Outdoor Movie Night

Create your own "Drive-In" in your Back Yard

You can make your own drive-in movie in your back yard or on your patio this Summer.  

 It's easy to do with a little creativity using your own style.  Use a wagon or any table to display all of your snacks for the evening.  It's easy to pop large bowls of popcorn, give everyone a paper bag, and create a "Popcorn Bar" using various toppings for each individual to make their own personal treat.  

Years ago  I began mixing pretzel twists, cheese puffs, Chex Snack Mix, and mini chocolate chips in the bowl with the popcorn.  Now it has become the traditional way to serve popcorn in our house. Peanut butter M&M's are a tasty addition too.  Check out the supermarket aisle where you buy your popcorn for these seasonings...Ranch, White Cheddar, Nacho Cheddar, Caramel and don't underestimate the power of Chili Lime seasonings for some real zest.  

If you don't have enough lawn chairs to go around, buy a few inexpensive white sheets, roll them up and display them in a basket with a sign that reads, "Take a Sheet and Have a Seat." 

Here are a couple of ideas for showing your movie outside.  For a less expensive screen, hang a large white sheet or a drop cloth from trees or on the house and dress it up with tiny white lights around the sheet.

screen // projector

Have a great weekend and enjoy the movies!

Packing the Perfect Picnic

Memorial Day is next week so why not celebrate the holiday and/or weekend by packing a picnic.  

What's your favorite spot for a picnic?  The park, playground, backyard, at the lake, beach or on the boat?  

Pack your picnic basket very carefully.  When you are planning a movable feast, there are many things to consider.  Have a checklist and mark items off as you pack them in your basket or tote.  Did you remember, napkins, utensils, plates, cups, garbage bags, condiments, salt and pepper?

Pack your meats and salads in a well insulated cooler.  Pay attention to food safety and toss your perishable foods if left out of the cooler longer than two hours.  The bottom of the cooler is the coldest so this is where you will place your most perishable foods.   Use freezer packs, ice in zip lock bags, or my favorite trick is freeze bottled waters and use them as ice packs.  As they melt, you have cold water to drink.  

Below are a couple of great picnic totes and they make a nice gift for birthdays, Father's Day, or summer bridal showers.  Stick a bottle of wine inside or a gift card for a favorite food market in the area.  

What's your favorite picnic menu?  Cold barbecued chicken, sweet potato salad, Grandma's potato salad or macaroni salad, fresh fruit salad, ham and cheese on rye?  

Try making fresh fruit skewers.  They are easy to make, transport and eat.  

Thread your favorite sliced or chopped fruit onto wooden skewers.  Kids love these!  Serve it with a honey vanilla yogurt for dipping.  

Found on Tablespoon.com
I love this website!

Photo on Tablespoon.com
Check them out on Pinterest & Twitter too!

Insulated Picnic Tote sold at bedbathandbeyond for $37.99

Insulated Willow Picnic Basket sold for $67.99 at brookstone 

Happy Weekend!  

5 Cozy Comforts

Top 5 for Hosting Overnight Guests...

With the holidays over, you can relax and enjoy those friends and family members who have decided to stay on just a day or two longer.  When you are entertaining at the lakehouse for the weekend,  here are a couple of tips for helping make your friends and family truly feel welcome.


Real Beds vs. Air Mattresses
Consider an ottoman or a day bed that you can use for seating for the daytime and sleeping for night time.

An Awesome Pillow
A great pillow can make all the difference in the world. For the ultimate luxury experience, invest in goose down (make sure your guests don't have an allergy to down).  Another great pillow are the memory foam pillows.  They are sure to please all types of sleepers, if you are a back, side or stomach sleeper, since they conform to every one's head shape.

A Sound Machine
Most of my family members need to have a fan running low for noise to sleep by.  A sound machine will help create a sense of privacy by masking any small noises or chatter.  Sound machines range in price and can be found in a variety of stores.  Check out walmart, or brookstone.     They supply a variety of sounds from gentle rain, wind, summer night.

Emergency Kit
Have a small emergency kit that holds double sided tape, earring backs, extra buttons, shoe shine kit, earring backs, toothbrush, toothpaste and mouthwash, deodorant, dental floss, small soaps and lotions, a needle and thread and a nail file.

Don't Forget!
A Bedtime Nightcap
Pour brandy or your favorite cordial in a small decanter and set it on the nightstand with a pretty cordial glass.

Your family and friends will thank you for thinking of their needs and making them feel right at home in your home.                              


December 2012/Real Simple