The Fun of the Fourth

Happy 4^th of July everyone! I hope the day is truly happy for you. My family actually celebrated yesterday so maybe I can offer a few tricks of the trade before you try your own. We had so many laughs and I hope you have just as much joy in your day as well.But still, 4^th of July can be somewhat hazardous if you’re not careful…1. Put sunscreen on: That hasn’t expired. My poor dad yesterday had good intentions but when he came back from working outside and barbequing, he looked like he was the meal himself. Lobster dinner at its finest.2. Be careful with fireworks: It’s a longstanding joke in my family about what a baby I was when a spark caught my jacket. But hey, I did get burned, and it did leave a scar! (About the size of a pencil eraser but still) You may want to light the night sky but please don’t light yourself up like I did.3. Cook your hotdogs all the way: Well, you know I insisted on a hot dog. It’s 4^th of July—it feels like a crime not to. And I even settled on a non-Costco one, too. Turns out I was the only one who wanted a hot dog. And sadly, now I can see why—especially when I’m cooking it.Now here are some fun things to do—I don’t want you to be so scared that you don’t celebrate!1. Try a new recipe: Boy, did we have fun in the kitchen yesterday. Martha Stewart catalogues come and go but this recipe we just couldn’t let pass. We baked and decorated fireworks sugar cookies. You use merengue powder for the frosting and we used toothpicks to create the design. Don’t they look ravishing? I actually may have been successful in the kitchen for once.2. Go for a swim: I don’t know about where you are, but my town is in a heat wave. You’ve just got to get in the water.3. Eat up: It’s one of those days where you have to throw the towel in. Maybe don’t go to the extravaganza I did eating brownies, cookies, mini-cheesecakes, and an ice cream sundae but hey, it is America’s birthday so maybe you should have an extra blow out. There’s a lot of candles there.I’ll end with this quote that I saw this morning: This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer DavisI hope you will be brave to be a proud American! I know I am—I feel so blessed to live in this country where I can be surrounded by my family and friends. Further, where I have been given the privilege and right to write whatever I please (which is a privilege that must be regarded with respect).What makes you proud to be an American?Keep shining,The Sunny Girl, Lauren Cook