DIY 4th of July Food Flags

This cute little flag has so many uses!  You could use them to top cupcakes (or the delicious dessert that we had on Father's Day), label different types of cheeses or dips, or even place in a flower arrangement.  Depending on the paper you get, this can work for so many different holidays ,too!

I bought several sheets of scrapbook paper in a red, white, and blue color scheme.  Then, I simply cut them into strips and glue them around a tooth pick!  I made sure that the paper had different sizes of patterns and different background colors for variety.  Then, I brought them out to my parent's house and used them in the dessert mousse we had on Father's Day.

Life Lately

We went strawberry picking!  These were the sweetest, most delicious strawberries I have ever had!

Last month, I shared with you all that John and I were house hunting.  This month, I'm excited to share that we have found our home!  We still need to go through the final steps of closing, but I'm really happy with the place that we found, and I can't wait to share all the projects, decorating, and home owning adventures with you!

1) John and I dominating the wedding photo booth. Nailed it!
2) Packing... SO MANY BOOKS
3) Enjoying the summer weather with patio drinks

Fourth of July was a blast out on the lake!

I hope your July was wonderful!  Follow me on Instagram @GoesLightly for more pictures like these :)

DIY 4th of July Wreath

 

It's time for another wreath!  Check out my monogram wreath and picture frame wreath for some other ideas :)

Today, I've got a 4th of July wreath just in time for Independence Day!  This was the first project I got to do in my new craft room!  And, of course, it had to have glitter in it.  Because what good is a craft room if it isn't covered in glitter? ;)

To make your own, you will need:

• Wire
• Ribbon: red, white, and blue
• Wooden star (available at craft stores)
• Paint (silver, gold, red, blue, anything patriotic!) and paintbrush
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Super glue or hot glue

First, paint your star.  I went with gold and silver.

While your paint is drying, shape the wire into a circle however big you want the wreath to be.  Add a few extra inches to your desired length and cut the wire.  Then, cut two more strips of the same length.

Next, cut your ribbon, adding another few inches to your wire length.  I personally think that different textures makes the braid a lot more interesting, so I used a satin cream ribbon, a glittery blue, and doubled up on a sheer red.

Twist and fold your wire and ribbon together at one end, assigning each color of ribbon to a wire.

Then, simply braid the three wires, bringing your ribbon along as you go.  The first few bits of the braid are the hardest, but it gets easier as you go.

Once you've braided the full length of wire, make your circle and twist the ends of the wire together to secure it.

Glue the star to cover the wire closure, and trim the excess ribbon.  I left a little hanging down, but made sure my ends were pretty.

Then, hang it up and get ready for fireworks!

The Best Baked Beans

 

For the Fourth of July this year, John and I went to his aunt and uncle's for a pot luck style dinner.  We signed up to bring the baked beans... well, actually, they were the only food left on the list :)  But I made these baked beans and, I must say, they turned out deliciously!

You will need:

• 2 pounds of bacon (I used 1.5 since we had already used some of ours, haha)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cans great northern beans, undrained
• 2 cans butter beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

Preheat your oven to 325.  Take a le creuset (or similar stove top and oven safe cooking dish) and heat over medium heat.  Add your bacon and cook until slightly crispy.

Remove the bacon to a paper towel and drain about half of the grease.  Cook the onion in the remaining bacon grease until soft.  

Cut the bacon into inch sized pieces and add it along with the rest of the ingredients to the dish.  Stir until blended and place into the oven, covered, for 30 minutes.  Uncover the dish, reduce the temperature to 300, and bake until the top starts to crisp, about 20 minutes.

This served a group of about 12, so it makes a LOT.  Halve the recipe for a smaller crowd.  Enjoy!

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!  I hope you all are enjoying the holiday, and I especially hope that more than a couple of you got a 5 day weekend this week :) 

For a long time, my family and I drove down to Missouri to spend the 4th with our extended family.  This year, I'll be spending the day with John's family in Minnesota, but I did have back to back weekends in Missouri the past two weeks.  The first was in Springfield to visit family, the second was in St. Louis for a wedding.  Here's some highlights:

A must for me when I'm in Springfield; pineapple soft serve

Two of my grandma's 6 cuckoo clocks.

Chocolate cream pie!  I think I got the recipe this time...

Centerpieces at the wedding

Table 8, aka the fun one

They had a dessert bar, yum!

Train ride home from the airport

I hope you all have a terrific holiday!!