Best Laid Plans...

Here is a post of what I won't be doing tomorrow for the 4th of July...

We used to have an annual 4th of July party every year. It was a classic Americana style fete'... Think lots of flags & buntings, croquet on the front lawn, hamburgers, hot dogs and usually lobster (we are in Maine after all!). When we moved to Tennessee it was just too hot outside to enjoy throwing one, so we kinda gave up the tradition. Every year since we have been back in Maine the Girlies have asked nicely begged to do one, but for one reason or another we didn't... This year was supposed to be the year we brought back this favorite family tradition.

Alas, we made all kinds of plans for this year, but were just not able to pull it together in time. Let me show you our Pinterest inspirations anyhow...

Here was my first inspiration...

I have the jars & bandannas sitting in a bin in the basement...

(link)

Love the way they serve the beans and such here... I got the beverage server, two tier rack, little jars for the beans, paper straws... (I was so ready to go... Where did we drop the ball?)

(link)

Let's face it, I have never successfully pulled off cake pops, but these were so cute, I was going to give it another try!  

(link)

I have been collecting red, white and blue plates and such for weeks to mix and match on the table... I priced the jute chargers but they were more then I wanted to spend, and the little boxes are cute but one step too far for me, but otherwise I was all over this table-scape!

(link)

I had Paul paint a plank with chalk board paint last week and had the scrapbook paper all picked out to do the menu board... I have this tray, but it is turquoise, so it was going to meet a can of red spray paint I picked up...

(link)

Finally, this cute banner was on my to do list... It would have looked so cute draped across my red barn window mirror in the living room... Ah well...

(link)

Why aren't we doing one if we are so prepared you ask? Well, we forgot to invite people... With the wedding, and subsequent activities the 4th just kinda snuck up on us... We could wing it, but it would be a shame to go to all that work and expense and have nobody show up!

The good news is that Allie has agreed to do a BBQ theme for her engagement party in about three weeks, so other then the banner (which I guess I could just re-theme) I may still use all these ideas. Stay tuned...

We have other good news to share... Allison & I got a big catering job! There is a huge two day antique show here in town every year and my cousin's bakery used to cater it... Last year she was in the process of shutting down her business so Allie and I ran it for her and although it was a ton of work we had a blast doing it. (Plus it is a huge money maker too!) This year, with my cousin's business kaput and her working in the Big Apple we thought they would go with someone else but went ahead and sent in a proposal anyhow... Yesterday we found out we got it! This will give us a big head start on wedding money for next June!

Thanks for listening,