What turns the ordinary into extraordinary? Surprisingly, it doesn’t require a lot of preparation and work to create an Instagram-moment 4th of July celebration out of a “chips and dips” one. It takes just a few special touches.
Retro blue is my color this year, so I fell in love with this simple plastic tableware in retro red and blue from Target. What a nice change from the traditional royal blue and red.
Sure, you can make a rasberry-infused tea for a fabulous 4th of July beverage. Or, you can pour Crystal Light in Pomegranate flavor over ice with a handful of fresh blueberries.
Crystal Light in Pomegranate flavor is quickly transformed into a festive beverage by adding blueberries.
love these plastic and silver tableware in retro blue and red from Target
Waiting for the fireworks to start is the perfect time to fire up the patio fire pit and roast some marshmallows for s’mores.
4th of July S’mores- now it’s a party!
Our new patio table from Sears offered the perfect setting for our festive 4th of July party scape.
Time to start the grill!
Our distinguished guests are ready to eat and have a good time.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
For a simple and gourmet Fourth of July barbeque menu, check out our “Serving Up Simple” menu:
Serving Up Simple and Gourmet Barbeque Menu with Grocery Shopping List!
I decided that my backyard needed a lift before our Fourth of July celebrations. With the holiday falling on a Wednesday this year, we’re making our festivities intimate with a simple family barbeque.
Our patio is home to an outdoor living set with couch, table and chairs, but I wanted to add a small dining table where we can sit, each and watch the fireworks while enjoying the plants and flowers in full bloom.
I assessed the area to determine the criteria for our perfect patio set. I wanted a small round table with chairs to fit in with the outdoor couch set we have now.
My “before” backyard patio
Before heading out to the store, I went online to Sears Style Hub and shopped for my new patio table and chairs. With many options, including sizes, shapes and styles, I quickly found the perfect set for us. Ordering online was simple, and most importantly- free for any patio set over $299. And, online ordering can be done from home or from the store if your local Sears does not carry your patio set in the store.
I decided that a simple but elegant dark resin table and chairs matched perfectly. The fact it was on sale was a nice bonus! Once the table arrived, assembly was easy. Then it was time to create my Fourth of July backyard “inspiration” with this year’s theme being intimate and simple.
A perfect fit! Time to start decorating for dinner.
To add to the Fourth of July celebration, Sears is having a sale on the Menlo 5-piece patio for half price with free shipping. And, by using the Sears Shop Your Way Rewards program, you earn points towards discounts on future purchases. That’s a sweet deal.
Menlo 5-piece patio set on sale for $499 at Sears
Time to start the grill!
In keeping in mind my “intimate and simple” themed barbeque, I made this super easy- but festive punch. I used Crystal Light in Pomegranate flavor and added fresh blueberries.
Crystal Light in Pomegranate flavor is quickly transformed into a festive beverage by adding blueberries.
Now it’s time for our distinguished guests to enjoy their Fourth of July barbeque.
Now it’s a party!
Whatever your plans are for Fourth of July, you can always use a little inspiration. Whether inspiration comes with a new recipe, a trip or a backyard lift, I hope this Fourth of July is the best yet for you and your family!
To find more styles and deals from Sears for your outdoor barbeque this Fourth of July, visit Sears on Facebook, Twitter or check out the Weekly Local Sears Ad.
I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Sears #CBias #SocialFabric”, but the opinions and views expressed here are very much my own.
If you’re entertaining for Independence Day, I have a recipe to make your life a lot easier. Skip the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs and try this menu:
By marinating the steak a day or two in advance and making the salads which take just minutes to prepare, you’re time will be free to enjoy 4th of July festivities.
What’s great about this menu is that it covers all the basics- steaks, potatoes, pasta. So, when guests ask, “what can I bring?” tell them to bring easy items like fruit or drinks.
If you’re not entertaining, it’s the perfect combination for just you and the family- I know- because this is what we had for dinner this past Saturday night and it was delicious….tasted like summer.
Toni’s4thofJulyMenu
Ingredients
Flank Steak 3-4 lbs, cut into 2-inch strips against the grain
Dijon Mustard -1/2 bottle
Soy Sauce- a few shakes
Dice potatoes into quarters
Red Wine Vinegar- about 1/3 cup
Fresh or Dried Oregano & Basil
Petite Red, White & Blue (purple, actually- but close enough) Potatoes (I found the perfect ones at Trader Joe’s), cleaned and quartered
Blue Cheese Crumbles- 1 small container
Sour Cream- 1 cup
Cavatappi Pasta- 1 lb
Zucchini & Squash- 1 each, diced into half-chunks
Grape Tomatoes- 1 pint
Dice zucchini and squash into halves
Where I got my potato salad inspiration- basically, I think making traditional potato salad is a ton of work. You have to peel, cook and dice potatoes and eggs, dice potatoes, etc. So, unless my mom is here to make it (she makes a great potato salad), then I want to find an easier alternative.
I was shopping in Trader Joe’s and spotted these miniature potatoes and thought how perfect they would be in a salad. I wanted to make it lighter, without mayonnaise, so I decided to try sour cream. With some blue cheese to add to my “red, white and blue” theme, this potato salad came out better than I’d hoped.
Directions
Steak
A day or two in advance, combine mustard, soy sauce and vinegar in a bowl or casserole pan with about a half cup of olive or canola oil; mix well
Season steak with salt, pepper, basil and oregano
Dip steak into marinade and coat evenly
Place steak in zip-top baggie and pour remaining marinade in; seal tightly and place in the refrigerator on a plate or platter to marinate overnight
Potato Salad (can be made a day in advance)
Place oven on Broil
Place potato chunks onto baking sheet
Drizzle olive oil over the top and sprinkle with some salt; use your hand to toss
Broil until potatoes are brown, approximately 35 minutes
Transfer to mixing bowl
Add blue cheese and sour cream; toss
Pasta Salad (can be made a day or two in advance)
Put zucchini and squash slices next to potatoes to Broil until brown, approximately 20 minutes
Boil pasta in salted water until tender; drain and rinse under cool water
Add vegetables to pasta
Drizzle with olive oil; toss
When it’s time to eat, just grill steak- or hand it off to the hubby to grill like I do.
Happy 4th of July!
If you’re looking for a summer beverage for 4th of July party, try my Summer Sangria!
Summer Sangria from Toni Spilsbury The Organized Cook
And, for the absolute most adorable place setting, check out this Patriotic Place Setting design by Social Couture.
Family meals are important. Iʼll show you easy ways to spend less time and money at the grocery store, less time in the kitchen and more time with your family.
Three months of our most popular menus from The Organized Cook™ Weekly Meal Plan System including grocery shopping lists, cooking instructions and lots of time and money saving tips in one book that's easy to fit in your purse.
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