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Project Design-Simple Summer Entertaining Tips

Welcome to our latest installment of Project Design!  We planned  a simple dinner at the lake with friends for Steve’s birthday that just happened to be on Memorial Weekend. We like to keep entertaining simple at the lake so we made this easy appetizer.  All it takes is three ingredients; a wedge of Brie,  TJ’s corn salsa (at Amazon if you don’t have one nearby)  and Terrapin Ridge’s Hot Pepper Bacon Jam. (also on Amazon click the link)
 We set up dinner on our lower patio because it can get toasty at the lake.
The view above
Jenna and I decorated the tables with our faithful fence board box filled with flowers in red, white and blue.
We used my white Target plates and my twig chargers.  We layered these great Minted Watercolor Dots Napkins over bright red bandanas, added mini flags, herbs from my garden, and tied them with red raffia found at Michaels. They have the larger flags as well.
We set up one of our round folding tables in front of the fountain; (I have three for this purpose) , covered it with a burlap cover ( you will need 108″ to touch ground), and used one of the toppers left over from Colin and Lauren’s wedding with more bandana napkins.
This is the garden (in case you are wondering).  The deer, bunnies and birds eat everything in sight
Lime Chipotle Sauce
  • 1 cup greek yogurt
  • 1 chipotle chile,with 2 tsp sauce from can of chipotles in adobo sauce
  • ½ cup packed cilantro
  • Zest and juice of one lime
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Combine all in food processor and serve.
After dinner as the sun set,
we enjoyed one of my homemade desserts (just kidding).  I don’t bake.  For simplicity and the fact that I hate to bake ,I purchased these from Dollie Cakes in Salinas and added the flags, fruit and mint.
How about a Patriotic Playlist to get you in the spirit of things? The picture on the playlist is the barn on my dad’s farm in Indiana.
Now stop by and visit these other lovely bloggers to see what they have in store for you. I know you won’t be disappointed!

 

 

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth Moyer says

    Cindy,
    You have put together an incredible patriotic spread!!! I love using the bandanas and dressing up the storebought cupcakes!!! I'm back from Italy and ready to create a similar set up for this holiday weekend! Thank you for inviting me to participate and for all the inspiration!!

    xx Elizabeth

  2. Sandra Sallin says

    Love the whole thing. It looks creative and inviting and the food!!! I want to make it all. Love your taste in food also. Great combination of delishionessness. Is the recipe for the Brie creation there. Have I missed it? Your quite the Renaissance woman. What a wonderful addition to my life meeting you!

  3. home before dark says

    My Trader Joes is a 45 mile drive. Can't believe I order pantry items from Amazon. I've already put these "in my cart". Looks great and who doesn't love fab with ease? The menu looks delicious and how thoughtful it is to include items on the table that have special meaning. My husband's grandmother was a poet and she wrote a poem about the tablecloth with a hole in it. The Irish linen had been her mother's and she cherished it. My future MIL as a young girl had the role of keeping the sugar bowl on top of the hole and was taught to charmingly ask for the glass/cup to be passed to her for her to spoon sugar in to. I have that cloth and use it unadorned and simply tell the story. So kudos to cloths from children's weddings, the fence box made by your late, dear friend. It's all a poem.

    • Cindy says

      Leslie that salsa comes in handy for many things. One of my good friends serves it over heirloom tomatoes for a simple salad…

  4. Karen says

    What a great setting for a party. I think it would be fun to have a birthday at the same time enjoy a 3-day weekend! Happy Birthday to your mister.
    xo,
    Karen

  5. La Contessa says

    WE had SKIRT STEAK last night……….now I must try your sauce!
    I bought BANDANA's yesterday!
    Where do you buy the BURLAP in bulk?
    I have to say your table LOOKS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!
    XX

    • Cindy says

      I must say everything we tried was good! Try the bloody mary salad with the chimichurri I think it is a good company. Thanks for the sweet comments!

  6. Celia Becker @ After Orange County says

    What a fantastic looking party in every way! I so love it when you share posts about your lake house. Since I've been there I feel like I'm transported once again to your beautiful home, which is such an ideal place to entertain. Thanks to you and all the other bloggers for another great series!

  7. Kathysue says

    What a beautiful patriotic tablesetting without being kitschy, you did a great job Cindy and your meal sounds absolutely delicious and perfect!! Great job!

    • Cindy says

      Thanks Kathysue that is such a compliment. I loathe kitschy patriotic decor as well. I think you would enjoy the meal as well. Give it a try sometime…thanks for the sweet comment

  8. michele says

    I'm knocked out! Just when you have seen enough patriotic themed tablescapes, THIS BEAUTY is created! All the texture and warmth make this so sophisticated yet casual. Brilliant job, Cindy, and those napkins!

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