It’s almost Independence Day here in the US! How I love the 4th of July! Our neighborhood goes all out, and it’s such a fun family day! What are your plans?
Please forgive some of the formatting in this post, I have had nothing but issues with this platform today and have still not resolved them! Thanks for your understanding.
Has it been hot where you live? Oh my goodness, today is going to be “cool” at 87°. It’s been in the mid-high 90s for the last 10 days, and it’s super dry!
I was on a webinar yesterday where people were talking about how their hair reacts to the heat/humidity! It was funny! Bun days, hat days, the “my hair-is-out-of-control” days, and the occasional good hair day! While in Europe, my hair was definitely out of control, it frizzes and just grows and grows in humidity and I forgot a hair tie! You’ll enjoy some of my crazy hair pictures in the slide-show video.
In today’s newsletter, I’m sharing about our time in Salzburg, sharing 40+ sparkling recipes to make for the 4th + all the usual stuff: In Real Life, Fresh Finds, and a little Encouragement for the Soul!
Use the Table of Contents below to skip to what interests you most.
First things first – Ice Cream!!!
Featuring our favorite ice creams first because you have to get them doing their freezing thing if you are going to enjoy them for the 4th!
- Starting with our most popular (in our home and on the blog) Old Fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream! A no-cook, churned ice cream – even non-chocolate ice cream lovers love this ice cream!
- Nothing plain about this Vanilla Ice cream!
- For the Red, White and Blue! This Patriotic ice cream is requested every year by our boys! A no-churn recipe!
- Moose Tracks — who doesn’t love, chocolately, peanut buttery ice cream!?
- Mud Pie Ice Cream Cake — the best of both cakes and ice cream worlds!
Plus so many more, be sure to check out all of my ice cream recipes here!
Refreshing Drinks
Whether you are looking for a fun cocktail or sticking with a thirst quenching iced tea, I’ve got something for you! Check out all of our drink recipes!
- Our #1 favorite summertime cocktail – Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail! Pssst, leave out the vodka for the younger crowd, it’s delish!
- Empress Gin Cocktail (Blueberry Gin Fizz) is a pretty, layered red, white and blueberry cocktail! For the young, make these blueberry limeades!
- How about this low-calorie frozen Watermelon Slush (with or without alcohol!)
- We love this Passion Tea Lemonade (by the glass or by the pitcher!)
- And this Peach Green Tea Lemonade is always a hit!
Happy Apps
From great dips, to finger foods, these appetizers are always a hit!
- Our #1 Appetizer! Cowboy Crack Dip — Yeehaw!!!!
- These grab-and-go charcuterie cups are always a hit!
- Every gathering needs a solid crudite and dip!
- How about these cute pigs in a blanket with three yummy dipping sauces?
- You will love these garden-fresh Heirloom Tomato Pie and Zucchini Corn Fritters.
- These are our favorite “sweet” appetizers; these fruit dips are always a hit! Cream Cheese Fruit Dip, Marshmallow Fruit Dip, Chocolate Fruit Dip and Oreo Fruit Dip!
Sunny Salads
When you are going to a BBQ or Potluck and are asked to bring a salad, don’t bring something boring, kick it up with one of these easy salad recipes!
- Pasta salads are always a favorite, we love this Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad and this Italian Pasta Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
- This Layered Taco Salad will be a hit every single time!
- This Broccoli Salad holds up under the heat and will become a favorite!
- Italian Chopped Salad or this Mexican Chopped Salad are WINNERS!
- Finish it all off with this zesty Mexican Fruit Salad and this Grape Salad << oh so good!
Be sure to check out all of our salad recipes here!
Summer Sides
Side dishes can make or break a party, when you don’t feel like bringing a salad for a side, bring one of these and watch it disappear! Browse them all!
- Cowboy baked beans are without a doubt so worth the time in the oven!
- My old-fashioned corn pudding recipe two ways! Oven baked and in the Crockpot!
- While we’re talking corn, this sweet buttermilk cornbread rivals Marie Callendar’s!
- A crockpot Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole – disappears every single time!
- Smoked Mac and Cheese – Yes, please!! Make in the oven or on the smoker!
Hot Grilling Recipes
Get everyone outdoors with these easy, tasty and fun recipes!
- Homemade Smashburgers — the grill master will be the talk of the party! Don’t forget the smash sauce!
- Our favorite Bison Burgers (or use beef, chicken or turkey)!!
- My favorite Shish Kabob Marinade! Works on beef, chicken, pork, and veggies!
- Asian pork tenderloin are juicy and cook perfectly everytime on the grill!
- This is our family favorite! Marinated Flank Steak — and a bonus, this Coconut Lime Chicken is always tender and flavor-packed
Sweet Endings
Along with your ice cream, serve one of these short-bake or no-bake summertime sweets!
- How about this make-ahead Mile High Mud Pie Ice Cream Cake?
- Oreo Dessert Pudding also known as Oreo Lasagna, doesn’t matter what you call it, just make it!
- Or this Oreo Peanut Butter Pie (wowzers!)
- Go all Italian and make this Italian Cream Puff Cake or my famous Tiramisu!
- Lemon Ice Box Pie is as refreshing as it is easy!
- And my all-time favorite is this Award Winning Key Lime Pie!
Rate the Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love it when you try my recipes, rate them, and share your thoughts! It really helps others and boosts the recipe’s visibility. I so appreciate you!
In Real Life
It’s been a wild week! I overcommitted myself this week! My “overcommitted anonymous class” will be at 9 am on Mon-Wed-Fri — haha!
It’s all good—a 90-minute massage, having our widowed neighbor for dinner, Zoom calls with awesome people, webinars, lunches with fellow bloggers, Bible study, and taking my mom to lunch for her birthday—it’s all good!
Of course, on top of all that, my personal Instagram was hacked—it’s taken me all week to get it back in and log in. We all know how frustrating that can be!
We had such a blast at our friend’s son’s wedding this weekend! It was a beautiful backyard affair. The ceremony was just gorgeous, and the celebration afterward was a blast. It started off sweltering, but then the clouds finally showed up! They hired a mobile pizza oven guy — super creative and really yummy!!
On Tuesdays, I meet with my fabulous Mastermind Group of gals, and we invited Lynn from Fresh April Flours to be our guest speaker. She is an amazing and talented baker and she has really grown her blog; I teased her that I wanted to be her when I grow up! Definitely check out her blog! I guarantee you will find something yummy like this beautiful berry cake!
Wednesday, I met a fellow blogger for lunch who was visiting her daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. We got caught up on life and blogging plus I got to meet her beautiful and talented daughter, too! Cathy blogs at Cathy’s Gluten-Free and even if you aren’t gluten-free you will want to check out her blog! Like this rice pudding!!!
Today I am meeting my beautiful mom and sister-in-law to celebrate my mom’s birthday!!
I’m running out of time, so below is the promised video of our time in Salzburg!
Watch the video below!
Fresh Finds: Amazon Deals + More
My favorite finds of the week – check out previous weeks HERE!
- Did you order some? I got my gold measuring spoons and love them!
- I can think of SO MANY ways to use this 3-tiered stand!
- Be sure to check out these cookie scoops (set of 3 – 35% off)!
- Have you tried these Skinny Dipped peanut butter cups. They satisfy the sweet tooth with only 70 cal, 2 grams of sugar! Costco has big bags way cheaper or you can find them at your local grocery store.
- Loving these scalloped plates!
- For summertime, these ceramic bakers with baskets (great for transporting) are so fun!
- S’mores anyone? How cute is this tabletop Solo Stove?
- Now this is a classy chip and dip holder! Speaking of holders, how about these utensil holders for those outdoor potlucks?
Amazon Prime Days – July 16-17
- I always find a few great deals during Amazon Prime days, do you have a Prime membership?
- For instance, this Mini Keurig is 40% off! Great for dorms!
Summer Finds for Her
- Pull on, but sleek-looking shorts, yes, please!
- Love the price on this cute midi-dress with flutter sleeves.
- We all need some comfy slippers, love these!
- Even in summer you need a light-weight cardi!
See it all in my weekly finds — be sure to check it out!
Fresh Inspiration: Holy Forever
I have been listening to Holy Forever every morning before my quiet time with the Lord. Bouncing between this version from by Cece Winans — she’s got pipes!
And the original which debuted on Chris Tomlin’s album, Always (2022).
Chris Tomlin first debuted the song, which he co-wrote with Brian Johnson, Jason Ingram, Jenn Johnson, and Phil Wickham. I love his version, too!
If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is!
2 Timothy 2:13
Come back and rate and comment on a post if you try it! Thanks for hanging with me today!
Coming soon… Texas Roadhouse Honey Butter, Grilled Coconut Lime Chicken, and Rice, Cilantro Lime Rice.
P.S. If you missed last week’s Fresh Fridays, recipes, sales, tips, ideas, and more!
Check out my favorite things and more HERE! Plus, previous week’s finds!
Visit our Updated Amazon Shop
Rate & Comment