Corn Salad

 

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but I just (re) found the recipe.  My mom had this at a potluck last spring and she told me we absolutely had to try it.  I made it for the 4th of July and it was a huge hit.  The pickiest people I know I call family and they all at it and liked it.  

This will be making all the summer get togethers from here on out!  

Ingredients:  2 15 oz cans of whole kernel corn (drained), 2 c. grated cheddar cheese, 1 c. mayo, 1 c. green pepper (chopped), 1/2 c. red onion (chopped), 1 10 1/2 oz bag of Frito corn chips (crushed)

Instructions:  Mix and chill.   Stir in corn chips just before serving.  

*The original recipe called for chili cheese corn chips, I just used what I had on hand.  

*If you won't be eating the whole salad in one sitting, divide it in half and only add half the chips.  It does not taste as good when the chips have been in it overnight b/c they don't have the right texture, so just reserve them and mix the second half together with the chips when you are dishing it out as left overs.  

DIY Balloon Columns

I recently helped host a party for a friend of mine that retired from teaching.  She's really into politics, so we had fun with a patriotic theme (campaign buttons, shirts, and headbands).  One thing I wanted to try out was balloon columns.  It was MUCH easier than I thought.  I'll definitely be doing it again, and I'll go with a video next time, but here are some pictures and lessons I took along the way.  

First, I have a balloon blower.  I got this on Amazon.  It blows up two balloons at a time (I only have talent enough to do one), BUT it's a life safer.  It comes with different nozzle sizes and plugs in.  

I also found a kit on Amazon for less than 15 dollars that came with 100 balloons of different sizes, mylar balloons, string, glue dots, and these strips you can put the balloons into to create an arch.  It ALSO came with this tying divice, which saved my fingers from hurting!  

The other thing I purchased was balloon columns (two), again it was 15 dollars, and reusable.  They have door arches and circles, but I have seen the arches fall over before, and I decided this would be the least stressful way to make displays.  The column came with a bunch of different pieces you can attach.  I wanted a random sampling of balloons (nothing uniform).  I used these little round balloon holders that slip onto the poles.  

When you have four balloons, you slip them into the slots.  

And you slip the circle onto the balloon poles.  

I just kept stacking until I had it as full as I wanted.  The day of the party I went and inserted smaller balloons I had blown up into the gaps using the glue dots.  

One lesson learned, I don't know if I blew them up too big, but randomly during the night I heard balloons popping.  It wasn't a huge deal b/c I had set aside a bunch in case this happened.  BUT I also dropped the columns going to my car.  It was 100 degrees and all the balloons that hit the sidewalk popped.  Whoops.  I would assemble this on sight next time, not fill them QUITE as full, or transport them in trash bags and not fully assembled.  Live and learn.  

I put the mylar balloons at the top and filled the based and random spots with baby balloons.  I lost quite a few of my confetti balloons along the way, but it still was fun.  The plan was to put them outside the doors, but it was just too hot, so I put them in two random places in the house.  

July 4th: Thank a Soldier

I went to an antique store this week and saw this little box in one of the booths.  I love this idea so much, I'm definitely going to think of a way to borrow it and pass it on in some way soon.  I can't help but pause in celebrating my freedom to reflect on all that goes in to that....everyone who fights so we can disagree, state our opinion, vote different party lines, and sit under a sky of fireworks each 4th of July with a mix of people who may not feel the way we do about many things, but pause to celebrate that we get to live in a country where different opinions aren't always appreciated, but are allowed.  Happy 4th of July!

Potato Salad

I'm a fan of potato salad.  Everyone has 'their way', but this is probably one of my favorites, the bottom line, it's all about the dill pickles for me.  This is one from the Pioneer Woman.  I'm cooking through her book of Celebrations (veeeerrrry slowly), and there have been some really good finds along the journey! 
If ever there was a time for potato salad, July 4th is the time. 
Ingredients:  8 medium russet potatoes, 1 1/2 c. mayonnaise, 4 T yellow mustard, 5 green oinions, sliced up from the white to the darkest green, 1 t. salt, 1/2 t. black pepper, 1/2 t. paprika, 10 small dill pickles, 2 T pickle juice, 6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced. 
Instructions:
1.  Cute potatoes (leave the skin on). 
2.  Boil for at least 20 minutes (until fork tender). 
3.  Mash the potatoes until smooth.  Add the mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, and pickle juice.  Mix well. 
4.  Add the chopped pickles and green onions.  Mix well. 

Ribbon Flab

I've seen these out and about on the web lately, so I decided to give it a go.  My Mom's friend had given me a bag of goodies (trim and lace) she was getting rid of that was perfect for this project.  

I alternated trim and strips of fabric I ripped (about 1 inch).  I simply tied it to the top of a dowel.  I didn't do the exact number of stripe, but I did start with the white (which sits next to the blue).  

 For the blue I just glued some buttons and pearls onto a blue piece of fabric I had hot glued it to the top of the flag.  I did read when you hang flags like this the blue goes on the left (union first).  I also bought some star fabric I'm going to use for my next one.

 For the stripes that extend out of the blue I just hot glued them to the back.  Again, I'm not sure on my numbers, but I know it starts and ends with red.

 It was a super simple project, and I love how it turned out.

Statue of Liberty Pop

I actually made these Statue of Liberty pops to give out to some of my political friends last fall.  I usually do a little patriotic pass out during debate season.  I found these statue molds from a local cookie shop and bought some edible green glitter too.  

They don't 'recommend' you eat the glitter, but I've consumed it and lived to tell the story.  Once the molds were dried I got the whole thing wet with a paint brush and then sprinkled on the glitter.  That's all it takes to adhere.  

Quick and easy, and these little patriotic ladies may make an appearance again this July 4th.

USA Banner

Last fall I FINALLY put together a craft room.  Up until that point I had a craft HOUSE and even though I'm really good about finishing most projects I plan....I do plan a TON.....so I uncovered some things I never crafted included some wooden letters.  

I got these at Hobby Lobby and I'm sure it was a week they were 30 percent off (so-70 cents for each two).  

I just gave them a quick coat of acrylic paint, and then I glued these on to some red twine (I took some scraps of fabric to sandwich the twine with so that it makes them hold to the string a little stronger.  I also added some stars I made with my embroidery machine, but you could cut out sparkle foam, and then I tied on some ribbons (I saw something similar on Etsy).  The star ribbon I actually bought at the dollar tree last summer, so.....another something I was able to use in my stash of stuff!

Colored Pasta

I made this pasta last year for July 4th.  I used a simple salad recipe I serve a lot with grilled food, but I grabbed some spiral pasta and I divided it into thirds.
I put one third in the bowl with the veggies, and then I added about 20 drops of red dye to one third.  I took a spoon and stirred and tossed it around until it was dyed red.  You can add more color to make it even darker, it's all up to you.  Once it's dyed, put it in a colander and run water over it until it stops dripping red below.  Make sure you get the excess dye off so that you don't end up with a purple pasta.
Repeat with the last third and blue dye.  Toss all the salad together.  If you rinse well enough, each noodle should hold it's color really well, even with dressing added.

Patriotic Quilt

 I posted about this a few weeks ago (making the flying geese at least).  This is a quilt I made this summer, but it took me forever to actually get it quilted.  There is a lady who lives near me I love to go to.  She stitched some stars and swirls which I love.

I then sewed on the binding, and now I'm ready.  I've always wanted a patriotic quilt for July 4th, but it's just in time for election day as well.  I'll either wave my quilt in celebration, or crawl under it and cry tomorrow night.

Watermelon Wreath

 I've seen versions of this wreath around for a year now.  One of my friends threw a watermelon themed birthday for her daughter last year, so we discussed some pins (it turned out super cute).  I'm going on GMT next week, and I was tasked with bringing some summer themed wreaths, so this was one of my choices.  My goal is to show several different techniques for making some easy wreaths.

 My favorite part of this wreath is that you can find these wreath frames at the Dollar Tree.  You can also find them at craft stores, but....not for a buck.  You could use scraps, but....I decided to just buy a few yards of fabric (one of each to be exact).  I did a version of this a few years ago for Halloween.  That post lives here.

 I cut the fabric into about half inch by 4 inch pieces.  You can make it longer for a fluffier wreath.  I then just started tying on my pieces.

 Green all around the outside (you'll fluff them later).

Once I had a row of green, I did the light pink, and then (last) two rows of bright pin, with a few black throw in for 'seeds.'  I did the black ones at the end after I had fluffed out the fabric tied on to space the 'seeds' out evenly.  It's certainly not a difficult wreath-but it takes awhile (an hour + to tie all the fabric onto the frame), so....my dog and I watched episodes we recorded from Shark Week!  The only key is to tie it close to the middle of the ribbon, but once you do a few, you will get the hang, and if any are just totally uneven, pull it off and tie again, or just trim the longer end!

Homemade Ice Cream

I remember visiting my cousins' grandparents on their farm years ago.  Their grandmother often pulled out the ice cream makers and whipped up a few batches of homemade ice cream for the family that stopped by when we were up for 4th.  Every once in awhile my Mom would pull out the machine, and this year, when my cousin's kiddos came to visit I decided it was time to pass on the tradition.  We used Paula Dean's recipe and if you've never let some fresh ice cream churn at your house....add it to the to do list.  Just typing it out makes me want to go make another batch.  

Vanilla Ice Cream

*Makes a Gallon+

Ingredients:  4 eggs, 2 c. white sugar, 2 (12 oz) cans of evaporated milk, 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 T vanilla, whole milk (about half a gallon).  Ice and rock salt.

Instructions:  

1.  Mix all the ingredients (other than the milk).  Pour it into your ice cream maker. 

2.  Add the milk until it reaches the fill line.  Close the lid.  

3.  Fill the sides with a layer of ice, spring about 1/4 c. rock salt, another layer of ice/salt/ice/salt until it reaching the top of the machine.  

4.  Let the ice cream machine run for about 30 minutes (or until it stops if your machine has a stop mode).  You will need to keep adding ice and rock salt as it melts down (you want the whole canister to stay covered on all sides.  It will never get firm like the store bought ice cream, it remains soft (like soft serve).  

*If you are concerned about consuming raw eggs, you can used pasteurized liquid eggs.  

*To flavor your ice cream, add 2 c. of fresh fruit (strawberries, peaches etc) and 1 c. of sugar before adding the milk in the machine.  

Uncle Sam Moustache

 The true story is I made these last fall for some of my political friends before one of the debates.  We love debates...and elections....and America....oh yeah, and chocolate.

 I got three different colors of white chocolate (if you only have white, you can use food dye, but....this was easier for me).  I melted them in a ziplock in the microwave.  I melt them in 30 second intervals, squish them around.  Repeat until they are liquidy.  I cut the corner and then put a line of each colors down a moustache chocolate mold.

Uncle Sam Yard Sign

 Just a quick little blog post to share some signs I made for the 4th of July.  I cut out the shape of the hat/beard, and then another rectangle piece to nail/glue (wood glue) on top  I also found a start that was already cut at a craft store.  I don't have the right equipment to easily cut out shapes as small as the star.  I started with a base of house paint to help protect the wood from warping in the rain.

I painted up a simple face, and used the handle of a foam brush to dot the eyes on using regular ol' craft paint. I flicked black and white paint over the whole thing with a toothbrush.  I'm telling you, this is probably the most critical step for me, it just really makes everything look so much nicer.   After it all dried and I had nailed it to a stake (from Home Depot) I added a coat of polycrylic paint to help protect it from the weather.

July 4th Banner

 Next school year, I'm planning on putting together a patriotic theme and doing a mock election (which I do every major election).  My goal has been to make one hallway decoration a week.  I'll probably use these for July 4th first, but.....it's ready to be rolled out in September, but first summer.  I found a fancy free font and used this tutorial for printing on dictionary pages to print off each letter.

 I added sequined stars, rick rack blah blah blah to each letter and strung them together.

Easy, and pretty cute.  :O)