That sounds fun. I'm making Lime Coconut Cupcakes to take to a friend's house that has a front yard ''seat'' to a local fireworks display; the cupcakes are to go along with the margaritas they'll be serving.

The day after, I'm planning a small get-together with Fast Food at home...Chili Cheese Dogs, Oven Fries and Root Beer Floats. I'm looking forward to it this year!

Friends and family are coming over and then we will go into town to watch the fireworks.

Vegetables & two kinds of dip
Shrimp platter w/remolode & cocktail sauce
Tortilla chips with Texas Cavier
Cheese Platter (three kinds) with grapes and crackers

Chicken and steak on the grill
Corn on the grill
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Watermelon and Feta Salad

I haven't made up my mind yet on dessert.

Well, we are going to my aunt's for a usualy 4th "fest". I am taking a BLT dip and PatT's bbq kielbasa bites - both easy. There will also be deep fried turkeys and a roasted pig - among other things. I am considering Khandi's kahlua brownies as well.

The next evening we are going to watch the Buffalo Philharmonic play HarryPotter music outside in Ellicottville - with fireworks. We will take some light snacks and I will be watching for great ideas to take!

A couple days after that my relatives are visiting - and I will be anxious to do some stuff on the new weber. And a few days after that my DMIL will be here for a week...AAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

OK, dixie - cough up that recipe for watermelon feta salad! (sorry - "ahem - could you please share your recipe???" ) And what is "tortilla chips with texas caviar"?

Stacy

:-)

Everything sounds good..

The little one has asked for stuffed burgers for 4th of July. I also have country ribs in the fridge and plenty of dogs and hot links for the men.

I'll make Baked Potato Salad to nibble on the whole weekend, Jack N Beans..(darn I forgot the Pork N Beans at the store!)

So I don't know exactly what all we'll have and when..just that we'll eat good.

Ellen, I didn't realize that Culver City had fireworks. However, I can see the Marina fireworks from my back yard, providing there is no marine layer, and it looks like there won't be this year. BTW, Café Brasil opened a new branch in Culver City on Washington Blvd, west of the 405. It's not far from where Scott lives and closer to me than the old one.

I came down with a very bad cold on Monday and left work early. Yesterday I stayed in bed, but today I'm able to sit at my desk at home. I had chills this morning, but I think my fever was worst yesterday at 101°. I probably won't go to work tomorrow, and since Kevin is also sick, he doesn't want to barbeque on Friday, even though a friend/client will be coming over. I was going to invite more people, but now I don't think it's a good idea. I have some Italian sausage that I plan to cook, but if we're not feeling well, I'll cook that indoors. It's been too warm to do much cooking inside, and I haven't felt like standing up for the past two days. I can't even unload the dishwasher.

I hope you have fun in CC! If I felt up to it, I would make my bean dip, or maybe my hummus. Those are both good at picnics/potlucks.

Lars

Ellen, we lived in Culver City for many years. I miss fourth of July there. We could have the littlest kids in their crib or bed and watch the fireworks from our front lawn with neighbors. As they got older, the kids could have a bath and be in their pj's before watching the firworks on a blanket. No driving, no traffic!

Last year we went to the Hollywood Bowl for fireworks and cowboy music. (Food related note: I made pinwheels for the first time) It was fun but lots of driving and traffic, even with the park and ride.

This year ~ I'll have what Lars is having (and maybe Gina too?) Waiting on a throat culture, haven't been this sick in a while. Maybe it'll be a weekend to make plum schnapps!

Nothing on the 4th, I'll be building fence (yep, there's a downside to living in the country). We'll drive the 3 miles to the lake to watch the local 'show'.

On the 6th we're going to a BBQ at my Son-in-law's mom's.
She's doing either chops or chicken, I'm getting off with a big fresh green salad from the garden!! No people, no mess, no fuss this year! Works for me.

Deanna

Parade in Southampton in the morning, then a bbq here, just the family so far, but I am prepared if it gets bigger.

That night we walk down to the beach for the fireworks..

Sat there is a beach party with hot dogs etc, and a cocktail party at the beach that night. We will prob watch the 4 gkids so ds and dil can walk down to the party. I will be exhausted by then!

Depending on the weather maybe an impromtu brunch for the neighbors, or not, if it is yucky!

Deanna, have fun doing the fence, and Lars, hope you feel better soon.

Stacy, I have a room for you, the kids will be gone by then, so come on down...I am the MIL here!! And you will be someday, so be careful!!!

Get well soon to Lars, Denise and Gina!
Lars, Culver City has had fireworks for some 25 years, sponsored by the Exchange Club of CC (national civic organization).
Anyone interested in how the fireworks work?
Check out this link: http://www.howstuffworks.com/fireworks2.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: Culver City Fireworks

Make that 55 years of sponsoring the fireworks!

Ribs with rhubarb BBQ sauce, roasted corn on the cob, snow peas and a Ceasar salad (peas & lettuce from my garden).

But my favorite 4th of July menu is the one my parents made each year.

Fresh Atlantic salmon
New baby Katadin potatoes
Fresh peas

My dad caught the salmon and the potatoes and peas were from his garden.

My other favorite 4th meal is an old fashioned New England Clambake. Dad had lobster traps and we'd dig the clams. Yum!!!!!

Going to a friends for the 4th just aquiet day. My big bash is on the 5th taking advantage that the Grucci Firework Company is having there big display literally 1 block from my house ...so i have 50 coming. Right now I have my potatos soaking in brine waiting to become Ny Deli and German...We are having hot and sweet sausage early on the grill (I have sauted italian peppers with onion for topping) Dinner time is Hot dogs Burgers baby back ribs,corn n the cob,baked clams,orzo pasta salad,and italian style zucchini with onions and the potato salads. Dessert is a ice cream cake made by a local specialty ice cream shop...Banana Split Ice Cream 1/2 Sheet cake to good to even try to explain. They will put a picture of a firetruck on it as Paddy Boy turns 4 yrs on Sunday and he is determined to join the NYFD!

oh NO - kathleen - my DMIL is definitely a dear! My AHHHH was all about the busy string of events that I have to prepare for! We are very excited about all of our visitors. :-)

Stacy

Feel better Lars! There's nothing more miserable than a summer cold. Bleh!

Hubs and I will drag a cooler and some lawn chairs down to a nearby lake and watch the show there. We'll sit under our favorite tree, swat at the skeeters, eat some ribs (Alton Brown dry rub), drink some wine, and "oooh-ahhhh" with the rest of the crowd.

We may have some friends join us, but mostly it's a pretty laid back day. Perfect!

I'm visiting family up north and Dad is doing the big cookout. Burgers, dogs, brauts, and ribs. Too many sides to list but the normal cold salads and beans will be there.

Have a great 4th everyone!!

David

DH, the FD President(Jessie ) & I are doing a fund raiser for the FD-- the "Dock Dogs" org trials are in Union Springs this weekend -- F, S & S --we're doing just grills (hots, hamburgers & cheeseburgers) for lunchtime F & S-- then breakfast Sun morning-- scrambles eggs, pancakes & sausage. I've baked brownies , PB & J bars & oatmeal cookies to sell. Other than that-- nil cooking for me for 3 days !

I'm making one of the plum baked things (see drowning in plums thread) and taking it to a party on the 5th...

The 4th is at a friend's house... just bringing beer!

Awwwww feel better Denise, Lars, Gina.

My folks (in their 80s) decided to come to my house tomorrow for lunch (clear the freeways 11-12, and 6-7PM). Then we'll go up the street to a neighbor for BBQ and fireworks.

I still haven't figured out what to make...maybe spacific's clafouti (I got plums from Denise, still in the fridge!) and we have TONS of basil. Thats as far as I have gotten!

Jessey your too funny!

I made a batch of kimchi last weekend so I'm going to do some kind of Korean bbq. I don't know exactly what yet. Maybe bulgogi on skewers cooked outside.
Jesse, I know exactly what you mean about the parents. My dad is 80 and my mom is 79. They are more hard headed than I was at 16 about doing what they dam well please. Us kids worry about them but on the other hand if I live that long I hope I have the same attitude they do now.

Jessy I can so relate about the driving!

All the food and plans sound so good. I love the 4th of July.

Stacy I've made the Watermelon Feta Salad a few differrent ways but the basics are cubed or balled watermelon, Feta Cheese, Olive Oil, Mint, Red onion sliced and black pepper. Can add a little salt if you want but I think that the Feta cheese adds just enough. I saw Tyler Florence make this several years ago on one of his shows. We really do like it. The saltiness of the cheese works really well with the watermelon.

I have also added some rice vinegar in the past. I also have made it with basil instead of mint and have added chopped tomatoes (heirloom) with it also. Equally as delicious.

Texas Caviar - there are more recipes for this then you can shake a stick for. Basically, black eyed peas, olive oil/vinegar dressing (I make homemade), onion, celery, peppers, chilis, cilantro, tomatoes, salt & pepper. Mixed together and chilled in frig. for serveral hours. Serve with good tortilla chips.

Everyone have a great 4th!

moosemac...rhubarb bbq sauce sounds wonderful!
' Hope you poor sickies feel better enough to enjoy the holiday!

That watermelon feta salad sounds very good. I love salty flavors combined with sweet.

This morning, my barbershop-singing husband had a little gig with his quartet at a community 4th of July celebration. We were supposed to go see a ball game tonight, with fireworks afterwards, but a few hours in the sun, wind and crowd sort of took it out of us and we decided that a quiet evening in our gazebo sounded more appealing. So I'm going to grill up burgers & potato wedges to go with the fresh-picked corn from a local farm and a plate of juicy tomatoes from my plants drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with za'atar or maybe minced marjoram & salt.

I have some blue cheese, and I was trying to decide whether I should stuff it in the middle of the burgers or melt it on top. Decisions, decisions.

I was going to make grilled filet with grilled mushrooms and sweet corn, but we went to a wedding yesterday and dinner was filet with mushroom sauce. So instead I made grilled burgers with corn and strawberries and cherries for dessert. Tonight we'll go to a local ice cream parlor and have sundeas then watch the fireworks from Ribfest from the parking lot. It's the perfect spot to watch. About 50 people usually show up with chairs and blankets, and several people leave the radios on in their cars with the station tuned to a local station that broadcasts the synchronized music. It is almost like being at the fest but there are less bugs and traffic is much ligter.

Tomarrow we are going to the in-laws for their anniversary party. I think they are just ordering pizza which is fine with me. After being up til 1:30 this morning, the at least midnight tonight I'm gonna be too tired to chew tomarrow!

Joanne

Went to a friend's house for a barbecue 4th - wasn't sure what to expect because they're vegetarians (but not vegans, thank goodness - I have a hard time cooking for vegans). But they did barbecue some hamburgers for meat-eaters like us.

But mostly it was vegetarian, and quite delightful. Grilled radicchio, onions, zuchini, red peppers, mushrooms, and potatoes. Someone made a rice salad with corn and hard-boiled egg. One person (the household is French, with many friends gained through the local French-American school) made a wonderful tomato-nicoise olive tart, over a bed of sauteed onions, green peppers and celery.

I made the spinach lasagne recipe from Cook's Illustrated May/June 2004 for the umpteenth time. It's always a winner with everyone, carnivore or vegetarian! Despite their insistence upon the "proper" cheeses, I cut down a bit of the fat by using skim-milk mozzarella. I also use McCormick's lemon pepper: less sodium and more taste.

Then I riffed off a printed recipe for a rice-garbanzo bean salad by changing it to a rotini pasta-white bean salad. I added cooked carrots for color in addition to the green beans called for, and adjusted the seasonings in the mustard-lemon vinaigrette to taste. This one the vegans could eat!

Then I added some lemon cheesecake bar cookies, which turned out to be totally unnecessary as several people just stopped by bakeries to buy something to bring along. We ended up with ten desserts for 25 people! Never even made it to the peach pie....

I waaay overcooked! DD & friends made/bought a load of food, the block party had grilled Hebrew National dogs that I couldn't resist (my once yearly treat!) etc. This morning's clean=up took an hour! I had made coleslaw, a potato salad. 2 batches of brownies doctored from mixes and a chicken pesto pasta salad. I also brought along grapes and watermelon. The block party stuff was mostly gone, but the stuff for out picnic was barely touched. Too much food and too few of us! Nevertheless the fireworks were spectacular!