4th July Barbecue

Happy 4th of July everyone.

It's always a bit of an odd day for us Brits living in the US on the 4th....after all, you are celebrating your independence from us, so it sort of feels like we should stay out of the way??? ......but we try to get into the spirit of it.

This year we have been invited to a party but I don't think its going to be quite the all-American barbecue experience that you imagine.

Some new friends have invited us up to their home for the afternoon and we are looking forward to seeing them and some other mutual friends....But when you are invited to a 4th July BBQ, you imagine lots of burgers and hot dogs and barbecue sauce and baked beans and things like that.


These friends however are vegetarian so are serving grilled vegetables and grilled tofu! Hmm.. Don't get me wrong - we are grateful to be invited - but it doesn't quite go with the whole "image" of the day!

I was asked to make a pasta or potato salad so I've made a patriotic red, white and blue potato salad with red, white and blue potatoes! And no - I didn't put in some bacon like John asked me to!

We are also taking some of our wine and I'm sure the tofu will be delicious :-D

So enjoy the day - wherever you are and whatever you are eating and celebrating.

Picnic time!

Happy 4th July! Maybe today is picnic day.....the sun is shining, there are 4th of July parades in the US today.....so pack up that picnic basket and find a nice place in the sun to eat lunch...maybe take a bottle of champagne and have an easy day.

I love picnics! Especially since we've moved to California where you can just trust the weather! How many picnics did we have in England where it was freezing cold or drizzly or just miserable. My dad often jokes that all picnics with my sister mean that the weather will be bad! But we would try - sitting there shivering and pretend to be enjoying our outdoor meal!

But maybe you need to choose your location carefully. Because if you go down to the woods today........


you maybe have to watch out for the teddy bears' picnic! Teddy bear earrings and a little teddy bear on a picnic blanket with a slice of cake, cup and bowl of fruit!! I made this set for my friend Janet. The teddy bears' picnic story has always been one of her favorites and she shared it with her daughters and son and now shares it with her grandchildren. The grandchildren's bedroom in her house is decorated around the teddy bears' picnic theme with a gorgeous mural painted on the walls. It looks just wonderful and now she gets to wear her teddy bears' picnic too.

The other picnic basket is hollow formed in fine silver and supplied on an interchangeable charm necklace, so when picnic time is over, you can take it off and add another charm or pendant instead. This is available for sale here.

Anyhow - hope you have a good 4th July - and find time for a picnic.