I’m not a big anniversary person. I’m never going to be the kind of wife that’s going to throw a fit if Alasdair forgets our anniversary because, more likely than not, I will be the one forgetting. Case in point: June 28th – our four-year “boyfriend-girlfriend” anniversary. Alasdair came home with flowers and champagne because he realized it was exactly 100 days to our wedding (sweet, right??). Then, we were both like, wait a minute, it’s a special day for another reason as well, isn’t it?? Duh…it’s our four-year anniversary. We both forgot.

So, as you can see, unless something is written down on my calendar or my extremely detailed, Type A, verging on scary TO DO list, it doesn’t exist. I will never remember it. That’s why, last month completely passed me by without my realizing once that it was my anniversary. Not with Alasdair but with Healthy Recipe Ecstasy. I posted my first blog on June 6, 2012. More than a year ago. I can’t believe a full year has gone by and something that started out of boredom one day where I was home sick from work has turned into such a big part of my life.

Over the past year, I’ve been featured on other blogs, I’ve been asked to be part of the Cooking Light Blogger’s Connection, I catered a Junior League of Washington event, and I reached almost 2000 views in one day. And, most recently, I was asked to be a charter member of the POPSUGAR Select Program (you may have noticed the shiny new badge on my right sidebar).

I know all those little achievements may not be a lot to those veteran bloggers out there who are reaching more than 100,000 people a day, but I’ve resigned myself to taking baby steps. And, I feel quite proud of myself for what I’ve accomplished in the past year.

Exactly one year ago today, I had a few people over to celebrate Fourth of July and I made some yummy nibbles for my guests and the blog. In honor of our nation’s independence and my blog-iversary, I thought I’d re-share some of my cookout treats.

I started with the ever-so-festive American Flag Appetizer accompanied by one of my all-time favorite appetizers, Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus.

Then, I tried my hand at some Grilled Ribs courtesy of Chef Michael Symon. It was my first time ever grilling ribs, and, with a little help from my guests at some trying points of the day, they turned out terrific.

Along side the ribs, I served Corn with Roasted Jalapeno Butter (adapted from Cooking Light), Grilled Sweet Potato Fries, and a refreshing Chilled Caprese Salad.

Altogether, it was a great meal. So, if you’ve spent the last few days procrastinating and are now panicking because your guests are due to arrive in five hours and you don’t have so much as a bag of chips, just follow this menu. There is not a lot of prep time for any of these dishes. Just run to the grocery store before it closes, grab the ingredients, turn on the grill and go!

Everything will be done in time for the fireworks and you’ll still be able to hang out with your family and friends without having too many kitchen meltdowns. 🙂

P.S. In honor of my one-year anniversary, the holiday, and due to the fact that I will traveling for the next few weeks, I am taking a brief hiatus from HRx. I will be back in mid-late July with more fun summer recipes like Greek tortellini salad and grapefruit mimosas. If that’s not enough to keep you in suspense, during my recent travels (Memphis, Philly, Wintergreen, Richmond), I have bought some amazing cookbooks, including a cookbook featuring recipes from top Washington, D.C. restaurants. My plan is to cook my way through the cookbook and then give the recipes an HRx makeover. Can’t wait!

P.P.S. Happy Fourth!