Memorial Day Festivities-Farewell Party – #KickOffToSummerWeek2014 #GourmetGarden

Our Kick off to Summer is in full swing with lots of ideas and recipes for Memorial Day.  Make sure to check below for today’s giveaway and sponsor!

With hubby leaving in just over two weeks for a very long “trip” we are trying to make Memorial Day a special one for the kiddos, in hopes that they can remember his farewell and have some good memories to think about over the next months.

 

 

The boys love to have parties, so I decided to do just a little party, the five of us.  I wanted it to be simple, because we had so many other things we were trying to accomplish before his departure.  I didn’t need ONE more thing to add to our huge list!  The things I made and used were really simple, or store bought.

 

 

Arranging everything out for the buffet probably took the longest….well maybe the waffles took a smidge longer.

 

 

We’re talking store bought Danishes with fresh fruit sprinkled on top.  From someone who doesn’t like the store bought Danishes, these were actually really good.  It is amazing what a little fresh fruit can do!

 

 

They were ready for this party!  We had been talking about it for a couple of weeks.

 

 

I’m pretty sure the milk (well the doughnut) was their favorite.  They told me that this is how milk should be served…cold, with a straw, topped with a doughnut!

 

 

The fruit really gave everything a lot of Patriotic flair.

 

 

Everyone’s facial expressions cracked me in the photo above.  It was one of the only pictures that my husband wasn’t a COMPLETE blur…he never sits still.

 

 

This was so simple.  Vanilla yogurt and fruit.  I have to say, I think the kids would have enjoyed it a bit more with some granola to sweeten it up.

 

 

I had to show you baby girl’s outfit.  My goal is to duplicate this bib top with some other fabrics for this summer.  It is so cute!

 

So, there you go, a REALLY easy Memorial Day Brunch.  I probably could have used frozen waffle, but we like fresh ones better.  So, it did add a few more minutes.  But, this could easily be pulled together quickly for a group or even just your family.

 

What kind of shortcuts do you do for parties and meals?

 

Now for the good stuff…more ideas and our giveaway!  Thanks for hanging in there!  Here is what you have been waiting for.  Make sure to check out all of the posts for great Memorial Day ideas and yummy recipes.

 

Welcome to Day #3 of Kick Off to Summer Week, a multi-blogger event co-host by Lauren of From Gate to Plate and Summer of Summer Scraps. With summer quickly approaching and Memorial Day in a few weeks, we wanted to make sure you had plenty of ideas for your Memorial Day activities. Each day we will be serving up a variety of different appetizers, main dishes, desserts, decor, printables and more all centered around the up-coming Memorial Day.

We hope you enjoy all of these wonderful ideas. Tune in each day starting with Monday, May 12 and ending on Saturday, May 17. We have great prizes up for grabs throughout the week so you will not want to miss out on any of the days! Follow #KickOffToSummerWeek2014 on Twitter to keep up to date with all of our spectacular ideas and giveaways!

 

Still wanting more?! Check out the rest of the #KickOffToSummer2014 awesomeness below!

 

Lemon Honey & Rosemary Grilled Chicken Skewers by From Gate to Plate

Sausage & Veggies Tinfoil Dinner by Summer Scraps

Baked Rosemary Garlic Fries by Keep it Simple, Sweetie

Homemade Natural Bug Spray by The Haas Machine

Memorial Day Festivities by Lil Huckleberries

Corn Cob Jelly by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Marshmallow Fruit Dip by Forty Eighteen

Trail Mix Oatmeal Cookies by Lady Behind the Curtain

BBQ Invitation Printable by My Daylights

Rhubarb Crisp by Love in the Kitchen

Mixed Berry Sweet Rolls by Like Mother, Like Daughter

Liberty Embroidery Pattern by Bits of Ivory

Red White and Blue Trifle by We Like to Learn as We Go

Chickpea Tabouli by Food Lust People Love
Dark Chocolate Pistachio Cookies by Life on Food

 

 

Our sponsor for today is Gourmet Garden Herbs & Spices. If you enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients you will just love Gourmet Garden! Gourmet Garden herbs are organically grown then simply washed, chopped, blended and packed into tubes to maintain the herbs freshness and nutrition. With Gourmet Garden you will be able to keep fresh herbs in your fridge for months with no waste. They have a variety of herbs such as Garlic, Basil, Cilantro, Chili Pepper and much more! You can find Gourmet Garden in the fresh produce section of your supermarket. Be sure to keep up-to-date with Gourmet Garden Herbs & Spices on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

 

 

Gourmet Garden has so graciously offered up a cooler full of herbs and spices perfect for you next cooking and baking experience. Your cooler will include 4 ounce bottles of:

• Garlic
• Basil
• Chili Pepper
• Dill
• Oregano
• Cilantro
• Ginger
• Italian Herbs
• Parsley
• Lemon Grass

 **Giveaway runs May 14 until May 21, 2014 at midnight EST. Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Winner must be 18 years of age or older. No cash value available**

**Disclaimer: This giveaway is being sponsored by Gourmet Garden. #KickOffToSummerWeek2014 bloggers have not received product or been compensated as part of this giveaway!**

 

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Linking up to :Fry Sauce & Grits