Fourth of July Celebration Tips with Alexandra Hedin!

I'm partnering with my friend Alexandra Hedin this month for posts on celebrating Independence Day in style! Stop by her blog here to see my post on blending cultures to create your own very special 4th of July. Below you will find her stylish ideas.

The Fourth of July is by far my favorite holiday to celebrate. There is none of the pressure of the Christmas season, with just as much fun, family - and occasionally sun! I absolutely adore it. Add to that a killer color combo and I'm positively swooning. It's no wonder that every year we gather together a huge group of family and friends, fire off the cannon (yes, we have a cannon), and party through to the next morning. We've even been known to karaoke.

Creating the perfect party every year is not hard - even when we know it's for more than fifty people - because we make the most of the food ahead, make all the drinks D.I.Y., and kick off our shoes. Here's what I would make, if I were you, with recipes gathered out of my book, Entertaining at Home.

Menu

Spiced Popcorn

Herbed Goat Cheese Spread (recipe below!)

Steamed Clams and Mussels

Roasted Potato Salad

Baked Fried Chicken

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

For a cocktail, I'm making a version of an Arnold Palmer that's delightfully refreshing and very much grown up. We're calling it Mr. Palmer's Punch.

Herbed Goat Cheese Spread

8 ounces goat cheese

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons lemon zest

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

1 tablespoon tabasco

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

1/4 cup fresh chopped dill

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients together with a fork. Refrigerate at least one hour or up to one week. Serve with crackers, vegetables, or a loaf of bread!

I hope you have a fabulous holiday and celebrate the Fourth of July surrounded by people who make you smile. Don't forget, life is a party!

Alexandra Hedin is a Lifestyle and Entertaining Expert based in the Pacific Northwest. Her simple approach to making every day lovely has made her an admired contributor to magazines and television across the west coast.

In Winter 2010, Alexandra's debut book was released. Entertaining at Home features ten complete parties including menus, simple recipes, crafts, and helpful tips for hosting your own event. The beautifully photographed book includes hundreds of photos to inspire and tempt any hostess-to-be to take her next even to the next level.

Alexandra has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, Design*Sponge, and on the Seattle affiliates of CBS, ABC, and FOX. Her parties, recipes, and crafts can be found in every issue of 425 Magazine.

Alexandra grew up in the bustling kitchen of a home economics teacher helping to feed a large extended family for holidays and regular weekends together. She still spends her free time cooking in her Seattle kitchen for her husband and three young children.

Find Alexandra online at www.alexandrahedin.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AlexandraHedin, and follow her on Twitter @alexandrahedin.