S’Mores Station

This is one of my families favorite ways to finish a backyard barbecue.  Super simple and the ooey gooey goodness is hard to beat.  Set up an easy do it your self

Backyard Lighting

I love string lights across the yard.  Everyone looks beautiful in this soft light and it makes the party feel more festive.  You’ll always have stars in the sky with a string of light hanging overhead.  Hang glitter balloons down from the string lights.  It ‘s really is magical.

Picture Frame Photo Station

Make these awesome hula hoop frames for your photo station.  To make wrap hula hoop with satin ribbon and greenery and a spray of flowers.  The have guests take photos.  Make sure you grab an Instagram hashtag and have guests post with the hashtag so you’ll have all the pics.

Glitter Balloons

Get the paper lantern look at a fraction of the price.  Put an assortment of large and small glitter inside transparent balloons in assorted sizes.  Use ribbons to hang balloons in a group and intertwine with string lights.  If it is windy weight with a marble or small pebble.  As the evening goes on they are fun to pop for a confetti shower.

Other Lighting

Wine bottle light:  Drill a hole in the side of a wine bottle, fill the bottom of the wine bottle with sand for stability and insert short string on lights
Fairies in a Jar: Cut open a glow stick and put contents into a jar, add some diamond glitter, put the lid on and shake hard.  So much fun.
Bug Repellent Jar Candles:  Fill a mason jar with sliced lemon, rosemary, lavender, thyme, cinnamon and 25 drops of citronella essential oil, top with hot water.  When it cools float a candle in the mixture and relax bug-free.

Santa Maria Grilled Tri-Tip

This is an easy grilled dish that can serve a crowd, is super simple to make and always a hit.  Santa Maria is a town on the south-central coast of California and known for its Tri-tip.  Locally it’s served with corn tortillas, salsa, and beans.  We love it just carved with a baked potato on the side.  Leftovers make great sandwiches or tacos.

Artichoke and Spinach Dip

This is one of my all-time favorite appetizers.  I’ve made it so much easier by microwaving fresh spinach and a slow cooker.  This recipe is filled with fresh spinach, marinated artichoke hearts, lots of cheese and garlic.  Great with tortilla chips or veggies.

Blue Moon and Stars Margarita and Mocktail Sparkler

Classic margarita recipe with Blue Curacao and silver edible star glitter, so much fun.  The mocktail omits tequila and adds a little sparkling water, but still gets the edible star glitter.  Nice and bubbly and so much fun.