Honor and Commemorate our Armed Forces this Memorial Day. Memorial Day is just around the corner, it’s time to dust off those grills, gather your friends and family, and get ready to kick off the summer with some delicious food and good times with a Memorial Day BBQ. We look forward to Memorial Day Weekend by planning fun events. However, it’s also important to remember why we’re all able to enjoy a long weekend in the first place. Memorial Day isn’t just about barbecues and beach trips; it’s a day of remembrance for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s a time to honor their courage, valor, and unwavering dedication to our country. It’s in that spirit that we like to kick off the summer by decorating for Memorial Day and remembering the freedom we have in this country. And here’s a little secret: I leave all those decorations up through the Fourth of July to extend our decorating efforts. We will use red, white, and blue to show our patriotic spirit by adding wreaths and flags to our porch décor. We have table runners, banners, plates, cups, napkins, sprinkles, flag picks and patriotic frames that we will use to embellish our celebrations. As for the BBQ itself, you can’t go wrong with classic favorites like burgers, hot dogs, and grilled corn on the cob. We also make a delicious sweet potato salad, coleslaw, and easy baked beans. This is an easy backyard party where most of the prep can be done ahead of time so everyone can enjoy the day. For dessert, we also keep it simple by slicing a watermelon into wedges and putting them out on a platter. We also bake an angel food cake ahead of time, cut it up into cubes or circles using a biscuit cutter, slice some strawberries and with a store-bought can of whipped cream we create an easy DIY strawberry shortcake bar (pictured below). Of course, no BBQ is complete without some good company and perhaps a friendly cornhole tournament in the grass and a pickleball court set up, and racquets on the driveway. So, fire up those grills, raise your glasses to our fallen heroes, and make your Memorial Day BBQ one to remember.
Strawberry Season…
Celebrate Strawberry Season with a Delicious Spinach Salad. Ah, strawberry season – that wonderful time of year when nature blesses us with one of its sweetest gems. It’s a time to savor the juicy goodness of strawberries. Whether you venture out to a farm and pick some, find them grown locally, or grow your own: ripe strawberries smell and taste delicious. And what better way to enjoy them than in a refreshing spinach salad? We use a bed of fresh spinach leaves, topped with slices of ripe, juicy strawberries. But this salad isn’t just about the strawberries – it’s a delicious medley of flavors and textures. Start with the crispness of the early summer spinach, then add some crunchy cucumber pieces. Next, toss a few toasted or candied pecans on top for that nutty goodness. Lastly, add several thin slices of Parmesan cheese, to add a savory kick to the mix. And the dressing? It’s the cherry on top. Well, not cherry, but strawberry! Our homemade strawberry vinaigrette is made with fresh strawberries, rice wine vinegar, olive oil, and dehydrated strawberries. It’s sweet, tangy, and utterly delicious. Every bite of this easy-to-make salad is a burst of flavors – sweet, crunchy, tangy, and savory all at once. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the bounty of strawberry season and enjoy a light and satisfying meal. It’s strawberry season, so, next time you’re craving something fresh, healthy, and tasty, whip up this spinach salad with strawberries. It’s a simple yet delightful way to embrace the joys of spring and indulge in the deliciousness of strawberries. Note: We love this dressing over a Spring salad of fresh spinach, strawberry slices, cucumbers, toasted or candied pecans, and parmesan cheese slices.