Outdoor Movie Night

Hey there!

I wanted to share something fun we did recently before

the weather got too cold for you to do it, too!

We hosted an outdoor movie party and it was a blast!

Even if we did get rained out...boo.

It's so fun and easier than you think!
We used a cheap shower curtain for our screen and clamped it to the back fence.
I only wish I'd gotten one a bit bigger or maybe two.

We asked guests to bring camp chairs and/or blankets...
but we had some available also.



I researched inexpensive projectors with USB
connections and chose this one I found on Amazon.
I won't be the next destination for the Sundance film festival,
 but for $58 it works pretty great!

It does have its own speakers but we hooked up
some computer speakers we had along with a spare woofer,
 and it sounded awesome!

We just connected it to our laptop to play the DVD.

Once you've taken care of all the tech stuff...it's time for food!
Always make sure you have plenty of tasty treats,
but keeping it simple means no stress eats!

In trying to keep with the movie night theme we had corn dogs,

single size candy, and of course, POPCORN!

I think Sara and I made popcorn for almost 2 hours straight in the air popper. Oooof.

I found the NOW SHOWING chalkboard on Amazon,

along with the character concession cutouts and the popcorn bags.

You can find a lot of those things at Hobby Lobby, too.

To add to the fun and let guests participate in the movie choice,

we included a URL to a SurveyMonkey questionnaire.

Invitees were able to vote for their favorite of 3 movies and

let us know what their favorite movie night snack is.

It made it easy to pick a movie everyone would enjoy,
and make sure we had good treats.



Let me say...The Princess Bride in the backyard is so awesome.
As I said, we did get rained out about half way through.
It hadn't rained in our area for WEEKS!!!

Families with young kids went on home...
everyone else helped get the equipment out of the rain
and we finished the movie inside.

Even with the rain...it was totally worth it and so much fun!

I apologize for the dark pictures.
It's not easy to snap pics in the dark ;)
I hope you decide to make a movie night...
even if you have to do it next year.
I think we're starting a new family tradition!

Till next time...

Rolling out the red carpet here:

Crafts a la Mode
AKA Design

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

Summer might be almost over,

but there's always time for ICE CREAM!!!

I had this hankerin' for some cheesecake ice cream...

and I had some strawberries calling out to me from the freezer.

I couldn't find a decent recipe so I gleaned the basics

from a couple and decided to experiment.

Now, in my best mad scientist voice I will tell you...

THEEES EES ZA YUMMIEST ICE CREAM EVVVVVVER...BWA-HA-HA-HA!

Okay, back down off the roof, Frankenfurter.

It was too good not to share.
I scooped up a pint and took it to the neighbors along with some cookie bars.
They have been awesome and I couldn't think of a tastier way to say "thank you."

Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp pure vanilla
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 pint strawberries {fresh or frozen}
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup coarsely crushed graham crackers

1. In a heavy saucepan, whisk the eggs until well blended.  Whisk in the cream, milk, and 1 cup sugar.
2. Slowly heat to a simmer, stirring frequently...let cook at a bubble about a minute. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat.
3. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and stir into the hot cream mixture until mostly smooth. Cool mixture completely in the fridge.
4. Using a hand blender, chop strawberries with remaining 1/2 cup sugar and lemon juice. Leave them a little chunky. Crumble the graham crackers...but don't make them too fine.  I just beat them on the counter with my hand. :)
5. When the cream mixture is completely cool...add to your ice cream maker. Mine takes about 15-20 minutes...after about 10 minutes, I added 1/4 cup or so of the strawberry mix and half of the graham crackers.
6. Add the remaining graham crackers close to the end.  Swirl in the remaining strawberry mix with a spoon when you transfer it to a freezer container. 
7. Eat it right away as a soft serve or stick it in the freezer for later!

I know, it seems like a lot of instructions, but it's really simple and totally worth it!

How about you, would you share?

Labor Day is just begging for ice cream!

Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Scooping it out here:

Love of Family and Home
Horrific Knits
Crafts a la Mode
Love Bakes Good Cakes
Craft Dictator
Whipperberry
AKA Design
Embracing Change
The Golden Sycamore
City of Creative Dreams
Nancherrow
Natasha in Oz
Pure Grace Farms
I Heart Naptime
Lolly Jane
Will Cook for Smiles
3 Little Greenwoods
Serenity You
Six Sisters Stuff
I Should Be Mopping the Floor
Sand and Sisal
The Dedicated House
The Gunny Sack
Dwellings
Upcycled Treasures
A Stroll Thru Life
VMG206
Ivy and Elephants
Crafty Allie
Maison de Pax
Just a Girl and Her Blog
Designs by Miss Mandee
The Happy Housie
Lamberts Lately
From My Front Porch to Yours
Saving 4 Six
Live Laugh Rowe
Ella Claire
Glitter Glue and Paint
The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Rooted in Thyme
Simply Paula
Sowdering About
Carole's Chatter

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy fireworks and barbecue...

Today we celebrate our freedom...

Freedom to chase whatever dreams we have...

Freedom to worship in the manner we choose...

Freedom of speech, even if it bites us in the butt...

Freedom to do so many things we take for granted every day...

Remember freedom isn't free...

and we need to remember we live in the greatest country on Earth.

All because of people who were willing to fight for what they believed in.

Never stop dreaming.

Freedom isn't free, but salvation is.

More important than political freedom is spiritual freedom.

Our forefathers brought forth onto this continent a great nation,

but our Heavenly Father has made a place for us in His kingdom...

we just have to accept it.

We spent our morning watching the Greeley Stampede Parade...

I'd bet you don't have longhorns in your local parade...

Have a safe and happy holiday!

And don't forget...

It takes a really long time for eyebrows to grow back!

:)

sharing here:

The Dedicated House

Ivy and Elephants

NO Cook Chicken Caprese Pitas

Is it just me or is cooking in the summertime just too much to ask?

Maybe it's just me.

But if it's not...here's a simple and yummy no

cook meal with all the food groups!

Rotisserie or baked chicken from the deli, diced or shredded: Meat group, check!

Lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber diced: Veggie group, check!

Diced mozzarella cheese: Dairy group, check!

Pita bread pockets (whole wheat if you can find 'em!):

Bread/Grain group, check, check, check!

Cut up some fresh basil, add it all to your pita pocket...

swirl a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar together and drizzle it on...

and you've got yourself a cool, no cook

chicken caprese pita for your summertime dinner enjoyment.

Okay, so cucumbers may not really go with caprese...

but they were yummy and cool you can leave 'em out if you want. :)

These were so good I'm thinking I need to make them again real soon!

How about you...

do you avoid cooking in the summertime?

Or all the time :)

Have a spectacular weekend!

Making mouths water (hopefully) here:

Crafts a la Mode

Lil' Luna

Made From Pinterest

Cheerios and Lattes

 Serenity You

Will Cook For Smiles

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

 Dimples and Pig Tales

The Dedicated House

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Love Grows Wild

Home Stories A to Z

Anyonita Nibbles

Clean and Scentsible

Dwellings

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The 36th Avenue

From My Front Porch To Yours

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Embracing Change

Live.Laugh.Rowe

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Love of Family and Home

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The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Carole's Chatter

Vanilla Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Wow...is that a long name for an ice cream or what?

I know, I know...

two ice cream recipes in 3 weeks.

Well, it IS National Ice Cream Month.

Sorry.

The truth is, the project I was hoping to share with

you this week is NOT going according to plan.

I've had to undo parts of it and start over.
{this project}

Let's just say that sometimes what I picture in my head

doesn't always look as good as I think it will.

*Insert sad, pouty face here*

So, we're gonna go with ice cream for now.

 Vanilla Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

• 2 tbsp. melted butter
• 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• pinch salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. {or more} grated semi-sweet chocolate

Combine melted butter, vanilla, sugars, and salt.

Add in milk and cream and stir until sugar is dissolved.

Chill for an hour or so and freeze according

to your ice cream maker's instructions.

Add in grated chocolate about half-way through the freezing process.

Eat it right away as soft serve, or store in an airtight
freezer container until frozen like you like it. :)

While I've been drowning my DIY woes in ice cream,

what have you been up to?

Enjoying National Ice Cream Month?

Messing up makeovers...or is that just me? :)

What have you had to start over because

it didn't turn out the way you wanted?

 Here's hoping your week is fabulous and filled with ice-creamy goodness.

In line for seconds here:

The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen

Dimples and Pig Tales

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Cedar Hill Ranch

The Dedicated House

Home Stories A to Z

Anyonita Nibbles

Love Grows Wild

The 36th Avenue

Crafts a la Mode

Serenity You

Cheerios and Lattes

I Heart Naptime

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Saving 4 Six

A Peek Into My Paradise

Carole's Chatter

Butter Black Walnut Homemade Ice Cream

Well, I'm sure you noticed I didn't post last week.

We were on vacation...

and once again, I wasn't prepared.

There's a shocker.

To make up for it, I made you

some homemade ice cream.

I hope you like black walnuts.

No?

Sorry, my mom will eat your scoop. :)

I found these at Sprouts.

(I just noticed what the package says...hee hee.)

The little buggers are not that easy to come by.

Unless you happen to have a 

 black walnut tree in your yard...

Like my uncle...but he lives in Ohio...far, far away.

Sometimes he sends some to my mom in the mail.

She happily sits on the porch and cracks

them open with a hammer and a brick.

I remember doing that as a kid on my uncle's porch, too.

Anyway, this ice cream is smooth and creamy.

Kinda like Butter Pecan, but NOT! :)

It did not get rock hard when completely frozen either.

So you don't have to worry about breaking your spoon when you

go to sneak a few bites sometime in the middle of the night.

Not that I would know anything about that.

Butter Black Walnut Ice Cream

• 4 tbsp. butter
• 1 cup chopped black walnuts
• pinch of salt 

• 1 cup milk (I used 2%)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• pinch salt
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract

 1. Melt the butter in a medium skillet.  Add the walnuts and a pinch or so of salt.  Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the walnuts are golden.  The butter will probably brown, that's okay...it's good. :)

2. Strain the nuts from the butter, allow the nuts to cool.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, brown and white sugars, and a pinch of salt.  Mix until the sugar is dissolved. Add in the heavy cream and vanilla.  Chill in the fridge for an hour or so.

4. Get  your ice cream maker ready, prepare according to your maker's directions.  Add the nuts and drizzle in a little of the browned butter about 5-10 minutes before you're ready to turn it off.

5. Store in the freezer in an airtight container...if there's any left. :)



This was SoOoOoOo tasty...I really do

wish I could have shared it with you.

But it probably would have melted on the way.

Hope your week has started off great!

I'm looking for my motivation to get goin'

 on my extremely long list of projects.

So, if you see it anywhere, would you please send it my way?

Thanks.

 Handing out spoons here:

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Love Grows Wild

Cedar Hill Ranch

Anyonita Nibbles
Hickory Trail
The 36th Avenue
Lil' Luna
Clean and Scentsible
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From My Front Porch To Yours
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A Peek Into My Paradise
Redfly Creations
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Life With the Crust Off
I Heart Naptime
I Should Be Mopping The Floor
Serenity You
Cheerios and Lattes
The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen
The Dedicated House
Reasons to Skip the Housework
Embracing Change
Carole's Chatter

Veggie Grill Packs

We grill all year 'round.

Sometimes we have to shovel the snow off the deck to do it,

but we persevere.

If I had a picture...I would show you.

It's kind of funny.

 



Sometimes I just hate having to cook stuff inside

while also tending to the meat on the grill.

The solution?

Veggie grill packs. :)

You can use whatever you like.

These included potatoes, bell peppers,

onions, and mushrooms.

You want your potatoes to cook in the same

amount of time as the rest of your veggies.

So make sure you cut them relatively small...

maybe 1 1/2 inches cubed, if that.

You can place some pats of butter on top

or drizzle with olive oil.

A little salt and seasonings...maybe some

Parmesan and you're good to go.

Once you fold over your foil,

roll up the edges really well to seal it all in.

I didn't take a picture of the rolled up packet.

I am so ashamed.

Anyway...

place on a hot grill for 12-15 minutes per side...

or until your potatoes are tender.

Love me tender, love me sweet,

even if I forget to take pictures of important steps,

Never let me go.

These will be hot and steamy,

kinda like a young Elvis...

so be careful when you open them up.

Feel free to change the veggies...

add zucchini, green beans, whatever floats your boat.

It will all be good.

So, what would you put in your pack?

©Kelly

 

Firing up the barbie here:

 

Easy Life

Perfect Peach Cobbler

Hello, all!

It's been abnormally stinkin' hot here.

Over a hundred a few days...and it

looks like that's going to continue through the week.

So what do I do?

Turn on the oven.

And who can blame me?

A supplier where I work brought a huge case of sweet,

delicious peaches in the other day.

I think I brought home about 8 lbs.

No one seemed interested and I could see

visions of cobbler dance in my head.

I peeled and sliced about 3 cups worth.

I threatened to stab my husband if he didn't stop eating them out of the bowl.

These were pretty sweet, so I just added about 2 tbsp. of sugar and stirred them

around and spread them in the buttered pan.

I may or may not have slurped out the sugary peach juice after I dumped them.

Just sayin'.

The recipe below says to use and 8x8 pan.

As you can see...this is not that pan.

I recently BROKE my 8 inch square stone by dropping a glass spice jar in it.

I almost cried.

Basic ingredients, besides the peaches, of course...

Flour, baking powder, salt, milk, sugar,

butter (which I just noticed is upside down)...AND...

the brown sugar I forgot to stick in the first picture.

You know you wanted to see it.

Mix all the dry ingredients.

Whisk in the milk and melted butter.

Add vanilla if you please...I did...LOVE it!

Pour the batter over the peaches.

Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes.

It will be bubbly, golden and yummy!

See?

A little while later I found it like this:

My daughter said it was the best peach cobbler she'd ever eaten.

But I don't know how much cobbler she's had the opportunity to taste.

So, if you find yourself with a stack of peaches

and feel the itch to bake something yummy...

here's the recipe!

Perfect Peach Cobbler

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

· ½ cup brown sugar

· ½ cup white sugar, plus 2-4 tbsp.

· 1 cup all-purpose flour

· 2 tsp. baking powder

· ½ tsp. salt

 · 1 stick butter

· 1 cup milk

· 3 cups sliced peaches

· *optional* pure vanilla extract


Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Peel and slice peaches. Not too thin or too thick. Depending on sweetness of peaches, stir in 2-4 tbsp. of white sugar.

3. Melt butter in a microwavable dish. Use wrapper to lightly butter an 8x8 baking dish.

4. Stir flour, ½ cup each brown and white sugar, baking powder and salt together in a mixing bowl.

5. Whisk milk into flour mixture. Add melted butter and whisk until blended…careful not to over mix. {*optional* add 1 tsp. pure vanilla}

6. Spread peaches evenly into bottom of baking dish.

7. Pour the batter evenly over the peaches.

8. Bake for 50-60 minutes until golden brown and yummy.

This is easily doubled or one and a halfed...if that's a real term :)


Enjoy!

  

p.s. I'm partying here:

DebbieDoo's Newbie Party

Eighteen25 Recipe Link-Up

Thistlewood Farms

Anyonita Nibbles

Will Cook for Smiles

I Should Be Mopping The Floor

Easy Life

I Heart Naptime

The Gunny Sack

Dimples and Pig Tales

The Dedicated House
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Love Grows Wild
Home Stories A to Z
Clean and Scentsible
Dwellings
The 36th Avenue
Stone Gable
From My Front Porch to Yours
Crafts a la Mode
A Peek Into My Paradise
Simply Designing
Love of Family and Home
Carole's Chatter