The BEST COLOR SCHEMES
if You Love the BEACH
Do you love the beach and wish the summer season would last longer? Then these pretty color
schemes may just be the ones that can give your home the look of a beachy vacation getaway.
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BLUE, BLUE, BLUE
Everything nautical eventually comes back to the strong blues of sea and sky, so this color is perfect for the look of an ocean retreat. Combine blue with lots of brilliant white, touches of deeper navy, and soften the palette with some end notes of sandy tan.
A PALETTE of COOL WHITE
Nothing says beach better than interiors filled with cool white tones. Balance them with sisal rugs,
comfortable pillows, and accessories that have a seaside theme.
EVERYTHING in PASTEL
From watery sea foam greens, pale blues, and seashell pinks, pastels are easy to mix and match.
 SOFT NEUTRALS
Go Neutral with color that has the look of seaside sand.
Tan, beige, ivory, foggy gray and subdued yellows are good candidates for an ocean themed neutral scheme.
Choose from dark or light woods, or go with painted finishes in white or ivory. Choose your favorite beach
color schemes to create surroundings that make your home the place of your dreams. Decorating your space
with seaside flair will extend the summer season all year long.
EASE INTO SUMMER
I love everything about summer. Life just seems to slow down a wee bit and we don’t need excuses to lie
back and relax. Maybe the hot sun has something to do with it. Much of my free time is spend around my
pool or at the beach. I don’t know of a better way to enjoy the hot days but to lie on a raft with a cool
drink and daydream. Entertaining and getting together for an impromptu dinner doesn’t seem to be a monumental
task in the warmer months. I find myself saying on a routine basis "Just come on over as you are and we’ll
throw something on the grill".
Remember, your outside space is an extension of your inside space, make sure yours is inviting. Try out these
delicious recipes for easy summer entertaining.
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 Grilled Raspberry Chicken
Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee, Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup frozen raspberries, thawed (recommended: Dole)
1 cup raspberry vinaigrette (recommended: Annie's)
1/4 cup raspberry vodka, optional
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
Rinse and pat dry chicken breasts with paper towels. Place in large zip-top bag. Add raspberries,
vinaigrette, vodka, if using, and chopped mint. Squeeze air out and seal bag. Gently massage the
bag to mash raspberries. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 4 hours. Preheat grill to
medium-high and oil the grates. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 4 to 6
minutes per side. Remove from grill and place on serving platter. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs and
fresh raspberries.
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 Red Potato Salad
Recipes courtesy Paula Deen, 2007 , Paula's Home Cooking
12 cups cubed red potatoes
1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 medium)
1/2 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Cook potatoes, covered in boiling water, 10 minutes, or until tender; drain well and cool.
In a large bowl, combine potatoes, bell pepper and onion. In a small bowl, whisk together
remaining ingredients. Pour over potato mixture, tossing gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate.
 Porch Swing Iced Tea
Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee, 2007 , Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
1 shot citrus vodka
Iced tea
Lemon wheel
Special Equipment: 1 highball glass
Fill highball glass with ice cubes. Pour in vodka and your favorite iced tea. Garnish with lemon wheel
and serve.
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Lemon Cream Squares
Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee, 2007, Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee
For Lemon Layer:
1 (18.25 ounces) box lemon cake mix (recommended: Betty Crocker)
1 stick butter, softened
1 egg
For Top Layer:
16 ounces cream cheese (recommended: Philadelphia) softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 (3-ounce) box lemon or lime gelatin (recommended: Jell-O)
2 eggs
 Set up grill for indirect cooking over medium heat. (No heat source under cookies). Spray 9 by 13-inch
foil pan with cooking spray and set aside. For lemon layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat with an
electric mixer on low speed the cake mix, butter, and egg until well combined and smooth. Press cake
mixture evenly into prepared pan; set aside.
For top layer: In a medium mixing bowl, beat cream cheese,
sugar, and lemon or lime gelatin on medium speed until creamy. Add eggs and beat until smooth.
Spread cream cheese mixture over cake layer. Place foil pan in a second foil pan for stability and
insulation. Place on hot grill away from heat. Cover and bake 40 to 50 minutes. Rotate pan halfway
through baking. Remove from grill and cool completely before cutting into squares.
Indoor: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9 by 13-inch baking pan lightly with cooking spray;
set aside. Prepare cake layers as directed above. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until cake barely start
to pull away from sides. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Inspirational Quote:
For all human beings, wherever we may live, the quintessential place that
cries for our attention, nurture, and love is our home... Peter Megargee Brown
Happy decorating,
Kathleen
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