Americans usually celebrate the Fourth of July by joining together for good food, great company, and of course an amazing fireworks show. Since I began dating Neil in 2003 we’ve not only had one or two, but three get-togethers during the Fourth of July weekend. That’ s a lot of good eatin’, y’all!

Saturday night, my family ate at the lake house:
– grilled hamburgers/cheeseburgers
– corn on the cob
– my mom’s potato salad
– my grape salad
– my mom’s carrot salad soup
– my mom’s homemade vanilla ice cream
– my mom’s homemade butter pecan ice cream (best ice cream in the world)
– coconut run cake
– my sil Amanda’s fruit pizza

Sunday night friends and family ate at the lake house and ate:
– my grilled blackened Cajun chicken breast
– my homemade macaroni and cheese
– my grape salad
– my mom’s carrot salad soup
– Amish cherry pie
– my mom’s homemade vanilla ice cream

This afternoon, for lunch, Neil’s family gathered at his parents’ house and ate:
– my fil Jimmy’s BBQ
– my mil Terri’s cowboy beans
– slaw
– my sil Kelly’s deviled eggs
– my sil Kelly’s brownies
– my sil Amy’s oreo pie

Each meal was different and delicious but my scale slapped me in the face this evening. Only around holidays do I eat like that. Holy moly. So I took the pups for a 30 minute walk around our neighborhood. Then, feeling like I should do more, I locked myself in our second bedroom where Neil works out and I did just that: worked out. 100 jumping jacks, 90 crunches, 80 squats, 70 leg lifts, 60 push ups (this is where I veered from the original plan), 50 jumping jacks, 40 crunches, 30 squats, 20 leg lifts, and finally 10 jumping jacks. I mentioned on twitter that I felt sick, physically ill, after I finished the workout. It probably took me about 45 minutes to complete but only because I’m so ridiculously out of shape, I had to stop a lot. Especially during the push ups. What was I thinking adding push ups?!?

Anyway, in a few days I’ll post the recipes to three of the following…

<br /> <a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/5206224/”>…and you get to choose!</a><span style=”font-size:9px;”><a href=”http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/”>online survey</a></span><br />Also, SURPRISE! I’m hosting a giveaway SOON. Like, sometime this week! Make sure you check back for that and the recipes!