Summer, Sun, Fireworks, Family, Food, Celebrating our Independence, Don't you just love The 4th of July? What are your plans for Independence Day?

I'm headed to the mountains of NC/TN to do some rafting, grilling, laughing and enjoying time with family. Fireworks and wildlife thrown in there too! Happy Fourth to you all!

For me, the 4th has always meant great memories of good times spent with family.

My whole family comes to stay with me in Savannah for the 4th and we grill, swim, play volleyball, go tubing, catch crabs, and eat, eat, eat! Then we sit on the dock and watch a panorama of fireworks around town. We can usually see 4-5 shows in the night sky. Of course I always make my Miss American Pie which is a nifty pie that looks like an American flag. It is really fun to make, try it and see! I also like to make a baked cherry and blueberry version. Yum!

http://realwomenofphiladelphia.com/user/recipe/1072266/miss-american-pie

Of course there aren't enough beds for everybody so people wind up sleeping on couches, air mattress and hammocks. Last year, the only bed i could find was a couch on the dock. Worst night of sleep ever due to a raccoon that had also decided to spend the night on the boat lift. He spent the entire night growling at my dog. Too funny!

We always grill corn on the cob and have watermelon, it's sort of a tradition Even if the entree changes. My family loves me to make lot's of zesty sparkling lemonade so we can sip it and watch the town fireworks from our front porch :)

Nancy, thanks so much! It was awesome cooking with all my philly friends in the kitchen. It was like a catering crew. I am so glad we did that and I wish everyone was coming back this year.