Crabs, Beer, Dogs & Tomato Pie

What a great weekend... Just so enjoyable... Lots of red, white and blue celebrations and just plain 'ole fun! Friday we just ran errands around our house and had some great family time. Saturday, our neighborhood does a 4th of July parade where all the kids decorate their bikes, wagons, etc... and march up to the clubhouse, where they have a little festival for everyone that included a petting zoo, face painting, snow cones, popcorn, a bouncy house, etc... Then Dennis took Lu to the pool while I got to take a nap. We finished the day off at a friends house with 5 little girls playing and the parents just hanging out eating brats and dogs and other yummy treats. I'm finding I do fine with dogs, sausage, keilbasa, etc... but not as good with hamburger. Yesterday was rainy and cool, but we headed north to MD to a little hole-in-the-wall called Gillagan's Pier for crabs and beer with our friends J,T&N. This place rocked... anyone near Richmond should take the 1hr and 15 minute drive north some afternoon... TOTALLY low key, they have a little beach area on the Potomac, and even though it was raining, the girls just hung out and built princess sand castles and played in the sand while the parents hung out picking crabs and drinking beer. I had about the equivalent of half a beer over about 2 hours, and it was okay - the carbonation didn't bother me TOO much... but I don't think it is something I'll do often. The crabs were great - just enough old bay and butter... yummy! Then we headed home and all hung out at the house and on the porch (still raining), where I made a Paula Dean Tomato Pie recipe. I didn't have all the ingredients, so I improvised some and it was YUMMY! I've had it before with the fresh basil, and that does make a ton of difference - next time I'll make sure I have that on hand. With poundcake and berries for dessert, I can't think of a better way to top off the day... Hope everyone had a great 4th weekend!