July 4th dilly

What does this remind you of?

Aerial "peony" fireworks?

Instead of traditional red, white, and blue whatevers,

how about bringing these bursting "fireworks" to your buffet table

for the decorations?

A large bouquet for a fountain-effect centerpiece or several smaller vases

festooning the length of the table will bring the highlight of the day's festivities to mind.  Pyrotechnics!

This bouquet is made with dill.  This is one flower head. Arranging this couldn't be easier.  Cut one flower head and put it in your selected container, and then add a stem or two of contrasting leaves.

Dill is easy to grow and sometimes you find it growing wild.  

This dill was picked from my garden. 

It volunteered from a plant grown last year. 

Fourth of July or not, I think this is a nice way to bring a bit of the

outdoors inside, whenever dill is found.

t.t.f.n. ~ Carol

that's my drink. i'm a frog. bingo!

posted by jennifer:

because it is memorial day weekend, and because summer is right around the corner, and seeing as it is the season to entertain... i thought i would share some drink marker ideas i have come up with. 

one of them i love, love, loved the most, until i had a eureka moment with the second.  the second are my new love, but they are both worthy.

the first are markers that are made by attaching a name tag on a bamboo knotted pick.  the picks  i used are 4 inches long.  all i did was cut small pieces of card stock, added a rivet, and then attached the name tag to the pick with a piece of heavy weight embroidery floss.  you can then skewer it through a piece of fruit or other garnish on your glass:  
  -a lime wedge on a margarita
  -a lemon wedge and sprig of mint on a glass of iced tea
  -a orange slice and cherry on a mai tai or fruit punch
  -a small slice of pineapple and a cherry on a pina colada

my new loves however, are markers made using loteria cards.   that is, bingo cards from mexico.  all i did was cut one of the cards so i had several small pieces...that way each guest could pick if they are:
  el borracho (the drunk)
  la pera (the pear)
  el venado (the deer)
  la sirena (the mermaid)
fun, and they so colorful and unique methinks.

these i have used on the bamboo picks as i did with the card stock name tags.... and also i have tied them to the stem of a wine glass.   

another idea.... which i know is old news.. but is good... i froze about an inch of water, along with a slice of lemon and a bit of mint in the bottom of a mason jar.  this works well for iced tea.   you could also freeze a slice of lime in the water.. or a sprig of thyme... a edible flower (lavender, nasturtium, pansy to name a few)...  you can make the drinks you serve as festive and as beautiful as your gathering.

happy summer....(almost)

cheers!