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

Happy Firecracker Day this weekend, everyone! 

Are you doing anything special for it?  At least it's on the weekend this year, for us UK folks!

I'm working tomorrow and then on Sunday I'm going to a harp play-together!  (The party we were invited to was cancelled).

Watching Wimbledon, watching World Cup, trying to be proactive and clean and work on job apps, and, if we have the nerve, taking the boys to their first fireworks display.

We're planning a relatively quiet one!  Forecast says rain for Sunday, but hopefully clearing off the evening.

I want to do a BBQ, or if it rains - at least picnicky type foods!  And a cake!

Ashley told me about a great place to get fireworks here in north Leeds, so I'm planning to make a trip over there tomorrow morning & see about at least getting some sparklers.

I <3 <3 <3 fireworks!!!!  That was such a huge part of 4th of July in my childhood - spending every extra penny we had saved up on fireworks & firing them off all day long & into the evening!  There was a vacant lot behind where we lived, that belonged to our neighbours - and we would all get together there on the 4th of July evening after dark and put on our own fireworks display 'show'!  Oh and mmmmm, that smell of cordite!  

(it's a wonder I didn't blow my fingers off back then!)

My American friend and I are getting together with our redcoat boyfriends for an American FEAST!

I will be bringing a small camping burner, and making smores on the window ledge for dessert.


I'm freaking out though, as I haven't found any fireworks yet in London!

JennBean is throwing a barbecue in Durham, so that's what we are doing tomorrow. I'm making some corn muffins, and I hear there will be queso, not sure what else. Sheateawholepie will also be there. I'm really looking forward to it! 

We are going to a Christening tomorrow, with all our good friends, so should be fun!

Yay!  Glad to read about everyone's plans!

I didn't make it to the fireworks place after all.  Maybe next year I'll have to do a do, or something.

DH is making my BBQ sauce now, for tomorrow.  Now let's hope it's not too rainy!

I'm exhausted so our BBQ has turned into a small family celebration (also because it might be rainy and don't feel like having a million people in the house).  I'm making some hamburger and hotdogs, potato salad and American-style baked beans.  That's pretty much it.

AFAIK, it's just going to be DH & me!  We got stuff to do hamburgers & BBQ chicken on the grill.  Making my own recipe BBQ sauce right now for the chicken.  Plus potato salad.  And some beer/cider/Pimms - depending on how we feel!

I'm going to make a cake too, but that's really more for Monday.  A coconut cake this year. 

Dh & I are going to a American Style diner that we have neither been to about 30 mins away from where we live I'm excited hopes it good.      Then when we get home I will call my family.

Dh & I are going to a American Style diner that we have neither been to about 30 mins away from where we live I'm excited hopes it good.      Then when we get home I will call my family.

Oh - is it one of these (it's a chain):

http://www.okdiners.com/

There's one near Newark on the northbound A1 - I always insist on stopping there now, whenever we're driving back home from in-laws after a visit!!!  And it's really good!  Real ice cream milk shakes & all!  (Not like powdered McDonalds sh*te, nor like some weird & runny British milk shakes I've had.)

BBQ yay!
Doing the theme red/white/blue BBQ and I even found coors light (6 pk for me)
Here is what I got for today!
1. Handmade burgers
2. Cracked pepper sausage
3. Crockpot of Velvetta/Rotell
4. Swirl Cake topped with strawberries/blueberries like the US flag
5. Margarita Mix and the bottle of Tequila
6. Approx 10 US Old Navy T-shirts for some of the UK friends <giggle>
7. Ton of 4th of July plates/napkins/tablecloth
8. a full 45 quart cooler
9. Huge bowl of cold italian pasta with meats and mozz
AND
this massive £70 firework to be the finale of the evening!!

This is just what I am bringing <sigh> even DH wishes we had a bigger house lol

Rain or no rain there will be a grill and a cold beer...Friend might bring a tent thing/gazebo and I own a hoodie - SOLD

Happy 4th of July and  I wish some of you were closer to come party with us!

Happy 4th of July and  I wish some of you were closer to come party with us! 

Me too!!!  Sounds like a great time!  Have fun! 

JennBean, I want to come to your party!

I'm home sick 

I took the whole week off--had a short holiday this weekend for a wedding that turned out to be more work than fun and then got ill the first day home and have been in bed all week.  What was supposed to be my relaxing week off has been anything but.

Every other year DH has done stuff for me for the 4th--he's been so sweet.  He always hangs up the American flag and makes me hamburgers and potato salad.  One year we had a big BBQ and invited over all the friends.  I haven't got around to it since, but it was nice.  We've often lit up sparklers I saved from Guy Fawkes Day for the 4th.  It must have been a sight--us in the little park in front of our old flat with my very English DH singing "and I'm proud to be an American" in full voice with sparklers.  It always looked so silly and slightly embarrassing, but it was so sweet of him.