Boom
As most of us know, this past weekend celebrated the United States’ independence from it’s European start. And yet, the holiday itself? Well, like most holidays in the United States, the holiday has lost meaning over the years. In fact, I would argue the meaning has been completely diluted into a thrown-up array of red, white and blue.
Nevertheless, we Americans like to celebrate, even if we’ve forgotten what it is we’re actually celebrating. And so, my extended weekend likely mirrored that of yours and yours and yours. Cookouts. And fireworks. And time spent with family and friends. Am I right? =)
Saturday, a few couples in our building had a little garden party-cookout. We brought down my old kitchen table (which is dismantled and stored under a bed) and set it up in the front yard. Our neighbors brought down their grill. And we pulled out chairs for everyone. One neighbor and I went shopping for burgers, brats, salads, chips and all the fixins. Another neighbor made a homemade apple pie. We gathered in the shade on a beautiful 80-something degree day. Let the dogs (all four of them) play together and in parallel. And just enjoyed the day.
Sunday, Sweets went off to work (he’s required to work one holiday a year, so he chose July 4th, which works well for us, because we don’t usually plan travel at this time of year). I went to the gym with my neighbor. Did about 5 loads of laundry. Unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher. And made myself useful around the house. Until I took a nap after lunch. When Sweets got off work, we jumped in the car and drove to the suburbs for a cookout with a bunch of his family’s friends. I brought homemade potato salad, which actually turned out to be a duplicate to Sweets’ mother’s potato salad (thankfully, she was willing to share the potato salad spotlight and both salads were a hit!). We stayed until just before the fireworks began and then headed home. It had been a long day for Sweets and it wasn’t the end of the world to miss the actual show.
Monday was a much-needed day off for both of us. We set the alarm early, but wound up turning it off to sleep in a bit. Sweets went for a long bike ride, while I took SoMi for a long walk. We ate breakfast together and then I left for a few hours to spend with my family. I brought a taste of my potato salad for my uncle, because I was following his recipe. Of course, his recipe has no measurements (a little of this, a dash of that), so I was nervous about what he’d think of my version. In fact, he liked it. He thought it might need a little more salt & pepper and more Hungarian paprika (his secret ingredient), but otherwise, it tasted great. Phew! Mid-afternoon, I picked up Sweets and we went on a whirlwind of errands – PetSmart for dog food, Target for paper towels (and somehow a million other things – typical!) and Jewel for some food stuffs. We came home and did nothing for the rest of the day. Rested up, because we’re all too aware that work weeks after a long weekend feel more like a 6-day work week instead of a 4-day week. Sigh.
Did any of you do anything fun or exciting or unexpected over your weekends?!
July 6th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Your party in the yard with your neighbors sounds like a fun way to spend the day. I think its really nice that you all do special things like that together every once in a while.
I didn’t really do anything unexpected — spent time with family, friends, and geared up for my short week (I only work 2.5 days this week, then head to DC for some fun).
July 6th, 2010 at 8:00 am
a) We ran around like crazy people this weekend (Lake Geneva, the ‘burbs, and back to the city), got a little sunburned, but had a lovely time doing all of it.
b) This 4 day week WILL be interminable. Guaranteed.
c) Glad you had a nice weekend and an even better upcoming one with a trip, fun!
July 6th, 2010 at 8:17 am
The big thing that we did was go to the home improvement stores looking at screen doors. But we did spend the 4th in the burbs at a BBQ with some friends, it was a lot of fun.
Yesterday, we did the petsmart, target thing too. Just a lazy Monday, which was perfect.
July 6th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I have to say I like the fourth of July. It’s a restful type of holiday and here in DC you can go around to learn more about the history of it (if you’re ok with kicking tourists around). I’m a complete nerd and watched the History channel’s documentary about the American revolution and declaration of independence mainly focusing on George Washington.
Like I said, nerd. Other than that, had a really nice couple days off and just pretty much chilled!
July 6th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Fun or exciting? Probably not to an outsider but it was to me. Lots of general merriment, relaxation, friends, family, sleep, books, more relaxing, time with the pup, watching a few mindless movies. I took some time to thank the heros I know, to get a little patriotic and teary-eyed, and other than that, like you said, a July 4th spent in a similar way to yours :)
July 6th, 2010 at 9:19 am
I actually find in general that more people like to honor the meaning of the 4th of July than of most other holidays. Like, Labor Day? OK, that’s not a big deal. But Memorial Day and Veterans Day and MLK Day? Some people make a point out of honoring those who are meant to be honored by those holidays, but most just treat them as a fun day off.
July 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Cookouts here too. Oh and I made some patriotic red velvet cupcakes (with white cream cheese frosting and blueberries on top), ate and drank too much and baked in the heat, which was welcome after last year when I disticntly remember wearing a sweatshirt and BBQing in the rain.
July 6th, 2010 at 9:31 am
The only unexpected or exciting thing that happened was that I kicked my family’s butts in Bocce Ball. I mean, it wasn’t even a close game which is just shocking because I am not known for being good at anything that requires the throwing of the ball. But I was just on fire on Sunday!
Sounds like you had a fun, full weekend. It’s so great that you know and get along with your neighbors!
July 6th, 2010 at 9:41 am
We had quite a surprise for the weekend. My brother and his girlfriend (from London) arrived Thursday for Mom’s birthday and to spend the weekend. It was a really pleasant surprise only to be topped by the fact that they are engaged and eloping the end of the month.
July 6th, 2010 at 9:56 am
My kiddos were gone at various family members houses all weekend, so I got to relax! Went to a bbq at a friends families house on Sat. I met uncles and grammas and heard stories of how people had met. It was lovely. When we were leaving, the gramma told me to tell my friend to bring me over more often. If the 85 year old matriarch says you get to stay, that’s pretty good. :) Sunday night I watched fireworks from the roof of my friends house. Best view in the neighborhood, and some funny commentary on some of the neighbors! Monday I took my kids swimming and just hung around the house. Good, long weekend, but still didn’t want to come back to work today. I agree, short weeks often feel like LONG weeks!
July 6th, 2010 at 10:17 am
Oh gah! I just remembered that short weeks always feel longer. Grr. Not looking forward to that.
Your weekend sounds lovely. I did a lot of relaxing which is unheard of with me. But I liked it!
July 6th, 2010 at 10:44 am
how lovely! i had a wonderfully low-key weekend (uh, for me, anyway). spent friday night in with the boyfriend; had some ladyblogger friends over for a lowkey brunch on saturday (i didn’t even cook! it was bagels & lox & mimosas, oh boy); went out to dinner with other friends on saturday evening and then came back for another night in with the boyfriend. sunday was the ridiculous day, involving a bbq houseparty that we attended from 3p until midnight, and also came with a long and painful hangover on monday morning. however, ample hydration, some advil, and another movie in bed with the bf cured that and i ended the weekend with a great pole class at the studio that sweat out the last of the alcohol in my system :-)
July 6th, 2010 at 11:43 am
Last week was my short week, for some reason our HR department decided to make Friday the 2nd our holiday.
We spent Friday taking the cat to the vet, Saturday running errands, Sunday at my parents’ house, and had lunch with my husband’s family yesterday (they live very close to work). It sounds busy written like that, but it feels like we didn’t really do anything at all!
July 6th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I took my mother clothes shopping and she actually bought stuff! So that was cool. It’s tough to get her to buy things because she’s so self-conscious about showing any skin. She’s not a prude, but she is hyper-aware of the fact that she has some wrinkles on her neck and arms. I have to keep reminding her that she’d look better showing some of that perfectly acceptable skin than wearing turtlenecks all year long. It just takes a little confidence to pull it off.
July 6th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Texas, baby! My weekend was awesome.
July 6th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I spent a few hours cleaning out a garage (not mine), which was oddly satisfying.
July 6th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Sounds so lovely! I was sick on the couch all weekend and it sucked! :(
July 6th, 2010 at 6:08 pm
My weekend is blurry! Not sure of the cause (shortness, longness, beer?). But I did celebrate my sixth wedding anniversary on Saturday. We just chilled at the house and relaxed. It was great.
July 6th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I love that you have neighbors you know and enjoy hanging out with. I’m hoping we can get to know some people who live in our building.
July 6th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
You guys always have fun weekends. And so neighborly! We grilled in Mr. W’s back yard (he made some awesome chicken and brisket in his smoker) and then vegged out on his couch and watched a few fireworks through his living room window. :) Aside from all the house mayhem, it was a pretty mellow weekend!
July 6th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Sounds like a great weekend! We had a pretty good one too.
July 6th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Sounds like a great weekend! If I were Sweets, I would pick 4th of July too, that’s usually a safe holiday to work w/o worrying about travel. Oh and yes, short weeks still feel like 5 days crammed into 3-4. Suck.