Do you go all out for your 4th of July meal?

[ajrsmom]

Do you go all out with a picnic, decorations, lots of "specialty" foods that are red, white and blue.....

OR

Is it just another meal for you?

[ajrsmom]

We have had the traditional picnics in the past but this year, I would like to make it special.

So far, I have only planned on making Jello Poke cupcakes with red and blue Jello and white cupcakes. Go for dessert first!! :D :p :D

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Traditionally, we are usually camping during July 4th on DHs family reunion. Fireworks are allowed in the forest. We might go to the park and watch the professional fireworks show there. Food wish, it'll just be normal stuff.

[cat lover]

We usually stay at home and just enjoy nature. Depending on what we end of doing outside that day I may cook our meal on the firepit.When we lived in the city we could sit in our driveway and see the fireworks from downtown, but here in the woods we don't have anything close.

We are a havng a immediate family gathereing on the 1st, but there won't be any fire works because our local fire department only has pumper trucks that they bring in the water to fight fires and when it empties they have to leave the fire and go back to the city (10 miles away) and refill.

[motherof2]

Mom always liked to go all out especially since my youngest db's b-day is the 3rd. We will probably just grill out this year. Have not really discussed it yet with the family.:)

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Grilling out does sound like a good idea.

[vickiem]

My husband and I are going to my niece's home for the 4th of July so I only need to make the potato salad and maybe a dessert of some type:)

[cat lover]

Sounds like fun!

[dval]

I have been having a 4th of July cookout every year for the past 4 or 5 yrs. This year hubby will be making a pork loin roast and potato packets on the George Foreman grill. Then we will cook burgers & dogs on the charcoal grill. No gas grills allowed in my yard!:)
Then we'll have all the other goodies like green, potato, and macaroni salads. Deserts will include my lemon lush, a cake (decorated like a flag) and the best cookout desert of all....roasted marshmallows!
I'll be having my cookout on the Sunday because my best friend has to work on the fourth and the cookout wouldn't be as much fun without her.

[cat lover]

Oh, sounds like lots of fun! Wish I lived closer to you! LOL

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I LOVE roasted marshmellows, expecially when they are nearly black!

[Kimberly1k]

Hi. We usually have a cook-out (grilling with all the salds and a special dessert) with all the family, friends and neighbors who live within a 50 mile radius and send loads of leftovers home with everyone. After the dishes are done and everyone is pretty much pooped out we all walk down the street to sit in the park for the fireworks. All the kids have a lot of fun, but us adults look forward to it just as much.

[dval]

Cat lover, if your in the neighborhood, come on by! We'll just slap another burger on the grill!

DeBora, I always tell the kids to give me the 'mistakes'. :)
When they burn the marshmallow, I have them catch it on fire and burn it untill the whole thing is black. The BEST way. All melted inside.....

[DeBora4BobbyL]

DeBora, I always tell the kids to give me the 'mistakes'.
When they burn the marshmallow, I have them catch it on fire and burn it untill the whole thing is black. The BEST way. All melted inside.....

I have said that very same thing to my kids. Funny.

[momsmenu]

Hi. We usually have a cook-out (grilling with all the salds and a special dessert) with all the family, friends and neighbors who live within a 50 mile radius and send loads of leftovers home with everyone. After the dishes are done and everyone is pretty much pooped out we all walk down the street to sit in the park for the fireworks. All the kids have a lot of fun, but us adults look forward to it just as much.

Kimberly1k, this sounds so much like how we celebrated the 4th of July when I was growing up. You put a smile on my face this morning :)

Being 5 states away from any other family, we now spend our 4th of July holiday with just friends and neighbors. We have a potluck picnic at one of our homes and then all go to the lpcal fireworks display.

[cat lover]

Cat lover, if your in the neighborhood, come on by! We'll just slap another burger on the grill!


If I was close enough I'd take you up on that! Thanks for the invite! LOL;)

[dval]

My cookout is over! What a long day! Everyone had a blast! I talked to my friend this morning and she said all the kids were up till 1am talking about it. It seems they all LOVE to come to my cookouts. The pork roast was a big hit! My husband didn't even get to taste it :)
We ended up changing the menu. We added chicken thighs and took away the green and potato salads. I also didn't do the original deserts because we turned it into a surprise birthday party for my goddaughter. We got her good! We had a chocalate cake and an ice cream sundae bar. We set up a table in the driveway with 4 flavors of ice cream, chocolate & butterscotch syrup, whipped cream, sliced bananas, nuts jimmies, and various cake decorating candies. The kids had a ball!

[cat lover]

Sounds like a good party and lots of ice cream! YUM Yum; the ice cream set up sounds like a lot of fun! Guess it wasn't too hot in your neck of the woods?

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Donna, sounds like your party was a hit! Congrats!

[dval]

Sounds like a good party and lots of ice cream! YUM Yum; the ice cream set up sounds like a lot of fun! Guess it wasn't too hot in your neck of the woods?
It was hot, but breezy. They had to eat their ice cream fast :)

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Sounds like a typical 4th of July! lol

[cat lover]

Here is a good cookie recipe for those upcoming 4th of July parties!


Red, White & Blue Cookies

Recipe from U.S. Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Makes 36 cookies


2/3 cup margarine
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2/3 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp salt
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried blueberries
1 cup white chocolate chips

In mixer, beat margarine with both sugars and vanilla till smooth and light. Add egg and mix till well. Add cranberries, blueberries and white chocolate chips to dough and mix well.Coat cookie sheets with nonstick spray and portion dough into 36 cookies on pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes.

[Panj]

We usually have a cook out with ribs and bbq chicken and a large menu of sides, lots of family members, kids and fireworks!