Cheers!

Thinking of strawberries, summer heat, and vacation automatically makes my mouth water for a festive drink by the water or on the beach. Wouldn't a cabana be nice??? These drinks can be made as mocktails or cocktails for the adults. Cheers friends!

Strawberry Margarita

Ingredients (Makes 4): 1 cup frozen whole strawberries 6 tablespoons tequila 1/4 cup frozen limeade concentrate 2 tablespoons triple sec 2 cups crushed ice Directions: Place four 8-ounce glasses in the freezer. Place strawberries, tequila, limeade concentrate, and triple sec in the jar of the blender. Blend until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Add ice and blend until liquid is smooth. Serve immediately in chilled glasses.

This delicious margarita recipe is courtesy of Mo'nique's "Never Trust a Skinny Cook."

Lava Flows - Pina Coladas with Rivers of Strawberry

Ingredients: 2 cups frozen sliced strawberries in juice, defrosted 2 cans coconut milk drink mix (recommended: Coco Lopez) 2 cups pineapple juice 6 shots coconut rum or light rum * For mocktails, omit liquor and use a few extra ice cubes 1 tray of ice Directions: Blend strawberries in a blender on high until smooth. Place 1/2 cup strawberry puree in the bottom of 4 hurricane or double rocks cocktail glasses. Rinse blender and return to motor base. Place remaining ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour pina coladas into glasses on top of the strawberry puree. The puree will run up through the pina colada, making a lava flow effect.

This delicious recipe is courtesy of Rachel Ray.

Tequila Rose is one of my favorite creamy liqueurs. You can use it to make a multitude of cocktails! Check out their web-site for a huge list of drink recipes.

And last, but not least is one of cutest garnishes I have ever seen from Cheeseburger in Paradise (Thanks Tammy)! Are you thirsty yet?

Strawberry Fun

Strawberries scream, "It's summer!", so why not add a little strawberry inspiration into your everyday life. These are some of my favorite products that have a hint of strawberry inspiration and some great kitchen gadgets to use in some of your favorite recipes.

1. Strawberry Bow from Lexi Lou Designs
2. Strawberry Dog Collar – PB&J’s World
3. "Strawberry Social Collection” by Nitwit Collections – Ideal for scrapbooking!
4. Shrimp and Grits Kids smocked strawberry clothing
5. Strawberry Huller from Williams Sonoma
6. Red Mixing Bowls from Williams Sonoma

And who can forget Bonnie Bell?? It is so yummy, you could almost eat it.


Feel free to share any of your favorite strawberry inspired favorites. Tomorrow we are back in the kitchen with some more delicious recipes.

Strawberry Bonanza!

I have had a crush on strawberries ever since I was given a Strawberry Shortcake doll for my 6th birthday! I think it was the sweet smell of her hair and all the pink clothes. In preparation for strawberry season and summer, the posts this week will all be about delicious strawberries. I will share my favorite recipes, strawberry products, and much more!

Today we will start with You Pick Strawberries!


One of my favorite things to do this time of year is head over to Ambrose Farms for You Pick Strawberries! You-Picking is great fun for the entire family and it is very economical. There is nothing better than sweet fresh strawberries for snacking and cooking. The many acres of strawberries are amazing and you can pick until you heart's content.

Here are a couple valuable tips for storage and freezing.
Storage: Do not wash the berries or remove the caps until you are ready to use. The riper the fruit the shorter amount of time they will store. Place them in a colander uncovered in the refrigerator.
Freezing: Freezing is quite simple. You can first wash and remove caps then place them on a cookie sheet in the freezer for about 18 hours or so. Bag them and put back in the freezer. You can use them frozen or thaw in the refrigerator.

Check out your local farms for You-Pick options.

Now that we have our strawberries, you need a fabulous recipe. Every southern lady has some sort of recipe for cheese straws, macaroni and cheese, and a punch bowl cake recipe. Strawberry Punch Bowl Cake is one of my specialties for a summer dessert. I love it because it is easy to make, very refreshing, feeds a lot of people, and can be waistline friendly. Another reason to love this recipe is that it requires NO baking. South Carolina is hot enough, so why crank up the oven if you don’t have too?




Be sure to download this yummy recipe and add it to your recipe box. Download here! Enjoy! Can't wait to share more strawberry recipes, tips, ideas, etc. during Strawberry Bonanza!