Hello, hello!
Goodness, it has been go-GO-go this entire weekend, and we’re not done yet!
Let’s see here, where did we leave off…ah yes, the food festival Ben and I went to last night – Smokin’ in the Junction BBQ festival! We had some friends over for drinks before we left, and…attempted to take some pictures?!
There we go! 
This was the second annual Smokin’ in the Junction festival, which is one of the largest BBQ festivals in the state of Iowa. There was a nice stage setup on one end with live bands playing all night,
and the rest of the streets were lined with vendors selling some REAL good ‘Q!
And refreshments. 
The mouth-watering scent of luscious, smoky BBQ filled the air, and we had a hard time picking which tent we wanted to eat at!
After spotting the Big Daddy’s tent though, the decision was made. Big Daddy’s BBQ is a local institution and their products hit the mark every time.
I got a big, juicy pulled pork sandwich.
Smothered with Big Daddy’s signature sweet and smoky sauce.
The best!!!
Ben opted for some of their ribs that were, ohhhh, about 8 inches long! 
Absolutely unbelievable! We stayed at the festival for a couple of hours, enjoying the wonderful summer evening, and a few more beverages, before calling it a night!
Now, after two evenings of indulging in heavy food and cocktails, I woke up feeling surprisingly amazing, but when I spied this coconut water at the grocery store this morning, I picked some up to give it a try.
I recently read that coconut water has amazing hydrating properties and naturally contains the 5 key electrolytes: potassium, phosphorous, sodium, calcium and magnesium.
Plus it’s fat free, and tastes REALLY good. Sort of like a really watered down coconut drink. I’d buy it again, because truly, I did feel really good after drinking it!
Next up we headed over to my parent’s house for a grand ol’ Memorial Day BBQ straight off the grill!
Tangy, vinegary slaw,
crunchy, roasted potatoes,
and beautiful sirloin steak! Ben actually grilled these and he did a dynamite job. Like buttah’, I’m telling you.
Rounded out with some cool fresh fruit salad.
My Mom’s attempt at a “red, white & blue” themed dish.
After lunch – she brought out the big guns though…DIRT CAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can’t even begin to understand how much I love dirt cake!! My Mom used to make this all the time for my brother’s and me growing up, and it’s been at least 15 years since I last had it! (I hate that I can say it’s been 15 years since something, btw!)
Anyways, Dirt Cake is layers of crushed oreo cookies and vanilla pudding cheesecake, one after another, after another.
Topped with “worms”, of course! I WANT TO JUMP IN THIS BOWL!!!
Ahem, excuse me, sorry. I just really love dirt cake is all. I had…three bowls. Three bowls people. It was excessive, but so worth it. What if I don’t get dirt cake for another 15 years?! It had to be done.
Ohhhh, anyways! Ben and I are off to another picnic for a friend of his. Here we go again!
Toodles!
Lol sounds like you’ve had a great foodie time! I tried coconut water once – it was horrible! I totally don’t get the buzz around that stuff :s
Have a good evening!
Oh man, dirt cake looks SOOOO good!! Want!
I love pulled pork, YUM. Looks like a fun, foodie-filled weekend. YAY!
Jenn
I don’t even try to practice self control around dirt cake. I make it like once a year and just go to town!! Totally worth it
You are looking tanned – must be all the outdoor running! Dirt cake looks like so much fun, I’ve never tried it but may have to make it for my niece or nephews birthday.
Dirt cake is SO good! Maman made some ice cream last night and I had about three bowls as well. I think mothers are secretly putting crack in all of their food or something.
we make dirt cake at work with my little kids all the time…sometimes we use vanilla wafers and make sand cake(exotic, i know). LOL, gummi worms are so gross!
Dirt cake was one of my favorite things growing up! I need to make it sometime this summer! All of your eats look great! I had no idea that DM had a BBQ festival! How fun!
Jealous of that BBQ…yum
I *heart* dirt cake! Yum
Such a great weekend! We had a Picnic at the parents today too, but sadly, no dirt cake!!! This stuff is pretty amazing!!
It reminds me so much of my childhood.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend girl.
Ohmigosh dirt cake! I LOVE dirt cake!!!
xo
K
Oh wow… I LOVE LOVE LOVE dirt cake!!!!! I haven’t had it in forever either. Something so delicious about something so very simple..
DIRT PUDDING IS THE BEST!!!!!! Especially with gummy worms!
I have never heard of dirt cake! But it looks good.
Girl, where do you put it all???? Hollow leg?
Went to the local farmers market and bought more goat feta with sundried tomatoes. I am hooked. Can’t have salad without! At least for awhile. Even added more sundried tomatoe and calamata olives for the dressing. So delish.
Thanks for all the great ideas!
fun weekend!! I love dirt cake!! I used to have it all the time at Swiss Chalet when I got the kids meal except it was called mud cake? Either way, it was gooood!
haha i have never seen dirt cake! looks so fun!
Hi there! I tried coconut water plain and thought it tasted like salt water. I didn’t like it at all, but I had already purchased af ew different kinds, so I used a passion fruit flavored one in a smoothie and it was DELICIOUS! Also where did you get that white over shirt from? It looks cute from what I can see in the pic and I am looking to get something that I can wear during the summer. =)
Dirt and worms cake is the best!
You guys are having an awesome long weekend! I LOOOVE dirt cake, I remember always having it in elementary school for birthday parties and church youth group events
I havent had dirt cups in forever either! I bet well have them at summer camp, though.
Pulled-meat sandwiches are my favorite. All that food made me really excited about summer
.
Coconut water is GREAT after a long run or a hard workout. So hydrating and satisfying when you drink it cold and with a straw. I think the taste is just great when you’ve worked up a sweat and are super thirsty.
Sounds like you had a great weekend! Those pulled pork sandwiches look delish. I’m hoping to make some myself one day over the summer.
I recently discovered Vita Coco and then blogged about it – check it out: http://blarkness.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-two-new-favorite-healthy-loves.html
aw what a fabulous way to spend a summer evening! bbq, live music, outside
funny, i just tried that coconut water myself this weekend! aboslutely love the refreshing taste and hydrating factors!
question: where did you get the big silver “P” on your mantle? love loooove looove it!
Aw, my mom used to make ‘dirt cakes’ for my birthdays when I was little. She would make them in a terra cotta pot – they were super cute…and yummy.
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