Happy Holiday Weekend!  

It is the unofficial kick off to summer, and even though temperatures have been seasonally low here in Nor Cal {it will get hot soon enough}, I still think this weekend needs to be celebrated outside!  It is a 3 day weekend for most people and that typically is cause to party it up; but let's keep in mind that  Memorial day is a day to honor and remember the brave people that have fought for our freedom and rights!  

A big THANK YOU and salute to all of our past and present men and women in the armed forces!

So with that being said, we do have 3 days off... so what should we do with out time?  

Entertain of course!!  Here is some great eye candy to inspire a great Memorial Day BBQ

 via Maddy Cakes Muse via pintrest

via Hostess with the Mostess via Pintrest

 And what would make an American BBQ complete?  An amazing hamburger!!

Seriously... how good does this look?  Click, here for the recipe!

  

And don't forget the refreshments!  Anyone that knows me knows that I don't have a party with out some yummy cocktail!! 

I would make a fresh spiked lemonade.

Spiked Lemonade
{makes 4 cocktails}

-juice from 8 lemons
-  1 cup lemon simple syrup*
- 4 oz vodka {or lemon flavored vodka}
- 1 oz triple sec
- sprite/7 up
- Bakers sugar for rims

Add ingredients {to triple sec} into shaker to mix.  Pour over ice in tall glasses.  Top off with a splash of sprite.  Garnish with sugar on rim and a lemon wheel.

*Lemon Simply Syurp*
-1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- lemon zest from 3 lemons

Bring all ingredients to a boil until sugar is dissolved.  Drain out lemon zest.  Store in an air tight container for up to 3 weeks.

Have a great weekend!!