends
  • Uncategorized
  • Valentine's Day

Recommended

  • Bastion & Lark
  • Content in a Cottage
  • Cote de Texas
  • French Essence
  • French Kissed
  • Garden, Home and Party
  • Greige Design
  • Heirloom Philosophy
  • Henhurst Interiors
  • In the Fields
  • Jennings & Gates
  • Making Magique
  • Miss Mustard Seed
  • paper{whites}
  • Polished Pebble
  • Providence Ltd Design
  • Restoring our 1890 Victorian
  • Slim Paley
  • Splendid Willow
  • Talk of the House
  • TG Interiors
  • The Adventures of Tartanscot
  • The Enchanted Home
  • The House of Edward
  • The Lady's Life
  • The Pioneer Woman
  • The Polohouse
  • Tone on Tone
  • Trouvais
  • Velvet & Linen

Archives

  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • October 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • October 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007

Top Posts & Pages

  • {Home} Cozy and other adjectives that describe home
  • Living with what you love; age and decorating
  • {Home} Adieu Pierre Deux
  • {Garden} A porch, atrium, courtyard, or outdoor room---a delight
  • The color of autumn
  • {Home} Mirror, mirror on the wall...
  • Knock, knock, who's there?
  • {Home}Another cottage to love by Bill Ingram Architect
  • {Home and Party} Trays, a versatile obsession
  • {Home} Be careful what you wish for...refinishing wood floors

Subscribe via RSS

  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Topics

4th of July accessories antiques Architects & Builders Austin Autumn Barefoot Contessa bathroom bedrooms birthdays blog favorites Blogging blue & white decor books centerpieces chairs Christmas collections cooking cottage cupboards decorating for fall decorating styles designer details of a home do-it-yourself Dogs dream house Easter easy recipe easy recipes Engagement Party English gardens Entertaining fall Family Father's Day Flowers foyer furniture Garden Gardening Halloween hardwood floors holiday home home accessorizing House Beautiful magazine how-to Independence Day interiors Irish Stew kitchens Kooboo chairs library mirrors Mother's Day neutral color palate New Years Eve Organizing Outdoor living paint color Pets in the home plaid recipe recipes Rogers Gardens Spring summer living Table Settings television Texas Thanksgiving Valentine's Day weddings

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Garden, Home & Party
    • Join 749 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Garden, Home & Party
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...