I can hardly believe it’s almost the 4th of July again! Can you? How is it that time really does seem to go faster the older you get? I know we all say that, but it has to be a real phenomenon. It’s not just me, is it? It really does seem that it was just yesterday we were up in the NC mountains camping and hanging out with my extended family, my girls running wild and free with their cousins…getting dirty, having fun and playing with other people’s puppies. This was our drive last year…
And the incredible view from my grandparent’s deck which may seem familiar to some of you….
and my youngest who gravitated toward every puppy in sight….
I am so blessed to have a big wonderful family that gets along so well and loves getting together! My grandfather started this 4th of July family reunion tradition when I was growing up. My mom is one of 4 siblings, and they would all drive with their respective families to my grandparents place in the country in Virginia, and then when my grandparents moved, to the mountains of West Virginia. My grandparents had thought things out pretty well and purchased their home in a location right in the middle of all their kids, allowing each family to have only a day’s drive to get there. Pretty smart, grandpa! And we have many great memories because of it!
If you can believe it, I’m one of the rare 40-year olds to still have living grandparents…I know I’m blessed! Not only are they living, but they’re in their early 80’s, married 60+ years, healthy, thriving (they’re even on Facebook & Grandma plays scrabble with her kids…how’s that for cool?), traveling, keeping up with 2 homes (spending winters here in South Florida in my neighborhood, and summers in the NC mountains), gardening & canning…seriously living THE LIFE…an ideal we all look up to. I still tell my grandma all the time that I want to grow up to be just like her! I love my grandparents!! 🙂
Here’s a picture of me with my grandparents taken just a few years ago….don’t they look amazing? I called them to get permission to share this photo with you, and they were out in California. Those jet setters were just in Salt Lake City last week, and flying back to the east coast for our reunion tomorrow.
This year my aunt & uncle (who now have 3 beautiful acres) have taken up the mantle and are having the family reunion at their place. I’m excited to again pitch my tent among all my cousins, chill and let our kids roam for 3 glorious days. Tent, you say? Well tent doesn’t do my “vacation home” justice. Yes…I’m being serious! I LOVE my tent!! Last year we purchased an 8 person tent, and I’m still in disbelief at how quickly and easily it goes up (15 minutes), and how roomy and comfortable it is. Easy storage in the back of our van (with our airbeds) which means we are ready to camp at a moment’s notice. The great thing about camping at our 4th of July gatherings though is that we have access to a house if needed. But yes, have tent…will travel! We’re low-maintenance house guests that way 😉
Today I’m sharing with you one of the most incredible dips I’ve ever made. After adjusting a few times to get the ingredients just right, I now have what I consider to be the perfect dip. The last two times I made this dip (for my 3 yr old’s birthday party, and then for Mops), it was completely devoured and I was asked for the recipe. I took these pictures this past spring and have been waiting for the right opportunity to share it with you. This recipe makes quite a large amount of dip so I like to make it when gathering with family or friends, and since 4th of July is around the corner it seems fitting.
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream, full-fat
- ½ cup mayo, full-fat
- 1 can mexican Rotel with part of the juice
- 1½ Tbsp horseradish
- ½ cup shredded mexican cheese
- ¼ cup vidalia onion, diced
- 6 slices bacon, crumbled*
- 2 tsp bacon grease, optional
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- scallions, optional
- In mixer, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, rotel, horseradish, onion, bacon grease, salt & pepper.
- Mix in cheese and bacon by hand.
- Spread in dish to serve, and garnish with a few extra bacon pieces, cheese and scallions if desired.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or our favorite Frito Scoop corn chips (processed I know...but it's our favorite way to eat this dip & we only make it a couple times a year!)
- Refrigerate, and will keep all week...but probably won't last that long.
What’s your favorite dip? Feel free to share a link to your blog if you have one to share. Do you have any special 4th of July plans? I hope you have a good one! Over the next 2 weeks we’ll be traveling, and I’ll be posting our adventures from the road. Hope you’ll come along!
This recipe linked up with Works for Me Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, What’s on the Menu Wednesday, What’s Cooking Wednesday, What’s on Your Plate, It’s a Keeper Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Thrilling Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Fresh Food Friday, Friday Favorites, Food Trip Friday, Fight Back Friday, Finer Things Friday, Friday Potluck, Fun with Food Friday & Foodie Friday, Mouthwatering Monday, Monday Mania, Mangia Mondays, Melt in Your Mouth Monday, Tuesdays at the Table, Delectable Tuesday, Totally Tasty Tuesday, Hearth & Soul Hop and Slight Indulgent Tuesday.
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That does look like the perfect dip! You speak to my heart with a recipe that includes bacon grease!
Also, you are so blessed to have your grandparents and what sounds like a wonderful family! Love the picture.
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen recently posted..Comment on Candied Walnut Scones with Maple Glaze by Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
I came to your site to check out the bacon dip recipe, but I really loved your story about the family reunion and your grandparents. Being raised by my grandparents, I treasure the days I spent with them growing up, and there isn’t a day goes by that I don’t miss them both. You are so lucky to have then still in your life. Great story Denise, and the recipe sounds good too. I’ll let you know how it comes out. Happy 4th of July!
Oh, I love it- you are very blessed to have such a network of family members! 🙂 And, that dip… oh yum!
michelle@the domestic mama and the viillage cook recently posted..I’m here….
I love this post because it is all about family and enjoying this holiday. Your grandma is so pretty! 🙂 as for the dip; it looks delicious.
Also, not sure if you know but I closed my blog Cocina Diary and opened a new one. Come and visit us at A Platter of Figs. Happy 4th of July.
Maria recently posted..a tin tale: ensalada de pulpo de mama (my mom’s octopus salad)
I clicked on “Print” and it took me to a log-in page for wordpress. Help?
Looks delish.
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Simply Delish Saturday
This sounds like a blast…what a wonderful way to spend time w/ family…perfect summertime story 🙂 And I totally love the sound of this dip…I would demolish it!
Heather @girlichef recently posted..Cherry Basil Collins + a product review: Purity Vodka
I like reading new recipes, but I love reading the stories, memories and traditions that come along with them….you have a lovely family.
The dip recipe must be the best dip recipe I found in a long time, my oldest son is addicted to bacon….he’s the baconator in the family.
Bibi recently posted..Potato & Onion Salad
that dip sounds so delicious…we love bacon so will definitely enjoy it! and you’re so lucky and blessed to have great families around. 🙂 visiting from FTF, have a great week. 🙂
cheerful recently posted..Pink Fridays 020: Pink Elephant…
Hi, just saw your link at heart and soul blog hop. Although I don’t have bacon, I am sure i can replace it with chicken. This recipe sounds great. I am too tempted. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
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Looks like you had a wonderful time, and what a lovely family you have! It’s wonderful that your grandparents are still living. You are very lucky! Your dip sounds so delicious – it has so many of my favourite ingredients (tomatoes, cheese, bacon) in it! Thank you for sharing it with the Hearth and Soul blog hop.
This dip sounds delicious, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul hop.
Swathi recently posted..Hearth and Soul Hop #58 at Zesty South Indian Kitchen
Sounds like a great dip!
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You’re making my mouth water! I can’t wait to try this.
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