Happy 4th of July weekend my friends! Our village hosts an amazing festival every year and my brother and his girls drive over from GA to enjoy it with us. The fun starts today and will last until the 4th. We hope for good weather all weekend!
As you prepare for this weekend’s awesome treats, and if you’re as watermelon obsessed as we are this summer, check out this short video on how to easily cut a watermelon into hand-held wedges, or perfectly bite-sized cubes.
ON THE BLOGS this week: Crispy bacon and lettuce, tart tomatoes, creamy hard-boiled eggs, and jalapenos combine to create this creamy, slightly flavorful Jalapeno BLT Pasta Salad.
The perfectly even doneness of a reverse fried New York strip steak makes every bite a delicious slice of heaven.
Packed with powerful garlic, zesty lemon and a sprinkling of red pepper flakes, Cowboy Butter is an absolute treat on steak, vegetables or fresh bread.
Sweet grapes, crunchy pecans, and vanilla bean sour cream come together in this unexpected and delicious creamy grape salad. When I first made it my boys absolutely loved it and I couldn’t stop biting it myself.
Spicy, tangy, and savory flavors are stacked in a casserole dish to create this sensational Layered Ground Beef Taco Dip. My fellow snackers rejoice because while this is a fantastic snack, it’s also hearty enough for dinner any night of the week.
Learn how to bake zucchini for an easy side dish all summer long. Baked zucchini are slightly sweet with crispy edges and a smooth, rich texture.
Garden-fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, fragrant basil and a dash of balsamic make a timeless combination in this Chopped Caprese Salad.
Tender, crunchy green Thai beans with peanut sauce can be prepared mild or spicy as desired – in less than 15 minutes.
Sweet strawberries mingle with crunchy, golden Oreos and whisper summer in this deliciously smooth Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream.
If you thought rhubarb was only for baked goods, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the sweet, slightly tart flavor of this versatile rhubarb sauce. Try it warm over a bowl of ice cream for a real treat!
What I long for: Sean’s favorite salad is an antipasto salad and it’s the prettiest I’ve ever seen. It will be a great addition to our BBQ this weekend.
my favorite thing This week is this tiny trash can. I found a similar cup holder trash can for my car years ago and I absolutely love it. Unfortunately Rubbermaid stopped making this model and I was looking for a different model for the other vehicles. I was thrilled to find this one and I’m happy to say I like it as much as the original.
It’s small enough to be unobtrusive in a cup holder and also fits well in the doors. I also like that there is no lid to mess with. Small litter easily fits through the opening and stays there without being visible or falling out when the can is knocked around.
What I’m looking at: From Crawfish to Forever Changed. My friend Billy Parisi put this video together and shared it with me yesterday. Filmed during a Louisiana-style crawfish cookup, he’s full of veteran interviews celebrating the men who gave their all for our country.
It’s not a long clock, just 22 minutes. If you have a few minutes this weekend, I encourage you to check it out. It is inspirational and will make you grateful for what we have been given. (All proceeds from views of this video benefit https://sentinelsoffreedom.org/.)
What I hear: Look Up Child by Lauren Daigle. This album is still repeated here. I am addicted.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with joy; he will soothe you with his love; He will cheer over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Have a great week full of little things that make you smile!
Maria