that time we spent america’s birthday on the lake

I’m a big fan of the 4th of July. First, because I actually am really patriotic and proud to be an American. Second, because celebrating this country by spending time with family is just a really great thing. On Friday I got to go to lunch with an old friend who was in town and it was perfect (both the thin-crust pizza and the company). Nothing like chatting with someone you’ve known since you were in fifth grade to really make you nostalgic and also really embarrassed about all the weird things you did as a kid. That night my family had a little barbecue (minus my brother and my husband because they were both at work) and we even grilled hot dogs because my mom can handle eating three per year and she’d only had one so far. Saturday was the actual Fourth and of course John had to be at work again (holidays spent together just don’t happen around here unfortunately) so I decided to head up to the lake with my family.

When it comes to the 4th of July, the only thing I’m not a fan of is the crowds EVERYWHERE. The lake usually is packed, so I figured I’d just have to suck it up and be a people person. Then we actually arrived and the heavens parted and there was practically nobody on the water.

We skied, we ate, we napped (actually that was just my brother because he has no fear of sleeping in public).
When we were finished at the lake we drove a little farther north to Fruit Row in Perry, Utah. I never complain about fresh peaches. You could just stand next to the cases and smell them. Somebody invent ripe peach perfume.
We also stopped for a little snack at Maddox. They served us hot rolls with berry butter. As in butter mixed with pureed berries. Why did I never think of this??

PS I ate 3.

And PPS: to all the veterans, members of the armed forces, and their families . . . you’re all the best and we’re so very grateful for you.