OH CANADA!

If you're like a lot of people, the last week of June is one of the more hectic in our lives, especially if you have kids in school!  You count down the days left, just to make it through the week and Canada Day couldn't come at a better time...you need that break!  However, if you are hosting the celebration and need some last minute tips and ideas, look no further-check out a few of these ideas below (I've included a great recipe that I found on SavvyMom.ca for some mini burgers-it's not a Canada Day party without these!).  So go on, be spontaneous, get creative and have FUN this Canada Day!  

Get Creative when it comes to the table setting...incorporate red and white~anything goes!  Use things in your yard that you can find, add a few mini flags and voila!  Don't stress and break the bank, this is all about fun.

Get the kids involved and have activities ready to tackle!  Have a separate kids table and these cool rocks can be part of their very own table setting!  Buy some white T-shirts for them to finger paint or stamp their hand print onto...It's personalized and FUN!

Cut and paste stick-on maple leaf shapes to the outside to the biggest bucket you can find and fill it with the coolest drinks!  

Add some whimsy to the food...get creative!  (See the mini burger recipe below as promised!)

Don't forget about the lighting...outdoors!  Easy to find white bags at your local craft store are the cheapest, quickest  and easiest way to light up the night!  Punch out your favorite designs (get the kids involved), add a tealight and you've got lighting!  

Don't forget about the music!  Ask someone to bring along a mixed CD~even better, live acoustic guitar!

Last but definitely not least, the fireworks!  Keep it safe and have FUN!

CANADIAN MINI CHEESEBURGERS RECIPE

You’ll Need

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 egg yolk
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1 dozen mini hamburger buns or small dinner rolls
• 1 cup aged Canadian cheddar cheese, grated
• Lettuce
• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Mini dill pickles
• Mini Canadian flag toppers

Prep and Cook

1. Combine the ground beef, Dijon, egg yolk, salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Scoop out 2–3oz of meat and shape into a small hamburger patty. Continue until you’ve used all the meat.
3. Grill or cook the burgers as desired.
4. Place burgers on the bottom portion of hamburger bun and top each with grated cheddar, lettuce, mayo and ketchup.
5. Place the top bun on the burger and add the pickle to the outside of the bun. Spear it together with a mini dill and a flag toothpick.

Good to Know: You can prepare the burgers in advance of your party. Complete steps 1 to 3, only cooking the meat 75% of the way. Remove from the grill or stove and allow to cool before placing the burgers in the fridge. On the day of the party, finish cooking the burgers on the grill and dress them as per steps 4 and 5.

What to Serve With This

• Mini Caprese Salads: Thread cherry tomatoes and mini bocconcini cheese balls wrapped in basil leaves onto a bamboo skewer.
• Watermelon and Feta Salad: Combine equal amounts of cubed watermelon and cubed feta with chopped cucumber, torn mint leaves and a drizzle of olive oil and white balsamic vinegar.

HAPPY CANADA DAY FROM 2JACS!