Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake


Courtesy of Big Lots

Hi Friends,

Delicious strawberry filling paired with an American classic! This Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake makes the perfect summer treat.

What you’ll need:
• Hostess® Twinkies®
• Smuckers® Strawberry Jam
• Serrated knife

How it’s done:
1. Slice Twinkies 8 times about 3/4 through with a serrated knife.
  • TIP: Be sure not to cut all the way through the Twinkies.
2. Insert strawberry jam in between each cut you made.
3. Serve and enjoy!

Have a Happy 4th and enjoy this delicious dessert with family and friends!

Check back in the following days for more great 4th of July ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Monday, June 29, 2015

Hot Dog Bar


Courtesy of Big Lots

Hi Friends,

Adding a unique twist to this 4th of July favorite will have your taste buds singing the “Star Spangled Banner”!

What you’ll need:
• Hot dogs / hot dog buns
• Pizza sauce
• Shredded cheese
• Olives
• BBQ sauce
• Pineapple
• Bacon
• Chili
• Cream cheese
• Salsa
• Tabasco® sauce

How it’s done:
1. Pizza Dog - Top with pizza sauce, cheese and olives.
2. Hawaiian Dog - Top with BBQ sauce and pineapple.
3. Bacon Chili Cheese Dog - Wrap hot dog with bacon, top with chili and cheese.
4. Spicy Dog - Top with cream cheese, salsa and hot sauce.

Have a Happy 4th and enjoy your hot dogs with family and friends!

Check back in the following days for more great 4th of July ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Friday, June 26, 2015

Red, White & Blue Punch!


Courtesy of Big Lots

Hi Friends,

Your kids will go crazy for this patriotic punch. This easy to create layered drink will taste and look amazing!

What you’ll need:
• Large glass drink dispenser
• Ice
• Ocean Spray® Cranberry Cocktail Juice
• Blue Gatorade
• Sugar free sparkling water

How it’s done:
1. Started by filling your drink dispenser 1/4 - 1/2 full of ice.
2. Pour in the Cranberry Cocktail Juice.
3. Next, slowly pour Gatorade over the ice to create a layered effect.
4. Finish by slowly pouring the sparkling water on top.

Have a Happy 4th and enjoy the punch with family and friends!

Check back in the following days for more great 4th of July ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Southern-Style Summer Party: Classic Takeaways


Courtesy of Camille Styles
Credit: She-N-He Photography

Hi Friends,

No Southern hostess would dare send her guests home empty-handed. These charming jam favors are a breeze to make and are perfect for the warm-weather season. In just a few simple steps guests can go home savoring the sweet tastes of the party. Get the list of items needed for this simple, yet thoughtful party favor below:

What You Need for the Jam Party Favors
Add a traditional Southern touch to your summer soiree with jarred jam party favors. For this project you'll need:
  • jars of jam
  • 1/4 yard of fabric
  • hemp cord or twine
  • cardstock
  • small hole punch
  • scissors
NOTE: Recipes for jams are in our earlier post.

Enjoy your new tradition with family and good friends...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Happy Father's Day!


Hi Friends,

Strong hands, Gentle heart, Quiet wisdom, Great love, these are the important things that make a Wonderful father.

Happy Father's Day!

Check back for more creative ideas and enjoy all the timeless treasures of Father's Day; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

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Live well,
Yvonne

Happy First Day of Summer!

Courtesy of The Old Farmer's Almanac

Hi Friends,

We love Summer and wanted to share some information and great ways to celebrate the season with you. First, lets get information on the summer solstice facts—plus, fun ways to enjoy summer!

The timing of the solstice depends on when the Sun reaches its farthest point north of the equator.

The word solstice is from the Latin solstitium, from sol (sun) and stitium (to stop), reflecting the fact that the Sun appears to stop at this time (and again at the winter solstice).

In temperate regions, we notice the Sun is higher in the sky throughout the day, and its rays strike Earth at a more direct angle, causing the efficient warming we call summer.

This summer solstice is the day with the most hours of sunlight during the whole year; check your local Sun rise and set times—and how the day length changes!

Now, 10 Ways to Celebrate Summer...

How will you celebrate the solstice and all that extra daylight? Here are 10 ideas plus, some "summer essentials" from the Almanac.com General Store!

1. Light a bonfire: The solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around the bonfires. Check out our dramatic fire bowls and fire pits.

2. Go fishin': We love to get out on the water. Consult our free Best Days for Fishing chart—plus, tackle-box and bait tips.

3. Plant a seed or a tree: Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season, halfway between planting and harvesting, and an occasion for celebration. Browse our neat seeds kits and containers.

4. Cook outside: There's nothing as tasty as grilled food. Have a big cook-out on the solstice. Get a taste of our mouthwatering Grilling and BBQ sauces.

5. Camp: Plan a camp-out to enjoy the great outdoors whether it's a tent in the backyard or a cabin in the woods! Check out the camping store page for some fun ideas. Don't forget the best natural insect repellent on Earth to enjoy the outdoors in peace.

6. Listen to songbirds: We love our feathered friends. Attact birds to your garden with our beautiful bird feeders.

7. Get pampered. Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger. It was also thought that walking barefoot in the dew would keep one's skin from getting chapped. Summer certainly does cure the winter dries. You can also check out popular gardener's lotions and fisherman's soaps to soften calloused working hands. There's even an "annulment of time" rejuvenating cream!

8. Let the light in! With all this extra daylight, hang one of our gorgeous suncatchers or decorative accents for your window or porch. Here is the Almanac suncatcher, shot in our town of Dublin, NH, against the backdrop of Dublin Lake.

9. Read a book. Temperatures rise and lazy days ensue. Relax on the beach or the porch and read up on gardening tips, natural health, and more. See our great books and guides.

10. Watch the night sky! In ancient Egypt, the new year was celebrated when the star Sirius rose around the time of sunrise. This roughly coincided with the summer solstice and the annual flooding of the Nile River. Click for our free monthly Sky Map and explore the night sky fom your own backyard!

Enjoy these lovely hot Summer days...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Southern-Style Summer Party: Sweet as Pie


Courtesy of Camille Styles
Credit: She-N-He Photography

Hi Friends,

A Southern-style party calls for a certain set of lovable and traditional treats. Fitting menu items include individually-sized portions of fresh fruit tartlets, banana pudding, lemon meringue pie and pecan pie. Find the recipes for the dessert menu below:

Banana Pudding Parfait Recipe

Layers of vanilla pudding, banana slices and wafers combine to create a miniature Southern staple.

Makes 24 parfaits

Ingredients
3/4 cup granulated sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 2 large eggs 1 large egg yolk 2 cups whole milk 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces and chilled 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 45 vanilla wafers 2 ripe bananas, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Special Equipment:
24 shot glasses

Instructions
1. Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a heavy saucepan.

2. Add eggs and egg yolk and whisk until combined.

3. Add milk and whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.

4. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble around the edges, about 7 minutes.

5. Remove from heat and whisk in butter one piece at a time, allowing each piece to fully incorporate before adding the next.

6. Whisk in vanilla.

7. Cover the surface of the pudding with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.

8. Toss the banana slices with the lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.

9. In each shot glass, carefully spread a teaspoon of pudding in the bottom. Cover with a vanilla wafer, then add a banana slice. Spoon another teaspoon of pudding on top of bananas. Repeat. Top each parfait with a vanilla wafer for garnish.

Lemon Meringue Tartlets Recipe

With tastes reminiscent of Grandmother's kitchen, these miniature lemon meringue tartlets feature a zesty custard filling and fluffy topping.

Makes 24 tartlets

Instructions
For tartlet shells:
2 store-bought pie crusts

For lemon curd:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon finely-grated lemon zest
3 large eggs, beaten

For meringue:
4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
pinch of salt

Instructions
For tartlet shells:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. Roll the pie crusts to 1/8-inch thickness. With a 2 1/2-inch diameter biscuit cutter or drinking glass, cut out 24 rounds. Place dough into pan and press to fit.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until crisp. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely.

For lemon curd:
1. In a mixing bowl set over simmering water, cook sugar, lemon juice, butter, zest and eggs.
2. Whisk frequently until custard forms and bubbles appear on surface, about 10 to 15 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl.
4. Set aside until cool, then fill each tartlet with 1 tablespoon of cool lemon curd.

For meringue:
1. In a stand mixer bowl set over simmering water, whisk together egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes.
2. Transfer to stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment, and beat whites at medium-high until they hold soft peaks.
3. Increase speed to high, and continue beating until meringue is cool and stiff, about 10 minutes.

Assembly
1. Pipe meringue on top of filling in each shell.
2. Preheat broiler to high. Set pies on a baking sheet, and place under broiler until meringue is toasted, about 2 minutes.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Pecan Pie Tartlets Recipe

Pecan pie is a classic Southern dish that has been served at family gatherings for generations. Our twist turns them into miniature hand-held tartlets, making them a better option for larger affairs.

Makes 24 tartlets

Ingredients
2 store-bought pie crusts
3 cups pecans
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
3/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.

3. Roll the pie crusts to 1/8-inch thickness. With a 2 1/2-inch diameter biscuit cutter or drinking glass, cut out 24 rounds. Place dough into pan and press to fit.

4. Bake for 15 minutes, until crisp. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely.

5. On a large baking sheet, toast pecans in middle of oven until golden. Cool, then coarsely chop.

6. In a heavy saucepan, heat sugar, water and corn syrup over low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Boil mixture, without stirring, until golden.

7. Remove pan from heat and add cream, stirring carefully until combined well.

8. Transfer caramel to a bowl to cool, about 10 minutes. Add nuts and stir to coat.

9. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons filling into each shell.

Bon Appétit friends...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Southern-Style Summer Party: Seasonal Favorites


Courtesy of Camille Styles
Credit: She-N-He Photography

Hi Friends,

Nothing says "summer in the South" like juicy watermelon, and a big, fresh slice is the perfect way to offset a menu full of decadent sweets. Find a fresh watermelon a few days before the party, then slice, cover and refrigerate the day before.

Fresh fruit is always a healthy and delicious treat...

Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Southern-Style Summer Party: Pretty Pieces


Courtesy of Camille Styles
Credit: She-N-He Photography

Hi Friends,

Invite friends to celebrate summer with decor and music reminiscent of a hot afternoon at your home. Using a palette of pinks, soft whites and creams, host a Southern-style party that's full of vintage touches and traditional treats.

If you don't own a set of heirloom china, a party is the perfect excuse to start a collection; the more mismatched the better! Each place setting includes a dinner plate, a salad plate and a saucer, plus a cherry-filled teacup featuring a flag of each guest's name. Silver flatware, a vintage handkerchief and a delicate champagne coupe top off the look.

NOTE: Instructions for making the flags were featured in an earlier post.

Party in Southern-Style this Summer...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne