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We usually have guests, but no plans at this moment.

Son is planning on driving up with his girlfriend and her 3 girls. They will come in the middle of the week, probably traveling on the 4th. That is the only day I have off, of course. I'll have to do some prep work on the sides and have meat for husband to grill for us.

Since our lake association is doing the fireworks and boat parade on the 3rd of July, then we will have our gathering on the 3rd(we're calling it the 4th on the 3rd). About 14-16 people will come for a lazy afternoon. DH will grill, and the gals always come with appetizers and sides, which makes it easier on me. We'll take 2 boats out into the lake and watch them shoot off the fireworks from out there- the reflections in the water are beautiful and the noise booms and echos off the water. Just gotta have good weather to complete the day.

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July 4 plans???

We have a few things pending, but if we're home, I'm thinking of a BBQ for family and friends. Sort of a "Forks and Corks" thing.

Barbecuing chicken, beef and veggie kabobs with a grilled corn on the cob, fresh fruit, baked beans, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, etc. Strawberry short cake for dessert as well as make-your-own banana splits and home-made sugar cookies.

Lots of drinks...wine, beer, sangria, soft drinks, iced tea and coffee.

We'll set up games...bags, horse shoes, darts, etc, for anyone wanting to play and then just relax.

Love the "forks and corks" name. Tells you all you need to know.

The resort where we have our yacht slip is doing a huge firework display. We will drive down, cook out on the grill and then watch the fireworks. Life is so, so good! Probably get down there on Tuesday night, and stay until Thursday morning.

Love "third on the fourth" idea because I was born on the 3rd - Mom tried and tried to hold on but I popped out just a few minutes too early! No matter - I always thought all of the excitement and fireworks were for ME when I was younger. (Learned later that it just might have been for something just a bit more important!)

In any event, nope, not doing anything different this year - just planning to kick up my feet and do a little dance (it is, after all, MY birthday), lay back on the patio and, if I am really lucky, DH will steam some lobsters with some lemon-butter sauce and we will watch everyone celebrating from a distance with the fireworks reflected in the river just below...

Life is good ... even though this birthday is one that ends in that dreaded "zero!" :

Our plans are to spend the week of the 4th at St. Simons Island, GA. Our DGD shares your birthday Idaho and like you we plan to have a party and watch the fireworks. I doubt there will be lobster but plenty of shrimp and blue crab. Being with the ones you love always makes for the best holiday, or any day for that matter. Stay safe

My parents may be here, but they are unsure of their plans right now. Generally, I stay home and watch the town fireworks from my deck.

Its on a Wednesday this year. I have to work the day before and the day after.

Everyone in Omaha sets off tons of illegal fireworks. I may go out and watch some. I can see several gorgeous illegal shows from my front yard.

No guests; nothing special...it is usually too dang hot and muggy (and way too crowded) to celebrate outdoors at our town's wonderful Independence Day two-day celebration, complete with fireworks at the park.

The large master planned community where I live always has a big parade, complete with marching bands, lawn chair marching drill teams, decorated golf carts and pooches in costume, the day before the Fourth. It's a riot!

We'll just chill out on our back porch and grill, if it is not too hot, and then we'll watch the Capitol Fourth concert on PBS.

Son confirmed last night that plans are to be here July 2-4! I need to do some cooking and freezing (lasagna especially) for one of the nights. I work the 2nd and 3rd. I'll get husband to throw some steaks/ribs/sausage/chicken on the grill for the 4th. That and make some homemade ice cream! Everything in between will fall into place.

Our family puts out crab pots in the bay on the third and retrieves them early on the morning of the fourth. Then we all gather at Grandpa's lake house for a big crab feed/ BBQ/ day of swimming and having fun. We end the day with fireworks over the lake with Grandpa's patri.otic music playing in the back round. (He puts his speakers out on the deck) It is one of the most fun days of the year for our family from the new little babies right up to Grandpa who is 83. One of my daughters was born on the 4th so we also celebrate her birthday. When she was little she thought the entire party was for her birthday alone, and kind of felt sorry for her siblings who didn't get fireworks on their birthdays.

Came back to add a picture of one table's pile of crab. We just eat and then roll up the paper to clean up.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cocok,

YUM!

Depends - if we get the golf cart running and my great niece comes to visit we might do the annual Golf Cart Parade.

If not, we will play in the pool and cook out. Probably fish.

On July 5 we are participating in the local Beach Sweep. It is REALLY!!! needed on July 5th because of all the trash from fireworks left behind on July 4th.

The local Realtor's go to sections of the beach and clean up trash left by visitors. The county has a truck that goes through each morning to clean up from the day before but there is a lot of trash that gets caught up in our dunes that the trucks can't get to.

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Originally posted by cocok:

Came back to add a picture of one table's pile of crab. We just eat and then roll up the paper to clean up.

This looks EXACTLY like our Blue Crab Boils, we also add corn on the cob, baby artichokes, baby potatoes and about 1 dozen garlic heads cut in half... it's really delicious isn't it!! For clean up I always put some of those barrel plastic bags under the newspaper 'cause there's always alot of liquid coming from those succulent crabs!

I put a lasagna in the freezer the other day in preparation for son's visit. One meal planned!

Cocok, the crab legs look sooooo goooood!

Camping at the beach one year, neighbors showed us about cooking shrimp in beer and spices. Took them down on the beach to eat. Just tossed the shells over our shoulders.

Our plans this year will be minimal with ds working and not having the boys on the day itself. May celebrate before or afterwards.

Years ago made a red and white checked tablecloth and blue bandana print napkins. Love to use those. They were the first napkins that I made and now wish I had made them larger.

When the boys (grandsons) are here, usually just burgers and hot dogs. This summer we have been eating outside more often than in the past.

Like hearing everyones' plans and to learn of family traditions.

We don't really have any plans--I think dh is working that day--but if he gets home in time we might go see fireworks.

Actually, I am going to invite myself over to CARose's house!

Eeek, forgot to mention, I come with small children, too!

DH just found out that his work is closing down from july4-7.Yeah!Usually he always works every holiday.I told Dh if he wants to go visit his family in NC,I was up to it.He talked to his brother lastnight.His familys on vacation at their beach home at Holdens beach NC.He invited us down.So we'll leave early on the 4th,takes 7 hours to drive.Long drive but so worth it,to spend time with family we dont see much.And to see DH spend time & having fun with his Best friend & brother.Priceless....
Food not sure yet...maybe burgers & hotdogs.Or eating out at a seafood resturant.
We'll be going to see the fireworks in Southport at the ferry that night.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jackierenette,

Confirmation about our plans, we will not be in the golf cart parade - golf cart is having issues. So we will relax in the pool, watch for thunderstorms and I'll cook something for us on the grill. Family coming in on the 5th and then will do some ribs and other stuff on the grill.

Strings - Nothing better than cold beer and shrimp. Just a word of warning - those shrimp shells will draw stinging flies like nothing you've ever seen on day 2.

We will be having an old fashioned small town Fourth of July. We're having lunch with friends who host a big old fashioned event for the fourth -- they provide the BBQ chicken and hot dogs, coleslaw, drinks, and ice cream. Guests bring salads and desserts and by our last name we're to bring a dessert. I've been waffling between something patriotic looking (i.e. a flag cake) or something that's a favorite and would go well with ice cream (Texas or White Texas sheet cake) It's a noon event and outside and with our heat . . . we'll be home in time to take a nap before we head out to our church who, because of it's location, has a front row seat for the townwide fireworks. Watermelon will be served -- it is the 4th after all!

Our Fourth of July motto: have folding chairs will travel! LOL!

Should be a fun day celebrating with friends the birth of our great nation!

Martha

I decided on a dessert -- not patriotic exactly but raspberry almond white chocolate bars (red and white) which I'll put on a big blue and white transfer platter. It will be a "red white and blue" dessert!

They're made and look amazing -- I can't wait to taste one (which I'll do when I plate them tomorrow!)

Martha

Love hearing everyone's plans. We lost power from Friday night to Monday afternoon. Friday it had been 104 here. Saturday was 101. Cooled down to high 90s. Still a lot of folks without power and maybe not until Saturday to be restored. That was some storm that came through here and other locations. At one time 60 percent of state was without power.

BTW: those shells were gone the next morning. Neighbors said that the sand crabs got them.

Have been there when those flies made sitting on the beach miserable. Then it go so windy that the sand was blowing up on legs and stinging.

HAPPY 4th of JULY!