Happy 4th of July!!! What's everyone up to this weekend?

I had a harp play-together today and brought some very American chocolate chip cookies (Nestle's Toll House recipe) to share.  One of my new harp friends toasted our alliance and said "Here's to our "special relationship"!" 

It never occurred to me that the 4th was about hating the British, but more like celebrating being American.  Heck it wasn't my relatives who fought in that war anyway (though they did pave the way for more immigrants (i.e. my relatives) to make a home in the US)

I sort of see it like the way many see St. Patrick's Day.  Those who don't really see it as the religious holiday it is but celebrate it as a proud to be Irish day and celebrating all things Irish.  Non-Irish Americans see it as a day to be Irish-for-a-day.  So our British friends can celebrate the 4th with us, take part in fun American customs and be honorary Americans-for-the-day.

I like that, Andee! Honourary Americans... hehe. We should make some buttons or something for our British comrades next year! 

Man, JennBean's party was awesome, that lady knows how to hook it up!  There was loads of great food (one English guy made enchiladas with nachos on top - very interesting!), loads of people (lots of English folks in US flag shirts... very nice!), and a general good spirit going around, plus all the cool American decorations and cheesy American tunes (Eye of the Tiger, anyone? Haha!) We had a great time, but didn't get to stay too long because DH had a migraine and my cold is still sucky. Too bad we had to go, I'm sure everyone will be enjoying the fireworks and flag cake soon!

Sorry to those of you who are feeling homesick today. I managed to call some of my family members, but I am missing my family and friends in Texas today, as always! 

We were supposed to go to a BBQ with some friends...but thanks to my MIL she managed to ruin those plans 

We had a BBQ and party last night, Saturday being a much better evening for people to drink etc. Had 17 people in our small yard and everyone had a blast.
We had Philadelphia rock radio station WMMR streaming on the internet, and even got a name check!
I did burgers on the grill, DW made pulled pork, baked beans and some delicious lime and chilli chicken wings.
She also did 3 desserts and then people brought about 4 more!
We bought sparklers last November and saved them!

We went to solihull for some shopping this afternoon. I've never been to into the 4th...however I did feel a bit homesick today. Well my mood totally turned when I spotted the red and white stripes of This Fridays. Had some fried cheese goodness, Sam Adams and my hubby asked the bar staff if I could have one of their American flags. Lovely day!

We had Philadelphia rock radio station WMMR streaming on the internet, and even got a name check!

Cool!

We were supposed to go to a BBQ with some friends...but thanks to my MIL she managed to ruin those plans 

Sorry, that really sucks.  (((HUGS)))

Glad to hear about people's various celebrations!  Ours was decidely low-key & just the two of us.  I played some of my Americana CDs:  Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, John Mellencamp (once saw him acoustically play a Farm Aid rally for free!), and some Crosby Stills & Nash (ok there's a Brit thrown in there too, and a Canadian if you add on Young).  Including our own shared special version of Our House that we sing - usually after having a few pints & yesterday was no exception. 

Sadly, it was just too Wuthering Heights windy here for us to light up the BBQ safely.  DH kept waiting to see if it was going to die down a bit, then when we got the inside grill going for everything - he wanted the chicken to be done yesterday.  Result - slightly undercooked chicken.    Ha ha - typical 4th of July, huh?  But the hamburger was good & the potato salad.  And we had fun, so who cares.    (chicken went back under the grill)

I was so sick from allergies that I barely made it out of bed on the fourth.
I was devastated, because we had planned to go to London to a bbq, then out for a nice meal since we got engaged on the fourth of July last year.

Right when I was feeling homesick and miserable, the park across the street had a huge fireworks display for their annual picnic. We could see the whole thing from our couch. Though it wasn't a perfect day, it was just the perfect thing for that night!

My brother and I put together a surprise party for his wife (who's American).  We did ribs, hotdogs and southern chicken with homemade american style coleslaw and potato salad, along with a pickled cucumber salad and a carrot and raisin salad.  I made a Mexican Dip to have with chips and did a Flag Cake.  We decorated the house for her while she was out - her face was a picture when she got home!!

Then to round the day off we went to the Blues Bar in Harrogate to see Stacie Collins who (along with her band) are touring from Nashville. The were fabulous!   (You Tube: Stacie Collins 'My Baby Sister').

Right when I was feeling homesick and miserable, the park across the street had a huge fireworks display for their annual picnic. We could see the whole thing from our couch. Though it wasn't a perfect day, it was just the perfect thing for that night!

That's so special! I'm so glad something cheered you up... what a coincidence.

My brother and I put together a surprise party for his wife (who's American).  We did ribs, hotdogs and southern chicken with homemade american style coleslaw and potato salad, along with a pickled cucumber salad and a carrot and raisin salad.  I made a Mexican Dip to have with chips and did a Flag Cake.  We decorated the house for her while she was out - her face was a picture when she got home!!

Then to round the day off we went to the Blues Bar in Harrogate to see Stacie Collins who (along with her band) are touring from Nashville. The were fabulous!   (You Tube: Stacie Collins 'My Baby Sister').

You must be the best sister-in-law EVER!!!!  That's so sweet of you to be so thoughtful. How did your flag cake turn out, by the way?

Jewlz, the Flag Cake was awsome!  Probably one of the best cakes I've ever made - it just vanished!!  I did a Victoria Sponge with a bit of lemon in it.  Topped with Raspberry Coulis (so the whole thing wouldn't be too sweet) then covered with whipped cream (I used regular whipping cream with half a packet of Dream Topping to stabilize which worked really, really well) then decorated.  I've only got a small section left!

Jewlz, the Flag Cake was awsome!  Probably one of the best cakes I've ever made - it just vanished!!  I did a Victoria Sponge with a bit of lemon in it.  Topped with Raspberry Coulis (so the whole thing wouldn't be too sweet) then covered with whipped cream (I used regular whipping cream with half a packet of Dream Topping to stabilize which worked really, really well) then decorated.  I've only got a small section left!

Mmmm! That sounds great! 

DH got some books out of the local library last week and the assistant wished him a "Happy Holiday!" This confused him at first because he's not "on holiday" and secondly why would a Brit be "celebrating" Independence Day in the US    But he bears us no hard feelings!

At my son's school on the 5th (because no school on the 4th) they offered a special Independence Day "American Barbeque" for school lunch.  Tickets had to be bought in advance.  My son asked his friends why they were celebrating American Independence Day and they said "it's an excuse to have hamburgers and donuts for lunch so who cares?"    I love that the bbq included donuts but the Cokes were diet because the healthy lunch rules ban calorific fizzy drinks.