Fun & Simple Labor Day Entertaining

 Labor Day is a popular weekend for cookouts and outdoor parties. 

No matter how clever you try to be with your menu planning, everyone likes the standards.  

Grilled burgers, grilled chicken, hot dogs, bratwursts, and of course, steaks.  

Mixed fruit salad, tomato, mozzarella and basil skewers (pictures below), potato salad.  Brownies, cookies, or set up a "make your own ice cream sundae" station.  

 I always like to feature a signature" cocktail. Make up pitchers of Ginger Shandies (recipe and picture below) for refreshing drinks.

 This recipe makes 6 servings.  

You need: 3 bottles chilled Hoegaarden beer, 1 bottle chilled ginger beer, thinly sliced lemon, mint sprigs. Hoegaarden beer is a flavorful beer complimented with coriander and orange peel and it adds refreshing flavor to this cocktail.

In a large pitcher, combine the chilled beers.  Stir in most of the lemon slices and mint sprigs.  Fill 6 rocks glasses with ice.  Add remaining lemon slices to the glasses and pour in the Ginger Shandy.  Garnish each glass with a mint sprig and serve.  It tastes refreshing and looks appealing in the pitcher. 

Enjoy your safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

Ginger Shandies (Delish.com)

Memorial Day Entertaining Ideas

We have finally arrived at the first official weekend of the beginning of Summer season.   Here are a couple of easy ideas to help ensure your party will be fun for everyone.

Fire up the grill and barbecue chicken. Grill some rib-eye steaks, hamburger or cheeseburgers.  Create a simple Caprese salad plate with sliced tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, fresh basil and drizzled balsamic vinegar on top.  My "Patriotic Salad" below is simple and takes 5 minutes to put together.  Romaine leaves, raspberries, blueberries, Athenos crumbled feta cheese, toss in a bag of SunMaid dried cherries for a tart flare, glazed walnuts, and refrigerate until ready to serve. My favorite dressing for this salad is raspberry dressing. Just the right amount of sweetness.  I featured on a recent post a fun Make Your Own Sundae Bar we hosted recently and it's another fun idea for a picnic or Summer gathering.

Relax, Boat, Swim, Picnic, Read, Play Volleyball, Tag Football, Boccee, Roast                       S'mores, Catch Fireflies, Build a Bonfire and Tell Stories.  

                                    ~ Relish and Embrace the Moments~

Display your flag proudly

Have fun creating an appetizer platter 

Finally time to get on the lake

Festive cups dress up the signature drink

Our son in law is the best bartender

Red, White and Blue Salad 

Build your own Bloody Mary Station if your party begins in the a.m.

Your guests will appreciate relaxing in the hammock

Bring out the Skinnypop and wine to watch the sunset.  Perfect ending to a perfect day!

                                Enjoy a Happy & Safe Memorial Day Weekend

Celebrate Labor Day with Family & Friends

Labor Day is the last hurrah of the summer season. Celebrate the great summers end by throwing a barbecue. Offer a signature cocktail  upon arrival, fire up the grill,  enjoy a great summer meal of steaks, burgers, brats, hot dogs and salads and  raise your glass to family and friends.

All summer long, our gang loves to team up and see who gets the trophy for bocce ball!  Another family favorite is Croquet. I can't begin to tell you how competitive our group can get, starting with my Dad all the way down to the youngest members. All in good fun, of course :)

How do you celebrate Labor Day?