memorial day cookout | fridays with oscar
hello and happy friday, gang! can you believe it’s memorial day weekend?! we are celebrating with a memorial day cookout today. much like our mother’s day post a few weeks ago, we are embracing the changes in our recent day-to-day lives while still engaging in what we would normally be doing, with slight modifications. instead of a neighborhood gathering, it’s just us. but why not still make it special? we have a delicious menu planned, with a fun seasonal cocktail. here’s how to put together a memorial day cookout.
outfit of the day
i just love this bright shade of pink for spring, it reminds me of the blooming peonies. this smocked neck top is so comfortable on a warm day, it’s loose, it has a lovely drape and is a dream to wear. paired with white shorts from Ann Taylor, the color pops even more. my top matches today’s blueberry vodka spritz!
the bright white of my shorts just makes the whole outfit feel like summer is here. i purchased these leather strappy sandals last summer and i really like how minimal they are, yet totally comfortable. they have fun stud details along the straps which a little something extra to their simplicity.
blouse | boardwalk shorts | similar sandals 1| similar sandals 2
memorial day cookout
i set up a buffet table on the patio with iced tea, water infused with lemon and an ice bucket with wine. with our cutlery and melamine dinnerware in place, we’re ready for a memorial day cookout– family style!
drink dispenser 1 | drink dispenser 2 | outdoor dinnerware | melamine plates | cutlery | caddy | outdoor drinkware | drink dispenser stand
drink dispenser stand | drink dispenser | melamine plates | melamine serving platter
honey garlic soy grilled pork chops and haricot verts with shallots and pine nuts
this is an easy recipe and the marinade goes great with any protein you like. pork chops were one of mr. style’s favorites. and crunchy sauteed haricot verts are a perfect compliment to the rich pork. i let the boneless pork chops marinate overnight, which made for juicy, well-flavored chops.
honey, garlic, soy pork chops
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4-6 boneless pork chops
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pour all ingredients into a large ziplock bag or bowl, add pork chops and cover. let marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
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brush your grill with oil to prevent sticking. over a medium flame, grill for about 6-8 minutes on each side. pork chops are done when they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
the haricot verts are delicious served at room temperature, or cold so you can make these ahead of time and focus on the grill.
haricot verts with shallots and pine nuts
- 1 package haricots verts
- 1 large shallot, finely sliced
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
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heat a tablespoon of olive oil or butter over medium heat and add finely sliced shallots. saute the shallots until they are translucent and add the haricots vert. sprinkle a generous pinch of kosher salt.
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saute until the green beans are barely al dente, about 3-5 minutes. toss in the pine nuts and saute for another minute or until the pine nuts are toasty and golden. add cracked black pepper and more salt to taste.
blueberry vodka spritz
how pretty is this cocktail!? such a gorgeous shade of pink, it goes so well with my flowers! a light and flavorful cocktail for warmer weather, you can adjust the ratios for a low abv spritz, or swap white wine for the vodka. you can omit the vodka altogether, swap in lemonade for a mocktail version.
blueberry vodka spritz
- 4 oz sparkling water
- 1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 oz blueberry simple syrup
- 1.5 oz vodka
- lemon slices (garnish)
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to an ice filled shaker, add vodka, lemon juice and blueberry simple syrup. shake and strain into an ice filled glass, top with sparkling water, garnish with a lemon.
blueberry simple syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
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combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. reduce heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until mixture thickens. strain into a bowl or jar, pressing on the berries with a wooden spoon to extract as much juice as possible. refrigerate until cool and you’re ready to use it.
fridays with oscar
junior style’s puppy, pax was here to play with oscar and distract him from having his picture taken! we have had quite a stormy, rainy week here in athens, but tomorrow looks to be sunny and warm, which is a welcome change! then more storms are predicted…it looks as though spring came in and is going out like a lion this year. below, i have selected a number of great items for the home, on sale this memorial day weekend, be sure to check it out. i hope you have a bit of sunshine where you are this memorial day. ollie, oscar and i wish all of you a lovely weekend!
memorial day weekend sales
It all looks delicious and mouth-watering, even on a Friday morning! I’d love to exchange my mug of coffee for a blueberry vodka spritz!! I’ll be out of town on Memorial Day, but I’m saving your recipes for another time.
And you look terrific in your hot pink top!!
I definitely want to try this drink. I love all the ingredients. Usually we have a large pool party to kick off summer, but this year it will be just my husband and myself. (And our 2 dogs). Planting the vegetable garden and some flowers in pots, bringing up the pool furniture, mowing. A perfect weekend plan! Enjoy your weekend. Hope you get some nice weather.
Love your summery outfit. That color is so flattering. Still in the low 60’s where I live so I will have to wait a bit for shorts and sleeveless tops.
The cocktail looks so yummy. Can’t wait to give it a try.
Those pork chops sound amazing! I copied the recipe to my files. My husband likes to grill so that’s his job. I’ll do the side dishes. In the South it always potato salad, sliced tomatoe, onion and cucumber salad with Ranch Dressing. Blue Bell Vanilla ice cream for dessert.
I love this shade of pink. You look very pretty. I just bought a raspberry color that I’ll probably wear on Monday. I won’t wear white shorts. Regular blue jeans because I can’t be trusted not to spill.
That’s a good color on you, Beth! You look great, and I’m so psyched about your knee–it’s looking wonderful. The pork chops sound yummy–I love the idea of letting them marinate overnight. Sounds like a perfect, light meal. And the drink looks and sounds delicious. Happy Memorial day weekend. We also had 6 1/2″ of rain the last two days, and so today was stunning and clear, fresh air–I went for a long, delightful walk. Hope you all can relax and enjoy family around. The pups look like they get along well–they’re sweet.
Beth: I don’t see a link to the Blue Willow plates; is there a vendor? I really like those!
Memorial Day Weekend Greetings to you and your family, Beth. We’re privileged to honor the memory of those who gave their lives to assure our freedom remains intact. Want to say you in the OOTD are ushering the start of summer beautifully! You wear that raspberry tone so well. Love the pics of Oscar and Pax. They’re right where they belong…with the Djalali Family! Bet Ollie agrees 🙂 Thanks for all you do~
Happy Memorial weekend! Love your pnk top. Always enjoy your Friday’s with Oscar. What a rainy week here in NC. The sun came out today and then by 5pm another thunderstorm rolled thru but all is good. What is Hairot Verts? It looks like a green bean. Have a good one.
Finally tried this cocktail. Absolutely delicious. Will be making this again and again. Thank you.
Another wonderful post. Delicious recipes, nice style ideas, and such a cute puppy! As always, thanks for the upbeat posts!