July Celebration

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!

  

 Party Celebrations!!

In honor of Independence Day we hosted two glorious events!

A surprise party for my beloved friend and a

weekend extravaganza with my sisters and their families!!!

I am showcasing the surprise party first!

SURPRISE BONNIE!!!

She thought it was our Gourmet Club...ha ha...gotcha!

There she is...the beautiful and most incredible Bon Bon!

She is also known as Boncetta - we are the "Cetta Twins"

A lot of you may not know that my true name is Concetta -

but my nick-name is Connie. 

Those that are closest to me always call me Concetta!

The guests....

Don't you just love that face?  I do.

Diane & Bonnie

Stan & Lori

Pastor Fred & Phyllis

Gordon & Teresa

Fred & Tanya

Art & Debbie

Nancy & John

EDDIE & BONNIE

I decorated my front porch for the festivities.

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RED

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WHITE

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BLUE 

I set up 3 tables to accommodate all of our guests.

The Beverage Bar was also displayed outside. 

  

The Beverage Bar

 Berry Infused Ice Water

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I made star-shaped ice cubes with blueberries

and little ice cubes with fresh mint and raspberries!

Decadent Desserts 

Food Feast

Boncetta's Pasta Salad

***

3 lbs. Penne Pasta

(cook & cool)

Veggies

(4 bags of frozen, Italian or Roma Blend-defrost)

1 small bag Broccoli Florets

Mix all together until blended then add:

2 cans Black Olives, sliced

6 Fresh Tomatoes, cubed

2 Containers Feta Cheese, crumbled

1 large Red Onion, diced fine

Mix together the following and add to salad:

1/3 c Salad Oil

1/4 C Red Wine Vinegar

1 c Parmesan Cheese, grated

3 T Oregano

Garlic Salt to taste

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One hour before serving pour on 2 (8 oz.) bottles of Creamy Caesar Dressing.

Mix well and chill.

(This quantity serves 20-25 people and can easily be halved.) 

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Tanya's Creamy Cole Slaw

3/4 c Mayo

1/4 c Dijon

1/4 c Brown Sugar

3 T Apple Cider Vinegar

4 t Celery Salt

1/4 t Black Pepper

1/4 T Red Pepper

1 Whole Cabbage, shredded

1 large Carrot, shredded

1 Onion, grated

***

Whisk dressing together until blended.

Pour over veggies and mix well.  Chill. 

 3-Bean Dip

Tanya Wilbon

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1 can Refried Beans

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning Mix

1 can Black Beans, drain

1 8 oz. Cream Cheese

1 can Rotel Tomatoes

1 can Navy Beans, drain

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Spread refried beans on the bottom of a 10 x 13" pan.

Mix cream cheese and taco seasoning until blended.

Spread over refried beans.

Mix beans and tomatoes together and pour over the top.

Chill for 4 hours. 

Mini Candy Bar

Starlights ~ Lifesavers ~ Twizzlers ~ Bite Size Peppermints 

Cinnamon Hots ~ Cherry Slices

 I made this delicious birthday cake in honor of Bonnie.

This recipe comes from the wonderful site - Life As A Lofthouse.

I love this blog - there are so many amazing recipes there! 

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White Texas Sheet Cake

 • 1 c Butter

• 1 c Water

• 2 c Flour

• 2 c Sugar

• 2 Eggs, beaten

• 1/2 c Sour Cream

• 1 t Almond Extract

• 1 t Baking Soda

• 1 t Salt

FROSTING:

 • 1/2 c Butter

• 1/4 c Milk

• 4 1/2 c Confectioners' Sugar

• 1/2 t Almond Extract

 In a saucepan bring butter and water to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl add flour and sugar. Mix.

 Then add in eggs, sour cream, extract, baking soda and salt.

Slowly pour in the boiling butter/water mixture.

Stir with a spatula until well combined and smooth. 

 Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking sheet.

Bake at 375 for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool for about 20 minutes.

FOR FROSTING:

In a large saucepan, combine butter and milk. Bring to a boil.

Remove from the heat, and then stir in sugar and extract.

Stir until smooth and all combined. Spread over warm cake.

 This was my birthday cake that Bonnie made for me!

Mmmmm....so yummy!!

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Italian Love Cake 

1 box Marble, Chocolate or Fudge Cake Mix

2 lbs. Ricotta Cheese

4 Eggs

3/4 c Sugar

1 t Vanilla

3.4 oz. box Chocolate Pudding, instant

1 c Milk, cold

8 oz. Whipped Topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 9x13" pan.

Prepare cake mix per box directions.  Pour batter in pan and set aside.

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Mix together: ricotta, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth.

Spread over batter.  Bake for 45-50 minutes until cake is set.

COMPLETELY COOL CAKE!!!

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Mix the pudding mix, milk and whipped topping together with electric beaters.

Spread over cooled cake.  Chill before serving. 

I am linking to the following parties: