Fourth Fun-ness

Fourth of July was fantastic!

My shirt was amazing, and Emma and I may have been the best dressed and most patriotic there.

 
 

Even though I wasn't able to live up to the saying on my shirt, I did do my part and had a beer and a jello shot when we first arrived. :p



















I seem to always make the mistake of over-cooking, so there was some left overs, but for the most part, it was a hit.

The cornbread was the biggest favorite of the crowd. Everyone really loved that I put just a bit of sugar in the batter, so its not just a heavy brick of bread. My cornbread seems to come out very moist and crumbly as well, also a plus in my book.

The butter went hand in hand with the cornbread, and the coleslaw was the iffy addition. I guess no one had ever had a vinegar-based coleslaw, so it was a new taste to the palate. It took some getting used to, but once everyone had a taste of all the sweet BBQ, sweet cornbread, sweet drinks, etc... the tangy coleslaw came in handy.

The jello shots were insanely loved by the adults, and  I can't quite tell you how long those lasted. once the kids had eaten and were chasing each other around the yard, the adults put the bucket of jello shots on the table and a game of dominoes begun. I don't think they lasted long, as it almost seemed that as a domino was picked up, a shot was thrown down.








Emma and her cousins in Uncle Mike's truck, ready for fireworks!

The fireworks too were lovely, although I see fireworks almost every day at Disney, there's just something about 4th of July fireworks that are so special. With every good experience, comes a bad though...with all the kids loaded up in the bed of the truck, we lit off our first firework, when it ignited and flipped itself over and began to shoot out towards everyone! it was so scary, Flo and I had immediately dove over Emma, and our friends also grabbed and dove over their kids. After the firework was over, we were in a symphony of crying kids who thought the night was ruined. It was all fixed with some juice and hugs, and the firework show commenced.

I was so dang tired from working that morning from 2am-10am, that by 11:00 pm, I was laying on the concrete listening to the fireworks with my eyes closed.

All in all, it was a great night, complete with good food, friends, fireworks, and festivities.

Emma and her cousins Laila and Elijah enjoying a hot dog

Emma and I in our 4th of July outfits

Happy Fourth of July!

HAPPY INDEPENDANCE DAY!

I finally got all the baking and food prepped done yesterday after I got off of work, and its all ready for today!
-63 mini cornbread loafs-
-cinnamon honey butter-
-50 red, white and blue jello shots-
-BTR slaw-

and I feel like a million bucks! Now all I have to do is take a nap and shower, get ready, gather the family, take pictures and head over.

I'll make sure to post later tonight with the pictures of all the festivities :)


In the mean time, I'm going to go take a power nap since I just got off of work and I'll be dead tonight if I don't get even a little rest.

Please everyone make sure to have fun tonight, but be safe! There are tons of families out celebrating today, and lives are way more important than fun!!!



Post coming soon!

XOXO
-C

Pre-Cooking Time!

Today is the day I typically start all my shopping and pre-cooking for the 4th, so my favorite store Winco welcomed us with open arms this morning!

Last year we didn't really do anything to celebrate, as a matter of fact, I don't even think Flo was with us. We had just finished our camping trip, and he had went back to Long Beach, and I went back to Menifee with Emma. I think I created my "American-Style 4th of July" playlist, blasted it while my Dad and I bbq'd, cooked and drank about 15 lime margaritas (each!) to ourselves.

This year will be different, though. Although I really love and adore my parents, Flo, Emma and I are going to go to a good friend of ours house so Emma has some kids to play with, and we have some friends to wind down and relax with. I don't think they were expecting us to text them this morning with the list of things we're going to bring, but nonetheless, I don't think they're complaining either.

Contribution this year:

• BTR Slaw (making dressing today, adding to the cabbage on Friday night)
• Mini Cornbread muffins (baking on Friday)
• Honey butter (making on Friday)
• Celebration Jello Shots, which I found here on pinterest (making today)
• and some dry rub for the meats that they have, that of course, we'll be barbequing :P (been made, dry rub lasts forever!)

I'm really excited for this year, it's really the first year Flo and I can contribute to whoevers house were celebrating at.

Emma's all set with her American flag dress that were going to puffy-paint some silver stars on, and I'm almost equipped with my "Time to get Star Spangled Hammered" shirt, which I saw online, but was unable to order it in time, so I too, am puffy painting it onto a shirt!

We're all patriotic this year, so much fun!


When I complete all the recipes, I'll be sure to make a completion post with pictures...or I may just edit this post if I feel lazy. :p

<3
-C

BBQ TIME...Slaw Style

Tomorrow is the first of July, which only means 3 things: Heat, sun and barbeque! With fourth of July being only 4 days away, what better way to start the party than with some BBQ recipes! Since I work at the best bbq restaurant in the Happiest Place On Earth, I often get asked for some tips and recipes from the Ranch, however, I would be reeeeeeally unprofessional and not very cast-memberly like if I gave those out, so I can't...however, I can give out what was already given out :D I had googled a picture of Big Thunder Ranch BBQ slaw to show Flo a picture of a slaw that wasn't mayonnaise-based, but rather vinegar based, and while I did find pictures (below) I also found the recipe (and yes, it is correct). The original post is from the Disney parks blog to which the Chef of our restaurant willingly gave out to desperate Guests. Crank up that smoker, get the ice chests ready, and break out the fireworks while you enjoy the wildest slaw in the wilderness! *Cue Big Thunder Mountain ride...no? Okay, enjoy!

Big Thunder Ranch BBQ Slaw
Serves 6 to 8

• 1/2 cup white-wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound shredded green cabbage (about 1/2 large cabbage)
• 1 pound shredded purple cabbage (about 1/2 large cabbage)
• 2 carrots, shredded

1. Combine vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, celery seed, paprika, black pepper, and cayenne in a large bowl, and using an immersion blender, blend together until emulsified. *Alternatively, combine in a blender, and slowly add oil while blending.
2. Combine shredded cabbage and shredded carrots in a separate large bowl. Add dressing, tossing to combine.
3. Refrigerate for a minimum of an hour in order for slaw to get "soggy" and absorb the dressing.

**Beware, very tangy!

BTR Slaw photo courtesy to Disney Parks Blog

Here's the exact link to the Disney Parks Blog with the BBQ Slaw recipe. Keep up with them for more Disney-related recipes as well! 8(:-D

-C