Woodland Theme Baby

    My daughter-in-law is doing a woodland themed baby nursery. The inspiration for her design came from a fabric she found with trees and tiny little animals poking their heads up and around a forest. It was love at first sight for her. Then she happened upon this adorable stuffed fox and everything began to come together organically. This daughter-in-law of mine is especially creative and loves to "up-cycle," finding creative uses for vintage items that were originally designed for an altogether different function. I can't wait to see what the nursery will look like when she's finished. Maybe she will let me share a picture or two before the grandboy arrives in May!
    In the meantime, I have been seeing all manner of woodland things popping up everywhere. I couldn't resist sharing some adorable baby shower ideas that give homage to the woodland theme!

Let's start with some invitations!

How cute are these?!

 I love how the envelope mimics a woodgrain pattern on the one below!

 Now let's move on to the party decor

 I love the use of rustic and natural elements

 And the charm goes on

and on...

And it wouldn't be a party without a cake...

or two...

How 'bout these cupcake toppers!

 gift bags anyone?

 Now this is some serious hedgehog love!

But you better watch out for those foxes, they just might steal the show!

And since we live in Music City, what could be better than a very special 

Woodland Mix for guests to take home

Be creative and have fun!

Let The Others Eat Cake

     Last week's birthday bash for our first grandson was purposefully low-key. With his parents currently undergoing a house renovation that has seen them moving out of their house and decamping to not one, not two, but three different locations, they opted for a "just family" outdoor party in a neighborhood park. The Daughter kept things really simple, and it was a good call. She served mini cupcakes from The Cupcake Collection, mini ice cream sandwiches and little bottles of ice water. There were picnic tables, a few helium balloons for decoration, a frisbee, some nerf rockets, lots of shade trees, and a good old fashioned playground nearby.
    The weather was amazing. When the daughter sent out her Paperless Paperless Post invites, and I realized the party was going to be outside, I worked up a sweat just thinking about it. Four o'clock in the afternoon in August in Nashville can be absolutely brutal. Last year the heat index for the very same day was 106. Yikes. The boy may have a few "hot" birthday parties in his future, but this first one was not one of them. The temperature was only 84 degrees, the humidity was low, and I never even broke a sweat!
    The Birthday Boy was a champ! He loved the attention, loved his toys, and had a great time. But he did not like his cupcake much. It was pretty funny!

Uh oh. Something's up.

Everybody has gathered around me, and they are singing some silly song.

 Oh wow. Take a look at that thing. Is that candle for me?

 I'm thinking about it...

 Not so sure about that blue stuff...

 I think it's growing on me...

 Good one of the family, except that I forgot to look at the camera!

 Let's skip the cake part...I'm just gonna concentrate on the icing...

 GiGi comes over to help me along....

 Now it's time to open presents. Yippee!

I love Thomas the Train!

 My cousins and sister are only too happy to help me out with the presents

Aunt Kelly and my cousin Mia are a big help!

Sister is trying to explain the instructions to me. I'm not too interested.

Momma decides that I need to try on my new shoes...

What are shoes anyway? I like my bare feet just fine.

Momma, I'm telling you it's not gonna happen!
Take these things off NOW!

 This is my Pappy, my cousin and my sister. We are adding another cousin
in a week or two. There's already room in Pappy's lap for him!

 That's my Uncle Bear and my Aunt Betta

 That's my Momma with my great-granddaddy, Pa Poag

 Here's Uncky, Nannie, and my cousin (Little Two). 

 That's my Uncle Jacob and my Aunt Kelly

 This is my cousin Tatum, my grandmother Gigi, and Ken.

 This is another shot of Uncle Bear and my cousin (Little Two)

Tatum and I are chillin' out with Pa Poag, our great-grandfather

My party sure was a lot of fun. I want to do it again next year.

And can you guess why Nonna told me that this is her very favorite picture from that day???

Stars and Stripes...Festive Food for the Fourth

    The Fourth of July is always about food, friends, and family at our house. We have celebrated for more years than I can count with the same group of folks (except when one or the other of us just happens to be out of town). Our get togethers are always casual affairs with each of the women bringing a few of her favorite dishes. Thus the meal usually shakes out as more of a pot-luck than a party that is planned and executed to perfection. However, the food is always delicious and the company delightful!
    This year I am bringing my favorite marinated tomato, onion, and cucumber salad with fresh dill and fresh basil, bacon baked beans, and corn on the cob (we'll just throw it on the grill so no real prep necessary except for the shuckin').  I'll also come up with some sort of appetizer and maybe add a pick-up dessert.
   If you are lacking inspiration for table settings or food to share, check out some of these great ideas!

I love the idea of a patriotic cake. And this one works well for a larger crew. 

Leave the cake pop sticks off (it's safer for little ones) and let folks help themselves!

This patriotic pie features a yummy crust made of sugar cookie dough (store-bought, of course!); followed by a layer of low-fat cream cheese mixed with low-fat Cool Whip; 

then topped with a wonderful "flag" of bananas, blueberries and strawberries. 

Finish with a glaze of cornstarch, orange juice and sugar to keep the bananas from turning brown. 

So much fun! 

These strawberries are showing off their colors. 

Dip them in yogurt and finish them with turbinado sugar that has been colored blue!

And speaking of yogurt, this is a fun not-too-sweet dessert alternative

And this layered dessert trifle makes use of pound cake cut in the shape of stars.

Love it!

Finally, this unusual red, white, and blue salsa puts a different spin on the traditional flavor profile.

Every Southern woman worth her salt has a stash of mason jars. 

Why not pull them out, add some festive paper straws, and a little grosgrain ribbon? 

Voila! You have the perfect festive accent to your celebration!

And you don't just have to drink out of the mason jars! 

They make a great container for utensils. 

No wrapping or tying here...just drop the bandana aka napkin in the mason jar and add the silverware!

And for a vintage touch, take a tea-stained flag and secure it to a mason jar with twine. 

Drop your flickering votive inside. Easy peasy and so sweet!

And we all know that life goes a little better with chocolate...

This treat is so simple, but oh so good!

To make it a special snack for the Fourth of July, add blueberries to the centers of the raspberries 

(but keep the white chocolate, of course)!

I've featured this recipe before, but couldn't resist using it again. 

Chocolate, strawberry nachos anyone?

Stay cool with this treat: Frozen Bottle Rockets!

Use 1 bottle of blue soda, 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream, and 1 cup of raspberry sorbet.

Put some sorbet and ice cream in each glass. 

Pour the blue soda over the ice cream and serve immediately!

And here's to the sacrifice and service of those past, present, and future 

who continue to make this the Land of the Free

and the Home of the Brave

God Bless America, land that I love...