"I thank my lucky stars, to be livin' here today"

I awoke this morning at 6:34. Fixed myself a patriotic bowl of cereal with blueberries and strawberries on top. Grabbed my Ipod and set out for a slightly longer than usual morning power walk (I plan to eat well today).  This is a special weekend not only because it is the last one I will spend with my family before I get married but also because it is the first time I have been home on the Fourth in FIVE years! As I pumped my arms to the upbeat bluegrass music on my not yet unbearably hot walk I started thinking about the Fourth of July and why I love it so much... To make this reader friendly, I will use bullet points. 

• I love how great the yards look in my neighborhood this time of year. People seem to work extra hard in their gardens during the summer. I can't wait to have my own garden. Right now i'll just be content with the pot of basil I am growing but can't remember to water. 
• I love that Fourth of July is casual. Other holidays (i.e. Christmas, Thanksgiving) are stressful. The house must be perfect. The menu must be perfect. Not so on the Fourth. If the house is messy, we eat outside. As long as the ribs are tasty, nothing else on the menu matters. 
• I get to wear my FAVORITE red sweater this year. When you are accused by your unobservant fiance of wearing a certain article of clothing a lot, you know you probably overwear it. I don't care. I love this thing (see below). 

• The smell of grilling out is one of the best scents in the entire world. Even this morning at 8 am I could smell it. Passing one house I caught the sweet scent of ribs and later a whiff of burgers on a charcoal grill. 
• Andddd... last but certainly certainly certainly not least... the FOOD. Now don't get me wrong I am not much of a carnivore. I don't really like ribs, burgers, or barbecue (I know, sacrilege being from from Memphis and all). It's the Fourth of July sides and desserts that steal my heart every year. Here is a glimpse at what the Good's will be eating this year:

Slow cooked ribs. My grandma's recipe that she never wrote down but, like any good Southern cook, remembered by smell.

Smoked turkey

Asian Slaw (a Good family staple at all holiday feasts)

Watermelon (of which I will probably eat half)

Purple Hull Peas

To be determined dessert with berries that I will make if I can pull myself 

away from my new favorite blog, thepioneerwoman.com, long enough to whip something up.

The only thing that could make this Fourth of July 100% perfect was if someone who is in Atlanta were here to celebrate with me. I guess i'll just have to wait for another celebration that will occur a week from today!