Another blast of a 4th of July for the books. You know, I'm kinda deciding that the 4th is my favorite holiday - first of all it's a Shubert holiday, guaranteed fun. Plus the sunshine, hanging by the pool, grilled food, cold beer, and fireworks... I don't know, I think it's pulling neck-n-neck with Thanksgiving, previously my fave. Ooh, burgers vs. turkey, who will win?!

Sullivan Shubert, age 7, is definitely our 4th of July star with his fabulous quips. A few years back he had us all in stitches when upon seeing one of the super-sparkly fireworks he said, "Those would make Vivian (his sister) feel fancy!" Then tonight, he had us rolling again when he told Cooper (Stacey), who was seeing his first fireworks tonight, "They start big but end fast, like a good sneeze." Fabulous.

Cooper was his usual Superstar self as well. As I mentioned, he saw his first fireworks tonight and thanks to a pair of genius headphones to protect his little ears, was completely mesmerized. He just kept softly saying, "Cool."

Which is pretty much what I was saying too. I was positively beaming as we walked out onto the golf course, loaded up with bug spray, sweatshirts, chairs, blankets, snacks, and flashlights. With Debbie, Stu, Michelle, Suz, Coreman, Viv, Sully, John, Harry, Stace, and Coopster in tow, I had one of those great, peaceful moments of joy and gratitude. (You know, right before mock-artillery shells started exploding overhead. Right on!)

Make that grateful and full. Man did we feast, sheesh. We opened with tortilla chips and the most delicious, creamy salsa from Taco Morelos (Stace), alongside homemade guahhcamole (Debbie), as well as the veggies & dip (blanched asparagus & snap peas, raw endive leaves & icicle radishes) that I put together. And then...the most incredible appetizer, made by Stu - shrimps with sage leaves wrapped in pancetta and passed over the grill. Damn, we made obscenely short work of those babies snip, snap, gone. Then on to burgers, pork ribs, new potato & green bean salad, green salad with peppers, mint, cilantro, and almonds (Harry), and lovely wine (Stu). For dessert, chocolate cookie cake with fresh berries (Suz) and fireworks. Just...uff...perfect.

And now, my usual post-party conclusion - yep, it's time for bed! I'm full and wiped, craving cool sheets and a good night's sleep. Once again, my friends, Happy 4th.

Happy 4th of July! Ready for some fun in the sun? Or a quiet, relaxing day? I have to say, one of the best 4ths I've ever had was a few years back when John and I went on a long bike ride followed by a picnic of fried chicken, fresh cherries, cheeses, and white wine. The. Kill.

But of course I like a good party too (who me?), so today we're on for our Annual Super Duper Shubert Coopster 4th of July Celebration, having Shuberts and Stace & Coop (obv!), as well as Harry Cunliffe, Debbie & Stu The Wine Genius Williams, and Debbie's sister Michelle over to swim, dine a la potluck, and see fireworks. I'm grilling burgers & ribs, and making new potato & green bean salad and some simple veggies & dip. With tasty appetizers, salad, and dessert contributed by the group...KA-BLAM we're going to have a meal! Yeah, baby!

Moderate it: I'll personally make a lameass attempt to fill up on salads and veggies and enjoy the whole burger-rib-beer-chip-dessert thing in moderation. Hope you fare better in your moderation efforts than I'm about to! Enjoy your holiday!

Well the Annual Super-Duper-Shubert-Coopster 4th of July Celebration (that's what I'm officially naming it, ha) was a blast. We got in quite a bit of swimming before a (thankfully brief) thunderstorm chased us into the house - which was fine, since it was time to make din anyhow. And chow down on Suz's Deviled Eggs (and sip beer, of course!) while grillin' and chillin'. The storm quickly cleared and the sun again emerged, so we wiped down the chairs and ate our burgers and 'dogs on the deck. (Insert: a plug for Nathan's Famous brand hot dogs, available at Byerly's, hooooey they are fabulous. We decided even better than Hebrew National, another family fav. See what you think...)

When it was time for Suz's Blueberry Kuchen (crisp short-crust topped with a mass of ripe blueberries and baked into a buttery, cinnamon-y, warm-berry crumble, topped with freshly whipped cream, rarrr...), we moved out onto the screened porch so that I could make everyone try out the new cushions I ordered to pull together our hodge-podge of hand-me-down, white -wicker furniture. One chair is from John's parents' East Hampton home (thank you, Dot!), spiffed up with a fresh coat of white paint (thank you, Stacey!) and a new melon-colored pillow. The sofa and other chair are un-matching pieces I bought on clearance. I'm not even sure where the end tables are from, I've been hauling them around with me for years. With a new rug, some sheer curtains, and the white lights/paper lanterns I wrote about a few weeks ago, it's all come together quite inexpensively and nicely, I think. And since I'm the one who loves to hang out there - particularly while eating my lunch - I guess that's what matters most, eh?

So, uff, stuffed full of guacamole and burgers and blueberries, it was time for...fireworks! Yay! I love fireworks, just like a little kid, I clap and ooh and ahh - I can't help myself. I found my face was hurting from smiling through the whole thing! Best part of our fireworks experience is the kids' reactions, especially little Sully's commentary - he notices the most amazing things. Since I don't ever spend the 4th with Nathan (his dad's bday), I'm so happy that I get to spend it with Vivian and Sullivan, and someday Coop de Loop as well!

(Recipes posted in comments, below.)