🙂
We did our Christmas in July celebration last weekend. It was a nice little get-together. It was very simple because I just don’t have the energy right now to do anything more than simple but next year I’m going to do it up right. A summer tree / beach theme / decorations / etc.
We do Mexican food for our Christmas so I stayed with the same theme for July Christmas. I didn’t take a lot of pics but here’s part of my plate…
Enchilada casserole. Pintos. Cheesy jalapeño rice. We also had 5 layer dip and queso.
I used this new flavor pack for the guacamole. It’s really good.
The directions say to use the whole pack with just 2 avocados. I only use one big heaping tbsp per avocado plus one tbsp sour cream per avocado. My version is getting rave reviews here from everyone who tries it.
I also used my new toy to make some sugar free Watermelon Sherbet for a take on the lime / ginger-ale punch. I made the ginger-ale with my Sodastream (sugar free).
It didn’t get the same rave reviews as the new guac mix…but I really enjoyed it. Lime is better but I wanted to try something more ‘summery’.
For desert I made a sugar free Dr. Pepper cake. I used my tried and true recipe just subbing various sugar free sweeteners.
I couldn’t believe I was able to create something that moist using gluten free flour and sugar free subs.
Boiling alternative sugar to make…
…a sugar free syrup to use in…
…homemade sugar free marshmallow fluff. (This was ridiculously good. I used it in place of the real marshmallows called for in the recipe).
I made the sugar free ‘Dr Pepper’ with the Sodastream and I couldn’t have been happier with the way the cake came together.
I think I’ve finally found my alternative sugar blend and I’ll share it here next month when I start experimenting with it a little bit more. Up to now I’ve only experimented with ice cream and this cake.
I had an anemia blood work profile done yesterday to get a better look at what’s going on with that and I’m getting a massage this weekend.
Hope y’all’ve had a great week and have a safe / cool weekend. 🙂
Rural Route Lupiac 
Everything was delicious!! I loved the dip and the cake was amazing. Love you!
Thanks, SL. 🙂
Hi, all of this looks fantastic! I was wondering if you would post the cheesy jalapeño rice recipe. I could eat Mexican food everyday. Love your recipes and stories about your family:)
Hi, Jeri. The rice recipe is pretty simple…
1 cup 5 minute rice
dash of onion powder
dash of garlic powder
1/2 stick butter
2 cups chicken broth
2 fresh whole jalapeños (the kind in the produce section)
Velveeta cheese to taste (just chunk it up and throw it in the pan)
Put it all in a pan on medium heat and once it heats up start stirring and continue to stir til it’s done. It’ll be all thick creamy and cheese-y. I can’t give you an exact time because I’ve never timed it but it’s longer than 5 minutes but not more than 15.
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Thank you! I cannot wait to make this. 🙂
You’re welcome, Jeri. If you give it a try let me know how it turns out. 🙂
I used Christmas in July as an excuse to make marzipan, but your celebration sounds amazing! And, oh so cute. I’m excited to see what goes in the alternative sugar blend next month. 🙂
Thanks, Kaila. I’m jumping the gun on the sugar and posting it today. 🙂
Sweet! I’ll go check it out. 🙂
Looking forward to the alternative sugar blend. Oh, and Merry Christmas!
Thanks, gfandme. 🙂
Christmas in July – what a great idea. Here on the Georgia Coast, anything that brings to mind cooler weather and good food is welcome. The photos definitely made me hungry. ~James
Hi, James. It was definitely fun and something we’re planning on making an annual tradition. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂