Tuesday, July 12, 2011

4th of July Weekend

My sister Kendra, niece Jill and baby Haden all flew in Thursday, June 30th to spend the weekend with the family. We all got to meet Haden the dream baby. He just went with the flow and we all enjoyed him:)

Friday, July 1st we went to Lauri's for an afternoon lunch. Above is one of the appetizers she served. Ranch dressing with veggies. Aren't they cute! We had a fabulous lunch and enjoyed each others company.

Saturday, July 2nd sister Lauri and husband Jim came for dinner. They had never had escargot and they really enjoyed it. I made a yummy salad and lobster tails with mashed potatoes. We had American in Paris martinis and then drank champagne. We had dutch chocolate and coconut Geloto for dessert. After dinner we went to the lake and watched fireworks. Fabulous evening:)



How about a sweet tea.....
Sugar Syrup Recipe:
1- 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup granulated sugar
In a small saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Stir over low heart until the sugar is dissolved. You can tell: the gritty sound stops. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes. The mixture should be syrupy. It also will be very hot, so be careful. Let cool. Pour into steeped tea or other libations. Refrigerated sugar syrup will keep for about a month, tightly covered.
Sunday, July 3rd the picnic was at my house. I made hot dogs in the crock pot, mom brought potato salad, I sliced the watermelon and made baked beans. Didn't get a picture of the lovely salad Lauri made, it was a good one. Lauri always gets asked to bring the salad because she does it so well. Her salads are the best. Caty brought fresh fruit. And the Pickle Pot was a big hit. We had wine and beer, flavored water for the kids. Have you tried the liquid MIO. It is a great way to flavor water.
Baked Beans Recipe:
2 (1-lb 13oz) cans pork and beans
1 cup brown sugar
1 pound lean bacon cut in pieces
2 medium onions, cut in chunks
1 large green pepper, cut in chunks
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup catsup
Mix together. Bake covered in 325 degrees oven for 3 hours. Stir occasionally. Uncover last 30 minutes.


I made this cheese ball and found these wonderful crackers. I also had some New York State Champagne Cheddar Cheese....WOW was it good. I picked up some Sharp Cheddar Bites by World Table. The best little cracker.....they tasted home made. Cousin Sheila brought Hummus and veggies. I also served Langostino's (baby lobster) with cocktail sauce, and Rotel dip with chips.


Cream Cheese Ball Recipe:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick butter), softened
1 cup fresh herbs (from my garden) chopped
Cream the cream cheese and butter together. Add herbs. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.


Cara made Macaroons. I didn't get a picture of them, but they were soooo good. Sheila made a wonderful Lemon Tart. I made the chocolate chip cookies and Kelly put together the brownie bites:)
This week I will be joining:



These Chicks Cook



Full Plate Thursday



Foodie Friday


Fresh Food Friday

19 comments:

Katie @ This Chick Cooks said...

It looks like you all had a great picnic. That cream cheese ball is definitely calling my name. Thanks for coming by to share your recipe. I hope you have a good day :)
Katie

Haden News said...

It was a great party!!! Don't know how you did it all but you did and a fantastic job at that!! Wish we were able to visit a lot more often...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful picnic and I'm intrigued by those American in Paris martinis.......

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

Mmmm, I would be all over that cream cheese ball for sure!

scrambledhenfruit said...

What a great picnic- so much good food! Sweet tea is a summertime requirement at our family get-togethers, and simple syrup is a great way to make it perfectly. Those baked beans sound yummy too! :) It sounds like you had a wonderful food-and-fun filled fourth!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Escargot and lobster - I could go with that flow too. It's so nice when families can get together.
Sam

Mary Bergfeld said...

It sounds like you had a fabulous holiday. Your pictures are proof you had great food. Now I have to figure out where to start testing the recipes you've shared with us. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Blondie's Journal said...

You really know how to put on a lovely dinner. Everything looks delicious! I'm not good with cooking for a crowd, but you really know how to pay attention to the details!

Thanks for the recipes...the cheese ball is fantastic!

XO,
Jane

Tiffanee said...

Looks like tons of fun and delicious food. Thanks for some incredible recipes. As I was looking I kept saying gotta make that..then came to the next and said the same thing and it comtinued. Thanks again.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Wow that was some party...truth be told, I love escargot!! The rest of my family would love the baked beans and hot dogs.

Marlis said...

You had me at escargots.. love that dish. The picnic food looks wonderful. I do keep simple syrup around just for the sweet tea drinkers.. thanks for sharing, marlis

Anonymous said...

WOW, this food looks amazing and so beautiful, yep I said beautiful cause it is!!!...what a clever idea with the veggies in the little glasses with the dressing in the bottom, I'v got to try this.
I'm visiting from Foodie Friday.
Hope you can visit LazyonLoblolly for cookbook giveaway.
~Jo
LazyonLoblolly

Lynn said...

Looks like you had a great 4th of July and ate well! The polka dot glasses are so cute:@)

Terri Steffes said...

Yummy! Thank you for coming by to visit. I am going to use the vegetables and ranch dip idea at my book club next month.

Marguerite said...

Lovely post and blog! Looks like a wonderful celebration! Everything look so delicious and I love your recipes! Thanks so much for coming by and for following! I will be following you now, too!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh I love a good dream baby! The food looks so yummy!

Gloria Baker said...

Sounds you had a lovely time! aññ look nice!! gloria

Miz Helen said...

What a great party with wonderful food! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you next week. Have a great week end!
Miz Helen

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Everything look so good! The veggie sticks in the little cups is adorable :) Sounds like a really nice time for all!