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| Photo courtesy ArtBrom |
The summer solstice, the first day of summer, is the longest day of the year, which makes it the perfect day to enjoy the company of your friends and family. This year, the solstice falls on Saturday, June 21, so the timing couldn’t be better! Here are some tips from Real Simple on how to plan and execute a flawless gathering!
1. A Warm Welcome: A sun-motif rubber stamp lends a touch of brilliance to plain note cards. And if your friends aren't familiar with the solstice, be sure to explain its significance on the invitation.
2. The Provisions
Decorations: Fete nature―and create a lush ambience at the same time―with homemade topiary balls. (For an easy how-to, see Green Party.) And you don't need a cabana-like tent in your backyard to hang them from―the ornaments look just as stylish hung from an outdoor umbrella or a deck railing. At twilight, make sure you provide plenty of lighting.
Decorations: Fete nature―and create a lush ambience at the same time―with homemade topiary balls. (For an easy how-to, see Green Party.) And you don't need a cabana-like tent in your backyard to hang them from―the ornaments look just as stylish hung from an outdoor umbrella or a deck railing. At twilight, make sure you provide plenty of lighting.
Drinks: Treat your guests to refreshing beverages, such as sparkling wine and Berry Vodka Spritzers (see Recipes).
Food: Serve some savory little bites inspired by dishes from Scandinavian countries, where the solstice is honored with an annual festival. Try Herbed Bay Shrimp with Rye Crackers and Smoked Salmon Triangles (see Recipes), along with fancied up crudités and cheese-and-cracker platters
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| Photo courtesy Real Simple |
3. Green Party: Wrap a garland of artificial ivy around a topiary ball―this one is seven inches in diameter, but you can vary the size―and secure it to the ball every few inches with floral wire. You'll need a wire cutter to snip the garland and the wire. Create a tightly knit sphere of greenery or wrap the garland loosely so light peeks through. (Topiary balls, ivy garlands, and floral wire all available at craft stores.)
4. Shine a Light: Set out candles in tiny hurricane lamps and wee terra-cotta pots clustered in groups to make a big impact.
Recipes
Ingredients
4 limes
3 tablespoons sugar
1 liter club soda
1 cup berry-flavored vodka
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
ice
Directions: Halve the limes and squeeze the juice into a pitcher. (If desired, cut the squeezed limes into small pieces and add to the pitcher.) Mix in the sugar. Add the club soda, vodka, blueberries, and raspberries. Pour over ice.
Smoked Salmon Triangles
Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 10m| Total Time: 10m
Ingredients
12 thin slices of pumpernickel bread
8 ounces cream cheese
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
8 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Directions: Cut the bread in half on the diagonal. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and caraway seeds. Spread evenly over the bread and top with the salmon. Sprinkle with the chopped chives before serving.
Herbed Bay Shrimp With Rye Crackers4 limes
3 tablespoons sugar
1 liter club soda
1 cup berry-flavored vodka
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
ice
Directions: Halve the limes and squeeze the juice into a pitcher. (If desired, cut the squeezed limes into small pieces and add to the pitcher.) Mix in the sugar. Add the club soda, vodka, blueberries, and raspberries. Pour over ice.
Smoked Salmon Triangles
Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 10m| Total Time: 10m
Ingredients
12 thin slices of pumpernickel bread
8 ounces cream cheese
2 teaspoons caraway seeds
8 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon
2 tablespoons chopped chives
Directions: Cut the bread in half on the diagonal. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and caraway seeds. Spread evenly over the bread and top with the salmon. Sprinkle with the chopped chives before serving.
Serves 8| Hands-On Time: 10m| Total Time: 10m
Ingredients
1 pound cooked small bay shrimp
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 thinly sliced scallions
1 tablespoon chopped tarragonsalt and pepperrye crackers
Directions: In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, mayonnaise, scallions, tarragon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Serve chilled with the crackers.
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