SweetGirlSmirk

We will be saying farewell to summer with getting all competitive in the family and by grilling large amounts of meat. It is the American way and we worked hard for this right! Labor Day weekend is one of my favorites because you have a whole summer to look back on and you can just indulge away because it is the last chance you get! (Getting to break out the Halloween decorations the next day doesn't hurt either!) This year, we are doing a Minute to Win It style tournament and a cookout. I made a poster with the teams (1 point for every task you complete), the list of the challenges ( go on the website for the show and they tell you all about all of the challenges!), and our prize categories. The best part, is it is easy to find 10 or so challenges that use stuff you have in the house (don't forget a tiebreaker). Since there are a bunch of little ones competing, the top scoring kid and big kid get a trophy, as well as other categories such as sportsmanship, best effort, funnie...

School is in session, Labor Day is right around the corner, and the evenings are getting cooler. Summer is on its way out. Sadly, no more pool parties or dancing around the fire. For most of us, summer=music. Everyone has that one song that takes them back to their favorite moment of their favorite summer. We want to know what yours is! Tweet, Facebook, or comment with your choice and we will post the list and a playlist of the top choices! The poll closes Friday night!

So, tonight is a blue moon . The only full moon this month, but the extra full moon of the summer season. And it is absolutely gorgeous out, so I think sitting outside on this waning summer night under a bright sky is a definite must-do. The moonrise is at 7:25 pm and is at its fullest at 9:45 pm here on the east coast of the USA. Now, when I hear someone say full moon, my mind does a connect the phrase puzzle thing and Werewolves of London by the amazing Warren Zevon gets stuck in my head. So, here ya go. A live back in 1982 video of the perfect song to sit outside and listen to if you are like me and are already thinking about what fun Autumn things to do as soon as Labor Day passes! Or, if you just love good music.

Really. We are on this rock for a short time. Your career, your time, your money, your talent your ear, what are you lending to make the world a better place? Ok, I'm off my soapbox now, she couldn't have said it better.

Picnics, football games, rainy days, and family gatherings all call for a versatile and amazing meal. Back before my doctor uttered the word "celiac", my go-to fill you up sandwich was sausage and peppers. Savory, slightly sweet, and completely filling, it always hit the spot, and it is a year round staple that is easy to make for 1 or 20. I swear it is a must have at a sports event on a crisp Autumn day. Thankfully, I could easily make it in my post-diagnosis life, and it is just as delicious. I made it in the afternoon, and the house smelled great all day. It is great to throw into a container and reheat for a grab and go meal, too. The other day, the garden was filled with tomatoes, bell peppers, and banana peppers. I also happened to have some sausage left over from when I made Frogmore Stew . I was short on time, but there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to make backyard fresh sausage and peppers. So, I worked out a quick way to whip them up, and my s...

By now, everyone knows that Shatner is more than just a cool, woman-loving captain on Star Trek. He also happens to do some performance art that is indescribable. He's known the world over for his style of speech, and takes that to new heights put to some tunes. I love his stuff. Us here, we have spent a few nights exploring the William Shatner station on Pandora . But, I had no idea he was still making the stuff. Last night, I was more than pleasantly surprised. He has new work on the way, AND did an album in 2011. So, hello, Spotify. His 2011 release, Seeking Major Tom is absolutely stunning. He pairs up with legendary and notable artists to create spoken word covers that will have you laughing, cheering, and singing along. I really do mean it, we were giggling and lip syncing our way through the whole thing. It was one of the most fun hour and a halfs we have had in a while. While Shatner takes his delivery of the lyrics VERY seriously, the album never takes itself too seriou...

It has been a while since I have done a "What's in Your Cup" update, sadly I was lacking original inspiration lately. But, I found it! August is all about picnics. People relax poolside and socialize and there is food and drink aplenty. But, sometimes the same drinks get predictable. If you want to shake things up, try putting a fresh spin on iced coffee! Maybe chocolate flavored vodka? I was recently given a mini-bar sized bottle of Veil's Chocolate Vodka. I am not one to mix my liquor with milk, so I decided on making my own "mocha". I used a hazelnut iced coffee k-cup (6 ounces of water- so it is a 1 to 3 ratio for mixing but 1 to 4 would work well too), and the result was magical. I took a tumbler and filled it with ice and the vodka. In the mug for the coffee I added some truvia sweetener and a touch of that powdered creamer. Once the k-cup brewed, I poured it in with the ice and vodka and gave the tumbler a good shake. It was mocha and hazelnut ma...

I am a seasonal eater. I relate certain foods to certain seasons and that makes them so special. Spring is coconut custard pie, winter is hot cocoa and pot roast, etc. Well, it is the first week of August and that means summer. And summer means seafood and a drink involving lime or coconut somehow. Except, it has been hoodie weather and overcast and getting in the water is basically laughable, school starts shortly, and the craft stores are full of Halloween decorations. My taste buds have no idea what to do. So, I made a meal for the in between season. Shrimp+banana bread will keep all my seasonal cravings happy for now! Summer Lovin': Frogmore stew Take as much shrimp, sausage, corn, and red potatoes as you can eat. This recipe is easily made for 2 or 200 (if you have enough pots to boil in). I do 2 potatoes, 1 ear of corn (broken in half), 2 sausages, and 1/3 pound of shrimp per person. Get a big ol' pot and throw in water and a bunch of old bay seasoning (the more t...