A Truly American Celebration, the 4th of July!

The 4^th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. 

My excitement for the holiday is probably exaggerated as the majority of my life was spent living in a very cold and snowy part of Western Michigan.

For us Michiganders, the 4^th of July holiday occurs during the “best” part of the year weather wise.  The snow is FINALLY gone, the days are long, the air temperate is warm if not hot during the day and it cools off at night.  It’s just a treat to be outdoors.

My weather challenged upbringing aside, how can you not like this holiday? 

Consider all the things it has going for it.

It’s not commercial at all. 

To decorate the house you simply display the American flag.

It’s often time spent with family and friends. 

The family or neighborhood gatherings are held at the beach, the shore, the cottage, camping, the lake, in a boat, in the back yard, a park or a pool. 

In preparation, you don’t have to buy a new dress or a hat.  In fact you don’t really have to dress up at all.  You simply wear red, white and blue. 

T-shirts are more than acceptable.  If you’re lucky you can spend the day in a bathing suit.

No need for gift shopping or being concerned about how we are “going to do the present exchange this year”.

Instead you spend your time looking for: a level piece of lawn to play a fun game of family volleyball; croquet or badminton; a card table to play dominoes; or maybe a big piece of shade to place your lawn chairs.

In the air there is the smell of charcoal and food cooking on the grill. 

Often times a picnic table is the center of all the festivities.

The table is covered in a variety of foods, most of it not really fancy but oooooh so delicious.  No turkey to bake, no Easter ham to fuss over, no need to make Uncle Bill’s favorite cranberry stuffing. 

You will find potato salad, deviled eggs, cut fruit, baked beans, hot dogs, brats, hamburgers, sweet corn, watermelon and potato chips. 

You don’t have to look very hard to find a cooler filled with ice, soda and beer.    The same can be said for pitchers of iced tea and lemonade. 

Leave the good china in the cupboard and break out the paper plates.

There’s always room for homemade cookies, pies or cakes but they are not a necessity.  Ice cream or a Popsicle is an “A” OK dessert.  I prefer vanilla with fresh strawberries and nuts on top!

At night you pile into cars and head to a fireworks display or you hold your own.  (FEDERAL, COUNTY AND STATE LAWS PERMITTING) wink, wink!

Don’t forget the lawn chairs, bug spray and blankets. 

For my friends still living in Michigan remember to take a sweatshirt, it will be cooler than you think.

Make sure you “oooooh and AAAAAAAHHH” and clap for the grand finale!

This weekend is all about celebrating our American freedom!

Freedom isn’t free, take a moment to “thank” the men and woman in our armed services who served home and abroad.  A big Thank You to both my Mom & Dad (both Navy)!

Remember those who paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom.

However you do it, celebrate your freedom.

Have a Happy and SAFE 4^th of July weekend!