I’ve been working really hard this week preparing for the invasion the arrival of my children and grandchildren for 10 days over the 4th
Detailed advance planning eliminates stress for everyone, especially me, and spending time now means I can relax next week
My favorite part is decorating
The Sand Dollar flag made for Memorial Day will decorate the front porch all summer
Pillows are a passion, and my favorite way to create instant decor
USA pillows paired with red & white chevron pillows, from the Christmas stash, come out for all the summer holidays
This patriotic vignette sits front and center on the island top, flowers, flags, M&Ms, coconuts
We have a very funny family story involving coconuts
CC even calls HHjr Uncle Coconut…
They shared an experience opening a coconut last summer that she will never forget!
I brought out all things red, white and blue
The kitchen island is set up to make meals and snacks easy for serving
There are paper plates, melamine plates, and ceramic plates in red, white, & blue
Note: Keeping seasonal or themed plates out is not only a storage solution for this confessed plate-a-holic, rotating them makes it easy and fun for using and enjoying them throughout the year
A large boat is beached to hold more plates and napkins
Festive napkins and flatware are in handy Nora Fleming utensil holders decorated with seasonal ceramic minis, a flag and a BBQ grill
Corn holders fill mini flag buckets held by a big blue crab
Firecracker chargers hold stacks of plates at the ready
One side of the island is a dessert/breakfast station
Plates, napkins and forks at the ready for the Chocolate Chip Chocolate Bundt Cake that will be under the cake dome soon 😋 and a Berry Monkey Bread for breakfast on the 4th
The table has a nautical centerpiece of red white and blue beachy things
The mats are tucked under the tray making them look like runners, but they are easily pulled out for use at meal time
The menu is posted at the kitchen entrance for all to see and eliminates that question “What’s for dinner?”
It is a mixture of grilled food, slow cooker dishes and easy oven recipes, so everyone can share the cooking
We will go out to lunch occasionally, but dinnertime is much too crowded during this holiday week on the coast
HH, HHjr & I conferred on the menu and then made a master grocery list. Shopping is divided into thirds, early this week, today, and then after the 4th, because stocking up for 9 people for 10 days is a monster task 😱 😵 😴
Luckily we have the magic bucket…
Below are the links to the menu’s family favorites and the other recipes will be on the July Bucket List, coming up on Sunday
Secret Ingredient Twice Baked Potatoes
Do you have special plans for the 4th?
Be safe and have fun!
🇺🇸 🎉 🇺🇸 🎉 🇺🇸 🎉 🇺🇸
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Rustic and Refined, Between Naps on the Porch, Gardens Galore Make it Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, The Scoop, A Stroll Thru Life
Celebrate and Decorate, Lori’s Culinary Creations, Moonlight and Mason Jars