Any plans for the 4th?
 

So, what are your plans for the 4th of July this year?

My husband and father-in-law are running the Peachtree. I will be cheering them on from the comfort of my air-conditioned bedroom. Then I think we head over to the in-laws for a cook-out on the grill my husband and his brothers bought as a Father's Day gift for their dad. Three cheers for no more ruined steaks from the broiler in the kitchen!

On the 3rd, I usually go to a local suburban high school fireworks show. They put on a nice show every year and I've been going since I was like 7.

My childhood friends of the neighborhood had a long standing tradition (until the past two years or so) that we all come back and hang out at the school across the street from my house. There's a big open field in the back, and people from all over the neighborhood come and light off their fireworks, and it's always a good time. But like I said, the tradition has sadly started to disappear. Over the past few years, fewer have people come, and last year was the first year EVER the cops actually came and broke up the fireworks. I mean, I guess we should have expected it, cause they're illegal in this state, lol, but this is honestly the FIRST time that the cops have stopped the fireworks at the school since I've lived here (16 years!)

This year I'll be at a party for a friends 21st, which is on the 5th!

Going to Austin with some friends. I haven't been in a few years, so we'll be hitting 6th street, meeting up with old friends, and floating the river. Good times :D

Two of my close friends and I will be at the Beyonce concert in Houston. I'm more excited about seeing my friends than I am about the concert.

The hubby is working so I'm alone. I'll probably go with a friend to her house & relax.

DoctorD is running the Peachtree too!

Hope you enjoy Traverse City! I think you will!

The high school marching band is in the local parade so I'll be going to that to watch my daughter march/play. Then we'll hang out at the 4th of July festival held at the end of the parade route. It's usually a good time! Hopefully we'll catch some fireworks too.

Hosting a "small" BBQ for friends and family during the day. Started out with 5 guests, now we're up to 30. Most of us are going to head over to my father-in-law's house in Joliet to watch fireworks later in the evening.

Heading to Charleston, SC tomorrow with my boyfriend and staying through Monday. We'll be hitting up the beach during the day, our one year anniversary dinner that night, and then fireworks post-dinner!

I'll be in Cambridge, MA; my wife's best friend from college (who is also her sorority big sister and a friend of mine) is getting married, and my wife is in the wedding. The hotel is right on the Charles River, so we'll have a great view of the fireworks over the Charles - Boston puts on a great show for the 4th, probably one of the best in the country.

I've been really lucky to have great seats for the show over the years (usually through friends and co-workers), and this year will be no different.

If you see a beautiful woman with one of the biggest Bichons you've ever seen, tell her I said hi. She'll have a smaller bichon, too.

As for me, I'll do my annual reading of the Declaration of Independence, then go to a BBQ at a sorority sister's place. They found this BBQ on wheels that is incredible, and while everyone's eating BBQ, the company is making homemade ice cream. They put it on a slab and they put whatever you want in it. Yummy!

(Obviously, I'm dieting until then!)

I have a feeling I might be getting engaged on the 4th. But we'll see.

Oooooohhhhh ;)

I'm not doing anything as I'm saving my vacation/travel time to see my family the following weekend as my grandfather is turning 91.

Watching my hometown's fireworks from my parents' backyard. It's not the greatest view, but the creature comforts and not fighting the crowds rule.

And for some reason, I look forward to 4th of July food like whoa. Mmmmm... Mom's macaroni salad...

There is a neighborhood potluck which we go to every year. Not too exciting, but always nice to see who lives around here.

For exciting:
I'm watching a Portland Beavers baseball game which will end in fireworks. I have never been to a baseball game (only watched the world series a couple of times) and am really excited. This game is supposed to be amazing and the boyfriend and I are right behind home plate!

I had no idea that Portland had a separate strain of "Beaver Fever"

I will be spending my last day in Ireland with my best friend. We have been here a month doing a study abroad program.

I think on the third we're taking the dog to the vet and spending the day fixing my car, then on the fourth we're coming back into town (our vet is about an hour away from the city) and fighting the crowds down by Navy Pier just because live-in thinks it's a shame I've never seen "big" fireworks and got used to Pittsburgh's.

We have a swim meet on the morning of the 4th. The son, nephew, niece are competing. I am scoring, my daughter is a stroke and turn judge and I think the other family members are timing. The afternoon will be devoted to whatever last-minute packing my son and nephew need to do for BSA camp. My Eagle son can pack better than I can in regards to camping so he can have at it. Perhaps I will work on the patriotic totebag that an Army wife commissioned.

Both the hub and I have Friday off, so we're leaving Thursday night to go to the ILs farm. His uncle is a bit of a pyro and likes to do an amateur fireworks show for the family. Because the ILs live out in BFE, nobody really cares. It's nice to go visit and get away from everything, but I really wish the ILs had 1) decent cell service and 2) internet at the farm.

I'm hanging out on Torch Lake in Michigan with some friends I haven't seen in a while. I'm excited to catch up with my friends and I'm also excited to go to Michigan because even though it's right next door, I've hardly spent any time there. I've never been to Torch Lake but I've heard great things.

You will enjoy Chicago's fireworks! When we had Convention there in 1993, we were there over the 4th and had the night of the fireworks free. We were at the Hilton & Towers that time, so we just walked across the street to Grant Park to watch them. Beautiful!

In 2001, we were in Atlanta for Convention over the 4th. We were able to see their fireworks outside the hotel window. From the 34th floor, where my room was, it was like they were at eye level. Very cool.

Aw, that's so sweet!!!!!!:)

Sweet! I love Ireland..so much so that I got married there. Have a pint of Guinness and a shot of Jameson for me.

4th plans: Going to dog training in the morning for an hour. After that, I don't know yet...chilling outside in the pool with a mojito hopefully, and eating some ribs...though not while in the pool, that could be messy.

We are going to the neighbor's potluck party and fireworks show they have every year. Aside from that, I will be planning the entertainment for my husband's 40th birthday on the 9th.

a friend moved to washington (state) so i'll be visiting her. it'll be my first time in the northwest.

You picked a good time of year! This weekend is supposed to be perfect weather, low 80s I hear.

If you're going to be in the Eastern side PM me, I live right on the border so I can give you both local info. The Westside is PeppyGPhiB's domain.

Help! Long story short - I just found out hubby and I are hosting a July 4th party/BBQ. I need quick/easy yet tasty recipes! I'm hitting up some recipe sites now, but if any of you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!

(This will be a family-friendly thing - 4 couples with 1-2 kids each. No need for mixed drink recipes. Although, I'll probably be up for one at the end of the evening. I really stress over last-minute get-togethers! Aaack!)

I'm having a sangria party at my place...but I have a feeling that it will turn into beerfest with all the fraternity guys coming..

I have to work on the 4th. Kind of sucks, but I still get holiday pay.

First clamboil of the summer for me! (Well, since we haven't really had much "summery" weather up here, hopefully it'll be the first weekend of the summer weather too!) We'll be at my aunt's house doing the clamboil and laying around the pool...

If you have a crock pot I have a recipe for pulled pork. Serve it with some rolls, maybe a little potato salad or coleslaw and you're golden.

1 pork roast of some kind (I got a 5 pounder last time, don't do a tenderloin though, waste of good meat on pulled pork)
1 bottle (maybe more depending on the size of the pork roast) of bbq sauce any kind
1 onion finely chopped
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 lemon
salt and pepper (I use garlic salt, but plain is fine too)

Salt and pepper the pork roast and put it in the crock pot to cook for minimum 6 hours. (Don't add anything to the crock pot except the meat)

When the meat is done, remove it and dump any leftover juices from the roast out. Pull the pork apart with two forks. Put back in crock pot with the rest of ingredients(bbq sauce, etc...), mix well, and cook for one hour on high. Serve with rolls.

Easy and pretty darned good.