Local parade with our car in the morning, if it’s not raining. Friday afternoon I’m picking up DD1 and heading to KC for the weekend to wedding dress shop for DD2.
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You’re right about the sides. And we always have plenty of those.
He loves mushrooms but has said that portobellos at least on a bun aren’t his favorite - because that’s what everyone wants to serve you when you’re a vegetarian!! He says it’s “too much” mushroom. But def veggies on the grill!
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I do baby Bellas this way: trim the stems, cut the caps into half or quarters, sprinkle with salt and pepper, add a generous amount of chopped garlic, then add olive oil, rosemary, and some balsamic vinegar. Let this marinate a bit, then roast in the oven (or they can be roasted in the grill on one of those grill thingies). Can be served warm or room temperature! Vegans and meat eaters devour my bellas!
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I’ve been at our 2nd home for the past week; H came over yesterday as did #2 daughter. 3 sisters and a BIL will be arriving for days or the week.
The weather is improving, so the kayaks are coming out, H has his rowing/sailing dinghy up on the rails - all ready for time in the water.
Lots of food, drink, and fun. We brought the Ooni pizza oven over & I’m really looking forward to using it here.
Our place is close to one of the reservations and fireworks have been going off for days now. Mortars and other horribly loud things. At least it’s not completely dried out so maybe no fires from them.
Roast with the liquid or drain?
The only plans we have (other than D and GD coming over, SIL is out of town) is going to a nearby outside music event with some friends on Saturday evening. Hoping the weather cooperates.
I do need some advice: our friends suggested we collectively bring food and have a picnic. Any suggestions? We are open to eating almost anything.
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Fun!!!
Suggestions:
A pasta salad w/veggies and a protein - either some shredded rotisserie chicken or cubed salami and/or a hard sharp cheese like feta or romano with a vinaigrette dressing - if you have garlic expressions that’s easy!
A fresh baguette and a soft spreadable cheese
Watermelon/feta/basil or mint salad
Some type of dessert bar - lemon bars, brownies/blondies…
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We’ve often grilled paneer (from the Indian store or Costco!) - this makes a great addition to the veggie kebabs. Haloumi is another cheese that will grill well.
Other veggie bbq ideas - corn on the cob, stuffed peppers, baked potatoes…
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Hmmmm…I have some frozen paneer in the freezer - wonder if I can thaw it in the refrig and then pair with vegetables.
You can! H usually does this. Cut the paneer into cubes, along with the veggies (also include pineapple or watermelon chunks if you like those). He tosses all these into a large bowl and then marinates it for a few hours. He’s very fond of spicy food - so anything spicy goes into the marinade. I’ve seen him toss ginger, garlic, salt, even some spicy chutney! The marinated veggies and panner are absolutely delicious when grilled! Disappears in seconds at our parties.
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really want to try this - thank you!
Our July 4th meal will be cold BBQ chicken, a couple of side salads, corn on the cob, and either that pie or homemade ice cream. I’ll be cooking the chicken today. We need a flexible timeline meal because we have people arriving and leaving at different times.
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I add just enough to coat the mushrooms so there is no liquid to drain. Sorry I don’t have a precise recipe! 
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We had these very tasty corn “ribs” at Canoe House in Hawaii! I have not made these myself yet but will definitely try to make them. As soon as I make a run to the Asian grocery store.
In what I’m sure is a first for us, we will actually be dining in a restaurant for dinner on the 4th. A French one, no less! 
Invited to an anniversary celebration (yes, they got married on the 4th).
I’m guessing we’ll catch glimpses of various town’s firework displays as we head back down the Garden State parkway heading home afterward.
We often host a cookout at some point over the long weekened, but given that we just hosted nearly 60 ppl for a backyard extravaganza last weekend (grad party for my girls), I don’t have it in me to plan anything.
Loving all of the seafood talk, so maybe H and I will hit the local market and put together a feast for two.
We really have nothing festive planned for the holiday, unless you count eating shrimp and lobster at home. We kind of gave up fireworks when our kids were old enough not to care.
We are meeting some friends who are in town for a couple of days on Friday, but nothing special.
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Even getting outside and enjoying summer, plan a spontaneous picnic, pick up coffee and donuts and enjoy it by a body of water, eating ice cream or staying up late and watching a good movie/show is a way to enjoy a summer holiday.
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We’re going to the Carol King musical at a local theater tonight. No real plans for the 4th itself, although I will probably go to the beach (about an hour from home to sitting on the beach), with a friend. Not sure I can convince DH to try to see fireworks.
Have a BBQ to go to on Friday night and friends here on Saturday. Otherwise, working on a slide show for an event and getting some stuff done around the house. Work has been a bit slow so looking forward to truly not working over the long weekend! Nice mix of some things to look forward to and some down time.
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Tonight we drove ten minutes to watch the Mission Bay fireworks co-sponsored by Sea World. Out of the way parking lot so easy in easy, but not that exciting. I’ve seen some great fireworks over the years so got spoiled; husband is the bigger fan.
Tomorrow out for breakfast then hoping it gets sunny enough to use the pool. Then decide if I feel like driving five minutes to watch the Big Bay Boom over San Diego Bay.
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Historically we joined friends (2 other couples) for a BBQ then headed down to the Washington Monument for the fireworks.
More recently, we have eaten on the patio of a local restaurant near a Metro stop before heading downtown.
This year, 1 couple is out of town to babysit grandkids, 1 half of the other couple is still testing positive for Covid at 10 days, I have a broken toe, and the weather may not comply.
If the show goes on, I’ll watch what clears the treetops from my balcony.
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