For me, one of the best parts about the 4th of July, aside from the fireworks and an excuse to spend the whole day outside with family and friends, are the fun desserts that people are inspired to create and make.

I’ve always loved the now-classic 4th of July berry cake. I made one years ago for a get-together and have wanted to try again, but I’m afraid it would go bad before my family had a chance to devour it, and I hate the thought of any of it going to waste!

Anyway, with some strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream, the cake couldn’t be any easier, and variations of the cake are plentiful! You can easily convert any of the ideas below into cupcakes, and check out the ideas for patriotic cookies, too!

~ Flag Cake from scratch
~ Easy American Flag Cake
~ 4th of July Jello cake with red and blue Jello
~ 4th of July cupcakes from Martha Stewart
~ For a cool spin on the standard cake, try a 4th of July ice cream cake
~ Red, white and blue flag cake using a box cake mix with pudding
~ Step-by-step pictures and instructions for a Flag Cake made using just frosting
~ Red, White and Blue cupcakes with colored cake batter and frosting
~ American Flag Cookies
~ 4th of July cookie cutters — choose from fireworks, a grill, and even an Uncle Sam silhouette!

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Classic 4th of July Berry Cakes

Photo: SXC

One Independence Day event that caught my eye was the Founder’s Favorites Fireworks and Fountains event at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. If you are in the area, it is well worth visiting. The fountains are beautiful even if fireworks aren’t shooting off. With the fireworks, they are breathtaking. The gardens themselves are quite lovely, too. You may remember the Mother’s Day trip we took to Longwood Gardens and all the lovely critters and flowers we saw there. I noticed a few other gardens were having July 4th events, so, if you aren’t in the Pennsylvania area, you may want to check local botanical garden event schedules.

Another event I noticed was the HollyWood Bowl July 4th Fireworks Spectacular. It looks like a lot of concert venues are doing similar shows, so if you like music and fireworks together, check your local venues.

Do you have a favorite July 4th event you attend?

Post from: Blisstree

4th of July Events

I like that the 4th is on a Saturday this year so that we have the whole day to celebrate, instead of just the evening. We’ll be hanging out at home this year, though sadly we don’t have a barbecue at our new house yet (my husband has some big plans when it comes to “designing his own” out on the back patio). So, whatever we do will need to happen in the kitchen, which I don’t mind. That’s what grill pans are for, right?

Our standard 4th of July dinner, when we’re at home and not at a friend’s, is usually steak with some oven fries and roasted vegetables. The kids, who, at this age, can take or leave steak, will probably get hamburgers. For that, I like to mix one pound of ground beef with a packet of onion soup mix and a tablespoon or so of Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper.

I think this year, because it is on a day we’ll all be together, I’m going to spend a little extra time on dinner, and make some homemade potato salad and dessert. This time of year always reminds me of my grandpa, who loved my Chocolate Zucchini Cake, so I think I’ll be surprising my family with that.

What’s on your 4th of July menu? Are you staying in or going out?

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

What’s on Your 4th of July Menu?

Fireworks are pretty appealing to teenagers. Maybe it’s the possibility of danger that appeals to them. Unfortunately teenagers are sometimes reckless with them. It’s best to leave the fireworks show to the professionals and encourage your teens to watch the city display instead of setting them off themselves. However, convincing teens of that may not always work so if they decide to have their own show make sure they are safe.

• Never use fireworks indoor.
• Do not light fireworks right next to your apartment complex either. A little distance between your personal property, friends, trees, etc. is best.
• Obey your local laws. For example, they are illegal in the state of Iowa (and several other states) so don’t set off fireworks if your state doesn’t allow it. Stick with sparklers instead. Your state may have laws about where fireworks can be set off as well. Make sure you know the laws and follow them.
• Keep a bucket of water and/or a water hose nearby. And use it.
• Don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could get in the way of the fire when lighting.
• Keep long hair back in a ponytail.
• Wear goggles.
• Use common sense when lighting fireworks. Don’t stand right in front of the person lighting the fireworks. Don’t put lit fireworks (or non-lit fireworks for that matter) in your mouth or in your butt. Trust me. It’s been done before and it’s never good. We don’t need to see another stupid video on YouTube. Instead just be safe.
• Nominate a “designated shooter.” This person should be sober.
• Do not use homemade fireworks. Spend the money to buy ones made by professionals.
• Always follow the directions on the packaging.
• Only light one firework at a time.
• Don’t relight duds.

If your take all precautions hopefully everybody involved will be safe, but accidents may happen. Fireworks can cause eye injuries or burns. If you get an eye injury immediately go to the hospital. Do NOT rub your eye. Do NOT try to flush it out. You could cause more damage then good. If you get a minor burned remove any burned clothing and apply cool (not cold) water to the burn. Apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage. If it’s a serious burn go to the emergency room.

Fireworks can be a beautiful and fun event. Just make sure you stay safe. Trips to the ER can turn a fun night in to a nightmare pretty quickly.

Happy 4th of July!

Post from: Blisstree

Fireworks Safety