Summer Solstice Celebration
Gather your sun-worshipping friends to celebrate the longest day of the year, the summer solstice! We've rounded up our sunniest recipes for your enjoyment (yes, there is a theme here). On either June 21 or 22 each year, the sun first peeks above the horizon just after 5 a.m., and it doesn't set until after 8 p.m. or 9 p.m.! People in ancient England built Stonehenge and the Aztecs built temples to honor this special day, but you can celebrate with a simple backyard get-together. Don a new pair of sunshades, rub on the sunscreen, grab a hat and celebrate the summer solstice!
Make It Special!
"Sun-sational" Activities
-
Hand out inexpensive sunglasses and sample-size sunscreen to guests as they arrive.
-
Provide the supplies and tools for kids and adults to make a sundial. Check out the local library or see the North American Sundial Society's Web site at www.sundials.org for information and lots of links.
-
Organize some old-fashioned games for all ages:
-
Water-balloon toss (using yellow balloons, of course).
-
"Pin a bee on the sunflower" (tailor your game after "pin the tail on the donkey").
-
Ready, set, go! Ask everyone to put pencil to paper and write as many words that contain "sun" that they can think of in one minute (sunscreen, sunshine, sunny, suntan, sunburn, etc.). Award a prize of salted sunflower snacks to the person who has the most words.
- Plan a sunny sing-along for songs with "sun" or "sunshine" in them. "You Are My Sunshine" and "Sunshine on My Shoulders" are examples. Sing into the sunset, and create a few new songs while you're at it.
Sunny Decorations
-
Fill metal flower containers or large jars with sunflowers. If sunflowers are not in season in your area, purchase silk or paper flowers. Arrange containers on tables, and place larger ones on the ground. You can never have too many to set the mood.
-
Plates, napkins, tablecloths and plastic utensils in shades of yellow are a must. Check party stores for the best picks. Flowerpots make fun-in-the-sun containers for tableware and napkins.
Sunny-Side-Up Food Presentation
-
Surround a bowl of soft whipped cream with thin slices of pound cake arranged to look like sunflower petals. Sprinkle chocolate chips on the whipped cream to look like sunflower seeds. Peach or mango slices can also be added to look like sunflower petals.
-
Use hollowed-out yellow bell peppers to hold dip, and cut the pepper edges to look like sunflower petals.
Preparation Guide
Up to 3 Weeks Before
The Day Before
-
Make Bread Machine Oatmeal-Sunflower Bread if not made earlier; cut into finger-size strips and wrap.
-
Make Golden Pound Cake if not already made and frozen.
-
Prepare the veggies; refrigerate in separate containers.
-
Make Sun-Dried Tomato Dip; cover and refrigerate.
-
Make Italian Salsa for the grilled chicken; cover and refrigerate.
-
Make Lime-Yogurt Dressing for Sunchoke and Spinach Salad; cover and refrigerate.
-
Prepare the veggies for Sunchoke and Spinach Salad; refrigerate in separate containers.
The Morning Of
-
Measure orange juice and honey for Banana-Orange Sunrise; refrigerate.
-
Mix the topping for Apricot Fish; cover and refrigerate.
-
Toss greens and fruit for Sunshine Salad; cover and refrigerate.
-
Arrange veggies on serving platter; cover and refrigerate.
-
Prepare ingredients for Quesadillas; store separately in refrigerator.
-
Remove bread and cake from freezer.
About 1 Hour Before Guests Arrive
When Guests Arrive
-
Blend Banana-Orange Sunrise and serve.
-
Grill or bake Quesadillas.
-
Serve dip and veggies.
-
Grill fish and/or chicken. (Wait a little longer if you want more time to socialize.)
Just Before Serving the Meal