4th of July White Chocolate Strawberries

 

 

We are attending some 4th of July fireworks tonight at a local outdoor historical museum called Greenfield Village. It is a lovely setting and music will be provided by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. We will arrive early with our group of friends and set up our blankets, chairs and a picnic to enjoy, while we relax and listen to the concert.

I am taking three dishes - Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip, grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and the White Chocolate Strawberries pictured above. My friends will bring other yummy finger food and we will have a delicious pre - fireworks spread to enjoy.

This pin in where the inspiration for the colorful strawberries came from - in fact, it is one of the very first things I tried on Pinterest. One year later and the ideas on Pinterest just keep coming - I love it!

 

Recipe for White Chocolate Strawberries

Use a good quality white chocolate and break into pieces and place in microwave safe bowl. Add a few drops of cooking oil and microwave for 30 seconds; stir and microwave in 20 second intervals until melted; stirring each time until smooth. (Cooking oil will add shine and help chocolate adhere)

Immediately dip bottom of strawberry in melted chocolate, then dip the very end in blue sprinkles.

Place on wax paper lined cookie sheet or tray and refrigerate until chocolate is set; about one hour.

Happy Wednesday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

Sunny Simple Life (From The Farm)

Rattlebridge Farm

Mom's Test Kitchen

Semi Homemade Mom

Barns and Noodles

Between Naps on the Porch

 

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Morning Coffee In My Garden

 

 

A quiet morning, before the rain comes, is the perfect time to take a walk in my early summer garden and see what might be blooming. It is a little chilly, so the hot coffee warms me as I walk in the damp grass.

A bunny with purple petunias is a pretty sight at the edge of my perennial garden.

One of my newer plants - First Love - will be full of pretty pink flowers soon.

These purple spiky flowers will bloom the rest of the summer. I lost the tag and can't remember their name, but I love the bright color. (update - suggestion is Purple Sage)

Pink and white coneflowers sit pretty, next to this little stone birdhouse.

My favorite daisies have a few blooms and are ready to provide me will many summertime bouquets.

All the hostas are looking healthy and each have a purple flower on a tall, center spike. The green variegated leaves are so pretty.

I planted Mexican Heather, with its little purple flowers, in a few pots and planters this year and it is growing and blooming well. The deep green of the leaves next to the purple blooms is really striking.

How rewarding to see all the plants, both old and new, ready to be in bloom. The full beauty is yet to come, but with the rain and a few sunny days, my work will be rewarded.

Happy Tuesday!

 

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Birthday Weekend in Photos

 

 

My family made my birthday special this weekend - low key and relaxing, just like I like it. My husband walked in the door on Saturday with beautiful, bright pink flowers and when I opened my gift from him and my daughters, it was a new and improved Keurig. We had the original, smaller size, but am looking forward to one that will fit my bigger mugs. They know how much I love my coffee and tea :-)

Sunday morning, we went to breakfast at my favorite breakfast place.

Just look at these yummy blueberry pancakes I ordered. Usually my order is one of their whole wheat options, but since it was my birthday, I splurged a little.

Later that night, I enjoyed a birthday cocktail - a Lemon Cosmo. It was a mixture of tart and sweet and so delicious. Here is the recipe { 2 ounces lemon vodka, 1 ounce Cointreau, juice of 1/2 lemon, 11/2 ounces cranberry juice. Shake in a martini shaker filled with ice and enjoy. }

 

Megan and Melissa made us dinner and it was healthy and light and perfect. They made two of my favorites - taco salad served in tortilla bowls and strawberry and raspberry shortcake.

I am so thankful for a thoughtful family, who made my birthday fun and relaxing.

Happy Monday!

 

Linking with Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Favorite Thing

 

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