Stars & Stripes

Centsational Girl is hosting a Stars & Stripes party and I’m joining in with some red, white and blue decor and a recipe of my own.

I decorated the mantle in red, white and blue for the months of June & July. I’m going to switch it to beachy stuff in August because that’s when we take our annual vacation to the shore.

The “Liberty” sign and large stars I picked up last year at The Christmas Tree Shop. I picked up the berries there this winter on clearance when I was doing my Valentine’s mantlescape.

The flags I got 3/$1 at Target. The small stars I started to paint Memorial Day weekend 2009 and never got around to finishing them. Oh well.

The red, white and blue star garland I picked up at Michael’s for $1 each.

I look forward to the day when I won’t have the dark, dated stone in the background of all my mantlescapes, but they still make me happy for now.

Now for a delicious recipe…

Every year around 4th of July my mom made “Berries & Cream”. This is the perfect summer dessert in my opinion.  She would normally use strawberries and blueberries, but you could use raspberries or blackberries too. I normally just use what’s on sale. When I made it last year, hubby commented that he liked it, but it’d be better with some cake too, so you could easily add a layer of pound cake or angel food cake in if the cream and berries isn’t enough for you.

BERRIES ‘N CRÈME
Serves 6

1 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese
½ c. powder sugar
½ T. almond flavoring
1 c. heaving whipping cream
3 cups berries, washed and dried well

In deep bowl beat together cream cheese, sugar, and almond flavoring until smooth. Still beating, gradually pour in cream in a steady stream (mixture should be consistency of stiffly whipped cream at all times). Layer with berries.

Hope you all have a great 4th of July! We’re doing the same we’ve done for the past couple years…getting up early to deliver hay bales for a soap box derby a couple hours north of where we live. Then I’m sure it will be home for naps and I’m going to pack a romantic picnic dinner for hubby & I to enjoy while we have our own private bonfire and shoot off old fireworks I found in a closet (hopefully we don’t hurt ourselves) on our new farm. Should be lots of fun!