Planning anything special for the 4th?

4 months ago

Independance Day in my childhood meant old fashioned picnics with a woven round basket on a pink and white plaid picnic blanket, and playing in the park until dark for the fireworks. Probably fried chicken. My mother tended to give us cold fried chicken legs for al fresco meals. I don't remember at all what the grown-ups ate. The best one was when I was very small and we were staying with family in the desert. It was warm and there were cousins to play with. Here, it's usually cool and dank in the evening, which my mother hated, and had to put up with so we could see the fireworks. One year, we were on a boat with other family. It was fun and weird watching the fireworks over the land while we were on the water. I think my aunt gave us hot dogs and party nibbles, rather than an actual meal. The cousins weren't much fun and you can't run around on a boat.

A really good 4th was when I'd just returned from my adventures and I didn't want to miss my American holiday. I pursuaded a family member of similar age and singlehood to take me to a "real" fireworks and all 4th. He got tickets to a show in a neighboring town to him, where the whole day had traditional Americana type festivities, supporting and put on by the fire department. With take-out boxes of fried chicken and fixin's, we just went to the show on the high school field, put on by the firemen of course, but where the town leaders joined in dedicating a new firetruck. All of their equipment was on parade around the track, with all the local beauty queens riding on them. Then the school choir sang, and the entertainment carried on 'till dusk. IIRC, we were allowed beach chairs but not blankets, one assumes for the health of the lawn..

We can see a really good fireworks show, nowadays, if we stand in the bathtub. That's no fun. But the park is crowded and the evenings are dank. I started to buy some nice hot dogs (lower on headache salts and higher quality meat, but still taste like hotdogs) but put them back. I'm not sure what dinner will be--no party this year--but I'm pretty sure it won't be hot dogs or fried chicken. I don't know if we'll actually watch the show. Nobody has made any plans.

We have beautiful, delicious, two-tone corn. What goes with that? I have blueberries to make a pie for dessert...

What's your Independence Day tradition? What are you making?

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amylou321

4 months ago

Not me. I am working. The other night minion asked me to cover for him tonight, wants to extend his vacation with his new bride. As its double time and a half plus holiday pay, I could not justify not working it.

The city puts on a big fireworks display every year and I am usually able to see it from my office,though I really do not care about fireworks, but if they are being shot, I might as well look at them.

I am a little annoyed. I ordered online from a mexican place that I frequent before I left for work. It accepted the order and charged my card. I get there, the open sign is lit, but the door is locked. So now I am without food for the night, and have to deal with the charges later. Normally, I would have cooked something for SO and I, but his family decided to do their family reunion today and so I thought he would be eating there. He is very particular about whos cooking he will eat, but his mother was cooking majority of the food, and she is on the approved food preparer list.😂 However, he went, dropped off our contributions for the event, (cash for his mother,2 gallons of cole slaw from a local bbq place that my SO likes and a cinnamon roll apple pie that i made) then left 5 minutes later. It was entirely too hot for an outdoor event.

I do not really make a big fuss over what i call hot weather holidays anyway. I do Christmas in July all month long, and today I compromised by wearing a combo of a blue christmas dress, red christmas leggings, one red shoe and one blue shoe, both sandals, and I paired it with my sparkly patriotic captains hat and bomb pop earrings. I have both my slushie machines going at work right now for the unfortunates that have to work outside and I made one red one and one blue one, cherry and blue raspberry lemonade. And Christmas Vacation is playing on the projector. I thought I had 1776 on DVD, and I was gonna play that until midnight, but it turns out that I bought it on Prime, but do not have the DVD. Oh well.

Happy 4th day of Christmas in July everyone!

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Comments (18)

porkchop_z5b_MI
4 months ago
Yes! The all-day affairs in childhood -- such great memories! Always a cook-out, a big family affair. Hotdogs and burgers in the early afternoon then again for round two later in the evening. And always over charcoal --- oh, that smell! To this day, the smell of someone grilling 'dogs over charcoal is one of my favorite summer scents. Sparklers for the kids towards dark. (that was the extend of our fireworks)

Not a big fireworks fan, personally. Just not my thing. I find it boring to just sit there. I understand that people enjoy the displays, though. What I don't understand is blowing off those stupid sound-only ones (I don't even know what they're called) What is the point of that?

Having a small group over on the 4th this year but not an all-day thing. Burgers and the traditional side dishes. On the fence about making sausage; I probably won't because I don't want too many leftovers, but then again leftover sausage is great in pasta and I can use it up the next day and won't have to expend much effort cooking. Also on the fence about grilled corn. Some years it goes over well, other years it doesn't. I don't know what I'm in the mood for this year, TBH. LOL!
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chloebud
4 months ago
For years we had a big party the night of July 3. One reason was no one had to work the next day, and most people we invited were doing family things on the 4th. I always tried to plan a menu that, hopefully, didn’t include anything everyone might be eating the next day (burgers, hot dogs, etc.). It was always lots of fun. This year it’s on the Fourth but a much smaller group. There will be 7 of us and I bought rib eyes to grill. For one thing, Saturday is always our steak night. I’m making twice baked potatoes, grilled veggie skewers and Caesar Salad. Someone’s bringing dessert so I’m off the hook for that. DH was really hoping for some kind of fruit crisp. Not sure, was also thinking of a layered Greek dip with pita chips to start things off. I had one not long ago that was very tasty.

Regarding corn, I discovered most people (especially women) prefer it off the cob. For guests, I like to cut off the kernels and cook them with just butter, s&p and chopped basil.

This will be our puppy’s first Fourth since she’s only 9 months. We’re hoping she won’t be too frightened by the fireworks. I’m guessing they could start tonight and definitely tomorrow night. Then comes Saturday…and maybe even more on Sunday.🥴 We have coyotes roaming all over, including one in our front yard this morning. I wonder how the noise affects them and the other critters that visit us.
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NiCOZ5
4 months ago
Colorado has a bunch of really bad fires. ALL fireworks have been cancelled.

Aspen Acres fires.

3 firefighters killed as Utah, Colorado wildfires rage amid ongoing fire danger

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service identified the three firefighters killed as Emily Barker, 38, of Michigan, Nick Hutcherson, 27 of Arizona, and Sydney Watson, 27, of Alabama. Link for news

We'll probably go to the gym. Then grill while hanging out with the cats...Aspen & Ivan are characters. The air is smoky, a breeze is blowing...
plllog thanked NiCOZ5
plllog
Original Author
4 months ago
Yikes! I'm so sorry....
hobbitmom
4 months ago
We routinely do a low key thing. Burgers, hot dogs, watermelon, potato salad. I have yet to bond with my charcoal grill. maybe this year. I have a special anxiety towards neighborhood fire works, and the bombs set off, due to what American pets have to go through. We just have Pooky our tabby cat now, and she just sleeps through it, but I recall our beagle being anxious. Not bad enough for meds, but I know other dogs can get frantic. I feel for those pet owners.
plllog
Original Author
4 months ago
Part of the problem is that a lot of fireworks make awful sounds in the ranges dogs can hear but we do not. Those an be painful in addition to the frightening.
Nancy Todd
4 months ago
We'll be home with our drugged up pup! The 6th, however starts our several days of our 70s party! All 5 of us siblings will be in our 70s this one year! Rented a place at the river for several nights. Could be fun, but I'm prepared to drive home if need be! OH, green bean and new potato salad (both fresh from the garden) to go with something BBQd.
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porkchop_z5b_MI
4 months ago
^^ That's sounds like fun, Nancy Todd! What a special thing to do.
NiCOZ5
4 months ago
NancyTodd: What fun!!! For my GF's 70th B-day...we ALL went zip lining, then out to eat. It was a hoot. Enjoy your outing!
chloebud
4 months ago
“OH, green bean and new potato salad…”

Nancy, is it anything like this one? It’s an old favorite I found in Bon Appetit circa mid 90’s.

New Potato and Green Bean Salad

Dressing:
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 T. Dijon mustard
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
1/3 to 1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Salad:
1 1/2 pounds small red-skinnned potatoes
3/4 pound haricots verts (see Note below), stems trimmed
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste

For Dressing:
Whisk first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be made 1-2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temp and rewhisk before using.)

For Salad:
Steam potatoes until tender. Cool; cut into quarters. Cook green beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Transfer beans to bowl of ice water and cool. Drain. Cut beans in half. Combine beans, potatoes, onion and basil in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead; cover and let stand at room temp.) Garnish bowl with a small bunch of fresh basil before serving.

Note: If you can't find haricots verts, use the slenderest green beans available.
Nancy Todd
4 months ago
Chloe That's the one! Hope it's tasty!
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petalique
4 months ago
I was wondering, and thought someone must have by now, come up with NOISE CANCELLING headphone/headsets for DOGS. Indeed. they are available. Our lab used to suffer, even if the fireworks were miles away. I hope they work and help sensitive puppins.
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
4 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
For many decades, we could sit on our dock to watch our city fireworks display across the bay at the local beach. Displays by other towns around us could be seen as well - 360degrees, but further away. My mom always hosted big gatherings of family and friends, and it was always a feast of picnic foods and desserts. Then the city moved the display further south along the beach, and we could only see them from the driveway. So not as fun or comfortable, since the road and driveway get pretty hot from the Florida sun, and there weren't any seats, so most of us had to stand - lots of obstructions too 😕

Now my mom is gone and so is the house, and I haven't watched any July 4th displays for the past several years.

I did make coleslaw, and bought hotdogs and buns, along with watermelon. It's so miserably hot out, I'm happy to stay in the A/C, and I figure I've seen enough fireworks in my lifetime to keep me satisfied.
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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
4 months ago
Well I take it back - we watched the NYC fireworks livestreamed on YouTube - they were truly spectacular 😃
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plllog
Original Author
4 months ago
I'm getting over a cold. Every time I went in the kitchen, I said no and went back to take a nap. Sigh. The booms, bangs and pops are non-stop and louder than usual. I think there are more shows than usual, from the directions of the sounds. I should look, but it's cozy here.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
3 months ago
Ha - I too have a cold that came on late last night 😒

What is happening? My sister and BIL in NYC both have colds right now too - it's conspiracy, I tell ya 😄
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Sherry8aNorthAL
3 months ago
Well we spent 6 hours at the emergency vet with a dog having heart faliure???? Not the best 4th ever. He is not dead yet, and at home, so well okay.
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Planning anything special for the 4th?

amylou321

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