I just love summer! The warm weather, long days, and all the fresh fruit and veggies…not to mention the beach. Who doesn’t love the beach? Of course, I don’t have a “real” beach to go to because I live in Iowa…but that doesn’t stop me from planning vacations that include beaches! Or even hosting a Beach Party Bunco party.

With all the choices it can be difficult to choose. If you go with a beach theme you could decorate with an inflatable palm tree that looks so festive and fun, hang some colorful paper lanterns, and let’s not forget the beach balls and beach towels! Get some sand colored tablecloths and beach themed plates & napkins. How about a beach ball as a Traveler?

Serve snacks in (new/clean) small plastic sand buckets with small plastic shovels as utensils. Ask your guests to wear a Hawaiian shirt, flip-flops, and sunglasses. Once you decide on a themed cocktail be sure to put an umbrella in it!

Here are a few other theme suggestions: Summer Day, Aloha, Backyard BBQ, Safari, or Dog Days

This month’s featured recipe is for a Lemon-Lime Refrigerator Sheet Cake. I’m sure most of you have either had or made this or some variation of this poke cake at some point. I wanted to share this recipe because this is the cake my Mom always makes me for my birthday (August is my birthday month) and it’s super yummy! Enjoy! 😀

INGREDIENTS

1 lemon cake mix, prepared
1 pkg. lime Jell-O

1 pkg. instant lemon pudding
1 pkg. Dream Whip
1-1/2 cups cold milk

DIRECTIONS

Dissolve Jell-O in 3/4 cup boiling water, add 1/2 cup cold water.  Set aside at room temperature.  Mix and bake cake as directed. Let cool 20-25 minutes.  Poke deep holes into cake about 1” apart.  Pour Jell-O over cake slowly.  Refrigerate while preparing topping.

Topping: In a chilled deep bowl blend and whip instant pudding, Dream Whip and cold milk.  Beat until stiff, 3-8 minutes. Frost cake immediately.  Store in refrigerator.

Topping Variation: Lemon pie filling or Lemon custard mixed with Cool Whip