What's cooking for the 4th?

I am going to my sister in law's place by the lake for the 4th and I am scrambling to find something to bring for the festivities. Anyone has a suggestion about what to bring that is not  common fare, as she will be putting out the traditional fixings. Got to spice things up a little for our crowd! Any idea would be welcome!

My wife and some of her friends have a new request for me to stock at our place.  Blue Berry Flavored Vodka made by Absolut.  they mix it with lemonade.

Hey! That's my cabin drink! I call it "cotton candy" because I mix the blueberry  vodka with pink lemonade. It's colorful, delicious, refreshing and whoops be careful, LOL, it can sneak up on you.

Thanks for the beverage idea! Cotton Candy for grown ups...yum, sounds delicious in moderation. I may use that as my weapon of choice to get my opponents in their cups to win the badminton tournament on the 4th! ah, ah, ah!

Try "Cowboy Beans". 

1 # hamburger, 6 slices of bacon cut up, onion - browned 

add large can of pork n beans, one can of kidney beans drained and 1 can of butter beans drained

1 cup of ketchup, 1 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/4 cup of vinegar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste

Stir up and cook for about 4 hours in crock pot.

My crock pot is always empty when I'm leaving a party!

Jean

Now, I'm glad I invested in that fabulous crock pot of mine and will put it to good use! The recipe sounds delectable, easy to make and will probably be a crowd pleaser. I will label the dish as Jean's Gourmet Cowboy Beans! Thank you , thank you for the recipe idea! 

Sounds like my husband's recipe.  He adds pepperoni!!

My son and his wife and the grandkids are going.  Chicken, salmon and potatoes on the grill.  Nice and easy.

I'm making my list now.  I might just have to pick up the ingredients for adult cotton candy.

Do I sniff grilled salmon? I'm coming over...No, seriously, grilled fish is the best! I'm sure everyone will enjoy the feast you are planning. And the Cotton Candy is catching up fast... Thanks for the ideas. Happy 4th!

found this on another lakes forum I belong to locally, am going to try it myself this weekend.  Sounds delicious as a snack item

http://www.instructables.com/id/Refrigerator-Pickles---Quick-n--Easy/

Slow cooking barbeque chicken in the crock pot on Saturday. Steaks on the grill Sunday evening. Nothing like getting off of the boat, and having dinner ready from the crock pot.

I'm tempted to try the Grill Master lamb burger recipe on the home page. Looks yummy!

http://bit.ly/bd7N7U

I'm starting to have a Pavlovian response with all these delicious food talk. I'm hungry...

I had to add this quote from Julia Child, whom I admire greatly, " You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." I believe that is true!

Happy 4th of July!

Have you ever tried sweet potato fries with burgers? I highly recommend it.

Thanks for the hot tip on the bevy. The Cotton Candy was a serious competition for the traditional Margarita that my family usually enjoys during the summer season.