I sure hope that your May has kicked off to a good start. The heat is settling in quick around our parts. We've kicked off May with watching our softball girls win the District. Next week we start another round of ball. It's so much fun to watch these girls and especially our girl, Mallory. She plays centerfield. We were so proud of both teams that played against each other. They all, hand in hand gathered together as one of our girls prayed for the game and also for one of our young men that was in a horrific car accident and fighting. His name is Kaden if you can think to lift him up to our Lord. I had the opportunity recently to speak to a group of women at a ladies luncheon event at a local church. Oh we had so much fun. I wished I had gotten pictures of the beautiful decorations. We had a TEA PARTY and we each kept the cup that we drank out of it. Isn't she just lovely? Easter has come and gone but we sure have a great time with family. We gather each...
I hope every one is having a great day. It's drizzling rain in my neck of the woods but Marty and I are enjoying a low key afternoon on this July 4th. Our children all are involved in other activities so we decided to grill ourselves a good old hamburger. But...I have been a little preoccupied....
Our family will be leaving on Saturday for our family beach trip and Oh My! Trying to decide on which hats to take was an ordeal. So I settled to take 5. 🏖 I think Marty is glad I am not taking all my beach hats. LOL!
Rolled up a few beach towels as we will have a washer and dryer so I don't have to carry lots of towels. I always wind up short a few beach towels after our family beach trip though. Hmm, I wonder if I need to scout through my daughters beach towels.
I threw together a daily tote bag to carry onto the beach. That little tiny black and white pouch...well, it has all kinds of goodies in there. Eye lens wipes, lip balm, power box for cell phone, Advil, wipes, and of course my lipstick. 💄
I have already begun packing as this week will be busy for me and I like to be ahead of the game. 
I've gotten a head start on meal prep too and have some good stuff in the freezer and ready for a few meals at the beach. Pulled pork and taco meat was on my agenda so I made it easy on ME and decided to make ahead. I have muffins, cake and cookies in the freezer too. Several asked me last year this question so wanted to share it with you all. How do I prepare, cook, freeze and heat up my pulled pork?
I buy the boneless pork lions as they yield more meat. More expensive but if you catch them on sale it's really the best way to go. I thaw my pork out over night. Prep day: I use all kinds of different seasoning to make my own rubs. Whatever floats your boat is what you should use. I add brown sugar to my rub and then I rub my meat all over generously. I put it in a pan and top with a kosher salt. Wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 24 hours or longer. Mine usually sits a little longer. I use an electric roaster and spray it lightly with pam. Put my pork in and pour apple juice in till it reaches right below top of meat. I set my cooker on 400 for for 20 minutes and then I cut it down to around 300 or 325. Depends on how much pork you are cooking to how long it will take. I cooked 12 pounds this time and it took about 3 1/2 hours before it was ready and I test with a fork. I disregard the pork fat as I pull the pork. Once completely cooled (after pulling) I get it ready to freeze. Last summer I put it in ziplocked bags doubled. This year I allowed it freeze in the pan you see. I wrap with plastic wrap and then I use heavy duty foil and wrap it nice and tight. When I am ready to serve, I let it thaw out the night before and then I add apple juice to my meat to keep it moist and tasty and I heat it up in the oven covered with foil. When ready to serve I either drain the juice or I dip the meat out with a slotted spoon into another dish. This method is my go to when feeding a large crowd. Very good too on slider buns with a little slaw!
My oldest daughter and her family are spending the weekend at the lake with friends and she just sent me this picture. All the kids put on wash off tattoos and my grandson Conner noticed that his had washed off but he got a little sun and needless to say it left the outline of the tattoo. LOL!
AT LEAST HIS TATTOE IS THE AMERICAN EAGLE! USA PROUD!
And...y'all know I couldn't close today without showing you our Friday night "fun food" by Conner's pond. LOL! Seafood it was and yes it was delicious.
My monthly desktop calendar features one of my favorite pictures for the month of July. Though we are very excited for our upcoming family beach trip we are also praying that God will calm the storm of Hurricane Elsa and that we will not get any damage, short term or long term. Praying for safety for all that are in harms way. Please lift those of us up to the Lord that are in the eye of this storm. We all know the weather can change in a blink of an eye so I am praying GOD BLINKS THAT STORM OUT.
I hope that you all have a great week and I will see you when I return. Pray the weather works with us.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Well, looks like you are well on your way of being packed. I do pulled pork a lot and it freezes beautifully. I also do pulled chicken. We love all of it. Have a great time with your family!
ReplyDeleteCindy, I couldn’t help but laugh about your hats. I mean a girl needs a different hat for each day at the beach. Wishing you a wonderful family vacation, enjoy and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam. Praying we miss all the rain.
DeleteI admire your organization Cindy, and love all your beach hats! It really helps to have meals planned in advance, we planned and shopped for groceries for the weekend before we left for the beach last week, and it made the weekend meals easy and pleasant. I hope Elsa doesn't ruin your plans...
ReplyDeleteJenna
Thanks Jenna. We all try and pitch in with meals and cooking but I sure do like being ahead of game too.
DeleteIt looks like you’re getting things in order for the big beach trip. I like packing ahead of time, too. It’s an great idea to have some food prepared ahead of time, especially for your big crew. Wishing you all a great time! Zenda
ReplyDeleteThanks Zenda. Yes girl...lots to feed with my tribe.
DeleteI am so jealous, smiles. Have a beautiful time at the beach...hope that storm gets knocked o ut. smiles
ReplyDeleteYou are so organized Cindy and that will help so you can really enjoy your family and the vacation. Have a great time. These family trips are such beautiful times and create such loving memories. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris. Hope you are feeling much better.
DeleteI can't believe it, this has to be the first time that i know of that you did not have a house full. WOW....BEACH, I can hear the ocean calling me now. Its saying, "Cindy, take Pam with you"! Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteCome on Pam. I would love to take you. We would have a ball together. YES girl...seemed rather odd us not having my tribe on July 4th. Guess I need to share them with other family and friends though. LOL!
DeleteI hope you all have an amazing time at the beach! I look forward to your photos after you get back home. Be careful, and have fun, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you sweet Cheryl.
DeleteHave a wonderful time! Praying the storm goes away w/no damages. Your pulled pork recipe sounds good. I never thought of using apple juice. That's a great idea. I may try that next time. You are very well prepared and organized for your trip. What a fun time this will be for all of you. Take lots of pictures! Stay safe and have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam. We are so thankful that as of right now we are only getting rain and praying it all stops before beach time.
DeleteThe great thing about driving to your beach house is that you can bring as many hats/towels/food, etc. as you want!
ReplyDeleteHave fun! I look forward to seeing your holiday pics when you return.
LOL! True Margie. St. Augustine is only about an hour and half from us too so make it's nice should we need to come home for a reason. In which...we pray we don't.
DeleteI hope your little get-away is a wonderful time of relaxation and fun times.
ReplyDeleteThank you GM.
DeleteYour beach food plans sound wonderful! It's just after 10pm as I read this, so I'm in my jammies and have already brushed my teeth -- but your seafood picture makes me hungry!!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time at the beach. Like you, I've got an eye on that storm and am praying it really loses it's strength as it tries to march up the state of Florida. We know our Lord can do that if it serves His purposes.
Thank you Barbara. Just got my teeth cleaned today and right now I am thinking about eating some ribs! LOL!
DeleteLove that photo of you two on your calendar! How fun to be getting ready for your beach trip! I think you need all of the hats. :) All of that food looks so good!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather.
Deletei love this idea of having a beach tote packed and ready to go instead of wasting valuable time trying to ferret things out instead of being on our way ...
ReplyDeleteExactly Linda! I like being prepared as much as possible to make things easier on ME!
DeleteI am intrigued with your pulled pork recipe - only apple juice? No BBQ sauce? I chuckled at how your beach towels disappear - when we had a pool I gained more towels than you could imagine!! Maybe some were yours - lol!! Hope you had a fun trip!
ReplyDeleteYou might have my towels too! LOL! I use the apple juice for flavor to keep it moist. Everyone likes a different sauce so I just let everyone put their own favorite sauce on the meat. It's so tender and juicy.
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