"Anchors Away" Cookies

We celebrated the 4th of July weekend

at the beach with family & friends...

Since we would be spending much of our time

 on the boat,

I decided "anchors" would be the perfect theme...

I made these cookies as favors...

I nestled them in tins that I had bought

at Target...

This one ended up being a bit too big...

 So I moved down to this size...

Which fit perfectly...

Added some clear wrap...

And a tulle bow...

Instant yummy, patriotic prettiness...

Patriotic Fruit

There are many ways

to add patriotic detail to the ordinary...

For example...rather than just cutting up fruit...

use a star cookie cutter instead...

It definitely adds a nice bit of flair...
Don't you think?

{images via Recipe Girl, Chica and Joe, Tip Junkie}

Fourth Of July Wreath

While perusing on Pinterest...
(my favorite pasttime)...
I happened to come across a precious wreath
that I decided to recreate...
However...
I had no idea what I was getting myself in to...
I started with a styro wreath...

I had decided to cover it in felt rosettes...

Sounds easy enough...right?
Until you get started...
G-A-Z-I-L-L-I-O-N-S of these little pretties
I had to make...

Cut out...

assemble & sew...

Poof them...

and then attach them...

But I L-O-V-E the finished product...

It is exactly what I wanted...
And what's so nice is that I can change out 
the ribbon to go with the different holidays...

What do you think?

Festive Cocktails

Here are some festive cocktails

that would be fun to serve at your 

4th of July party or to sip on while

you're watching fireworks...

Click here for the recipes...

Cheers!

Apple Pie Cupcake

With July 4th approaching,

I know many of you are starting to think

about your party menu...

Apple pie is usually always on the list for desserts...

Well...I found a recipe for apple pie cupcakes...

I haven't made them but it is on my list of things to do...

Wouldn't this be a unique, festive addition to enjoy?
(Add a precious topper and voila...American cuteness)

Here are directions per Alpinberry...
Apple Pie Cupcakes
(adapted from Donna Hay Magazine #27)
(makes 24 cupcakes)

Cupcakes
2 1/4 all purpose flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
9 ounces (2 sticks plus 2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened at room temp
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp finely grated lemon or orange zest
1 cup (8 fluid ounces) whole milk

Apple Topping
3 tbsp (40 g) unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

Cinnamon Frosting
12 ounces (3 sticks / 340g) unsalted butter, softened at room temp
1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

To cook the apples
Place butter and sugar in a large fry pan over low-medium heat. 
Stir to dissolve sugar. 
Add apple slices and cook for 8-10 minutes 
or until apples are lightly caramelized. 
Remove apples from pan and let cool completely.

To make the cupcakes
Preheat oven to 325F. 
Line 24 4-fl-oz-capacity muffin wells with paper liners.

Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. 
Set aside dry ingredients.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar 
until light and fluffy. 
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 
Scrape down the sides if the bowl occasionally. 
Beat in the vanilla and grated zest.

On low speed, add the flour mixture 
and mix until flour is barely incorporated. 
Add the milk and mix until just smooth.

Divide the batter among lined muffin wells, 
filling each well about 2/3 full. Top with the apples.

Bake at 325F until a cake tested comes out clean, 
about 15-20 minutes. 
Remove from pan and cool cupcakes on cooling racks. 
Make sure cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting.

To frost the cupcakes
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy, 
about 3 minutes. 
Add the confectioner's sugar and cinnamon 
and beat for another 5 minutes until light and fluffy. 
Frost the cupcakes with an icing spatula or piping bag. 
Optional: Lightly dust frosted cupcakes with 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon.

Red, White & Blue Fun

With the fourth of July quickly approaching...

here are some fun, easy decorations

that would liven any festivity...
Like these bandana covered cushions/pillows
from Good Housekeeping...

Tissue paper fans from Martha...
She even gives the how-to...

Free precious printables from Paper and Pigtails...
Yea...feebies!

More adorable printables from Tweedle Dee Designs
via Swank Sweets...
Double yea...more freebies!
And both are just darling...

Okay...I think that's enough now
to wet your whistle and get you started...
Have fun!