Let Freedom Ring!

Just For Fun: Fourth of July Weekend

We were blessed to have Steve's entire out-of-town family join us for the 4th of July weekend. From toasted ravs and Ted Drewes to the Cardinals game, we took St. Louis by storm! 

 A teeny peek at the fun...

4th of July is right around the corner...

Check out my Patriotic Pinterest Board...

 ...to add a little red, white, and blue flair to your holiday gathering!

In the Kitchen- German Potato Salad recipe

The holiday weekend has arrived, which typically means gatherings with loved ones and friends for most of us. 

WARNING:  Leave your diet at home, as I am ready to share the absolute BEST recipe for Traditional Warm German Potato Salad.  Healthy?  Absolutely not!  Delicious?  Yes. 

I have used this recipe for years and it is fail-proof.  While NOT waist-friendly, a great dish to tote to a weekend soiree...

Traditional Warm German Potato Salad

Ingredients

2 pounds red potatoes, boiled in their skins until tender and drained
8 slices of bacon- cut in 2 inch strips
1 cup peeled and chopped onions
1.5 cup chopped celery
A pinch of celery seed, if available
1/2 teaspoon salt
A generous grinding of black pepper
2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoon unbleached flour
7 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 cup water

1.Cut the cooked potatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices and set aside. I prefer to leave their peels on.

2.In a large saute pan or casserole, cook the bacon until barely browned and transfer it to a paper towel to drain, leaving the bacon drippings in the pan.

3.In the same pan used to cook the bacon, saute the chopped onions in the remaining bacon drippings for two minutes and then add the chopped celery. Saute for approximately three more minutes or until the onions are golden. Add the celery seed (if used), salt, pepper, sugar, and unbleached flour to the pan and stir well for another minute. Gradually stir in the vinegar and water and simmer for an additional couple of minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

4.Very gently stir in the sliced potatoes and cooked bacon. Cook for a couple of minutes more until the potatoes are heated through and have absorbed most of the dressing. Cover and set aside for five minutes before serving.

Happy Birthday, America...

No city rings in Independence Day like St. Louis?! No matter what your preference or situation, there is a celebration for you! From a bottle of wine with your honey at a small county park to the enormous Fair St. Louis that illuminates the downtown skyline with a spectacular show... the local options are limitless for the 4th.

If you have yet to pin down your plans for the 4th of July, below are a few of the most popular local celebrations / firework displays...

Fair St. Louis
Downtown Riverfront- Fair, Fireworks, Concerts, Air shows, International Cuisine

July 3, 2010
Noon - Fair opens
8 p.m. - John Legend
9 p.m. - Fireworks

July 4, 2010
11 a.m. - Fair opens
8 p.m. - The B-52s
9 p.m. - Fireworks


Webster Groves Community Days
Memorial Park-Carnival and fireworks
Interstate 44 -Elm Avenue exit.

July 1 & 2, 2010
5 p.m. - Festival opens

July 3, 2010
10 a.m. - Parade
11 a.m. - Festival opens
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks preview

July 4, 2010
11 a.m. - Festival opens
9:45 p.m. - Fireworks spectacular


St. Charles Riverfest
St. Charles Riverfront- Bluegrass , carnival, parade, and 2 nights of fireworks

July 2, 2010
4:00 p.m. - 11 p.m. - Wristband night

July 3 and 4
10 a.m. - Parade (July 3 only)
12:00 p.m. - Food booths & carnival open
9:20 p.m. - Fireworks

Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival
Riverfront Park- Food, beer, live entertainment, and fireworks

July 2, 2010
7 p.m. - Live music
9 p.m. - Fireworks
10 p.m. - Live music


Hertiage & Freedom Fest, O'Fallon, MO
Ozzie Smith Sports Complex- Concerts, parade, a carnival, kids activities, and food.

July 2, 2010
5 p.m. - 9 p.m.

July 3, 2010
9:30 a.m. - Parade
12 p.m. - Festival opens
3:15 p.m. - Well Hungarians
6:30 p.m. - Chuck Wicks
8:45 p.m. - Darryl Worley
10:15 p.m. - Fireworks

July 4, 2010
12 p.m. - Festival Opens
3:30 p.m. - Toad the Wet Sprocket
5:45 p.m. - Eve 6
8 p.m. - Five for Fighting


Fourth of July Celebration, Ellisville
Bluebird Park- Food, live music, and fireworks.

July 4, 2010
7:30 p.m. - Sh-Boom performs
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks

Rockin' on the Landing
Landing- Live music, food, and drinks.

July 3 & 4, 2010
Noon - Live music begins


Chesterfield Celebration & Fireworks
Chesterfield Mall Parking lot- Children's activities, live music, food, and fireworks

July 4, 2010
6:30 p.m. - Children's activities
7 p.m. - Blues Plus Band
9:30 p.m. - Fireworks


Ferguson Family Fun Festival
January Wabash Park- Parade, children's entertainment, food, music, and fireworks

July 4, 2010
Noon - Parade
1:30 p.m. - Opening ceremonies
9:15 p.m. - Fireworks

Fireworks in Hazelwood
White Birch park

July 4, 2010
Dusk – Fireworks

Kirkwood 4th of July Freedom Festival
Kirkwood Park - Concession stand, , and fireworks

July 4
Music starts at 7:00 p.m.
Fireworks at dusk.

Manchester Party in the Park
Schroeder Park- food, , & fireworks

July 04, 2010
6:00 PM to 9:45 PM