Thursday, June 30, 2016

4TH OF JULY DEALS AND A FRUITY DRINK

I've been hearing family rumblings of travel and cookouts to celebrate the holiday.  The traveling part sounds fun, but if you've been reading this blog, I'm no fan of cook-outs. Almost every time I attend, the food is drenched in barbecue sauce, which I hate.  And there is some Bobby Flay grilling finesse missing in a few instances. (lol)

Not that anyone cares, but I think the focus should be on providing guests with unique drinks they can't find anywhere else.  If you're going to be stuck outside in the heat, that's the least the host can do, right?(lol)  By the way, both of these recipes tell you to muddle certain ingredients, but it just seems simpler to say crush.  Your choice, of course. *heh*

Ingredients - Liza Hawkins
  • 4 Strawberries, cut into chuncks
  • 12 Fresh Mint Leaves
  • 8 ounces lemonade
  • 1 1/2 Ounces Gin or Vodka
  • Ice

OR

Ingredients - Lauren Conrad
  • 3 Large Strawberries
  • 1 Mint Sprig
  • 3 Ounces Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 4 Tablespoons Sugar
  • 2 Ounces Vodka
  • 6 Ounces water

Instructions
  1. Place half the mint in the bottom of a pint-sized mason jar. Add the strawberries and the gin, then use the handle of a wooden spoon to muddle them together.
  2. Add enough ice to fill the mason jar half-way, stir vigorously with the wooden spoon handle (or place a lid on it and shake it for 10-20 seconds), then fill it almost to the top with lemonade.
  3. Garnish the strawberry mint lemonade cocktail with the remaining mint and a strawberry.
  4. Serve immediately!

OR

Instructions
  1. Muddle 3 Strawberries and the mint sprig
  2. add the lemon juice, sugar, vodka and water.
  3. stir until the sugar is completely dissolved
  4. Top with ice and serve



FREE ADMISSION!
If you, or someone you know is in the military or a veteran, Cedar Fair Amusement Parks will provide FREE admission at select locations around the 4th of July. If you click on each link listed below, you can get specific information at parks which may be close to you.  This is a HUGE deal with plenty of savings!
Cedar Point
King’s Dominion
King’s Island
Carowinds
Dorney Park
Valleyfair
Wildwater Kingdom and World’s of Fun.

FUN STUFF TO DO
July 4
The 'Works July 4th on Fayetteville Street. July 4: 12pm - 10:00pm. Downtown Raleigh celebration that features music, a Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest, Art Exhibitions, games for the kiddies and ending the night with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.  Yay!



DEALS ON LOTS OF STUFF - Go to this site to find fantastic on-line deals for Independence Day.  There are coupons, promo codes and more, to help you score the lowest possible price for the things you want! www.dealsplus.com

Kohls (more coupons): Pre 4th of July Sales & Coupons - 
  • Amazon (more coupons): Pre 4th of July Sale on Outdoor, Clothing, Accessories, Electronics, and More


RO'S PERSONAL DEALS

One of my hobbies is to find deals and steals, so you can imagine how thrilled I was to find a dozen large eggs for $ .50 cents at Carlie Cee's (sorry, this chain is only in NC, and you can just imagine how many people were standing around to take advantage!), and a Liz Claiborne Handbag for just $1.00 at a local thrift store that was having a special.  Yay!  







SAVE THE DATE!
Have you been thinking about taking a trip to Nashville?  Well, mark September 1 - 5 on your calendar to attend the Southern Living Nashville Now Event where you can celebrate all the things you enjoy in one location, and includes plenty of LIVE music, fun/tasty food and super style ideas.  This would be the perfect getaway!


I can't remember what happened yesterday, so I was surprised to know that a study was completed by Emory University in 2013 on the habits of readers. They determined that the effects of reading a book actually lasts for 5 days, based on a study of the brain, but after that, the memory fades.  Very interesting!

20 comments:

  1. my memories fades after reading 5 minutes, ha, I think it's all about attention span - you know, how long can you pay attention to what you're reading, but I sort of get distracted while reading so I guess the study doesn't include such things do they?

    have a lovely day.

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    Replies
    1. LOL! I'm with you Lissa. Even when a book is super wonderful, there are only tidbits that I remember these days. Hope your day was fab yesterday!

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  2. Refreshing drinks are a definite must if I have to be outside at a family cookout. :) Good call there, Ro!

    Nice price on eggs and good snag on the bag. I caught a sale at the second hand store on some summer clothes I needed for camping.

    Huh, interesting about the reading habit. Wonder if that gets all muddled if a person reads a book a day.

    Have a good one, Ro!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Most people know me by now, and sort of ignore my issues when it comes to bugs and creepy crawlies outside. (lol) Now, if they'll just listen and stop putting on that sauce on the all the food! Oh wow, that camping sounds fun! Went on a religious retreat when I was a kid to a camp and my goodness, even though the showers were cold, we had loads of fun. I hope you take pics, and congrats on the deals!

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  3. Those are great deals. I love fruity drinks but especially watermelon drinks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right? I just picked up a watermelon and made smoothies and pop ups!

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  4. That's amazing! If only I were that patient and resourceful to find good deals. It's our Canada Day tomorrow, so no work for us!

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    Replies
    1. I have a serious addiction when it comes to finding deals, so it's been my hobby for quite some time. Glad you had some time off and hope you were able to relax!

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  5. Summer is all about the cookouts, isn't it? You need a fish fry instead! You could ask for a dry version of whatever they're making. I'm not a huge fan of barbecue sauce myself unless it's on ribs--and even then, it needs to be the sweet type. If it's too tomato-ish, I'm just not a fan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! It's been years, Stephanie, and not one person EVER pays attention and leaves off that dang barbecue sauce!

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  6. Yummy recipes. Thanks so much for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope your day was relaxing Angela! Hugs...

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  7. Great idea to make some yummy drink when people are visiting. That strawberry drink sounds good! I am not a big fan of BBQ food either, but it can be fun once in a while.

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    Replies
    1. I had more than my share yesterday! (lol) But it was tasty! Hope your day was awesome!

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  8. Oh these sound yummy and come to our house we grill steaks! No BBQ sauce :)

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    Replies
    1. Why in the heck did I not come to your place Kim? Someone brought me a hamburger from a cookout, and it definitely reminded me of a hockey puck. (lol) No sauce, but burnt, burnt, burnt!

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  9. LOL I can pass on the bbq myself. Hard for a vegetarian. Drinks are appreciated and a good dessert buffet? Oh yeah! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've got lots of stuff for salads these days, and trying to add more veggies and fruits to my diet, but it sure isn't fun! (lol) I'm with you. Let's focus on the dessert buffet instead, right?

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  10. Wonderful. I am satisfied! Highly beneficial information particularly the last part. I take care of this kind of information much. I was seeking this specific information for a long time. Thanks and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those are great deals. I love fruity drinks but especially watermelon drinks.
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