Friday Finds: All Things Fourth of July

I LOVE the Fourth of July. Is it just me or does everything Fourth of July seem to incorporate all of our favorite things? Celebrating America, family fun, great food and then the cocktail and cool whip Gods unite for an extra dose of fun. Seriously, cool whip is a must for the Fourth, am I right?

First things first, I wouldn't mind trying this white wine sangria. We had a sangria a few weekends ago and it was pretty good- I only had it once before! What is your favorite sangria recipe? I like that this one uses fresh berries to top it off.

While we're at it, who doesn't love a poptail? These cocktail coolers look so refreshing after spending the day on the beach. Make them this weekend so you have a treat waiting in the freezer on Thursday! 

There are so many good desserts out there that look beautiful for the Fourth. However, the simplicity of this one caught my eye. The link doesn't provide a recipe but we can assume all we need is pound cake, cool whip and fresh berries for this yummy treat!

The American tablescape looks so pretty and peaceful. I love the blue and white dishes. I must get myself some blue and white dishes- it's on my list.

If Weeks was eating big boy food, I would so make him these pancakes. Ok, I might ask my Dad to make him them, because he is usually the one in charge of breakfast when we are all together. Next year Weeks, you get Fourth of July pancakes! 

I'm linking up with the ladies of 5 on Friday- make sure to check it out!

I hope you all have a wonderful summer weekend! 

Crockpot Cobbler

Sometimes you just need an easy summer dessert.

I've never put something sweet in my crockpot before, but let me tell you this is the way to go. Whip this easy dessert up a few hours before dinner and your dessert will be freshly hot out of the crockpot! 

CROCKPOT COBBLER

from Taste of Home 

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

2 tablespoons plus 1 cup sugar, divided

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/4 cup fat-free milk

2 tablespoons canola oil

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed (I used fresh)

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed (I used fresh)

Low-fat ice cream, optional

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Combine the egg, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (batter will be thick). Spread batter evenly into a 5-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the salt and remaining flour and sugar; add berries and toss to coat. Spread over batter.

Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted into cobbler comes out clean. Serve with ice cream if desired. Makes 8 servings.

the berries covered in the sugar mixture- yum! 

I usually skimp out on desserts when we have friends or family over simply because I don't have enough time. Anything that I can make ahead of time is a win-win in my book. This was so nice to have baking Sunday afternoon! It would be perfect for easy summer entertaining, but impressive and fresh at the same time.

Enjoy! 

Catching Up / Bloglovin Business

Well I didn't intend to take a hiatus from the blog for the last week, but Stephen's sweet grandmother passed away on Monday morning. She was an incredible woman who loved God, her grandchildren (and great grandson!), living in the country and making biscuits at the State Fair. She treated me like her own grand daughter- the kind of Grandma everyone wants to have. We spent our days last week at her house with family and celebrating her life. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last Memorial Day. At the time, doctors gave her just several months to live, with treatment. Once she heard she had a Great Grandson on the way, she was determined to hang on to meet him. That she did, plus three months. Weeks will hear for the rest of his life how important he was to her.

Front porch rocking at the farm 

{Skirt, Sandals}

Here are some pics from the last week that I know she would just love to see! 

Weeks is giving Dixie the eye! Too funny.

I bought the little man a new towel, seriously it can't be much cuter! 

{Find it at Target}

We stayed at my parents while we were in town and Weeks got to go for his first swim. We heated the hot tub so he wouldn't be cold- we knew from dipping his toes in the ocean he does NOT like cold water. He mistaked it for a bath because all he wanted to do was fall asleep! It was hilarious.

I've been meaning to provide this link for such a long time. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed for the best way to follow blogs, so if there are better options please let me know! Until then, here is my link for bloglovin' when Google Friend Connect disconnects us all.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!! 

Fathers Day Food

 After reviewing my pictures from the weekend, I've decided Father's Day is synonymous with food. I'm pretty sure all we did was cook and eat Saturday and Sunday. That's okay, eat drink and be merry right?

Saturday night we celebrated with my family and had a big cookout. First things first, guacamole dip and Layered Mexican Dip. Have you tried the new Tostitos Cantina Thin and Crispy Chips? My goodness, they are excellent.

I made a pinterest find, Roasted Ranch Potatoes. The recipe picture makes them look a whole lot cheesier than they are. They did have an awesome flavor and it made a ton! 

My two sweet boys on Father's Day.

Weeks and his cousin Lisi got to hang this weekend. Little man is trying his best to catch up with his 6 month old cousin! His outfit is a 6-12 month by the way....

When you become a parent you realize even more just how amazing your own parents really are. I see everything in a new light. I am more thankful than ever for such a wonderful set of parents. Love my Dad.

I also had a small party in Gap this weekend, you can find my shorts here, and Weeks' outfit here. 

I made dinner for Stephen on Sunday night and we relaxed on the porch to cap off the weekend. 

Bruschetta + Homemade Rosemary Infused Olive Oil

Buffalo Chicken Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and got to celebrate those important men in your lives! 

Friday Finds 6.14.13

Fathers Day Love:

I'm blessed because this year I will get to spend time with my own Dad on Father's Day AND celebrate  Stephen's first Father's Day. I love my baby daddy. These men are so important and deserve the very best. 

 Fathers Day Fare:

Next up on our salad menu is this Buffalo Chicken Tender Salad with Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing. We love some buffalo chicken in this household. I think this would be perfect for Father's Day as well! 

Summer Veggies:

Hands down, the best salad in the world to me is the caprese salad. We went out for dinner Wednesday night and had the most amazing version of it. I could eat that every day, what about you?

And we grilled out last night with lots of fresh summer veggies.

Fresh Flowers

You know that saying about some women want swimming pools, others want closets? I guess you can say I want hydrangeas! I think our money sits planted in our yard. We are total suckers for a new plant every time we visit a nursery or Lowe's. I think we have three new varieties this year alone. Nothing beats getting a fresh vase of flowers straight from the yard!

New Makeup:

I've been using Clinique's BB Cream but I'm giving the latest thing, CC Cream a try. So far so good! The most important thing for me is that Clinique's version has a broad spectrum SPF 30, which I want every single day. Find it here. 

Reminders:

Definitely something I need to keep in mind and remember. 

Wishing you a happy weekend.

And linking up with the ladies of 5 on Friday! 

Katie's Kitchen

It's no secret I don't mind spending time in the kitchen. I believe a kitchen should be fun and functional. If you open our drawers and cabinets you will find plenty of colorful gadgets and bowls. Nothing is too streamlined here! These are a few of my favorite tools that make cooking and baking fun for me.

The Garlic Press was a stocking stuffer a few years ago and gets the job done, it's so nice to have on hand. 

If you've never had popcorn freshly popped from a Whirley Pop, you are really missing out. 

We have been using these Silicone Prep Bowls all the time lately, they are perfect for chopped veggies to divide and toss into salads. 

My Toss and Chop Salad Choppers have gotten tons of use lately and make your salads pretty! 

A wedding gift favorite, our Le Creuset French Oven is such a nice piece of cookware. Nice cookware absolutely makes a difference in my mind. 

For perfectly shaped cookies, you must use a Cookie Scoop like this one. 

And most importantly, you must have a good Wine Opener and Wine Bottle Stoppers.  I love the colorful Rabbit brand! 

What are your kitchen favorites?

Nursery Sources

 

Paint Color / Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore

Crib

Dresser

Dresser Knobs / Lowes

Crib Bedding
Chandelier, similar {no longer available}

Name above crib / Hobby Lobby Letters, spray painted gold

Rocker

White Wicker Hamper 

White Wicker Low Basket 

White Cotton Canvas Drapes with custom trim as seen in this post

Changing Pad Cover 

Wipe Warmer 

Woven Small Basket / T.J. Maxx
White Shoes / Elephantito



Gallery Wall Art clockwise from top:

White Gallery Wall Frames / Ikea, Michaels
I belong with you Print / personal art

Watercolor Dots / personal art

You are So Loved Print 

Zebra Print

Animal Parade Print / Papyrus Card Framed and Personalized by Me
Gold Wave Stencil / personal art

Mobile / DIY

Round Side Table, Target {no longer available online}
Trash Can / Target, in stores

Lamp / Old, spray painted in Valspar Mirage

Lampshade / Lowes

Lampshade Trim / Michaels, knitting section

Quilt / Custom designed by my Mom as seen in this post

Monogrammed Pillow
Canvas Silhouette Art / personal art 

Floating Book Shelves / Ikea

Ceramic Elephant Side Table / Two's Company

Diaper Bag {similar}

Night Light / gifted

Red Table / Consignment shop, painted in Valspar La Fonda Fireberry

Red Table Knobs / Lowes

Hippo Bookend / Giraffe Bookend

Ceramic Elephant Piggy Bank / gifted
Chewbeads Necklace 

Navy Shoes

Closet Bench / Target, in stores

Bench Cushion / DIY

Monogrammed Tote 

Closet Stencil / Martha Stewart at Michaels, painted in gold
Closet Dividers / DIY as seen in this post

As you can see, a lot of things were DIY. If anyone has further questions on any of them I would be happy to fill in the details! I didn't source all of the stuffed animals since there are so many, but I can help you with those if needed. If I missed any other item you are interested in, please let me know.

For the full nursery reveal, see here.