Ways to Celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, and in honor of the occasion, I'm sharing some fun and simple ways to celebrate!

According to my Internet research, the holiday was created in the mid-90s. To truly make the most of observing it, you might want to adopt a pirate moniker and greet people with traditional pirate greetings such as "Ahoy, maties!" or "Ahoy, me hearties!"

In addition to that, I've got some really simple ideas that you can re-create to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day with your friends and family!

Drink Like a Pirate: Non-Alcoholic Dark and Stormy

What pirate wouldn't love a drink called a "Dark and Stormy?" I'm creating a non-alcoholic version but you could easily add a bit of alcohol as well for a more spirited version. 

Traditional Dark and Stormy cocktails call for dark rum, ginger beer, a splash of molasses bitter and a splash of lime juice, all served over ice. 

For my non-alcoholic version, you'll need: 

• 1 cup of ginger beer
• 1 T fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup pineapple juice

Mix it together and serve over ice and you might just find your party guests saying "Blow me down!" 

Eat like a Pirate: Your Own Pizza the Buried Treasure!

Check out this awesome pizza treasure map, via Betty Crocker. This would be such a fun & easy way to celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day! Making 'homemade' pizza was one of my favorite things to do as a kid. My grandma always let me grate the mozzarella cheese. 

You could make one big pizza or get smaller crusts or flatbreads and let everyone create his or her own map to the buried treasure! 

All you need is your crust or base, your favorite sauce, cheese and toppings (I got red & green peppers, and black olives). 

Decorate Like a Pirate - 

Instead of spending any money on decorations, I raided my Halloween stash for anything that could be remotely pirate-centric. Things like skulls, bottles of potions, and cauldrons can easily be re-appropriated for a pirate party. 

Add some pirate-friendly treats like any gold wrapped candy (treasure), goldfish crackers or Swedish fish (catch of the day), and chocolate bon bons (cannon balls). 

And don't forget to let everyone figure out his or her Pirate Name! This is Dread Thunder Blackbeard, signing out! 

Simple Ideas for a DIY Shark Party

Sharks are basically the rock stars of the ocean world. Brooding and mysterious. Elusive and unpredictable. And what a dedicated fan base! In honor of Shark Week, which is basically like a national holiday, I've got some fun and simple ideas for a DIY shark party!

For some simple treats, how about blue jelly beans and fish shaped candies? These look great in small paper cups, for a bite-sized serving (get it, BITE?).

Or what about a candy made from sharks' favorite water? Salt water taffy of course! Served up in some cute cups topped with these shark party favors is simple and fun!

Sandy Toes & Popsicles shared this awesome Shark Bark, which seems like it would be pretty simple to make. What a cute idea! Get full recipe here.

Other food ideas include "Seaweed Dip" (spinach dip) with blue corn chips, which look a little like shark fins or cheese wedges aka shark teeth (both inspired by Craftiness is Not Optional).

And of course you need a signature drink for any good shark party! I got inspired by the Suburban Soapbox with this Shark Attack Cocktail....kid friendly and delicious! You could also pick up a cheap glass fishbowl (I found one at Hobby Lobby for less than $10) and use that to serve your punch!

Want to make your own DIY party treat bags? I whipped these up in just a few minutes using scraps of paper and a glue stick. The bags are from a local craft store and you could get gray or another shade of blue if you prefer.

I hope these ideas inspired you to throw a 'fin'tastic shark party of your own!

A New Twist on New Year's Traditions

New Year's brings certain traditions....things like eating greens and kissing at midnight. There are other traditions associated with celebrating the end of one year and the coming of another. Instead of sticking to the status quo, I decided to try and put a new twist on some longstanding traditions.

Looking for a new way to ring in the coming year? Check out these three simple ways to incorporate tradition into your celebration.

1) Eating Grapes at Midnight

Eating grapes is a Spanish New Year's tradition that is catching on around the world. To really ensure good luck and good fortune in the new year, you must eat 12 grapes at the stroke of Midnight, one for each month in the coming year. 

via Whole Foods - Click for Recipe

But if you just want to incorporate some yummy grapes into your New Year's Eve party, try serving a sweet and spicy grape salsa. It's sure to be a hit at your party and the recipe can be scaled up for a larger group. 

Grape Salsa Recipe

2 cups green grapes (finely chopped)

1 cup green onion (finely chopped)

2 T cilantro (finely chopped)

2 T lime juice (or more to taste)

2 T olive oil 

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 tsp chopped jalapeno (optional)

Stir together ingredients and serve with pita chips or tortilla chips 

2) Black-Eyed Peas for Good Luck 

Black-eyed peas are considered by many southerners to be a lucky food to eat on New Year's Day. The peas swell when they are cooked, which symbolizes prosperity. And we can't ever have enough of that! 

For a new twist on this tradition, try a black-eyed pea hummus, which can be served with veggie sticks or crackers. 

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus

1 can black-eyed peas, drained

2 T tahini (optional)

Olive oil (to taste)

Add the peas and tahini to a food processor and pulse while adding olive oil until it has the consistency of a paste. Enjoy! 

3) Pomegranate Seeds for Love & Life 

In some cultures, pomegranates are enjoyed at New Year's because they symbolize love and life. Packed with vitamins and fiber, pomegranate seeds are not only tasty and delicious, but also healthy for you.

Start your New Year off on the right foot with a healthy breakfast option featuring pomegranate seeds, yogurt and granola. Whip up a parfait in no time, substituting your favorite nuts or flavors of yogurt. You'll feel great eating something tasty that is good for your body and soul.

What are your favorite New Year's traditions to enjoy this time of year?

Fun & Easy Ideas for a July 4th Celebration

July 4th is a day worth celebrating and it's a great time to throw an impromptu summer party for all your favorite people. Whether you're planning to live it up with larger than life July 4th festivities or maybe just host a small summer soiree, our nation's Independence Day is a perfect opportunity to throw a party.

If you've been around this blog before, you know I like simple projects, recipes and party ideas. Why make things harder than they have to be?

Here are three fun and simple ways to celebrate the 4th of July in style!

Drink it up: Star Spangled Stunners

via

Every good party must have a signature drink. It doesn't need to be alcoholic, but if you want to make things a bit more spirited, I won't try to stop you. 

Obviously our color scheme is red, white and blue. With all the wonderful fruit in season right now, this makes it easy to create some delicious concoctions. 

Start with some fresh fruit...raspberries and blueberries are good options. Freeze them in a tray of ice. Then, when they are nice and frozen, plop them into a glass of coconut water (I used Bai). 

You can also add some rum for a bit more spirit. 

I know it seems pretty basic, but sometimes it's the most basic things that really are best. Delicious and easy! 

Jazz Up Plain Coleslaw with Tasty Toppings

Coleslaw is sort of the proverbial red haired step child of the summer barbecue. It's not nearly as exciting as mac and cheese and it's not nearly delicious as potato salad. 

But nobody puts coleslaw in the a corner, at least not on my watch. Here are three ways to take ordinary shredded cabbage and take it to the next level. 

Shredded Cabbage + Blue Cheese + Grape Tomatoes 

Cabbage + Sliced Almonds + Mandarin Oranges + Soy Ginger Dressing

Shredded Cabbage + Coleslaw Dressing + Hot Sauce 

Create a DIY S'mores Station - 

There's nothing quite like s'mores to take you straight back to the magic of childhood summers. Maybe it's the fact that s'mores are kind of messy or perhaps it's just how everyone comes together to enjoy them but they are a great option for an impromptu summer soiree. 

I saw this great DIY S'mores Bar (via Party City) and decided to create my own! 

I was also inspired by the fabulous blog, Love and Zest...check out her S'mores creation below! It's nearly too pretty to eat. 

Love and Zest 

I hope this inspires you to get creative with your 4th of July celebration and make it really special. 

Happy Birthday America! 

Fun & Simple New Year's Traditions

I have a love/hate relationship with New Year's Eve. It's one of those festive holidays that feels like it should be celebrated while dressed to the nines, at some swanky party with other glam looking revelers. But then I also secretly want to be at home in my pajamas, eating comfort food and watching favorite movies til the stroke of midnight.

No matter how you're celebrating New Year's this year, I've got some fun and simple ideas and traditions that you might want to incorporate into your festivities. Be advised that most of the New Year's traditions involve good old fashioned superstition. It's all in good fun of course, but I don't know if I really believe any of it. Still, there's something comforting about traditions you enjoy again and again.

Put Together the Perfect Charcuterie Tray

Charcuterie has to do with prepared meats like salami, sausages, and pate. A charcuterie board or tray is a great option for a New Year's party because it can include a little bit of everything and something for everyone. Whatever your favorite tastes and flavors may be, your charcuterie board can incorporate whatever you like. Some offerings you might want to include are: 

• Deli meats (prosciutto, ham, salami, corned beef, etc) 
• Assorted cheeses (hard and soft)
• Dried fruit (figs, apricots, pineapple, raisins, and plums) 
• Nuts (Marcona almonds, cashews, pecans, walnuts) 
• Honey
• Crostini or crackers 
• Pickles (sweet and dill) 
• Olives (green, black, kalamata, etc) 

Arrange your charcuterie platter in a way that is pleasing to the eye, and your guests will love it. Start with a cutting board or large tray. Anchor it with a few bunches of grapes and some wedges of cheese. Then add your meats. Layer in different dried fruit, nuts and pickles. Use fresh rosemary for a garnish. Throughout the night, you can replenish your offerings as they run low, but guests are sure to love all the delicious options that a charcuterie tray can provide. 

Eat Black Eyed Peas & Greens for Luck 

Eating Black Eyed Peas is one of my favorite New Year's traditions. If you want an easy recipe that incorporates both, check out my Tennessee Caviar (adapted from this). 

Stir together 2 cans of black eyed peas (drained), one can Ro-Tel, and one can yellow corn (drained). Add 2 cups of zesty Italian salad dressing and stir well. Refrigerate for at least one hour, up to overnight. You can also add shredded kale or spinach as a garnish. 

Beans and greens eaten on New Year's are said to bring good fortune because they resemble money (coins and dollars). Who couldn't use a little more of the green stuff? Eat up! 

Eat Round, Sweet Foods in Honor of Life's Continuous Circle

From donuts to cookies, or cakes, many cultures enjoy sweet round foods as part of their New Year's celebrations. It may be because they represent the circle of life, the way things flow from the end of one year to the beginning of another. 

Cream puffs or profiteroles are a great option for a New Year's party. You could even set up a cream puff station and let guests add their own toppings. Offer things like chocolate and caramel dipping sauces, whipped cream, and sprinkles for a fun DIY dessert bar. 

Eat 12 Grapes at the Stroke of Midnight for Good Fortune in the New Year

New Year's traditions in Spain include eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Supposedly this began after a grape surplus in the early 20th century. The idea is to eat all 12 grapes while the clock is striking midnight. Each is supposed to represent the months of the coming year. 

To make your New Year's grapes feel a bit more special, try sugaring them. Rinse grapes and then dust them lightly with caster sugar or powdered Jell-O for a bit more flavor. As they dry, the sugar will crystallize and create a lovely treat. 

Whatever you do eat, don't eat lobster on New Year's...since they move backwards, it's said that eating this can cause you to have regrets in the New Year. And we don't need any of that! 

Simple Tips for Hosting a Harry Potter-Themed Fantastic Feast

If you're a Harry Potter fan, I'm sure you're planning to see the new spin-off film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I can't wait to see it myself! In the meantime, let's get into a magical mood with some simple ideas for hosting your own Harry Potter-themed Fantastic Feast! 

Since the new Fantastic Beasts film is set in the 1920s, let's stick with the time period and throw a roaring 20's party, with a speakeasy theme. 

For the costumes, think Great Gatsby, prohibition era, 1920's style clothing. Flapper costumes, lots of black and gold, sequins and pearls. Or you could always just throw on a wizard's robe and call it good. 

Now for the eats...there are so many fun ideas you can try for a Harry Potter theme party. 

Professor Sprout's Veggie Garden Treats 

For a healthy option, how about this great treat that features fresh veggies! All you need are some small plastic cups, fresh veggies cut lengthwise, and some type of dip. Hummus is a great choice, or your favorite salad dressing. 

source unknown

Goblin Gold Cupcakes 

For some sweet treat options, why not dress up plain Jane vanilla frosted cupcakes with a little Goblin gold? These great chocolate coins are widely available in holiday displays right now. Add them to your favorite bakery cupcakes and voila! And if you want to make your own cupcakes from scratch, try this recipe. 

HoneyDukes Candy Floss Cupcakes

I stumbled upon these gorgeous creations from the baking blog Bakingdom and tried to make my own (more simplified) version. Honeydukes is the candy shop in the village of Hogsmeade and there's also one at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. One staple of the shop is candy floss (aka cotton candy) and I thought this would be a great cupcake topper. 

The version shown features a pom pom topper, but either that or real cotton candy will work depending on what you can find. So cute! 

Scamander Strawberry Cordial 

During the Prohibition era (1920-1933), when Newt Scamander was having his adventures in New York, the only place to get a spirited drink was a speakeasy. Another name for a speakeasy was a blind pig, which is consequently the name of the one in the film.

These not-so-secret establishments were popular as the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcoholic drinks was illegal in the United States at that time. 

Here's a recipe for a Prohibition era drink recipe, that you can make with or without alcohol. 

More Harry Potter Wizard-esque Fun for a Fantastic Beasts Party! 

• Drag out your Halloween decorations or scour the shelves of your local discount store for clearance price Halloween merchandise. I found some great skull decorations in a clearance bin at my local grocery store
• Make your own broom
• Incorporate creepy crawly bugs and other gross things (I painted some Dollar Store plastic insects gold and dusted them with green glitter for a more glam look)
• DIY a Golden Snitch from a giant Ferrero Rocher and glittery accessories from the floral department of Hobby Lobby! 

Whatever you do to get in the mood for the new Fantastic Beasts film, I hope it's wizardly wonderful! Happy wizarding friends! 

Simple Ideas for Mother's Day Brunch

Mother's Day is a perfect occasion to celebrate with brunch. Make mom feel special with some simple, thoughtful additions to your table!  

Biscuits & Strawberry Butter

Who can pass up a hot biscuit, fresh from the oven? Take your brunch biscuits to the next level with homemade strawberry butter! 

This simple to make treat really makes your guests (and your guest of honor) feel like you went the extra mile to make brunch more memorable. 

To make strawberry butter, finely chop 2 cups of strawberries until they are almost the consistency of pulp. Stir the strawberry pulp into a half a stick of softened butter. Add honey for sweetness or cinnamon for a bit of spice. 

Chill the butter and serve with biscuits. Delish! 

Simple Strawberry Sangria (with or without alcohol)

image via the kitchn

Brunch is a great time to experiment with fruity drink concoctions. Even if some of guests (or mom) aren't alcohol drinkers, you can mix up a batch of delicious strawberry sangria for a toast to mom, grandma, and the other special ladies you are celebrating. 

Pour 2 bottles of Trader Joe's Clementine Orange Soda into a pitcher. Add 2 cups of strawberries. Let the berries soak until the flavors mingle (at least a few hours, but overnight if possible). If you like a sweeter sangria, add simple syrup. If you want to add some white wine or champagne, go for it! This easy brunch beverage will have everyone saying "Cheers!"

For more strawberry sangria recipes, click here. 

Spring Floral Arrangement with Purples and Greens

Instead of paying big bucks for a pre-made arrangement from a fancy florist, hit up your local grocery store for a variety of floral stems and make mom a one-of-a-kind arrangement. 

I was inspired by this spring centerpiece project from epicurious and decided to go with springy shades of lavender and green. Trader Joe's is my go-to for flowers, but you might have a favorite in your neighborhood. 

I even incorporated fresh asparagus into the arrangement by using a clear glass cylinder vase with another smaller one inside. The flowers and water go in the small, inner vase and the asparagus (or you could use lime slices) fill the space between. 

Don't be afraid to cut your flowers to the height you want, and don't be afraid to mix lots of different types of flowers. Stick to one color for a chic, professional look. Or go with your mom's favorite palette to create something she'll love. 

Fun with Coffee - Hosting a DIY Coffee Party plus a Simple Coffee Scrub

When I was growing up, my parents didn't let me drink coffee. My grandparents would allow me to have a cup when I visited their house, although it was probably mostly cream. I remember feeling so grown up while sipping from my piping hot mug.

As a teenager growing up in my small southern hometown, going to the coffee shop was a huge rite of passage. We had one coffee shop called the Magic Bean that was frequented by older teens and college kids. Of course, my parents forbid me to go there. So it wasn't until a more family-friendly coffee shop called Poet's opened up that I was able to experience the magic of coffee house coffee.

It wasn't until after I married my husband that I started drinking coffee every day. I always enjoyed the taste of it, but never got the process of brewing it quite down pat. Since I now have someone who makes it very well, I drink at least a cup or two each morning.

I love to entertain, but am always looking for unique ways to do it. And this is what got me thinking about how fun it would be to throw a DIY coffee party. It could be in conjunction with a book club meeting or other gathering, or you could just do a coffee party for coffee's sake. Either way, it's a simple and fun way to get together with friends and enjoy something we all love.

How to Host a DIY Coffee Party 

To throw your own coffee shop party at home, you'll need coffee and coffee accouterments. 

First, you might want to decide if you are going to serve hot or iced coffee drinks. Serving iced coffee might be easier since you can make more coffee ahead of time. Otherwise, you might be limited to one pot of coffee at a time. Unless you have a big industrial coffee brewing set-up, and then we're all coming to your house. 

Whether you like French press or drip, or even cold brew, you can host a coffee party that suits your taste. 

If you haven't tried cold brew, here's a great recipe. 

Once you've decided what coffee mix-ins you want to include, just set them up in a self-serve station so your guests can help themselves. 

Some possible coffee extras you might want to serve are: 

• Assorted flavored syrups (store-bought or make your own)
• Sweeteners (various types of sugar, honey, agave, etc)
• Different creamers (half & half, almond milk, whipping cream, and my personal favorite - sweetened condensed milk) 
• Cinnamon (or cinnamon sticks), Nutmeg or Pumpkin Pie Spice

Then let everyone go to town mixing and making all sorts of delicious creations. It might help if you provide some recipe inspiration, or make suggestions about different combinations to try. For inspiration, check out these 17 different coffee shop drinks you make at home.

One of my favorite coffee drinks is an authentic Italian treat, the Shakerato. I first heard of this delicious concoction while reading a magazine interview of Donatella Versace. She referenced it and said this was her favorite summer drink. I was intrigued and tried to recreate it based on her description, but finally found a great recipe online.

To make a Shakerato, all you need is:

• Brewed espresso
• Sugar
• Ice

Put all ingredients into a cocktail shaker (or as I've used in a pinch, a Nalgene water bottle or some other jar with a secure lid). Shake it all up til you get some good foam. Pour into a stemmed glass and enjoy! 

For a great favor to give your coffee party guests, why not give them each a small jar of homemade coffee scrub? It's simple to make and has 4 basic, all natural ingredients. 

Simple 4-Ingredient Coffee Scrub

 

I've tried making a coffee scrub before, but this one is even easier than the recipe I used previously.

It only requires 4 simple, natural ingredients. I love it when I can make something that doesn't contain a bunch of stuff I can't pronounce.

To make this simple coffee scrub, you'll need:

• Coffee (finely ground)
• Coconut oil
• Coconut sugar (or another coarse sugar)
• Cinnamon

Each of these ingredients has great healing properties....from the antioxidants in coffee that fight free radicals to the mineral rich coconut oil, which soothes and moisturizes. Coconut sugar is grainier than granulated sugar, but you could use any sugar you like or happen to have on hand. Sugar in the Raw is another good option, although it might be too coarse if you want to use this scrub on your face. Did you know cinnamon has bacteria-fighting properties? 

Mix the dry ingredients together and then slowly incorporate the coconut oil. If the oil is in a liquid state, you run the risk of your sugar dissolving in it. You can also add more or less oil depending on your skin type. 

Recipe via.

Last Minute New Year's Eve Party Ideas!

Another year is nearly over and it's time to celebrate! New Year's Eve parties are fun, but whether you're living it up with a hundred of your closest friends or snuggling with your sweetie on the couch, you definitely don't want it to be stressful.

That's why I'm sharing some fun & simple New Year's Eve party ideas! So you waited til the last minute...no big deal! You can still make New Year's special and memorable. Check out my suggestions and incorporate them into your celebration.

1) Pucker UP! - A Delicious Cocktail for New Year's Eve

You'll need: 

1 lemon, cut into slices
Limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
Fresh lemon juice
1 (750-milliliter) bottle brut Champagne, chilled

To make this tasty drink, add a spoonful of the lemon liqueur to a glass. Stir in a spoonful of lemon juice. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon slice.

It's a little tart, hence the name, but the strike of midnight on New Year's Eve is also a time for kissing, so get prepared to pucker up! Enjoy!

2) Black-eyed Pea Hummus - 

Black-eyed peas have long been thought to bring good luck when eaten on New Year's Day. Get a head start with this tasty adaptation of Blackberry Farm's Black-eyed Pea Hummus.

You'll need: 

1 can of Black-eyed peas (rinsed)
1 T minced garlic
5 T olive oil
Coarse salt & Fresh ground pepper
1 T fresh lemon juice

In a food processor, pulse peas, lemon juice and garlic. When it forms a paste-like consistency, add in olive oil while processing a bit more. Add salt (and pepper) to taste.

Enjoy with crusty bread, crackers, carrot sticks, and other nibbles.

3) Ring in the New Year, with Ring-Shaped Desserts!

Did you know that ring-shaped desserts are thought to symbolize wealth and prosperity? Incorporate some of your own favorite ring-shaped foods, like doughnuts, or mini-bundt cakes.

Knoxville has a new business called Nothing Bundt Cakes that has some incredible options! I picked up their December Flavor of the Month, Peppermint Chocolate and can't wait to enjoy it.

Some other New Year's traditions you might want to try:

• Eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, one for each month of the past year. 
• Incorporate lentils or other beans into your New Year's meal...these are supposed to symbolize coins, a.k.a. moolah or prosperity to come.
• Greens like collards or chard may also bring good luck if eaten on New Year's Day
• Pork, with its high fat content, may bring you luck. We grew up eating Hog's Jowl, but other cuts will also do. 
• Toss a bucket of water out the front door of your house after the stroke of midnight, signifying "Out with the old, In with the new." 

Simple Thanksgiving Shortcuts to Save your Sanity!

Thanksgiving is next week and while it's a special holiday, there's also a lot of pressure to create a meal that looks like something from a magazine. 

It's hard to enjoy the time spent with family when you put so much pressure on yourself to make it perfect. I feel like sort of a hypocrite writing about Thanksgiving shortcuts because I'm not responsible for my family's Thanksgiving meal. We're really lucky to have multiple generations and us younger folks haven't quite been passed the torch of cooking the main meal. Everyone brings at least something though, so our host (my great-aunt) doesn't have to do everything.

Even though I'm not the Queen of Thanksgiving, I know how to spot a shortcut. And I know that when you are having a huge bunch of hungry people at your house, shortcuts can be a godsend!

Here are some of my favorite shortcuts you might want to cash in on this year...

1) Pie in a Jar - So I'm not sure who to thank for this glorious invention, but I gotta give a little shout of praise to whomever came up with pie in a jar! All you need to do is add butter & eggs, pour into your crust and bake. So simple and it's Trader Joe's so you know it's delicious.

2) Cheese & Crackers Platter - You've been there. In the kitchen trying to make some magic happen and your husband (who keeps saying he's starving) keeps coming up behind you, reaching into the pot of whatever you're cooking to grab a bite. This is one of my biggest cooking pet peeves. My southern beau knows to stay out of the kitchen until everything's done...but that doesn't mean he isn't always trying to push the limits.

Now, what if you're cooking for ten or twenty people and they are all getting hungry. If everything isn't happening on schedule, they might try to sneak a bite.

There's a simple solution that will save the day....give them some nibbles to stave off the hunger pangs until the meal is ready.

Create an amazing cheese & crackers platter that guests can enjoy while they wait. I like to feature a variety of cheeses (some soft, some hard, some tangy) and crackers, but also nuts, olives and fruit.

It doesn't have to be perfect, just delicious.

3) Treats for Fido - 

After my beloved pup Leon passed away this year, I haven't been able to get another dog. But hopefully that will happen when the time is right. When Leon was with us, he loved holidays because that meant more people with potential treats and food scraps to slip him under the table.

Problem was, he had a sensitive stomach. I recommend having some designated dog treats on hand so your guests can offer Fido a treat (if they want to) without you having to worry about cleaning up dog barf during dessert.

When I found Thanksgiving-themed Turkey Cranberry dog treats at Trader Joe's, I couldn't resist snatching them up. My boy would have loved these. [Sidenote - If your pooch does eat a little too much, canned pumpkin is where it's at. I used to feed it to Leon when he had tummy troubles.]

4) Leftover Love - I'm not a big fan of leftovers, but Thanksgiving and leftovers go hand in hand. Make your leftover turkey really count by enjoying it on a sandwich paired with these chips.

If you thought Turkey flavored chips were a thing of the future, welcome to the future my friends.

Want more Thanksgiving fun? Check out this cool infographic with some stats about how turkey day is celebrated around the country!

**I was not compensated for this post. I just really LOVE Trader Joe's** 

How to Host a Casual Fall Party on a Budget

Fall is finally here! And all the frizzy haired girls like myself heaved a collective sigh of relief. Less humidity means my coiffure might actually behave for some of the time. Of course might is the operative word.

But we love fall in the south. It's a respite from summer's sweltering heat and it also means football, pumpkin patches and everything apple and pumpkin flavored. I'm not wasting any time. Fall may have just begun, but I'm kicking it off with a casual fall party here on the blog.

I'm also visiting with my pals over at Mornings with Foxville 43 to share some ideas! There's no shortage of great pumpkin and apple products in stores right now. All you have to do is get creative!

And we're going to start with something delicious to drink!

1) Caramel Apple Sangria

I can't take credit for this incredible idea (or that gorgeous photo), but the Internet is a friendly place where we share and share alike, right? I stumbled across this recipe on a great blog and couldn't wait to recreate it!

All you need is:

• Apple Cider
• Sparkling wine (or sparkling water/ginger ale if you want to go the non-alcoholic route)
• Caramel sauce
• Sliced Apples

I guess it's really not Sangria if you don't use the wine, but I like to have options for folks who don't imbibe. Plus, I don't always feel like drinking wine (say what?). 

2) DIY Sweet Potato Bar

My southern beau and I have been enjoying sweet potatoes long before fall started, but they are perfect for the season and we don't plan on stopping anytime soon. 

I found a recipe for baked sweet potatoes in some magazine I read and they were topped with sauteed spinach, black beans and feta. We've made some variations of this a couple different times. But I always save half of my baked sweet potato and eat it with butter and cinnamon. What can I say, I like variety. 

To solve this problem, I'm setting up a DIY sweet potato station for my next gathering. I'll put out all sorts of various toppings and let my guests go wild creating their own unique combinations. 

Here are just a few that you might want to try:

Black beans + Salsa + Greek yogurt 

Steamed broccoli + almonds + Parmesan cheese

Salted butter + cinnamon + honey + pecans

Rice + soy sauce + snow peas 

Sun dried tomatoes + sauteed spinach + mozzarella 

I would probably also serve the usual baked potato toppings (sour cream, chives, black olives, and bacon bits). Setting up a baked sweet potato bar is such an easy way to feed your guests something hearty and delicious for fall. 

3) Pumpkin Parfaits 

This recipe for Pumpkin Mousse Parfaits comes from that doyenne of deliciousness herself, none other than Ina Garten. You just can't go wrong with Ina. 

Fall means bring on pumpkins. Pumpkin everything as far as I'm concerned. And there's nothing so great as pumpkin dessert. 

This one's easy to make, light and fluffy and served in small individual cups, which always makes for an extra special presentation.

-------------------------

These are just a few simple ideas you can try for a casual fall gathering at your house. If your friends are worth their salt, they won't care if it's perfect or not. Usually, folks just want to be together. And what better excuse to gather than the new season.

Happy Fall Y'all! 

How to Throw a Wimbledon Watching Party

This weekend the 129th annual Wimbledon Championship tennis tournament draws to a close, with the final matches set for Saturday and Sunday. I went to Wimbledon about fifteen years ago, during my first trip abroad as a naive 18-year old having just graduated from high school. I knew nothing about tennis, and wasn't sure what to make of it all, but the entire experience made quite an impact. 

While my travel companions staked out a courtside seat to watch Anna Kournikova, I wandered around and entertained myself people watching and taking it all in. I had strawberries and cream. I drank Pimm's and Lemonade. It was the quintessential Wimbledon experience. 

When my friends at Knoxville's Fox43 asked me to share some ideas for throwing a Wimbledon watching party for their special Wimbledon show, I was happy to oblige! 

1) What to drink at a Wimbledon Party? 

Nothing but Pimm's & Lemonade will do! Pimm's is a liqueur with a spicy, citrus flavor and it mixes perfectly with all sorts of things. My favorite thing to enjoy with Pimm's is plain old lemonade, but you can also use a sparkling lemonade or just add in some club soda. 

Apparently Brits take their Pimm's very seriously, especially when it comes to the addition of mint. Tennis star Andy Murray's mom Judy tweeted a photo of her drink at Wimbledon, complaining about it having too much mint, which caused the Pimm's company to issue an official statement: 

"No more than three British-grown mint leaves should be used to garnish each glass." 

While I must confess that my mint was grown in Tennessee, Pimm's was easy to find at my local package store if you'd like some of your own! 

Recipe for Pimm's & Lemonade (Pimm's Cup) - 

Tradition Pimm's No. 1

Add two parts lemonade (sparkling or plain) to one part Pimm's liqueur. Garnish with a slice of orange, lemon, apple, and cucumber. And don't forget the 3 required leaves of mint! 

Supercharged Pimm's No. 1

Add five parts lemonade and two parts Pimm's to one part gin. Garnish as above. 

2) What to eat at a Wimbledon Party? 

If you ever have the chance to go to Wimbledon, you must have strawberries and cream. There are many possible explanations behind the popularity of this sweet, red fruit and its association with the tennis event. 

Wimbledon's head public relations person said recently it probably had to do with the fact that all the way back through the years, strawberries are always in season while Wimbledon is being played. Plus, eating strawberries was de rigueur in Victorian England. 

For my strawberries & cream, I decided to take it even a step further with the addition of a traditional English biscuit (what we think of as a cookie) crumbled up on top. 

Recipe for Strawberries & Cream 

Rinse your strawberries and remove the green tops. Slice and/or quarter and put them into small bowls (1 bowl per person/serving). Pour heavy whipping cream into a metal bowl that has been chilled in the freezer (a trick that always helps me) and beat it until stiff peaks form. Put a generous spoonful of cream over each cup of berries and top with cookie crumbles (I used McVitie's Chocolate Digestives, a popular UK brand of cookies that is carried by my local grocery store).  

Check out this cool infographic to see just how many servings of strawberries were enjoyed at Wimbledon last year. 

3) Decorations for a Wimbledon Party 

The official colors of Wimbledon are green and purple, so I tried to incorporate that with my party decor. As with any sort of entertaining, I always try to use what I have on hand before buying a bunch of party stuff that I don't really need. 

Wimbledon is also known for white, that is the crisp white attire players are strictly required to wear.

White serving pieces look great with pops of color, especially green and purple. 

I was inspired by this gorgeous arrangement I found on Pinterest, and re-created one of my own with purple hydrangeas in a trifle bowl. I also made some place card holders by cutting a slit in each tennis ball and inserting a place card. Simple and cute! 

Will you be watching the Wimbledon finals? Who are you cheering for?