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“Dive-In” to Summertime Movie Nights!

  • Writer: Suzanne Clark
    Suzanne Clark
  • Aug 7, 2014
  • 2 min read

I love the summer, but let’s face it, months of having the kids out of school can be quite challenging! Finding them new and exciting activities that don’t break the bank can be an even bigger task! A few years ago, our family started having movie night to help end the dog days of summer. To ramp up the fun, we decided to bring the movies outside and have “Dive-in-Movie” nights at the pool! It became the ultimate movie night. It is the perfect way to cool off and spend time with family and friends. If you are looking for a new and fun way to celebrate the summer and create your own “Dive-In,” here are some tips!

  • You don’t have a big screen to project a movie onto-no problem! A garage door can make a great screen and so can a sheet. We attach a large white sheet to our Gazebo or back porch using clothes pins. A sheet can also be attached to a chain link fence in the same way. If you have a block wall or backyard shed, attach the sheet using bricks or rocks as weights.

  • Did you know many party supplies companies will rent projectors and screens? Consult your local directory to find them. You may also consider bringing out your television set and placing it on a table for some night time fun. If you want to keep the movies inside, plan an intermission and let the kids take a run through the sprinklers or a dip in the pool.

  • Invite guests to bring their own raft to float in the pool while watching the movie. If you do not have a pool, guests can still lounge on the raft and get comfy in the grass. Consider setting up a kiddy pool to soak your feet and enjoy a Popsicle!

  • Treat your guests like stars! Roll out the red carpet, or rather a plastic tablecloth from a party store. Take pictures of your guests as they arrive for a fun keepsake. Provide fun props like sunglasses, a Hawaiian lei, or any other fun summer costumes.

  • Serve food you would find at the drive-in. Hot Dogs, popcorn and some special treats help to create the mood. Make them ahead of time and get the kids involved. To help you out with the menu, I have included the perfect recipes to make your night a success. Click Here for the recipe for Butter Toffee "Popcorn Cupcakes, and Click Here for the recipe for Mini Dogs with Butter Buns!

 
 

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups of Member's Mark Unsalted Sweet Cream Butter (used throughout)

  • 3 cups of Member's Mark Buttermilk Pancake Mix

  • 2 cups of Member's Mark Vitamin D Whole Milk

  • 2 Member's Mark Pasture Raised Grade A Large Brown Eggs

  • 5 teaspoons of Magnolia-Star Pure Vanilla Extract (used throughout)

  • 2 cups of Driscoll's Sweetest Batch Blueberries

  • 1 cup of Member's Mark Organic 100% Pure Maple Syrup

  • Member's Mark Original Dairy Whipped Topping

  • 1 cup of Member's Mark Honey Almond Granola

 

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

  2. Place ¼ cup (½ of a stick) of butter on a 13”x 8” sheet pan. Place it in the oven to melt the butter while making the batter.

  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the pancake mix, eggs, milk, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla. Stir until combined. Note: Batter will still be lumpy, let it sit for 3-4 minutes before baking.

  4. Pour batter onto the sheet pan with the melted butter. Use a spatula to spread batter, creating an even surface. Sprinkle berries on top.

  5. Place the sheet pan into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned on top and cooked through.

  6. Let cool slightly, then cut into 12 squares.

  7. While the pancakes are baking, create your syrup. Place 1 cup of butter (2 sticks) in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring continuously. Continue cooking the butter once melted, until the butter begins to brown and smells fragrant. Remove from heat (butter will continue to brown)

  8. Stir 3 teaspoons of vanilla and the maple syrup into the butter, and stir until combined.

  9. To serve, place a pancake on a plate. Top with syrup and a sprinkle of granola on top.

 

Yield: 12 pancakes/2 cups of syrup

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