Make Your Own Ice Cream Sandwich Bar

Summer temperatures are pushing thermometers to the limit and we're looking for ways to stay cool. A fun idea is creating a "make your own ice cream sundae bar"? All you need is ice cream, cookies and toppings......does it get any better? It can be as simple or extravagant as you wish.  

We enjoyed chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and ginger snap cookies with toppings of mini chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, toffee bits and crushed peppermint.  I used chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice cream with black cherries, and rolled it in the peppermint.

I love to display foods on my pretty trays

I found I had more ice cream scoops than I thought I had so I had one for each ice cream selection.

~I hope you have a great weekend and thanks for stopping~

Outdoor Twister

Do you remember playing the game Twister when you were younger? Or are you still playing this laugh packed game?  

Now you can play it outside and here's how.

Spray paint rows of circles on the lawn.  No worries about the Twister mat slipping when you use this method.  Either make a spinner or use the spinner from the original Twister game........

Right arm yellow, left leg blue!  So much fun for all ages😄

Our baby grandson is turning one this weekend and he is such a blessing to our family.  His laughter, giggles and never ending smiles are heart melting.  We love you sweet Peanut and wish you a special and happy first birthday with all of our love forever and a day💗

Happy Weekend!

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

Antiquing day with Family, Food and Fun

• My recent annual Fall visit to the Randolphstreetmarket was on a beautiful day.  I enjoyed the last of the warm summer weather with my daughter Kaitlyn of Sistersmarie, sister Patti and niece Teresa. The Market offers Modern Vintage Chic home furnishings, clothing, accessories, foods, and antiques indoors the remainder of this year.  During warmer Midwest months, the Market is held indoors and outdoors.  There is valet parking for easy loading of your great finds after your visit to the Market.  For bigger items, the Market offers a home delivery service.  Always at the top of our list is the visit to the Windy City Espresso Truck for a specialized coffee delight and muffin.  This year I discovered iced coconut coffee and it didn't disappoint!  We enjoyed a lunch of empanadas from EmpanadUS. I had the spinach and caprese empanadas and look forward to these delights each time I visit the Market.  With two suburban locations, they are a gem I highly recommend trying.  I gave my husband a vintage turntable last Christmas that we have set up in our room overlooking the woods at our lake home.  It's fun to hunt for vinyl records to enjoy by our favorite artists.  Preferably the smooth sounds of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennet with a bit of Dean Martin.  To my delight, I found albums at a few of the vendors. My most exciting purchase of the day was my $10.00 mini table to sit next to my reading chair in my cozy corner of the living room.  I have searched for the perfect table to sit my coffee mug on while finding moments to read a paperback from the special basket of favorite paperbacks my dear mother in law left me when she passed away recently.  They are among my prized possessions.  She wrote me a note in each book and I will always treasure them.  I look forward to my next visit to the Market.  Check out the Randolphstreetmarket website for upcoming Market weekend schedules and carve out a little time to explore all it has to offer.

Spinach & Caprese Empanadas from EmpanadUS

Storage chests were a popular item

Doesn't this chair have personality?  Loved the teal color.

Vintage bar cart 

Love the Cabin sign for the lake house

Succalents

Fall vintage

Awesome bar cart

To rest my coffee mug on

My perfect table

The Girls

Iced Coconut Coffee from WIndy City Espresso Truck

Rio Olympic Opening Ceremony Viewing Treats

Are you hosting an Olympic Opening Ceremony party?  Check out these easy and clever ideas below for tasty ways to add flavor to your party.  Click on the websites below for how to's.  

Main course thoughts?

Team USA menu ideas are barbecue chicken, pasta or potato salad, peach or apple cobbler, and Local craft beers.

China - Egg rolls

Japan - Sushi

Germany - Hot pretzels and beer cheese

France - Serve crepes

Italy - Pizza

Russia - Moscow mules

Great Britain - Fish and chips

These are just a sampling of delicious and fun ideas.  

** History question.  Do you know why the Olympic Flag ring colors are blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white field?

Answer. The colors stand for the countries who competed in the 1912 games.  

"The blue of Sweden, the blue and white of Greece, the tri colors of France, England, America, Germany, Belgium, Italy and Hungary, and the yellow and red of Spain are placed together with the innovations of Brazil or Australia, with old Japan, and with new China.  Here is truly an international symbol."

(quote found on wikipedia.)

Photo and idea by Tasteofhome

Idea and Photo by NoBiggie

Photo by asmallsnippet

Enjoy the Ceremonies and your Weekend.  

~I appreciate you taking the time to stop by~

Easy Weekend Pancake Bites

It's the weekend already and whether you are having weekend guests or not, this is a simple and fool-proof way to make pancake bites, allowing you to make an assortment of pancakes using different additions of your choice. The bites are made in muffin tins...how easy is that?

A few of my favorite mix-ins to try include chocolate chips, blueberries, cooked and crumbled bacon or sausage, cinnamon crumbles, or even sprinkles for a special occasion.

Simply prepare your favorite pancake mix and distribute into a lightly sprayed muffin tin. Use an ice cream scoop for even distribution and scoop the prepared pancake mix into each cup halfway, mix in your favorite toppings, bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes. Serve with maple syrup and powdered sugar, and enjoy with some juice or tea (try Republic of Tea, it's an obsession in our house!)

Enjoy your weekend!

LakehouseLyn