Independence Day, of course, celebrates the birth of the United States of America. Founded July 4th 1776, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America is celebrating its 233rd birthday this year.
All that is needed for a fantastic 4th are three key ingredients:
1. A Plan
2. Preparation
3. Enthusiasm.
Are you ready for this? Let's get going!
Sometimes the best way to spend a Fourth of July, is with your own family. No guests, no parties, just you and your loved ones. The following are a few tips to make your Fourth of July family picnic the best one ever.
It is always good to have a picnic "emergency kit." A good picnic kit
will contain extra paper plates, utensils, wipes, and a plastic table cloth. Additionally, it should have sunscreen and bug repellent, band aids, matches, and trash bags. Pack a Frisbee or ball for entertainment emergencies.Want to host a party at your place? Unless you have a very large back yard, your best bet is to keep your guest list to less than 30 people. Potluck
picnics are by far the easiest. This leaves you time to add unique and festive touches to the event. Ask guests to bring a side dish, and you can take care of the main course, drinks, and dessert. Along with the party planning and decorating
, these three courses are enough to keep your hands full.Traditional Fourth of July celebrations usually include hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. This is a fine tradition, and worthy of continuing. You can dress up the burgers by adding unique condiments, grilling chicken, and offering whole wheat or specialty buns.
If, however, you're looking for an easy but unique alternative to the traditional burgers and hotdogs routine, look no further than kebabs. Grilled kebabs can be prepared in advance and they offer your guests an alternative to the standard fare.
Stay tuned right here at Just Not Martha all this month for some great 4th of July recipes that are so easy even I can't screw them up! and we'll throw in some fun celebration ideas as well.
Patriotic Dinner Decor from Fitz & Floyd
Make your table setting fun and festive!
Want to Go Out of Town for the 4th of July?
While staying at home can be a wonderful and relaxed way to spend your holiday, several cities across the United States host top-notch Fourth of July Celebrations.Step into our country's heritage by visiting the following cities for their Fourth of July festivities:
Boston - Boston hosts "America's Biggest Independence Day Party" on the Esplanade with the fireworks on the bank of the Charles River. The festivities begin on July 3rd with a Boston Pops concert and wrap up with a flyover by the Vermont National Air Guard and a spectacular fireworks show. Food, fun and fireworks, the festivities are free and you can expect to share the event with approximately 500,000 people.
Washington D.C. - There may be no better place to witness a Fourth of July spectacular than on the mall in Washington D.C. Your family can enjoy an Independence Day parade complete with floats, marching bands and giant helium balloons.
A reading of the declaration of independence can be witnessed on the Constitution avenue steps where you can meet historical figures like Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin and you can witness the signing of the declaration of independence. Take your family to the Smithsonian for more educational fun, and don't forget to save time for the evening concert and fireworks show.
Colonial Williamsburg - Jump back in time and visit living history as it was made. Actors walking the streets and residing in historic houses, bring to life the American Revolution. Give your children the opportunity to meet Thomas Jefferson, see how and where he lived, and view a reenactment of the signing of the declaration of independence. In addition to the military reenactment, children's activities are provided on the palace green. Music will fill the air all day long with a variety of concerts. The fabulous holiday ends with a fireworks display.
Although, I have to admit my family and I enjoyed Busch Gardens fireworks much more than Williamsburg's fireworks... and they're just a few minutes down the road from each other!
Other wonderful places to consider visiting are:
- Walt Disney World., Orlando Florida. While Disney offers fireworks every night of the year, the Fourth of July fireworks are among the best in the country.
- Austin, TX. The Austin Symphony Orchestra makes this trip worth the effort.
- San Francisco. Pier 39 is the place you want to be during the Fourth of July celebration.
- And New York City for hot dog eating contests and Macy's Fourth of July fireworks show.
Whether you travel out of town, choose to stay home, or host a fantastic party, the best holidays are well thought out and planned ahead of time. Smooth and seamless planning makes for smooth and happy holiday celebrations. No matter where you go or what you do this Fourth of July, spending time with your family will make the time special. Be safe and have fun!
Inflatable Patriotic Cooler
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 11/15/2009)
Keep drinks handy, cold, and within everyone's reach with a fun inflatable cooler. The best thing about these inflatable coolers versus the usual camping style cooler is that you can deflate them for storage! Super handy when you don't have a lot of storage space but like to entertain for the holidays.
Grilled Kebabs for Your 4th of July Cookout
My kids love it when their food comes on a stick -lol-Ingredients:
- 1 lb Chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1 lb beef cut into 1 inch cubes
- Three red peppers
- Three green peppers
- Cherry Tomatoes
- 3 onions
- 2 cups large button mushrooms
- 2 zucchini, yellow or green
- 1 large bottle of your favorite Italian dressing.
Directions:
Place cut chicken into large sealable bag. Place beef into separate large sealable bag. Pour ½ cup of Italian dressing into each bag, seal, and marinate for at least 1 hour in refrigerator.
Cut all vegetables, excluding cherry tomatoes, into 1 to 2 inch pieces. After meat has marinated, place meat and veggies on skewers as you prefer. (Note-if you're using wooden skewers be sure to soak them in water for 20 minutes before you place the meat and veggies on them. This will prevent the wood from burning on the grill.)
Store kebabs in an airtight container until you're ready to grill. Grill on a medium heat until meat is done.
4th of July Punch!
You and your guests need something to drink! Traditional beverages include ice tea, lemonade, and a cooler full of your favorite carbonated beverages. If you're looking to add a nice touch, consider using ice rings and offering lemon wraps (wedges of lemon wrapped in 4 ½ in square of cheesecloth and tied off) for the ice tea. Also consider offering this wonderful, tasty, and family friendly punch.- 40 oz grape juice
- 40 oz pineapple juice
- 2 liter of favorite lemon lime soda
- 2 oranges sliced thin to float on top
- 2 limes sliced thin to float on top
Mix all ingredients together in a large container.
Makes 8-9 quarts of punch.
Pops!: Icy Treats for Everyone
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/15/2009)
Pops! introduces a whole new Popsicle one that's fashionable as well as fun. This first-ever ice pop compendium includes more than 100 recipes for pops with unique tastes and flavor combinations, such as Sour Plum, Sweet Martini, Thai Iced Coffee, and Blueberry Cheesecake cool treats today's grown-up kids will be proud to serve at their birthday gatherings, barbecues, and cocktail parties.
And for those whose creative interests stretch beyond the kitchen and into the DIY realm, Pops! offers innovative techniques for making ice molds from found objects and even small toys. With more than 30 full-color photographs and tons of quirky sidebars, Pops! features frosty indulgences for every occasion.
Popsicle Rockets for the 4th of July!
Dessert time can be time to get the kiddos involved in the festivities by making Popsicle rockets. It's easy, virtually foolproof, and your children will be proud of their tasty accomplishment. Here's what you need to get started: red juice, blue juice and white juice.
Red is easy, blue can be blue Gatorade or Kool aid, and white juice can be lemonade.
You'll also need two dozen 3oz paper cups
and two dozen Popsicle sticks.Begin by having your children mix up the juice if need be.
Pour two tablespoons of the red juice into the bottom of each cup and place in the freezer for 2-3 hours.
Remove from freezer add two tablespoons of the white juice and place Popsicle sticks into the center of each cup. Take care when pushing the sticks into the mostly frozen red juice. Children can get enthusiastic and push the sticks all the way through the cup.
Place back into the freezer for another 2-3 hours. Pull out and top with white juice.
Refreeze until hard. Peel off paper cups and serve when ready!
Fun Spinner Project for the Kids on 4th of July
Of course no party is complete without festive activities. Before the fireworks get started, and while the adults are busy socializing, you can keep the children busy making 4th of July spinners.If possible, recruit an older child or teenager to help with this project. This will leave you free to socialize with your guests and enjoy your party.
Craft materials:
- Plastic coffee lids, (red, white, and blue colors). You'll need one for each child and a few to spare in case accidents occur.
- Pens
- Scissors
- String
Step 1. Have children poke a hole in the center of their lid.
Step 2. Using a pen, have each child draw a spiral on their lid starting at the center and working their way to the outer edge. Ideally the spiral should be about ½ inch wide.
Step 3. Have the children but along the spiral, starting at the outside edge is easier. Be careful not to cut through the hole in the center.
Step 4. Loop the string through the center hole, knot the string, and hang the spinners from a tree or window.
Optional step: If coffee can lids are not an option, you can use colored paper plates. Additionally you can have the children decorate the lids or plates with glitter, stickers, colored glue. Just let your imagination fly.
Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries, and Shakes
Amazon Price: $14.01 (as of 11/15/2009)
After a long day spent in one of his restaurants or taping a television show, what Bobby Flay craves more than anything else is... a crusty-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside burger; a fistful of golden, crisp, salty fries; and a thick, icy milkshake. Given the grilling guru's affinity for bold flavors and signature twists on American favorites, it's no surprise that he has crafted the tastiest recipes ever for this ultimate food trio.
Though he doesn't believe in messing with delicious certified Angus chuck (just salt and pepper on the patty--no "meatloaf" burgers here), Bobby loves adding flavorful relishes and condiments to elevate the classic burger. Try the Cheyenne Burger, which gets slathered with homemade barbecue sauce and then piled high with bacon and shoestring onion rings, or the Santa Fe Burger, topped with a blistered poblano, queso sauce, and crumbled blue corn tortilla chips. And although Bobby's personal preference is for beef, turkey can be substituted in any burger, and a handful of salmon and tuna burger recipes are included for those looking for leaner options.
4th of July Chicken Burgers
We loveeeee burgers around here. We like to try out different things when we make burgers so that it's not the same old boring patty on a bun. Chicken burgers a huge hit around here and a nice change from the usual.1 lb ground chicken
2 cups of bread crumbs
½ cup of milk
2 tbs minced onion
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper. You can add more if your family likes it spicy.
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Form patties and grill until done. Whole wheat buns, provolone cheese and sliced tomatoes make this burger extra special.
With all the different ways my family makes burgers I could probably write a burger cookbook! LOL
Red White and Blue Trifle for the 4th of July
Trifles are so fun to make! Don't be intimidated by them, if I can make a trifle anyone can. In fact, let the kiddos have at it in the kitchen because this is so super easy you can even let the littlest of helpers get involved!Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix (and the egg water and oil to make it)
2 packets of vanilla pudding
1 pound of strawberries, fresh or frozen
1 pound of blueberries, fresh or frozen
1 ½ cup of heavy cream, whipped.
Make cake and pudding by directions on the box.
Thaw fruit if frozen. If fruit isn't frozen, slice into bite sized pieces and add a tsp of sugar to make juices flow.
Cut white cake into large chunks.
Using a large clear dish, place a layer of cake chunks onto the bottom of the container.
Top with a layer of strawberries
Top with a layer of pudding
Top with a layer of cake chunks
Top with a layer of blueberries
Top with a layer of pudding
Continue layering until you reach the top of your container then top with whipped cream.
This dish is virtually foolproof and it presents well no matter how you serve it up! You don't need a fancy trifle dish to make a trifle. We like to make individual mini trifles by using fun goblets we bought at the Dollar Tree! It doesn't have to be expensive to look good.
Allergy Note: Berries of all types are a common allergy! Be aware of your guests allergies and keep the food friendly for them. You can swap out strawberries and put in raspberries.... or eliminate the berries all together and get creative with your ingredients so that everyone can enjoy!
Redbook (1-year)
Amazon Price: $8.00 (as of 11/15/2009)
Redbook is the must-read magazine for today's young, married woman: an individual as passionate about her own needs as she is about those of her family. Each issue offers exciting, provocative features that address the all aspects of her life?everything from stylish fashion and beauty portfolios to scintillating stories on keeping her marriage fresh, to ideas on balancing home and career demands.
Fireworks Safety for the 4th of July
One last reminder before you head off to enjoy your 4th of July Picnic and Activities! When night falls, children and adults will invariably want to enjoy a fireworks show. Please follow these guidelines for a safe and happy Fourth of July.
Only use fireworks and sparklers outdoors. Children of all ages should be supervised with all types of fireworks! including sparklers! I don't want to tell you how many hands are seriously burned every year. Keep several buckets of water available for extinguishing sparklers. Obey local firework laws. Some states ban fireworks outright, or during a drought. Light only 1 firework at a time. Let fireworks soak in water for at least 15-20 minutes before disposal. Always wear eye protection. Alcohol and fireworks don't mix. Designate a fireworks lighter!That's all folks ;) Please stay safe and have fun this 4th of July!
Just Not Martha
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhat's Happening on Twitter?
-
- anna9393Bush
- Happy 4th of July all! If you get a chance, check out these cool Inglourious Basterds characters banners: http://bit.ly/orXBq :-P
-
- Weather_22
- #VITALInformation if its the 4th of July and Santa comes down your chimney. RUN LIKE THE WIND! that aint santa!
-
- KTBoo0
- He makes me melt like a popsickle on the 4th of July? That's a swagga line if you ask me! And this movie was made in 94! Ha!
-
- dustinhurst
- let me know if you've ever heard of a halloween tree....or valentine tree....or 4th of July tree.....or.....whatever.
-
- diggleft
- RT @johnleesandiego: If you have ever spent the 4th of July feeding homeless #veterans #YouMightBeALiberal
Some More Cool Lenses that I Made:
-
Szechuan Cooking
-
As the largest single province in China, majestic mountains and breathtaking gorges by the Yangtse River surround Szechuan. The climate of the region produces great variety in food because crops are able to prosper on a year-round basis. An abundance...
-
Nicole Dean Summer Blog Tour
-
Nicole Dean is her blogging on tour rock star style all summer long! Check out her great articles all around the web and you'll have a chance to learn some new techniques, pick up a few pointers and even win some fun prizes! Be sure to swing by and...
-
Free Cross Stitch Patterns
-
Cross stitch can often be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be! There are plenty of free cross stitch patterns on the internet and from a large variety of designers. These free cross stitch charts give you the opportunity to try...
-
-
Kids Cooking
-
It's easy to overlook kids when it comes to cooking and mealtime. Sometimes we're in a hurry or we just want to get to the part where we sit down and eat. A few minutes of your time can turn into a complete cooking education for your kids...
Follow Me on Twitter
- retta719
- aka Loretta Oliver
- 1,651 followers
- 1,149 following
-
- @HeatherinBC sounds toasty and cozy! hope it blows over fast
-
- @FireMom I remember @mrscrumley having a cute camera bag for her uber camera that was very purse-ish, but I think it was actually purse LOL
-
- @mariagudelis you had to wear gloves in Vegas today & it's finally warm again over here in Virginia, I think our weather got confused today
-
- @HeatherinBC make hot chocolate ahead of time in a thermos and stay warm!
by terrapin719
Click here to see my Squidoo Lenses for Sale
Hello world! I mean, hi there my name is Loretta Oliver. I've been working from home for the...
(more)Explore related pages
Vegetarian BBQ- It's summertime, the official start of grilling season! In addition to providing...
Ping Pong T-shirts and Gifts- Humorous ping pong shirts and gifts. T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, jackets, apron...
Decorating for the Fourth of July- Decorating for the Fourth of July is fun and can make your house look festive an...
Victoria 4th of July- Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America and the...
July 4th in the US- The Declaration of Independence If you are an American, whether by birth or by c...
Independence Day Firecracker- On July 4th, 1776, our founding fathers formally adopted the Declaration of Inde...
