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Memorial Day Weekend

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Happy Memorial Day everyone!
I hope you are having a good memorial day weekend and are taking advantage of any time off it might bring. I know I am… getting a ton of stuff done this weekend!
I will be posting a {Mommy Monday} later today, 
but I wanted to add in a special memorial day post.
Memorial Day…
Pictured flowers that were placed in honor of my husband’s grandfather

I’m very much missing my family in Oklahoma this Memorial Day. 
Every year we would get together to visit the graves of our passed relatives 
(those that were in the military and not). 
It was always a special time to reflect and remember. 
We spent time together as a family and remembered those we’ve lost.
I don’t know why it was always such a special time but, 
for me it was part of what made our family kind of amazing. 

Memorial Day has another special meaning for my family as many of the people in my 
family have served (or are currently serving) in the military. 
Both of my grandfathers, two of my uncles and both of my brothers have taken a turn serving the country through one of the arms of the military. 
My two brothers (and the future uncles of my little one) have both been to war and it is 
in no small way that I am so very thankful 
that this memorial day we are not remembering their passing, 
but rather reflecting on their sacrifices and time spent away from family and friends. 



Thanks brothers!
 I’m so glad 
you are safe 
& thankful
for your
hard work!
You are both 
AMAZING
men.

Also, a quick holiday note from a 

guest blogger Jill:  
Image Credit to Hibben Photography of Shawnee, OK
  At my house, Memorial Day is my work weekend. 
The spring storms usually leave us quite a bit of tree limbs to clean up, even more so in this year and last. (You may remember that we live just east of Oklahoma City. I’ll take a few downed limbs any day compared to what I could be facing.)
The end of school and impending summer camps means a hectic work schedule for my husband (who is a youth minister) and I like to take at advantage of the long weekend to work ahead a little on the honey do list.  This helps us free up the precious few other family weekends for fun. Usually my husband and I work side by side while our daughter plays nearby. 
This year, with a mobile little one in tow, I don’t expect to get near as much accomplished!
Next week I’ll be back for another {Mommy Monday} post with tips on cleaning up the outdoors! 
 On a more personal note:
 Please remember Oklahoma in your thoughts and prayers, especially the Hamil family.  Many more families were left damaged or destroyed homes, and would appreciate your prayers as well.
Please keep them in your thoughts, as well as the many others that have suffered during these tragic storms throughout the Midwest.
Such heartbreak is hard for all of us to swallow, much less imagine. Thank you.  
 Thank you for stopping by the blog today.
What are your weekend plans? Do you have traditions for this holiday weekend? Please leave a comment letting me know!
NOW—get outside and enjoy the weekend! 
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a little inspiration on a blue day

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I’m feeling {blue} today.
Not sure why exactly… just feeling a little down and out. 
Feeling uninspired. 
Feeling just a little bit
BLAH.
In efforts to get out of my funk I did what I normally do… 
I surfed the internet and looked at pretty things. 
Pretty things and pretty parties really tend to make me happy.

In my web surfing I spent some very productive time on the 

website. 
SWOON.
talk about pretty. 
So, I wanted to share a few images that are pulling me out of my state of bluedom.
 
PHOTO SOURCE
 See, pretty. 
I’ve been thinking about my wedding lately
(probably because my 5-year anniversary is right around the corner)
and, I’m really daydreaming about how I’d design the wedding now… 
5 years later.
These images and products would certainly make an appearance if I planned 
another wedding to the best man I’ve ever met.
Well, now that I’ve been reminiscing about my wedding
&
my someday party for celebrating my amazing relationship…
well, I’m beginning to feel a lot more
HAPPY.
LINKS TO THE ABOVE BEAUTIFULNESS:
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Grilled Potatoes topped with blue Cheese Crumbles // A Well Crafted Party
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{Simple Soiree} Grill Nite

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One of the things I’ve promised myself as of late is to cut back on parties a bit….
“WHAT!?!” you ask.
Well, I’m about to have a baby.
(In case I haven’t tooted that horn enough.)
But, babies are EXPENSIVE. 
And, well, so are many of my parties. Even the ones I do on an extremely limited budget can add up when you throw as many of them as I do. 
But, I can’t stop myself from wanting to entertain… 
so, I promised myself that I would cut back on the WAY I throw the parties. 
Enter the {Simple Soiree}, a party that is just about hanging out and 
enjoying the company of my friends. 

I’ve thrown a couple of these “get-togethers” and have had such a fun time I’ve forgotten to take photos! But, I managed to snap a few of my recent “Grill Nite”
and thought I’d share some photos and recipes.
~*~
Grill Nite  
The sun has given us a few days of dreaming about summer… so, I decided to throw a “Grill Nite.” 
To go along with my {Simple Soiree} idea I asked everyone attending to bring something to throw on the grill and to drink. Funnily enough my friends like good food as much as I do and we ended up with a ton of amazing dishes. We were literally cooking and eating from 6 PM til 2 AM.
(That is a LONG time for this future Mommy.) 
I think overall I spent just over $20, which amounts to less than an evening out on the town and MUCH less than my normal event.
First Course:
Grilled Herbed Potatoes with Chive Sour Cream and Lemon Slices
(recipe at the end of the post)
~AND~
Turkey Sliders 
*Read ON for the 2nd-4th Courses and RECIPES!* 

 
Second Course:

  Grilled Lamb & Asparagus
 Third Course:
Spiced Steak on Grilled Bread with Feta
(recipe near end of post)
 ~AND~
Grilled Herb & Butter Corn
   Fourth Course:
Grilled Pound Cake with Fresh Strawberries and Whipped Cream
(recipe near end of post)
~*~
RECIPES
Now, I won’t claim to be a chef or anything… 
but, I do sometimes throw together something yummy.
 I’ve created a couple of these recipes and felt like sharing them. Unfortunately, I didn’t really take any “in-the moment, tutorial-type” photos. If you have any questions please just leave a comment!
Grilled Herbed Potatoes with Chive Sour Cream & Lemons
Ingredients:  
—Potatoes (red, yukon or bakers)
— Fresh Herbs (your choice… although, I used Basil, Chives and Parsley)
—Olive Oil
—Sour Cream
—Lemon
Directions:
—Potatoes—
1. Cut potatoes into 2-inch thick slices
2. Bring to Boil in salted water. 
Boil until a fork pokes though, but not until they are so soft that they mash.
3. Toss potatoes in olive oil (enough to cover potatoes) and herbs
4. Place on hot grill until both sides have beautiful grill marks and potatoes are heated through again.
  —Chive Sour Cream—
 1. Mix Sour Cream with Diced Chives
When eating… PLEASE sprinkle the potatoes with lemon juice. It is amazing! 
Spiced Steak with Grilled Bread and Feta
Ingredients:  
—Flank Steak -or-New York Strip (your preference)
—Red Pepper Flakes
—Chili Powder
—Salt & Pepper
—Feta Cheese
—French Bread
—Olive Oil

Directions:  
1. Rub steak with a BUNCH of chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Rub on both sides and then let sit approximately 30 minutes at room temp. If you have time to let it set in fridge longer then out at room temp for 30 minutes then do that. The flavor just SOAKS right in!
2. While steak is soaking up that rub go ahead and cut the french bread into 1-inch think slices. 
Brush bread with olive oil.
3. Put steak on a HOT grill and cook to Med-Rare (or preference). 
4. On the other side of the grill go ahead and plop down the french bread pieces and grill until toasted.
5. Once steak is done pull it off heat and let it sit without touching for about 10 minutes. You can place the bread pieces out on a serving dish while you’re waiting.
6. Thinly slice steak and pile slices onto grilled bread.
7. Top with Feta cheese. YUM!

 Grilled Pound Cake with Strawberries and Whipped Cream
Ingredients:  
—Pound Cake (buy it or make it…but, you need it!)
—Strawberries (A pint is plenty… the fresher the better)
—Sugar
—1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract (or, vanilla bean if you are feeling fancy)
—1 Cup Whipping Cream
—Melted Butter- half a stick or so
—Mixer of some type
Directions:  
1. Slice strawberries and put into a sauce pan with a little water and 1/2 cup of sugar. Stir until sugar dissolves and strawberries are breaking up a bit. Once the liquid has a bit of syrup consistency take the strawberry mixture off the heat. Put strawberry mixture in a bowl and into the fridge to cool.
2. As strawberries are cooling put the whipping cream into a large bowl. Mix the cream with a hand or stand mixer. Keep mixing until peaks form (this takes some time). When peaks form add the vanilla and some sugar. Continue to mix… add sugar to taste. 
I personally like it without any sugar at all but, sometimes a little is good. Place finished whipped cream in fridge while you grill the pound cake.
3. Slice the pound cake and brush with melted butter. 
Place on hot grill until it is heated through and has grill marks.  
4. Top grilled pound cake with strawberry mixture and a big dollop of whipped cream.
I hope these are understandable directions. 
They were delicious little treats for sure.
Now, for a REAL chef and her delicious recipes take a 
look at my friend’s website The Sweet Smith. 
She should be sharing some of the recipes for the other pictured treats soon… but, in the meantime you should check out some of her other amazing recipes!

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