There were dirty boys, wet boys, lots of food, lots of noise and by the end of the night, really tired kids. We had a great 4th. Family and friends came over to celebrate. We enjoyed lots of great food, had so many laughs, and just truly enjoyed each others company. Eva's nephews found the only water source in the yard and made that their mini pool for the day. By the end of the night it was quite empty and they were quite dirty, but did they have fun. (Psst... see that flag made out of fencing?? John and I made that a few years back from some old pieces of fence he found on the side of the road....Recycle....Re-Use!)
I made one of John's favorite things....Taco Salad dip. He loves the stuff.
Taco Salad Dip
Printable recipe
1 - 8 oz softened cream cheese
1 – 16 oz sour cream
1/2 cup Picante sauce or salsa
Mix these well with a mixer and spread into a 9x13 pan. It will seem a bit goopy, but will thicken in the fridge.
Layer with:
Refried beans*, chopped onions, tomatoes, olives, green chilies, avocado, shredded lettuce. I usually top this in the order listed, but you can change it around and add whatever you'd like. Top with shredded cheese and serve with Tortilla Chips.
*I kind of drop the beans on it little spoonfuls.
I made some Red Velvet Cupcakes and decorated them for the 4th. When else am I going to get to use my red, white & blue sprinkles?
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Printable recipe
2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 ½ tablespoons red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Beat together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy, 3 – 5 minutes. Beat the eggs in one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Add the vanilla and reduce the speed to low. Add in the flour, milk and food coloring in 3 batches. Begin and end with the flour. Beat until just mixed. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until cake tests done. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, move to wire rack to cool completely.
Red Velvet Cupcakes
Printable recipe
2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 ½ tablespoons red food coloring
Preheat oven to 350. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Beat together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy, 3 – 5 minutes. Beat the eggs in one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Add the vanilla and reduce the speed to low. Add in the flour, milk and food coloring in 3 batches. Begin and end with the flour. Beat until just mixed. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until cake tests done. Let cool in pan 10 minutes, move to wire rack to cool completely.
I used my Buttercream Frosting recipe for this and just colored it blue with good coloring. I still have the blue fingernails to prove it too.
The cupcakes were a big hit at the party, especially with the little ones....well with the not so little ones too.
The cupcakes were a big hit at the party, especially with the little ones....well with the not so little ones too.
We had dueling firework wars in the neighborhood which was very cool. At one point there were four houses all lighting them off, so we had our very own little show.
By the end of the night everyone was very full and very happy. There were also some very dirty feet that needed to be washed. That's the sure sign that it was a great 4th. Filthy kids.
Wow, looks like you had such a great holiday! Our neighborhood had lots of fireworks too, but no contest. No one really bought alot, cause all our money went to gasoline!!
ReplyDeleteI'm really digging your taco dip, looks fabulous. I'm a chip and dip aholoic. Really, I am.