Wedding or Party Decorations: Easy Paper Lanterns

Need a fast, simple, and cheap table decoration for your wedding or party? Make these paper lanterns- they are so simple and add a pop of color to your table. You can use scrapbook paper, heavy wrapping paper, craft paper, or any stiff paper that will stand. Color coordinate with your party theme; you can personalize with stamps, punch a decoration, or ribbon trim.

EASY TABLE DECORATIONS: SCRAPBOOK PAPER LANTERNS

Scrapbook paper sheets

Double sided tape or glue stick

Mason jars or other jar, vase, etc

Candles: floating candles, tealights, or other light source

These lanterns are so easy to make and can really dress up a table or customize any party for very little money! Since scrapbook paper comes in all colors and patterns, you really have endless options. Here's the how to:

Get a sheet of scrapbook paper. If it is thick, you'll want to cut in some designs so light will shine through. If the paper is thin or you use vellum, you don't need to cut in a design. You can use a hole punch or a paper cutter- or a utility knife. Use a glue stick or double faced tape along the edge of the back side of the paper to form the paper into a cylinder.

Put the light source into the jar. LED lights work great but you don't want to see the clunky base through the paper so use a dense paper with a design at the top. You won't even need a container if you use the LED lights. If you opt for candles, including tealights or votive candles, make sure to put some sand or salt in the bottom of the vase, glass, or container to keep the candle off the bottom of the jar so that it does not get too hot. A great use for canning jars, you can cut the paper to different lengths to stagger the height of the

This is a great use for floating candles or even glo-sticks!

Place the paper cylinder over the jar.... and you have a customized lantern!

Design your paper lantern so light will shine through using a punch or create your own design!Use LED lights or flameless candles for long-lasting light! Put them in a clear canning jar or vase so the wind does not blow them over!

Wedding Signature Cocktail: Blackberry Mojito

We had a request on our Facebook page from our friend Sue for a signature cocktail for a wedding. Specifically, a blackberry mojito to compliment the couple's wedding colors of plum and pale green. This recipe from our friends at Driscoll's Berries is just perfect for 1 or 100... or more!

A mojito is typically made one or two at a time. If you are serving in a dispenser, you will have to strain the mixture so the berries do not clog the spigot. You can float whole berries and mint on the top after you put it in the dispenser as garnish. You don't have to strain the cocktail if you are serving in a pitcher.

Blackberry Mojito using Driscoll's fresh blackberries is the perfect wedding cocktail!BLACKBERRY MOJITO

For 2

12 large blackberries

12 mint leaves

4 teaspoons sugar

1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice

3 ounces light rum (you can substitute vodka if you like)

Ice

Club soda

Lime wedge, mint, and blackberries for garnish

Chill two glasses. Put the mint and the berries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker with the sugar. Use a wooden spoon to muddle (bruise) the mint and crush the berries. Add rum, lemon and lime juice. Fill with ice. Shake until well chilled. Put mint leaves in the bottom of the glass. Add ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice. Top with club soda for a little sparkle.

BLACKBERRY MOJITOS FOR A CROWD

Serves 50 (approx 4 ounce servings)

5-6 pints blackberries plus some for garnish

4 bunches mint leaves plus some for garnish

6 cups sugar

4 cups cold water

1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice

6-7 cups light rum (depending on how strong you want the drinks. This is based on 1 ounce per drink which is light. Add more if you like. You can also substitute vodka if you prefer)

Ice

2 bottles of chilled club soda (to taste)

Put the berries in the bottom of a container with the sugar. Use a wooden spoon to crush the fruit. Add the mint and gently muddle to release the essence of the mint. Add 4 cups of water and stir well to make sure the sugar is dissolved completely. Refrigerate and let sit for at least an hour. If you are using a dispenser with a spigot, you will need to strain off the mixture so the skin from the berries and the mint leaves do not clog the dispenser. Add the strained mixture to your dispenser. Add rum, lemon and lime juice. Fill with ice. Stir well. Top off with a bottle of club soda- to taste. Float mint leaves, lime wheels, or blackberries in the dispenser as garnish. Or thread berries onto a cocktail skewer and have those ready in glasses filled with ice. Then guests can help themselves to the beverage.

Martie's Tips: To make this easier, I usually just put the berries, sugar, and water in a large container. Then whir them together with my immersion blender. I strain off the seeds and any flesh remaining and am left with the juice.  

Often, I will chill or even freeze my drinks for a party so I need less ice and the beverages are not as diluted. For this one, you can freeze lime juice or lemon juice into ice cubes and use that in lieu of adding the juice to the recipe.

You can also substitute mint simple syrup to make this process easier. Get the recipe....

Prefer the classic mint mojito recipe? Try mine! Make Classic Mint Mojitos for 12

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Weekend Mock-tail: The Pink Monkey "Margarita"

I've had lots of requests for more non-alcoholic beverage recipes lately... including one from my sweet friend Lynn who asked for a pretty pink drink to serve at her little G-baby's one year old birthday party. The theme for the party is pink monkeys... which I thought sounded precious. Here's a brand new party drink you can serve as a mock-tail or a cocktail for that occasion where you have some non-drinkers in the crowd. Here's the recipe:

Makes 2

THE PINK MONKEY

1 1/2 cups pink grapefruit juice

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

1 1/2 tablespoons grenadine

lime wheels

sugar (use pink if you wish)

Ice

Optional:

2 ounces Blanco tequila

1 ounce Grand Marnier (or any orange liqueur)

pinch of Kosher salt

Use a lime to rim the glass. Rim the glass with sugar. Add ice and all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake and pour into chilled glasses. Garnish with a lime wheel. 

To make a bunch, just mix up in a big plastic jug or pitcher and shake them up. Pour over ice. For a party, I love to put the container in the freezer and get the drink slushy before serving. You need less ice and it becomes less diluted. Cheers!

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Oprah's Favorite Summer Cocktail: The Moscow Mule

I was driving in the car and had on Oprah Radio-- I heard Oprah raving about her favorite summer drink, the Moscow Mule. I was so curious, I had to try it. I thought it was very refreshing and easy to drink. Best of all, they are easy to make. You'll need ginger beer, which you can find at most grocery stores these days or at an International market like World Market. And use fresh lime juice. Not the squeezy stuff.... You are supposed to serve a Moscow Mule in a copper mug but come on- who but Oprah has a copper mug? Serve it in a julep cup, a coffee cup, a plastic cup---who cares? Cheers to the weekend!

THE MOSCOW MULE

1 ounce vodka

1 teaspoon simple syrup (make it with equal parts sugar and water- heat til sugar dissolves, cool)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/2 cup ginger beer

1 sprig fresh mint

slice of lime

ice

Pour vodka over ice. Add simple syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with mint and lime.

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August 10th is National S'mores Day: Three New S'mores Treats!

I love popsicles and I love s'mores. Here's the hybrid... S'mores Pops! These are super easy and soooo delicious! August 10th is National S'mores Day. If it is too hot outside, make some of these frozen treats up for your kids... and make plenty because they are delicious! Use a plastic cup for the mold. You can get the popsicle sticks at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or even Wal-Mart. Let me know what you think!

S'MORES POPSICLES

Fudgey-Choco Pops recipe below*

20 mini-marshmallows

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

Small plastic or paper cups

Popsicle sticks

In the bottom of a plastic cup, put a small amount of the graham cracker crumbs, about 1 teaspoon for each cup. Add about 1-2 tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and 4 marshmallows, top with another  teaspoon of the chocolate and use a spoon to press the chocolate into the marshmallows. Tap the cup on the counter to make a dense layer. Continue layers as necessary to fill the cup, leaving 1/4" at the top. Allow to set up for at least 30 minutes and add a popsicle stick to each cup. Allow to freeze for at least 4 hours.

FUDGEY CHOCO POPS

1 cup water

2.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped ( you can sub cocoa- just add 1 tablespoon butter if you do)

1/3 cup sugar

pinch salt

1/3 cup milk (use whole or 2%)

1 T. heavy cream (or you can use half and half)

1/2 t. vanilla

1/8 t. instant coffee (or you can use leftover strong coffee)

Put the chopped chocolate, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the water, a little at a time as the chocolate melts and the sugar dissolves. Once the chocolate has completely melted, remove from heat. Whisk in the coffee, vanilla, milk, and cream. Chill and cool completely.

More easy popsicle recipes: 16 Homemade Popsicle Recipes

WANT MORE FUN S'MORES IDEAS?

TRY MY INDOOR S'MORES 

AND A SUPER FUN SPIN ON THE CLASSIC S'MORES WITH A S'MORES BAR!

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