The things I added this year to go with
last years could easily be used for a picnic or bbq, whatever kind of get together you are having. I just leave mine out for a few weeks ahead of time! I wanted to do something different than the usual stars and stripes and flags and fireworks (not that I don't have plenty of those!) So my decorations this year are a little different. Last year I didn't have much but over the last year I have thought of some new ideas and found some great little things!
I have to be honest, I got inspiration from Twilight for my newest 4th of July decoration! Baseball is "Americas favorite past time" so I collected baseballs over the last year to fill this big vase. I think it's simple and perfect! Once I had that done I started thinking of other "All American" stuff.. Apple Pie made the list. I am not about to bake every few days in July just to have that yummy smell and of course the good looks of a pie.. I cheated..Found this amazing smellin' and absolutely adorable Apple Pie Candle, it's a mini, 5", but fits soo cute on the little cake stand. The white utensil holder has red and white gingham and polka dot silverware in it.
I know I have mentioned "Real Deals" before on here.. another great find, I went in there looking for a "Pledge of Allegience" sign and found this one instead! Still looking for the other, but maybe for back to school decorations! And the cute little bell tree is from TJ Maxx.
We already have our plans made for the holiday weekend.. I am excited to spend time with our family and to see the parade with the kids and swimming and fun 4th of July goodies!
I am planning on making a BIG batch of these... the kids love them and they are pretty darn easy!
*Mini S'mores Pops*
I used toothpicks (but won't next time.. too sharp for the kids)
mini marshmallows (Hoping I can use the star shaped ones for this holiday!)
chocolate chips or candy melts ( the red white and blue candy melts would be SO cute!)
and graham cracker crumbs
~First I line a cookie sheet with wax paper and put it in the fridge while I do the rest of the prep
~Get your graham crackers ready (if you crush them yourself) and put in a wide bowl
~Load your sticks with marshmallows (I did 2 mini's per stick)
~melt the chocolate in a wide bowl (enough so you can roll the marshmallows around)
~Get your cookie sheet out..
Then roll the marshmallows in the choc to cover then roll or sprinkle the graham crackers on ( prefer to roll, I think it sticks better)
place on cookie sheet then back into fridge to set! You can do sprinkles in red white and blue if S'mores aren't your thing!
Less than 2 weeks until the 4th.. Hoping it will be warm and NO rain.. it sure hasn't felt like summer here yet!
