Fourth of July Weekend approaches……

When was the Fourth of July first Celebrated? Read about it right here:

TF and I will be traveling to the Woodlands on the 3rd for the yearly Houston Symphony music celebration of the Fourth of July. Then on the fourth, early morning, we will go to our annual church “pancake breakfast and flag raising ceremony.” I will be taking a breakfast casserole and TF and I will join in the fun before going home to crash….lol This year we will “take it easy” by staying home and relaxing. We will probably watch the fireworks on TV and just chill out. Maybe I’ll cook some ribs, potato salad, cold slaw and fix a nice dinner, then again maybe not. Who knows, I’m playing it by ear this year. I’ll be missing my blog buddies who are up at Cliff’s enjoying blogstock and hoping they bring home lots of pictures. I know for sure that I will be making this refreshing “Watermelon Cooler” recipe by Paula Dean….yummmmmm!

Watermelon Cooler (by Paula Dean)

1 1/2 pounds (4 cups) sliced seedless watermelon, rind removed
1 cup lemon sorbet
1 lemon, zested
1 1/2 cups cold water
Watermelon wedges and mint, for garnish
In a food processor, blend watermelon, sorbet, and lemon zest until very smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups cold water; cover and refrigerate until very cold. Serve over ice and garnish with watermelon wedges and mint.



A Few Frugal finds:
KEEP THAT CAST DRY
This one had to be invented by a child with a cast experience, or a parent tired of saying “no” to a child with a cast. Either way, if you have someone with a cast, you can benefit from this invention. At…http://www.xerosox.com You can find a way to waterproof casts, bandages, or even prosthetic limbs. You can order it yourself, but should also check with your doctor. POST IT…on the inside of your medicine cabinet. From Make a note.


Smilebox

Create a free Smilebox scrapbook in 5 minutes. Just drag photos into amazing e-designs. Email them free. Also create greetings, slideshows, photo books and postcards.
http://www.anrdoezrs.net/email-1399272-10460578 Found on the make a note webpage.


Spare Table

We love to entertain, but in our small home, dining room seating for guests can be quite a problem. Our solution was to purchase a five-foot long (rectangular) folding table and
store it in the kitchen space between the wall and the refrigerator. We can move it easily to the dining room or even bring it out to the backyard without a problem. It gives us
seating for six, looks nice with a tablecloth, and is stored out of the way. It was also inexpensive to purchase. Another bonus is when I am working in the kitchen, I can pull it out, unfold and use as an extra counter top! Kayla B. in Milwaukee, WI


PRESIDENTIAL COOKIES COOKBOOK
Did you know that Family Circle magazine’s Presidential Candidate Cookie Contest has predicted the outcome of the last 4 elections? Each of the final candidates’ spouses are asked to submit a cookie recipe, the magazine publishes them online and in print (look for the July issue), and readers vote for their favorite. They’ve done this for the last 4
elections and the husband of the each winner was elected President (see our recipe section below for how you can see this year’s recipes and vote). So you can see that Presidential Cookie recipes are a serious matter. Here’s a great cookbook for any cookie and/or history lover out there. Presidential Cookies by Bev Young is a collection of the favorite cookie recipes from George Washington to George W. Bush, with some historical commentary thrown in. The older recipes are adapted for current appliances. You can find out why the Kennedys’ gingerbread cookies were re-named Tuiles. You can read about how Teresa Heinz Kerry’s initial submission was rejected, and she had to send in another one. This would also be a great idea for history teachers, or a yummy history lesson for the whole family. So check it out or place an order at…
http://www.presidentialcookies.com Found on the make a note webpage.

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RECIPE: CINDY MCCAIN’S OATMEAL BUTTERSCOTCH COOKIES
When I first found this website, Cindy McCain was in the lead, so we are reprinting her recipe (apparently some people were unhappy with an uncommon ingredient in Michelle Obama’s recipe). Who knows who will be leading when this issue goes to press. In past contests, it seems that the more classic recipes tend to be more popular.

Makes 5-1/2 dozen cookies
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) unsalted butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1-2/3 cups butterscotch chips
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375F.
2. In a large bowl beat the butter or margarine, granulated sugar and brown sugar together. Add the eggs and vanilla, beating well.
3. In a medium-size bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture; stir until blended. Stir in oats and butterscotch chips. Drop by tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Transfer
to a wire rack to cool.
POST IT…on your shopping list, in your recipe box, and on your computer.

Have a great safe weekend everyone!