Southern Lady Celebrate Ultimate Summer Parties 2011

It seems there is always something to celebrate at Celebrate magazine, but this month we have double the reason—two new staff members. Sidney Bragiel, our new editorial assistant, will be sharing her creative spirit and research skills to help develop party ideas for our pages. We also welcome Brett Bralley, our new assistant editor, who will be writing stories to inspire you to plan and host your own celebrations both big and small. Since it’s summer, we’re celebrating outdoors. There’s a picnic just right for couples off to an evening concert. There’s a pool party for the kids and a patriotic cookout for the entire family. Recipes and decorating tips are included in all our stories. And you don’t want to miss the Designed for You section. You will find free…

Summer is here, and fun abounds! Thinking back to my childhood, I remember summer as a time of no school, plenty of ice-cold lemonade to drink, swimming in our little plastic blow-up pool in the backyard, and playing outside until the lightning bugs (fireflies) were flashing. Our little pool was the social center of the neighborhood. Coupled with playing in the sprinkler, it made for great fun. Besides lemonade, Mom sometimes had a pitcher of Kool-Aid in the refrigerator and frozen fruit cocktail treats for us. In this issue, we share pool-party ideas for kids. No pool? A simple plastic blow-up version will get the fun started. Today we celebrate summer. The earth is in full bloom, and bright colors fill our days. The Fourth of July is a favorite of…

Sip in Style A glass of lemonade will look more fashionable when served in this basket weave drinking set. Your summertime picnic can be as close to home as your back porch. Available at Harmony Landing, 205-871-0585. Crack Me Open This adorable lobster bottle opener is the perfect addition to your bar this time of year. With it you can look hip opening any bottle. Available at athome-furnishings.com. We All Scream for Ice Cream These colorful bowls will make your ice cream sundae bar on the Fourth a hit. Use the large bowls for dipping ice cream and the small ones for serving toppings. Available at anthropologie.com. Patriotic Pattern Your Fourth of July celebration won’t be complete without these festive Americanflag glasses. A simple and easy way to add a classic patriotic touch. Available at zak.com. All Aglow These…

Lemonade Makes approximately 13 cups 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice 10 cups water 1 cup Simple Syrup (recipe follows) In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, water, and Simple Syrup, stirring well. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 5 days. Simple Syrup Makes 1 cup 1 cup water 1 cup sugar In medium saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, whisking often, or until sugar is dissolved. Cool. Cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Thyme Lemonade: Add 5 or 6 sprigs fresh thyme to lemonade in pitcher. Store in refrigerator. Lemonade will keep for up to 2 days. Remove and discard thyme before serving. Spiked Coconut Lemonade: In a cocktail shaker, combine 1 cup ice, 1 cup prepared lemonade, ¼ cup vodka, and 2 tablespoons cream of coconut.…

Kim Stoegbauer had her real estate license by the time she was 18 and worked in the field until the market took a downturn. Fortunately, for partygoers everywhere, the downturn led to an upturn in Kim’s interest in invitation design. Her work was quickly in demand, and she couldn’t keep up . . . and keep sane. So in 2009, after only a few months of blogging, she opened The TomKat Studio, her Etsy shop named for her children Tommy and Kate. The studio was actually the den in the Stoegbauers’ home, but that didn’t deter the business from quickly taking off and becoming a popular resource for party planners. Today, Kim offers a full party package of invitations, cupcake toppers, banners, tags, and more. The items are all on…

To gather neighbors together on a summer evening, just pull out the ice cream. Who can resist a cold treat after a hot day? You provide the ice cream, and then involve everyone in the party by asking them to bring their favorite fruit or toppings. Share the fun and the expense. Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Makes about 1½ quarts 4 cups half-and-half 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk 1 cup sugar 6 egg yolks, lightly beaten 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and scraped 2 teaspoons vanilla extract In a heavy 4-quart saucepan, combine half-and-half, evaporated milk, and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; do not boil. In a medium bowl, combine egg yolks, vanilla bean seeds, and vanilla. (Discard vanilla bean pod.) Add 1 cup hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stirring until well blended. Whisking constantly, gradually…