Hey guys, Happy Memorial Day! Today marks the beginning of my favorite season… patio season! We love living the patio life during the months that allow with our wacky midwest weather. Whether just eating dinner outside, playing bean bag toss or entertaining, Ryan and I both count down the days to when we can spend as much time on the patio as possible!
I look forward to some outdoor entertaining this year, and these are my favorite ideas that I’ve put in my pocket for the season. You can expect if you come over, you will be experiencing something of the following! 😉
The Hydration
Of course, a delicious and refreshing beverage will get the party started! When I laid eyes on these liquids I immediately became parched! I love cucumbers (I’m attempting to grow some this year) so the idea of Cucumber Sangria sounds like a perfect patio libation. This Pink Summer Shandy had me at hello with it’s adorable presentation; I love the orange slices which would also keep the bugs out. Upon reading the recipe, this is something I have had under a different alias, and it is DELICIOUS! Stay with me here for a minute; your initial response might be a bit of repulsion, but I PROMISE you, you have to give it a try and you will love it! And finally these refreshing Summer Ice Cubes are the perfect way to make every water or cocktail a tasty fruit infusion.
Better Homes and Gardens • The Cookie Rookie • The Culinary Tribune
The Presentation
Target is aways my favorite spot to find unique and reasonable patio goods and serving necessities. I love this Bar Cart on wheels! It offers the versatility to tote it to the patio, and to be a decoration staple inside the house otherwise.
These outdoor serving pieces are a great way to keep the party on ice. I’ve been experimenting with different flavor combos of infused waters (I’ll post them soon!) and I love that this beverage dispenser has the infuser built in, as well as an ice reservoir to keep the water cold. The Oasis Party Station keeps your beverages cold, and even has room for the back ups on the bottom! The platter on ice is a perfect way to keep veggies, shrimp or dips fresh even in the hottest heat. (All from Target).
Target strikes again with my favorite outdoor dinnerware. Every year their patterns are so vibrant and appear to be china until closer examination.
How adorable is this cutlery display for an outdoor fiesta?!
The Menu
So all the serving ware is set, now what to serve?! You may remember that I love a good kebab. This recipe for Honey Balsamic Chicken Kebabs with Rosemary are my jam! Full of flavor, my adored Rosemary and on a skewer. Done and done.
These Grilled Smashed Potatoes turn out so crispy on the outside and a punch of flavor in every mini bite.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers. Yummy fresh veggies grilled to crisp delight. I love grill marks on veggies!
This Mozzarella, Tomato & Avocado Salad is pretty much perfection in a bowl. Chock full of many of my favorite flavors, it is a perfect side for any meal.
Being Memorial Day, I love these Patriotic Fruit Kebabs! And certainly we can express our patriotism on any day with these kebabs. And… they’re kebabs. 😉
What are your favorite summer entertaining staples? I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend. I’m so grateful for those in the military of have been willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect others; it doesn’t get more selfless than that!
Shay says
I always like to do something patriotic too, love the fruit “flag”!
Lisa says
Those drinks! My mouth is watering!!! 🙂