Happy Fourth of July!

I LOVE the Fourth of July!  

It's is one of my most favorite holidays.  I have very happy memories growing up of pool parties, BBQ's and being with my family and friends.  Usually my parents would be working on some big project around the house and the radio would be on KRTH playing the Firecracker 400 countdown.

{Image from Country Living}

Have you ever mixed grape juice with lemonade before? 

 That was a treat we drank at our friends home every year and OH it is GOOD on a hot summer day after swimming!

I am sad that this year will be really low key.   Usually we try to make it up to Midway, but we have all had strep throat again one after another and I am just not up to putting on a party.  I"ll just have to make up for it next year, right!?  Meanwhile I am using Lysol like crazy and cleaning the house!

I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday!  I am so proud to be an American and live in this beautiful country of ours! 

 GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

I'll leave you with a favorite summer dessert - S'mores Bars!  Easy to take along to any party, they are best if you make them the night before or early in the day before serving.  I cut them into smaller pieces since they are delish, but very rich!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, beaten 
• 2 cups marshmallow topping (such as Marshmallow Fluff)
• 2 cups milk-chocolate chips (I use 3/4 bag milk chocolate and 1 cup semi sweet) 

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Mist foil with cooking spray.
2.  In a bowl, combine flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt; mix well. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in eggs until well combined. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly beat flour mixture into butter mixture. Divide dough in half. Press half of dough into pan until dough is uniform and flat. Spread with marshmallow topping and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Scatter remaining dough over in clumps. Don't worry about covering the top; marshmallow and chocolate chips should peek through.
3.  Bake until golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes. Place pan on a wire rack to cool completely. Remove from pan, peel off foil and cut into bars.

{Linking up to Honey We're Home}