4th of July // Weekend Update

The fourth of july weekend was americana from beginning to end... bbq's, red, white and blue, family, friends and of course fireworks. It had all my favorite things combined into 3 days which in my world, made for a weekend of near perfection. 

Ryan and I hosted our annual 4th of july party and we had about 20 of our family and friends over to our house. I made some fun diy's from my inspiration board to decorate, whipped up a batch of patriotic jell-o shots with my sister-in-law peyton (which were a huge hit... even though I couldn't partake myself) and ryan had the backyard in pristine shape for yard games and hanging out. The evening ended with fireworks at sports authority field as we have done for the past several years and it was an awesome show. 

Sunday was also a very special day in my book... ryan and I were able to have lunch with my grandma and catch up with her about our trip to sweden. I so value the time and relationship I have with my grandma which was why our get together was such a highlight of my weekend. I also had 2 of my besties in town from fargo and steamboat so our bookclub got together for an afternoon picnic in wash park. The afternoon was exactly what I needed... hours of laughing and story telling with the women I adore more than anything in the world. I think I could have sat out in the park with them until the stars came out but sadly the rain wrapped up our fun. 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and made the most of our independence day. 

Book Club // Jazz In The Park

I belong to the most nontraditional book club I know.  A group of girlfriends and I get together on a monthly basis for 'book club' but we never assign a book.  We never even talk about reading.  We just use the term 'book club' as an excuse to get together each month.  The hostess rotates monthly and they get to plan the activity; wine and cheese pairing night, at-home-facial night, drinks on the patio, cooking dinner together... you get the idea.

This past sunday, my 'no-book book club' got together to kick off the season of jazz in the park.  This month mary hosted us and put together quite the grand picnic.  We had tons of fresh fruit, a bunch of dips, cheeses, crackers and super tasty brownies for dessert.  Oh, and lots of wine!  

I brought my most favorite low picnic table which is an essential item for any good picnic so you have a place to congregate snacks and keep your drink from spilling over into the grass.  Mary also laid out one of the quilts she made and gina brought a couple too.  

It was such a fun night listening to hazel miller play in the background as we told stories and laughed away the evening under the setting sun.  I think I am going to nominate myself to host next month's and have the girls over for a backyard soiree.

Picnic in the Park

(Clockwise from top:  sun setting  /  skewers  / picnic of champions  /  Rocco begging)

Friday night I surprised my husband with an impromptu picnic at Washington Park.  I stopped by the store to pick up a Mediterranean inspired meal after work (tomato, herb and caper salad, skewers, taziki, pita bread and halloumi cheese) and came home to pack up the essentials.  I used the beautiful wicker picnic basket that Ryan bought when he proposed to me with all our items and we were off.  

(Clockwise from top:  picnic basket  /  score from Rumi, I lost  /  Rocco looking cute  /  cards and drinks)

Playing cards, drinking wine and eating a delicious meal with music from the iPod as the sunset was honestly one of the best nights ever.  We also finally got to use our portable picnic table that we got for our wedding.  I smile just thinking about how much fun we had.