The Fourth of July Party/BBQ

The Fourth of July Extravaganza
We throw two fairly big parties each year, if we're in town. One on New Year's Eve and one on Fourth of July with a smattering of smaller parties through out the year. Needless to say we enjoy entertaining. As many times as we throw parties and as many times that I promise Cindy that I will scale things down, I invariably come up with some great idea, be it a decorative theme or item, a new menu, a home or yard "improvement", or in the case of this Fourth of July a party game.

The Game and Prep

Now not just any party game, one with clues, one that would be fun, challenging, and interactive. If I had had an extra week and the party went all week end the game I created would have been perfect. As it was I woke up on Friday morning at around 2:30 and was going full tilt in prep mode until, well, to put it bluntly I never was ready. Skye spent 30 minutes putting together the Civil Literacy Quiz. The first guest ended up collating the rules and clues sheets(three pages worth) down by the pool. Through out the course of the party I was running up to the printer. A couple of the items weren't possible such as #17 "Who am I? Really who am I? We'll be assigning secret roles for people to play the founding fathers. 150 points to take on a character. 25 points for identifying each historigal or guy." And there was a total possible 1776 points. So do you think I've learned my lesson? Probably not




Cindy was kind and patient enough to help me with my madness by painstakingly cutting cellophane pieces to create the Betsy Ross Flag to greet guest. Also for one's perusing were copies of the Declaration of Independence, several other writings of Thomas Jefferson, a copy of "The School of Good Manners" and a copy of the "New England Primer". Oh and of course you were invited to sign the guest book with a real Quill pen and ink that Skye had helped make from a dry mix, very authentic indeed.



A couple of the flower arrangements I did, note the red, white, and blue theme. Also these pictures were take late in the day after the party. We failed miserably in getting photos, like usual. Also the arrangement in the foreground was part of the very first Clue, "Under white tulips are pebbles of glass. Ponder their numbers, all red, white and blue. The closer you are the more points you get. On the nose gets you 125 points. Each stone away will cost you a mark.

At the same time, I was cooking up a couple of my Beer Can Chickens, laying out an elaborate hot-dog condiment line-up, setting out drinks, chips and dips, made a really yummy Soda Bean Salad, a couple of green salads, etc. etc etc.

And then the guests started arriving......

THE POOL PARTY/BBQ/COOKING CLUB/FIREWORKS SHOW

Like I said the first people to the party were immediately put to work which is a Danniells/Carr tradition. So a special thanks to Tyler for collating the game sheets while also taking on being the adult by the pool. And also congratulations on winning the game with I think 960 points, I don't recall because after correcting it I returned it to her. But she hands down beat everyone else.

And then people just kept coming with food, with kids, with wine and beer. It was the potluck to beat all potlucks. More than one person came to me saying that they had "stopped" eating several times only to be faced with a new food item. And the food ranged from the grilled meats and dogs that are so very Fourth of July to a variety of salads to candied chicken feet, thanks Tim. It was like cooking club practically. One of the best entries to date in the guest sign-in, which by the way very rarely gets touched, people just don't expect it these days, I suppose, anyway,
"Hey Jon,
This was great fun! Thanks for having me over. Unfortunately, I'm leaving here 300 pounds heavier. Call me again when I get back from the 3rd world country I will be forced to move to after eating everything including one of your guests"

I would include his/her name except I didn't know which guest she ate and that could get problematic.

And meanwhile kids as well as adults were splashing around. I tried to make it down to plunge and soak myself, but just as I was on the last terrace level, Cindy summoned me back with hosting duties.

All in all we had 50 people roll in over the course of the party, ranging from infant age to grandparents, from people I had known in high school to new friends we're just getting to know. It was great, great time. I truly wish Cindy or I or someone, anyone had taken more pictures.




Well into the party with two friends from high school.





After watching fire works shoot up from all over the city we had some of our own.




Sparkling little Skye




I had a great although exhausting time and am so pleased that so many people came and made it a very memorable evening.

Speaking of memorable...

While running around like a crazy person, bare foot, cause wasn't thinking. Getting the grill prepped for the beer-can-chicken. Oops I stepped on a burning ember.

blep, blep, blep and you can imagine the other expletives that poured out.

Sorry for the disturbing image, but I had to share.






HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!