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 - 

• Gold Star Clearance Event w/ Up to 70% Off
• Get 25-40% off dresses, skirts, tops, & bottoms for women

• 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!