Refreshing drinks in Mason Jars

Nothing says summer better than cooling down with a cool refreshing drink on a hot sweltering day!

 How about cooling down with a light refreshing drink made from those sweet summer strawberries?

I love picking strawberries and blueberries from the local farms....and attending the strawberry festival in our town (forgot to take my camera so no pictures).It's so much fun and the kids love it!

From strawberry shortcakes, to milkshakes and Agua Frescas  (a very popular Mexican drink made from strawberries or any other fruits in season), there are so many ways to enjoy strawberries:

 

For this wonderful quick and easy summer drink you need:

2 cups of fresh strawberries

1 cup of sugar syrup

1 cup of water

Ice cubes or crushed ice

 Place the above ingredients in a blender ( I used a Smoothie maker, instead) and process it until smooth. If you prefer you can pour the liquid through a wire mesh strainer in order to remove the pulps and seeds. I prefer it pulpy, so I did not strain it.

The amount of sugar syrup can be adjusted depending on how sweet you want it. Garnish with mint sprigs or slices of lemon or strawberry. 

I spray painted this wicker tray in red after taping off the handles. Then I painted a white border (acrylic paint)  to go around the top edge of the tray. After that I removed the tape and painted gold acrylic paint on the handles.

 For the bottom of the tray I decided to cover a piece of cardboard with remnant fabric scrap from some other project. I measured the length and width of the tray bottom. Then I cut a cardboard piece and two pieces of the fruit printed fabric according to the dimension of the tray bottom. Next I used Spray Glue on the cardboard pieces on both sides and attached my fabric pieces. And there you have it, no muss no fuss easy serving tray for all your summer entertaining:

 

To embellish this candle I just made two knots on either end of a cord and added two small white bone beads and two wooden beads and then just tied the beaded cord around the candle. Now it looks perfect for my summer tablescape:

 Don't you just love Mason jars? They are so versatile and can be used in so many creative ways and they are found all over blogland. I just love 'em! Before I used to collect bags... all kinds from totes,satchels to clutches. But now I'm moved on to bottle collecting!  Click HERE to view other uses of Mason jars and bottles.

I added a slice of lemon and tied a cord around the neck of the bottle:

 I appreciate you stopping by and I always enjoy reading all your lovely comments. Thank you for visiting and have a lovely evening!

I'm joining Kathy and the others at: A Delightsome Life to celebrate SAVORING SUMMER

Please, click the links below and be inspired:

Partying with:

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sundays 

Remodelaholic: Sunday's Recipe Party 

Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday 

A Stroll Thru Life: Table Top Tuesday

DIY by Design: Swing into Spring

A Beach Cottage: Good Life Wednesday

Homemaker on a Dime

Be Colorful: Motivated Monday 

Rose Chintz Cottage: Tea Time Tuesday 

The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home 

At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday 

Mel Dreams Often:Fancy Friday 

~POPPY~

Hubs call it Clutter, I Call it Treasure

The joy of collecting brings pleasure to all of us, doesn't it? Collecting can bring so much satisfaction and to me it feels like I'm on a perpetual treasure hunt for all things beautiful. Its an excuse for me to attend flea markets, antique stores, garage sales, thrift stores, bazaars of exotic places and of course my favorite department stores ( Home Goods, being my hotspot).  From stemware and china to crystals and candles and linens, I love collecting things that are colorful, that tell us a story and things that make a house a home and a tablescape so inviting and warm. I like collecting things that I can enjoy, use, and incorporate them into my life on a regular basis.

Sometimes collecting can go out of hand and keeping them organized can get overwhelming. I'm always trying to figure new innovative ways to organize and display them so that I can share with others and admire them everyday.

Collecting to me is a personal affair! It's about things I love and enjoy!

Hubs call it a dust collector, I call it 

My Treasure Chest:

 

 

 I love collecting crystals and stemware. To me they are like jewels that sparkle and shine and enhance the beauty of tablescapes and vignettes:

This Schonbek hand-cut crystal chandelier is an anniversary gift from the hubs. Now this one is a major dust collector, however, we enjoy it so much especially during a dinner party it looks amazingly beautiful when it sparkles and shimmers at night! I love the heirloom quality of this chandelier:

 

 

 The history of Schonbek crystal chandeliers go back to the late 19th century in Bohemia. The luster and beauty of these hand-cut crystals are truly remarkable. Today, Schonbek is a member of the Swarovski Company and their factory is based in Plattsburgh, New York. 

 

 All the flatware goes in the top drawers of the hutch:

 

 I love collecting napkin holders, and I am always on the lookout for pretty things that can serve the purpose. Hubs call it knick-knacks, I call them tablescape jewelry:

 Different bowls go in the bottom drawers:

 

 Dinner plates and Buffet Plates go in the bottom cabinet:

 Chargers and platters go in the other bottom cabinet:

 I love collecting candles and they usually get stored inside my bench:

  Click HERE to see the tutorial on the blue toile pillow and the striped pillow on the bench

 

 This is my linen closet underneath the stairs and besides towels, my tablecloths, table mats, runners, and extra napkins get stored here as well:

 

Thanks for sharing my joy of collecting and for your sweet comments. They always brighten up my day. Have a lovely week!

Linking in to these parties. Be sure to stop by and be inspired:

The Tablescaper: Seasonal Sundays 

(theme for this week: " Where do you keep it all part 2") 

Boogieboard Cottage: Masterpiece Monday 

Debbiedoo's Newbie Party

The House in the Roses: Show Off Your Cottage Monday 

 Homemaker on a Dime

A Stroll Thru Life: Table Top Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style: Wow us Wednesday

No Minimalist Here: Open House Party

Between Naps on the Porch: Tablescape Thursday

My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday

 

~POPPY~