Friends, are you all in the midst of fireworks, parades, and baseball games? We headed into our four-day weekend with zero plans. I am not one for spontaneity, especially on a holiday weekend, but with the rainy days ahead, it has been hard to get stoked about all the outdoor activities. We I decided to invite one of our favorite neighbor couples over for an impromptu barbeque. With only hours to prepare (and zero patriotic decor in our house), I quickly established 1. the menu; 2. the drinks; 3. the “hang out zone(s)”; and 4. the activity.
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- Burgers with accompaniments, oven roasted potatoes with onions and bell pepper, fresh-cut watermelon, corn on the cob, and an appetizer of loaded jalapenos.
- Strawberry Lemon-Limeade Rum Slush (the most delicious frozen drink recipe I created on the fly- recipe to follow at the bottom of the post)
- Kitchen, breakfast nook, lower porch
- Aside from the obvious, Balderdash! My absolute FAVORITE game
Dave headed to the store while I worked on whipping this place into shape – you can find my quick-clean-for-company process HERE. I decided to keep my moments of America flair dedicated to the “hang out zones”. With an arsenal of American flags and red bandanas I keep tucked away for most of the year, I look to my blue and white to round out the look. AND, because everything is neutral for the most part, nothing needs to be put away. This is how I discovered American flags and palm fronds were basically made to go together.
For the easy table decor, used these blue and white fringed runners (currently HALF OFF, plus an additional 10% off with code SUMMER); these casual, braided place mats; our casual, everyday white beaded plates; and red bandanas as napkins.
Since the table runners are far too long for this table, I folded them in at the center which gives a sweet little layered look to the linens. (This is something you can always do if you have fabric/runners that are seemingly too long). I also tucked two sparklers in at each place setting. Simple, no fuss, and the entire table took less than 10 minutes to pull together.
In the corner, I set up a functional bar cart (currently on MAJOR sale) for the evening’s signature cocktail- Strawberry Lemon-Limeade Rum Slush.
I devised a plan for strawberry lemonade but when I ended up with frozen limeade on accident, I proceeded with the original plan. The result was even better than I anticipated.
Note that I use a Vitamix which blends quickly. (THIS is our model which we have had a few years. It is now priced much less than when we originally purchased.) We got sucked in at the Costco demonstration and while we haven’t made hot soups (which you can totally do), it blends amazingly and is so easy to maintain/clean. If you are big on smoothies, she will be your best friend ;). Also, I just eyeballed the ingredients so the recipe below is a guesstimate. I made several batches throughout the night and even without specific measurements, the flavors were consistent and DELICIOUS.
Strawberry Lemon-Limeade Rum Slush
Ingredients
- 2/3 blender ice
- 2 cups Bacardi rum
- 1 cup Prosecco
- 1/2 container frozen MinuteMaid Limeade can opt for lemonade
- 1 cup Strawberry Lemonade V8 Splash
- 1/2 cup 7UP
- 1 handful fresh strawberries
Instructions
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Fill 2/3 blender with ice
-
Add ingredients and blend well (don't over-blend but make sure all ice is fine. The consistency should be slush-like)
-
Pour into glass and serve with garnish of your choice
Recipe Notes
Amounts can be adjusted as you prefer. This recipe is based off a Vitamix blender capacity.
Even my husband who isn’t one for fruity drinks loved this. The tart helps balance the sweet so it doesn’t taste like an over-sugared daiquiri.
As of now, it looks like we are “on” for fireworks tonight, in town (in which case, I will be bringing a modified batch of these for a little tailgate. (Did you catch my recent tailgate HERE?) I’ll also be dedicating time to see if there are any must-have sales that I “just hafta be a part of” haha. You can check my Favorites Page where I’ve updated several of my most asked about items and their weekend promo codes. Here are a few sales to take a peek at:
- Pottery Barn: LOTS of items already on sale, plus, Buy More, Save More (up to 25% off), PLUS, free shipping with code FIREWORKS
- Nordstrom: Several things I have recently featured are up to 40% off right now (like this adorable straw tote)
- World Market: Extra 10% off (plus free shipping on orders over $100) with code SUMMER
- Crate & Barrel: 15% off with code SAVE15
- Anthropologie: Extra 30% off sale items
- West Elm: Various sales (20% off furniture, 30% off bonus deals, and 20% off markdowns with code SUMMER20
- Macy’s: Give $3, get 25% off OR Extra 20% off with code FOURTH (free shipping on orders $49+)
Share your favorite moment/plan from this Fourth of July weekend below! And, let me know if you try out that killer cocktail this weekend 😉
Palm Fronds | Chairs | Table: Refinished (PROJECT HERE) | Rattan Bar Cart | Gold Flatware | Vitamix | Chandelier | Round Mirror (SIMILAR) | Blue and White Fringed Runners | Place Mats; White Beaded Plates | Napkin Rings | Red Bandanas | Curtain Panels
: (98″ in White) | Curtain Rod | Black and White Bud Vase: West Elm (no longer available) White Soup Tureen | Platter | Sideboard: HomeGoods (SIMILAR) | Candelabras (SIMILAR) | Ice Bucket | Wine Cooler | Wine Trough | Cake Stands: HERE, HERE, HERE| Espresso Cups & Saucers | Ceramic Vase (SIMILAR) | Paint: Perfect Greige by Sherwin Williams | Flooring: Nottaway Hickory in Weathered Saddle
Karen Williams says
July 3, 2017 at 1:15 pmMy mom uses her Vitamix to make hot soups all the time … and she says it is FANTASTIC!
Kelley Nan says
July 4, 2017 at 11:39 amOne day, we totally are. The demonstrator made it look awesome!
Joni King says
July 3, 2017 at 2:48 pmGoing to definitely make this rum slush this summer! Love, love the 4th of July decor – so festive and inviting! Enjoy your cook out and your friends! Hugs!
Kelley Nan says
July 4, 2017 at 11:39 amJoni, THIS is what we make when you come down to visit me 😉 Happy Fourth! xoxo
Jennifer Gainer says
July 3, 2017 at 2:54 pmThat was an amazing cocktail!! Thank you!!! Love your vitamix it made such the easy work of the ice cubes and created a perfectly smooth texture!!!
Kelley Nan says
July 4, 2017 at 11:39 amJen, SO glad y’all could celebrate with us! YAY for fireworks tonight!
Wanda says
July 4, 2017 at 1:27 amThat strawberry rum slush recipe sounds delicious! It’s supposed to rain here also…but since I already have all of the ingredients, I think you’ve supplied the new cocktail for my annual (indoor) 4th of July party 🙂 Thanks!
Kelley Nan says
July 4, 2017 at 11:38 amWanda, we made it again last night! The store was out of limeade so we used lemonade and it was still delicious, just without the extra kick. How was it??
Wendy @AtLaneAndHigh says
July 7, 2017 at 12:32 pmWhen I first saw the title I wondered if there would be alcohol! Yeah! I am always looking for good drink recipes, especially if they aren’t too sweet. I am writing down the ingredients now and will pick up at the store tonight. I am definitely making this sometime this weekend! Thanks for sharing.
Kelley Nan says
July 7, 2017 at 11:09 pmWendy, yea!! You must report back after you’ve made a batch!
Paula says
June 28, 2018 at 12:35 amWow! You are such a natural at this! I would never have thought to use bandannas as table napkin decor, but I will now! Lol. Thanks for sharing! I Absolutely LOVE your 4th of July decor! Simply BEAUTIFUL!
Kelley Nan says
July 3, 2018 at 4:33 pmPaula, you are so kind to say that! Wishing you a wonderful 4th!