Charley's Birthday Party

This past weekend we celebrated Charley’s first birthday (official on August 4^th).   We had a beautiful day for it and she sure had a ‘WOOF’ of a time!  

Here are some pics of Charley’s puppy ‘PAW-TY’… 

A dog food cake just for Charley

Dog bone sugar cookies

paw print cupcakes 

this balloon looks just like Charley when she was little

Let's get this 'PAWTY' started! 

Fruit Kabob idea from Pinterest

Lots of fun decorations

Do I hear guests arriving?! 

Grandpa & Elijah

Such a charmer!

What's more interesting, a talking bear or a birthday doggie?! 

Elijah (my brother's son) and Aniston (Aaron's brother's daughter) only a few months apart in age

Aniston and Eli 

TIME FOR CAKE!  This was a hoot!

ooohhh, peanut butter flavored... my favorite!

Gracefully biting off a piece, very mannered 

Help me out mom, I can't see!  

Mmmm Maah Maahh Mah!

Best birthday cake ever mom! 

Charley's tummers is full of cake 

Jean (Aaron's mom) with Aniston 

Mary Ann (Erin's mom) and Elijah 

Are those gifts for me?! 

Whoa Charley, toys and treats galore! 

Sporting her new birthday bandana 

One big happy birthday party! 

My puparoo! 

Such a big baby! 

Do I see a party pooper?!  OR did someone just party too hard?!  

This rubber chicken is awesome mom and I love this fun hat! 

With my parents 

With our friends Mark and Nikki 

With Aaron's family 

That sure was a WOOF of a time! 

Peach Sangrias for the 4th of July!

We had quite the 4^th of July filled with fun festivities all week long with our friends.  By Friday afternoon, I about face planted it right into my keyboard after staying up later than usual every night while suffering a hangover of food and festive beverages from each day last week.  Whew, what a week!

One of these delish beverages that was a big hit were peach sangrias!  So good, I could have thrown my cup away and just drank chug it straight from the pitcher.  So refreshing and hits the spot!  Is it bad that I know the recipe from heart now and stocked up yesterday on all the ingredients? 

 Peach Sangrias

definitely should have made a double batch

1 Bottle of Pinot Grigio (I used Flip Flop Winery Pinot Grigio, good and cheap!)

½ C of Peach Schnapps

¼ C of Sugar

1 Peach, cut in quarter wedges

1 Mango, cut in quarter wedges (I ended up eliminating this, I basically mutilated my mango trying to cut it, infuriated by being defeated by a mango, it went in the trash)

1 Orange, cut in quarter wedges

2 C of Ginger Ale

Mix first 6 ingredients together.  Chill for an hour.  Right before serving, add the Ginger Ale. 

Hope you all had a fun and safe 4^th of July! 

Source of recipe: Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine 

Key Lime Shrimp

Need an AWESOME 4th of July marinade for grilling shrimp?  I have tried many that are just good but not GREAT.  Well I have now found THE BEST shrimp marinade on Pinterest!  And it’s great on chicken as well.  Our dinner guests have raved about how good it was, not one lil' shrimpy was left over.  Don’t let the ingredients scare you; they blend together well to create a unique savory flavor!

Key Lime Shrimp

* 3 tablespoons soy sauce
* 2 Tbs. honey
* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

* Juice of 1 Lime (lime juice equivalent is 1.5 Tablespoons)
* 1 teaspoon minced garlic

This marinade provides good coverage for about 1 lb of jumbo shrimp, double recipe as necessary.  Marinade for a few hours in the fridge, stirring occasionally.  Using a grilling skillet/basket, toss on grill for a few minutes, DON’T OVERCOOK.  Grill long enough that they are warmed thru, over grilling causes shrimp to ‘cook down’ too much.

Hyde Helpful Hint: When using the same tablespoon for measuring, measure the vegetable oil first, that way when you measure the honey, it won’t stick to your tablespoon, it will slide right off and into your bowl. 

SOURCE: http://www.grocerybudget101.com/content.php/322-Key-West-Grilled-Chicken