July 4, 2014

Friday Favorites: Red, White, and Blue

Happy Fourth of July!

ColorfulFireworksvia

The Fourth of July is in a tie for my favorite holiday and it feels really strange not being home to celebrate this year. I am from a small town that comes to life every year for the Fourth, it really is the best place to be.

Almost every year my Fourth of July has consisted of starting the day with a pancake breakfast and parade, festival in the park and BBQ in our backyard, and an evening filled with fireworks and bumping into every person you have ever known, it is an amazing day.

Fourth of July
H’s first Fourth of July

Since I can’t be home to celebrate I am showing my patriotism with some Friday Favorites: Fourth of July Edition.

america-rocks_thumbvia

Favorite Activities
BBQs, sparklers, time with friends and family, the Fourth of July is full of some of my favorite things. This year I am really going to miss…

The small town parade with all the local firetrucks and tractors.
Fourth of July Parade

Laying on a blanket watching the Fireworks.
Fourth of July Fireworksvia

And seeing people on horseback carrying the American flag, my favorite way to view this is at a rodeo with a beer and pretzel in hand.
American Rodeo

Favorite Food
As soon as I see one of these on the table my day is complete…
flag-fruit-pizza1via

Nothing says Fourth of July like some fresh watermelon!
FourthofJulyWatermelonvia

I may need to make these strawberries for our soccer party tonight, bring a little American spirit to Iceland.
Strawberriesvia

Favorite Drink
I haven’t tried any of these but Pinterest has some awesome Fourth of July themed drinks I will have to try next time I am home for the holiday!

Red and Blue Pop Rocks Shooters
2013-05-07-mountford_patriotic_drink_recipe_red_white_and_blue_pop_rocks_shooter

Red, White and Blue Sangria
Fourth of July Sangria
Jello Firecracker Shots
jello firecracker shots 2_thumb[2]

Favorite Firework
Yes, I have a favorite type of firework, don’t you? After some research to find a better name to describe the sparkle down effect I learned that my favorite firework is called the Chrysanthemum firework.

Fireworksvia

Favorite Song
My inner country girl is about to come out. These two songs always make me think of the rodeo we attend every year during the Fourth of July weekend. When these songs ply everyone in the stands sings along to them, it gives me chills.

Favorite Laugh

SNL Fourth of Julyvia
Some of the outfits I see on the Fourth of July would do Will Ferrell proud :)

I hope everyone has a safe and fun Fourth of July!

Question of the Day?
What is your favorite thing about the Fourth of July? How are you celebrating this year?

Friday Favorites

posted by 24 Comments
Filed Under: Family, Friends, My Thoughts, Things I am Loving Tagged: , , ,
  • http://sophieinclogs.com Sophie

    Happy 4th of July!! A lot of what you miss is similar to what goes down on Canada day … BBQs, fireworks, flags … though we have fewer colour options when decorating food haha. Hope you enjoy your day in your home away from home!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Haha, the color options are always fun to see what kind of food dishes and outfits people will come up with. Thanks so much Sophie. I hope you had a good Canada Day as well!

  • http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

    Have fun tonight!! I used to love wearing the most outrageous outfit I could find to go to my cities parade in!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Yes! Those outrageous outfits are my favorite part. Hope you had a nice fourth of July weekend :)

  • Bri

    All great favorites! I need to try those shooters!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      The recipe sounds delicious!

  • http://independenttravelcats.com/ Jessica - Independent Travel C

    Happy Fourth! I grew up in a small town and the parades sounds exactly the same and it was great seeing literally everyone in town in one place to celebrate!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks Jessica :) The small town parade is just so wonderful and will always remind me of the Fourth growing up.

  • http://theglobetrotterdiaries.com/ Ashley S

    Gosh, this is making me miss being in the US so much for the 4th. Definitely one of the best days of the year!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I agree, it is one of my favorite holidays of the year!

  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    Happy 4th to you! x

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Hope you had a wonderful 4th!

  • http://englishgirlcanadianman.blogspot.ca/ Holly Nelson

    I hope you enjoyed your fourth July was excellent and you brought some America to Iceland!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks Holly ;) It was fun sharing our traditions back at home with my friends here!

  • http://voyageofthemeemee.com/ Amanda MeeMee

    I don’t care how old we get… sparklers will always be awesome! :D

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Agreed!

  • http://Buttonsandbirdcages.com Miche Renee

    I love the fireworks! Celebrating by watching them and playing with sparklers like a kid again!

    Miche from Buttons and Birdcages

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      The fireworks are always my favorite part!

  • Lisa @ Ameliorer la Vie

    The parade that your town has every year sounds like so much fun. This year I met Rachael @ The Rachael Way and her friends and we hung out on River Street in Savannah and watched the fireworks together. How is independence day celebrated in Iceland? (Just looked up that theirs is in June!!)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      You fourth sounded awesome! Iceland did just have their indepdence day. It was quite rainy that day but they have a lot of free concerts going on. More of a day aimed at activities for children. They have a culture night in August that everyone has said is way bigger and it ends with fireworks so it sounds a lot like how we would celebrate independence day at home. Will be interesting to see it!

  • http://www.tothedayslikethis.com/ Sammy @ Days Like This

    Fun!! This kind of reminds me of Australia Day! I love how patriotic Americans are!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I do too, especially when they are all out in their crazy red, white and blue outfits!

  • http://www.jadeoak.com/ jackie jade

    yum to the food and drinks you picked. making me hungry. and love that will ferrell gif!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      That will ferrell gif made my day! Hope you had a good Fourth!