FYI

My NEW blog address is
bj-sweetnothings.blogspot.com

and I have a link to where you can receive
SWEET NOTHINGS posts in your EMAIL ACCOUNT.

Please go to the NEW BLOG.
thanks, bj

Sunday, July 4, 2010

RANDOM SHOTS BEHIND THE SCENES OF A FABULOUS 4TH FAMILY LUNCH....

DON'T FORGET TO GO HERE
TO LEAVE COMMENTS FOR MY GREAT GIVEAWAY...
Winner will be announced on JULY 9TH....
AND.....GOOD LUCK !!
**********************************************************************

I watch this amazing 40's something, BLACK AND WHITE movie every
4th of July .....
I love it...
I love EVERYthing about it...
the music...
the dancing...
the wonderful TRUE story of one of the greatest song writers of all times...

For 20 years, our family has met downtown, IN THE SAME SPOT,
for the 4th of July parade....
...........
...but THIS year,
IT RAINED ON OUR PARADE...
*
Our 20 year tradition for the 4TH is to attend the parade
and come back to our cottage for our
4TH INDOORS PICNIC...!
*
Altho it was too wet to attend the parade...
our INDOOR PICNIC went on as scheduled !!
WOO HOO.....
**
We have had almost 6 inches of rain since Thursday, 1st, and...
may I just say I am in HOG HEAVEN !!
**

BRISKET and RED BEANS....

A HUGE TEXAS TRADITION

GARLIC TOAST....a MUST HAVE !!
**

We had pickles, onions, relish plates...

Some folks call this PARTY MIX...

We call it TEXAS TRASH....and ....it's GOOOOD.....!
*

Brownies and ice cream are almost ALWAYS on our menu...
(this above photo is the only one taken from the net...we ate ours
before I thought to get a silly picture...!!)
*
We had those little tiny WATERMELONS...the little SEEDLESS ones...
so so good...
MR. SWEET also bought several juicy, ripe HONEY DEW melons at the fruit and veggie market...
*
I picked up these cute little WATERMELON tea towels...BIG LOTS, I think.
**
Had to make those
CHOCOLATE CHIP OATMEAL PECAN CRANBERRY cookies
that we've grown REAL accustomed to lately....
O HONey !
*
WELL MY GOSH...
the STAR of the SHOW...
STRAWBERRY PIE ON A SUGAR COOKIE CRUST...(now, that's a story all it's own)
*
Of COURSE it was dressed in the
CREAMIEST OF WHIPPED CREAM....

Altho we use REAL plates for our brisket and beans...
OH, YES...my sweets...
when our bunch of 18 to 20 people gather for a meal,
I DO INDEED pull out the
CUTEST Paper Plates
Paper Napkins
AND....
RED. SOLO. PLASTIC. CUPS
*
YOU know how much more time you have for FUN
when you can just THROW THEM AWAY !!
**
MY REASONS FOR LIVING...
MY FAMILY.
*
Altho several of our family members were away, having FUN, for the holiday,
they know how much we love them and miss them when they
aren't with us....
NEXT TIME !! :)
**
What a fun time we had...and I hope YOUR 4TH was blessed as well....
*
I am playing in the following wonderful memes...and hope you will check them all out!
FOODIE FRIDAY
*******************************
I'm leaving the FIREWORKS to the young'uns...
think I'll go to bed early and......read a book!

49 comments:

Snap said...

Everything looks so good! Lovely memories you've made on this day! I can't get upset with the constant rain. We need it so badly, but did enjoy seeing the sun today!!!

Lynn said...

Everything looks great, maybe you could share your red bean recipe some time? Sorry about the rain-send it to Philly-PLEASE!!! It's been weeks with no rain!

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

Hi BJ !! Happy 4th girl ! Miss ya, I am going to try and do better about this blogging thingie.

Traci said...

What wonderful mosaics and a wonderful celebration regardless of the rain! We'll take some of that wet stuff!

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

BJ,
What a wonderful tradition for you and your family. The food, as always, looks wonderful!
xo
Robin

eileeninmd said...

Happy 4th of July to you and your family! Wonderful photos! the food all looks delicious! We really need rain here, it has been too dry lately. So send it over here. Have a great week!

A Garden of Threads said...

Wonderful post to celebrate the holiday. Everything looks so yummy. Take care.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

So nice to have a family tradition with lots of good food.
Happy 4th of July to you.

Rhondi said...

Hi BJ
It looks like you had a great 4th of July with your family. I love Ray Charles rendition of America. When we lived in Philadelphia we saw him perform at the July 4th celebration there and it was such a thrill. He is am American icon and it was a thrill to see him.
Hugs, Rhondi

Lori E said...

That is quite the spread you put on there. The watermelon makes my mouth water.
So sad when the rain ruins your plans but it looks like you all made the best of it.

Annesphamily said...

I love this post and the fact that you included it in all your different memes. I love the giveaway button. Did you make that yourself? I am so clueless. I finally learned how to post buttons on my blog. I love my phamily too. Glad you were all together. We got rain later today. I love it! Hugs Anne

Claudia said...

Hey cute thing!
I just read for the first time your line about still fitting into your earrings!! that is sooo dang funny I am still laughing.

Your sense of humor is always so eveident and perhaps that is whay your lovely family is all so happy.

Thanks so much for sharing and as usual your mosaics...great.

Claudia

Kathleen Grace said...

How did I know your sweet, loving family would be spending the day together? So glad you had a good time. We had grilled chicken, corn on the cob, sweet potatoes and watermelon, followed by s'mores. Back on the diet tomorrow! Happy 4th of July BJ!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh Honey all your wonderful food as always looks so GREAT girl...sorry about the rain but your family looks like they had a fun filled day in spike of it...Happy 4th to you my seet friend...and I want to thank you for your prayers for my Candace...she's home now from hostial...but will be on bed rest until Landen is born...Hope she can still bake him until her due date...Love ya Sister friend...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Mary said...

Oh BJ, your celebrations are always the best! I think I gained five lbs. just looking at it all! :) Happy Fourth of July, dear BJ! :)

arkie said...

Looks like a fun time! Aren't family traditions wonderful? Glad you enjoy your family! Even in the rain!

Nana's Fun Stuff said...

BJ, even though it rained it looked like you still had a fabulous time with the family and I'm so glad. The food looked fabulous and you made me hungry. lol I just love your post and look forward to what you come up with next. Have a wonderful evening Sweetie! ~ Laura

Marigene said...

Wow, what a feast you have set out, BJ! We also got rained out for the fireworks...I am sure there were lots of disappointed kids...but, they will have them next weekend.

Anonymous said...

Hi BJness! Oh, I'm sorry it rained on your parade! But you made up for it with that glorious spread of food! Everything look fabulous!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Unknown said...

A beautiful post collage, as always...very colorful.
looks yummy, all that good food.

xinex said...

What a wonderful Independence Day meal, BJ. I don't doubt you had a wonderful 4th!..Christine

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

BJ...that was quite the feast! Sorry it rained, but so glad you got together for the rest of your July 4th tradition. Happy
4th...there's 3 minutes of it left! :-)

THE VERANDA HOUSE said...

I YUST WANT TO YUMP IN YOUR BLOG AND TASTE THE FOOD.THE DECOR IS ALSO LOVELY YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TRADITION FOR THE FORTH OF JULY...BLESSINGS....SANDRA

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

What a feed! I'm glad you had a great holiday! Jacqueline

Connie said...

Its now 1:15 in the morning and your party mix looks
so good I could reach right into your blog an grab a
handful.
Love your blog and great mosaics..

Stop over and get a button to my site ! That will get you here in no time at all.

fitty's pinky rose cottage said...

Happy 4th and thanks for sharing the yummylicious food!

This Mama Rocks said...

I hope you had a wonderful 4th! Thank you for being our featured blog this week!

Gwendolen Elaine said...

Oh my,what a fabulous-ly festive celebration!Everything looks so inviting and fun.I'm sure y'all had a ball yesterday!
Happy Blue Monday!!!

Stacey said...

BJ, your 4th was much like ours. It was pouring down rain but we carried on indoors. We had 16 people here for burgers and dogs with all the fixings. We also had ice cream, brownies, strawberry pie, and a better than sex cake. Yummo! I sure won't be stepping on the scale today.

Thank you for your sweet note about my dog Katie. We are all having very sad moments and feel like she should be here. Time will heal.

SmilingSally said...

Who can read with all of the loud booms? We had neighbors setting off fireworks all around us! Fun. Patriotic. I loved it!

Happy Blue Monday, BJ!

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Never let it be said that a little rain....rained on your parade. I want to skip the healthy stuff and get right to the best part...dessert.

Carletta said...

Looks and sounds like the quintessential 4th of July holiday!
You had a lot of fun and goodies packed into your day.
I love your header too!

maryt/theteach said...

Some incredible shots for Ruby Tuesday! Sorry it rained on your parade... :)

Ralph said...

Happy Independence Day!

Plenty of beautiful rubies here, starting with the Stars-and-Stripes, the symbol of a great country.

The food rubies of course are brilliant. I would start with the brisket (true BBQ, low-and-slow??) and beans. Berries offer a patriotic red glow, and tase fine too. Nice pictures as always!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

I'm sorry it rained.

But knowing you, you let nothing dampened the Day! And a wonderful time was had by all, at the indoor 4th of July Picnic.

Gentle hugs...

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Wow, BJ! What a feast! The strawberries on a cookie crust with whipped cream is sure appealing to this gal! Yummy! Thanks for sharing and I hope you're having a great day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Yummy! I love brisket and I hardly ever make it! We had hot dogs, burgers, potato salad, coleslaw, pasta salad, baked beans and apple pit a la mode for dessert. Lot's of leftovers, so we will repeat the same today.
Hugs,
Penny

Traci said...

Thank you for "following" my blog! I take that as a real compliment!

Robin said...

Oh heck, I'd pass up five parades for a seat at that table - yum!!!

-----------------------------------
My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

That picnic beats a parade ANY DAY HANDS DOWN! Invite me next year!!!

Happy Blue Monday, BJ...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a wonderful July 4th celebration you had!! And the best part was that you were with your family!!

Debbie

lynda Howells said...

LOVE ALL the images and you looked as if you had funxxlynda

joyh82 said...

Wow sorry to hear about the rain but it sounds like you still had a wonderful day and wonderful food too. Have a great week and Happy Blue Monday!

Linnea said...

I'm so sorry it rained on the parade! Your photos, however, are stunning and really capture the happiness and joy everyone had on that day. These photos should be in a design magazine...

Hootin Anni said...

First off "Your reason for living---family". I LOVE THAT.

And then....I'm so drooling over all the goodies you've shared. Sorry I missed it all on the 4th! Any leftovers? If so, color me in for being on your doorstep within hours.


Mine is: a ruby antique. Do come over for a visit if you can today. I'd love your company.

Marice said...

wow! one fun celebration indeed! :) wonderful photos as always BJ!

u may view mine too here

reg said...

These are a wonderful collection of pics put together to make a great story of you Nation's Birthday

Snooze said...

it looks like a perfect day ... weather notwithstanding. the food alone would be worth the visit.
My Ruby Redness

Kathleen said...

It looks like a wonderful party! You sure have given your family wonderful memories! You will never be forgotten!