Now that is what I call a 4th get together! Glad to hear Amanda and Bruvver are OK.
Can I ask what is the frosting on the brownies? I would love to make them for the installation of officers at our American Legion Post on the 11th.

Wanda, the frosting is just a plain old buttercream type frosting, Mom made it with powdered sugar, a couple of tablespoons of butter, some vanilla and milk until it reaches a spreading consistency.

It doesn't require refrigeration and sets up so it isn't sticky even when it's warm. Mom was going to cut the brownies into stars, but we were kind of pressed for time as it was a last minute plan.

We are all very thankful that no one got hurt any worse than they did, including the driver of the motorcycle, who should have been much more severely injured judging from the rate of speed at impact.

Annie

I'm glad your family is okay but it still stinks!! Looks like everyone adjusted to the situation nicely.

We were driving up the mountain to Pike's Peak Saturday and Raymond was almost in my lap (I was driving) as a herd/gaggle/pack/band of motorcycles riders wizzed past us one a very short straight away.

I love that picture of Bruvver and his cousin sitting in the Tonka Trucks. Too cute.

Lots of great looking food. My mouth is watering for some of Elery's pulled pork.

Ann

So sorry to hear about Amanda - I hope she recovers fully - whiplash can often show up later. It's amazing that a motorcycle could do that much damage.

Yesterday we didn't go anywhere (except Home Depot), but we did notice that the street one block over from us had been blocked off. Evidently they had a fireworks display from there, and so it was perfectly visible from our back yard. One of the advantages of our new house is that it is on top of a small hill, and so that gives us better views.

Sounds like your food was very good - I love pulled pork, but Kevin won't eat it.

Lars

Not a food stylist?? In a pig's eye!! Just because youa re a legal assistant doesn't mean your food pictures are ALMOST as good as you recipes!

Our family 4th was spent with all food cooked by someone else, and frankly it was very good.
Hoping Amanda feels better tomorrow...
Linda C

I'm so glad Bruvver is okay and sure hope Amanda completely recovers. Whiplash can be bad. We did the same as you, had a cook-out at DD's and watched all the nighbors fireworks.

Ditto the relief that Amanda and Bruver are okay, but how scary! I hope that insurance will cover the costs of a new car!

Fun evening with the family and the food looked yummy! We were with our DD and family at the annual Culver City Fireworks show. DH is a member of the civic group that hosts the show and it's a must do every year. The kids loved the show, especially DGS Mason--the 2 yr old! DGS Jayden doesn't like the noise, but assured me that "Nini, when I'm bigger, I won't be afraid! LOL

It's good to know that Amanda, Bruver and the motorcycle man is ok or will be ok. He must have realllly been going fast to have done that much damage.

The foods that you all had surely made Amanda feel better ;-) I know that I would have been in heaven...looks so good.
I cooked so much food that I don't really need to cook again till tonight. We had smoked Cajun rubbed tenderloins, potato salad, Boston baked beans, green salad, bread, corn on the cob and NO dessert. Watched the fireworks from the side porch and had a glass of wine. Nice day!

My son is home on leave before he deploys to Iraq in August.
A very thankful July 4th to all of the solders that serve our country.

RR, give your boy a hug and a big thanks for me for all he and his fellow soldiers do for us, will you.

Compumom, no money for the Blazer. It was an older model, 1996, and had only PLPD. Insurance will pay for the hospital bills but nothing else. That's OK, David is a mechanic and he'll take that one apart and put together another one and sell the remainder for parts. It's going to be hard to get Amanda back behind the wheel, though, she's a very timid driver anyway and she got a bad scare.

Still, everyone is either safe or will recover and that's the most important thing.

Annie

Yikes! I can't believe a guy on a motorcyle could even walk away from an accident like that!

So glad to hear Amanda and Bud are going to be fine.

That picture of the boys in their trucks is just precious! Glad you all had a wonderful holiday!

Linda

Poor Amanda and her truck! I'm glad she's okay - I hope the whiplash is minor. Tell her to take Naproxyn - it's an NSAID that lasts longer then Ibuprofen.

My brother and SIL came down for the weekend from inland. We did burgers and hot dogs one night and Korean BBQ ribs on the 4th. Strawberry shortcake dessert. Lots of margaritas. Walked down to the beach with the dogs for the fireworks. The dogs were bored :-)

Yesterday I played the most ping pong I've ever played - we had an impromptu mini-tournament at the club. I was sore when I came home but had some leftover shortcake and a Naproxyn. Feel fine today!

gina, they gave her a precription for something for pain, when it runs out I'll tell her to take some naproxyn, thanks.

Linda, the Sgt. from the Sheriff's Department who was on the scene told me the motorcycle rider was the luckiest SOB he'd ever seen. All he was worried about was his motorcycle, but I have a feeling he's gotten over that by today. Accident reconstruction is still ongoing but from the length of the skid mark and the damage to the two vehicles, they figure he was going at least 70 mph. He was riding with a friend who got ahead of him and he was trying to "catch up". On a two lane country road lined with hay fields, tractors, wagons full of baled hay and people. Sigh. I just hope that leg is "fixable" and that he doesn't have too many long term complications from it.

Annie

Fourth of July Food, Family, Fireworks, and a Foul.

Sorry to hear about Amanda, my friend. It seems the biker and your girl were both very lucky.
How is Amanda feeling today? Is the prescription drug helping any?

Btw, as always, I enjoy all your pictures, but that last one is just plain adorable, and fits the theme perfectly.

Sol

Sol, if I could have gotten a better angle so the bottle rockets were seen in the background, it would have been perfect, but I like that last picture anyway.

Amanda is feeling a little bit beaten up, but both the kids are camping with "the other grandma" this week, so she's getting a break. Elery and I are taking her and David out to supper at our favorite dive tonight, Schuberg's Bar.

I'm kind of leaning toward having a big ole' greasy burger, although they have an awesome grilled salmon sandwich.

Annie

Good to know Annie. I was hoping Amanda was getting some alone time. Poor kid.

And I was just thinking about the biker a.k.a. rebel without a clue. If he had known about the 'pitbull,' he would've been less concerned about his bike, and far more grateful to have been spared the other leg. The better to run (or hop) away with, my dear.

Enjoy your dinner tonight, and a round of hugs to all.

Sol

"...I like that last picture anyway."

Me too.

Jim

The picture of those two boys in their Tonka trucks is priceless.

Sounds like Amanda and Bruvver had their own private fireworks. Thank heavens everyone is okay.

I love looking at your life.

Glad to hear that Amanda and Bruvver are ok! Never a dull moment but looks like a great 4th of July :) I love the last picture!