I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday! And for those of you in other countries, I hope you have a lovely Friday. We used to always have a party at our house to celebrate, because we happen to have a great view of the city’s fireworks from our front yard. But my husband keeps having to work on the holiday and so I am I spending it with my kids. He will be home in time to grill dinner and watch the fireworks, but not in time to conduct a party.

I am just hoping the neighbors do not break out their potato gun this year and they do not burn our house down!

Stay safe and happy and enjoy that barbecue! We are making my husband’s lemon chicken.

I have three outfits in my head for the day. I love this Modcloth dress from last year. Another choice will be my white H&M dress with the beaded red, white, and blue necklace and red sandals. Or I might wear my white Free People clearance find from last summer with my vest I just purchased for 75% off.

I could also wear my Caravane Dress shown previously in this post. I figure it will hide the sins of the drink below.

Or since I am not having a party and only my neighbors will see me, I might stick to jeans.

I plan on holding my children close as we watch fireworks. Our car will be on in our driveway and as the local radio station plays the final song as they do each and every year, “Proud To Be An American,” my eyes will well up as they do each and every year. My husband served in The Army and I am just so proud of him and all of the men and women who have served our country. That song always brings it home for me. The sky will explode for a mere moment and my heart will pound to its beat.

I can’t wait!

What are your plans for the day? I am making The Relaxer from Mama’s Fish House as the cocktail of the day. I opted to use pineapple juice instead of fresh pineapple because that is what I felt they did at the restaurant. I changed the quantities of two ingredients. Instead of 1/4 oz. pineapple juice the recipe calls for (I actually think that might have been a typo, because that would only be about a Tablespoon), I added 1/4 cup and instead of 1/2 cup of ice, I added one cup. Here is the recipe. It is amazing! It tastes just like Maui to me. Which I guess means a chocolate piña colada.

Happy Fourth of July!