I started out making one treat but ended up making 2. The first one didn’t turn out quite like I wanted it too, so I changed it a bit and added another one. The kids were helping me so they were pretty excited about getting 2 treats.

I saw these cute cake ball/sucker sticks at Wal-Mart and had to buy them. I couldn’t resist the red polka dots for the 4th of July. I already had the other supplies. Don’t you just love that cute little ceramic milk carton?

My original thought was to make rice krispie treat stars on a stick. It didn’t work. The rice krispie stars were too thin to put the stick through without breaking the stars into pieces. It was my fault for trying to get more out of the batch. Anyway, I decided to drizzle some chocolate over the rice krispie stars, pour some sprinkles on, and call it good. They do look very festive, don’t you think?

Zach realized we had marshmallows on the s’more tray so we stuck 2 marshmallows on each stick, dipped them in the melted chocolate, shook off the excess, and rolled them in the sprinkles. Another quick and easy festive treat.

The kids didn’t seem to mind that things didn’t go as planned. Who can blame them, they got 2 treats instead of just one.

These treats are both so easy to make for the 4th and only take a few minutes, especially if you have kids willing to help. I guess I’ll be making more in a few days.

I bought this cola crate a few years ago at an antique store. I’ve used it for storage in my craft room and at parties to hold treats, drinks, or picnic supplies. I even used it at Christmas as an advent calendar.

I have a few really old soda bottles and have also collected a few new ones from World Market. They have an awesome collection of soda bottles and some pretty awesome soda flavors too.

Pop in some flowers from your garden or the local grocery store and you have the perfect Summer centerpiece. The purple flowers are from my garden and the white and green ones are from the grocery store.

The crate is a little beat up and bent in places but that just adds to the charm.

Summer is the perfect time to relax a little and have some fun with your centerpieces. What is the most unusual thing you’ve used as a centerpiece?

I thought I had tons of 4th of July decor. I mean I’ve been making things for a couple weeks, but when I got it all together I didn’t seem to have much. I added decor items that aren’t necessarily patriotic but the colors are, so it works. I love the weathered, beachy, Summery look of these candle holders. They’re going to look great on my beachy mantel in August.

You can check out how I made the 4×4 glittery firecrackers in a previous post. I painted and crackled the small shutter last Summer.

I made the fabric flags a few years ago. The bottle was found at a thrift store and the lantern and bowl were found at an antique store. The lantern is usually used at Christmas but I love it for the 4th of July also.

Sometimes color can make all the difference for a festive look without screaming 4th of July.

I use this tray at Christmas and Valentine’s Day but it also looks perfect for the 4th. The bowl was found at a thrift store and the cement balls were from Big Lots a few years ago. It all looks great on the ottoman.

I use the entry shelf as a little mantel. I added some of my favorite holiday craft projects to the shelf. You can find tutorials for the tickets flag, washi tape firecrackers, and star art.

I made the button flowers a few years ago, the bottle is from a thrift store, the lantern from Ikea, and the little pillow from a boutique.

I added vinyl cut from my Cricut to the metal sign. It’s simple but cute!

I love my empty frame and how I can add seasonal decor to it. The little flag looks perfect there.

I only added a couple little things to the decor that was already in the kitchen. You can check out the mini stacker tutorial. One day I’m going to share the kitchen back splash. See the panel on the right, it’s not really attached yet. We had a little mishap and as soon as it’s fixed I’ll share the whole tutorial.

Whitney gave me the cute cake stand for Mother’s Day and the bottle is from a thrift store. And you know how I can’t resist cute paper straws. They’re the perfect touch to this corner of the kitchen.

Do you go all out for the holidays or just add a little here and there? The 4th of July is my favorite holiday so I tend to dress up the house quite a bit this time of year.

I’m all about convenience, especially in the Summer months. Sometimes I think I’m organized because I’m actually lazy. Anytime I can save steps or contain things I will. That’s why I love trays, caddies, and awesome containers. I like everything easily accessible in one place.

I’ve had all these supplies for a few years but just thought to bring them together this Summer. We love sno cones almost as much as s’mores so I needed special storage for all the sno cone supplies. The caddy only cost me around $1 at ShopKo a few years ago. I bought it at the end of the season. I also buy all the sno cone supplies I can get my hands on at the end of season, you can usually get them for less than $1.

These holders are not only cute but they’re great for little kids to prevent accidental sno cone dumpage. (I love how spell check thinks I don’t spell anything right, what’s wrong with dumpage?)

Even with the sno cone holders I still make the kids eat them outside. They’re a perfect treat for after a swim.

I’m kind of a sno cone syrup snob. I love these syrups from hawaiian shaved ice. Not only do they make awesome sno cones but they also make delicious flavored lemonades. I wasn’t compensated by hawaiian shaved ice to say that, I just love them.

The caddy is also perfect for making sno cones outside. Sometimes I like to make them outside so there’s no mess in the kitchen, especially if I making them for a lot of kids.

How are you enjoying Summer?

I love Independence Day! I love red, white, and blue! I love stars and stripes! And I love decorating my mantel! So today was a great decorating day! Of course, this is another mantel with $0 spent. When spending zero money, creativity is key.

Let’s start with the straw wreath, which was recycled from Christmas.

I took the bells out of the center and added the paper straw star. 2 1/2 straws make the shape of the star with 2 of the ends hot glued together.

Red flowers, a blue West Elm bowl, and a metal 4 in a flower frog are a great way to add red, white, and blue using things you have around the house.

I made these simple red and blue flags a few years ago. I was going to wrap a vase in bakers twine and then I thought, why not just use the roll of twine as the vase. So much easier and unexpected.

I don’t remember where I bought this sign, but it’s pretty awesome. I really love it! It would also be pretty easy to duplicate if you wanted too.

Another beautiful West Elm bowl and a thrift store sailboat.

Do you remember this metal picnic basket? I used it in our Father’s Day celebration as a drink cooler. It’s perfect for the 4th!

I shared the Patriotic Star Banner last week. It looks perfect on the mantel.

I love this corner of the living room. You might find me reading on that corner of the sofa. I’ll share the rest of the patriotic decor tomorrow.

Do you decorate for national holidays?

I made these pots last year when I wanted to add a little more color and personality to my porch. They still look great after a year and are so easy to make.

I went through my paint stash and pulled out my favorite happy colors.
(Valspar Pistachio, Rustoleum Summer Squash and Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze)

Since I adore polka dots I had to add them to the pots. Dots are hard for me to paint so I decided to cut them out of vinyl and stick them on. I used a 1 1/4″ circle punch to punch the polka dots out of the vinyl.

I let the paint dry for a few hours then I just randomly stuck the dots on the pots. I have 14-15 dots on each pot.

I’ve had this stand for a few years and it sits by my front door. I love the color and personality these pots have added to the space by my door.

What have you done to add some personality to your outdoor space this Summer?
P.S. I kinda like how much this post rhymns.

My kids could eat S’mores everyday of Summer but being the mean mom that I am, I’m limited them to 3 times a week. With all that s’more eating I decided I needed a better way to keep track of the food supplies and keep them all together. The kids are really good about not getting in the treats unless it’s time for s’mores. Yes, I’ve been surprised too!

I love my emerald green tray and knew it would be perfect to keep all the supplies together. The tall glass jars are from World Market and the smaller jars are from IKEA.

I made chalkboard labels with my Cricut and use a chalk marker to write the contents on the labels. You can easily see our regular treats used to make s’mores. What are your favorites?

We even stash the roasters on the back of the tray. It’s so much easier than having to drag everything out separately.

I store the tray on a shelf in the pantry when not in use. Everything is ready to go at a moments notice. You never know when you might need an emergency s’more.

My favorite time of day is when the kids have had their last swim and are ready for a treat before bed. The sun is going down and the weather is perfect. It’s so relaxing and peaceful.

I wish I could freeze time! I hope you’re all having a wonderful start to Summer!

Oh my goodness, this cake is amazing! I adapted the Lemon Gooey Butter Cake to make this extra chocolaty super moist delicious cake. Ammon called it “Chocolaty Goodness Wrapped in Cake” when he was telling his dad about it. It will give you a serious sugar headache if you eat too much.

Here’s what you need:

Cake: 1 package gluten-free chocolate cake mix (15 oz)
1 stick, unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs (I used 1/2 cup liquid egg whites)
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips

Topping: 1 package cream cheese, at room temperature
2 large eggs (I used 1/2 cup liquid egg whites)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, mix cake ingredients together (except for the chocolate chips) on low speed for 1 1/2-2 minutes.

Spread the batter into a 9×13″ baking pan. Add the mini chocolate chips to the top and slightly press into the batter.

Beat softened cream cheese with electric mixer on low speed until fluffy, 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Add eggs and vanilla and beat again. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well on medium speed each time.

Pour the filling into the baking pan covering the cake completely. Bake on center rack 38-42 minutes until well browned and the center jiggles a little when you shake the pan. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool for 30 minutes before cutting and serving.

Enjoy! But don’t eat too much! Avoid the sugar headache!

I love watermelon and eat it almost everyday during the summer. I posted this refreshing recipe last Summer, but for those of you who missed it I wanted to share it again. You’ll thank me! This is the perfect fruit salad to take to all those bbq’s and picnics you have coming up in the next few months.

Here’s what you need:
1 watermelon
2 cantaloupe
1/4 cup freshly chopped mint leaves
1/4 cup freshly chopped basil leaves
2 lemons juiced (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until dissolved)

Use a melon baller to scoop out the inside of the watermelon and cantaloupes and place in a large bowl.

Make a simple syrup by heating 1/2 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water until sugar dissolves. Let it cool.

Chop fresh basil leaves and mint leaves. Juice 2 lemons to get 1/2 cup of juice.

Combine basil leaves, mint leaves, lemon juice and simple syrup in blender. Blend until smooth. It smells amazing.

Add the vinaigrette to the melon balls and toss.

Enjoy!!! Now I’m going to have to makes some this weekend!