Fourth of July–Caffeinated Ginger-Style

Independence Day is my favorite holiday, hands-down.

I love it because:

1.  I don’t have to spend an inordinate amount of time fighting crowds and traffic to buy anyone the perfect gift.

2.  I don’t have to cook a five-course meal.  Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers plus chips and dip are considered the perfect meal.

3.  I don’t have to get up at zero dark-thirty to put a big bird in the oven to roast.

4.  It takes place during the summer which happens to be my favorite season.  No coat or gloves required–just t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops.

5.  FIREWORKS!

This Fourth of July was a little different from most as we had extra guests.  Our college-age daughter was home for a visit and brought her beau as well as two guy friends.  I remember as a college student how much I appreciated good home-cooking, so I did spend a little bit more time in the kitchen than usual this Fourth of July.

For breakfast we had homemade cinnamon rolls:

 I think those cinnamon rolls lasted oh, about 30 seconds.  One of our guests commented that being at our house reminded him of being at his grandma’s house.  I think he was complimenting my cooking and not calling me old, but I’m not quite sure.

For later in the afternoon, I made some Texas Caviar.  I’m not a fan of black eyed peas, but this combination is delicious with Fritos.

While I was working in the kitchen, I was entertained by a The Walking Dead marathon on AMC.

Bruno was looking very patriotic on this Independence Day.

These Firecracker cookies were a big hit.

 

During the afternoon while the kids went to the swimming pool, I relaxed in the backyard.

Mr. Caffeinated Ginger and I enjoyed a little baseball on the big-screen TV outside on the back deck.

I’m pretty sure we disobeyed every “do not” and “never” listed on the box of firecrackers.

Bruno wore a glow necklace around his neck so we could see him in the dark.  Can’t see Bruno?  My point exactly.

The kids set off lots of fireworks.  I was just praying that no one would lose an eye or a finger as they had firecracker battles and Roman candle wars. Luckily there were no casualties, but it wasn’t for lack of trying.

Only the cool kids wear glow bracelets while playing with sparklers.

Another successful Fourth of July for the record books.

God bless America!