Happy 4th!!
Celebrating the Fourth of July in 2020 can pose its’ challenges, but here are some neat ideas for making the weekend “festive”!
Festive 4th of July Drink Mocktail
Ingredients
2 oz Pina Colada mix (non alcoholic)
3 oz Cherry 7-Up
1 oz Grenedine
2-3 oz blue Kool-aide
Ice
Whipped cream
Red and blue sprinkles
Instructions
Fill up a tall glass with ice
In a separate glass combine Cherry 7-up and grenedine
Pour your Pina Colada mix over the ice. Fill to a little less than 1/3 of the glass.
Slowly add your Cherry 7-Up mix to the glass. Pour close to the ice to avoid excessive fizzing. Fill about 1/3 of the glass
Once your fizz has settled, slowly add the blue Kool-aide to the glass. Pour close to the ice to avoid excess mixing with your red layer.
Top with whipped cream and red and blue sprinkles. Enjoy!
Red, White, and Blue Potato Salad
Ingredients
2 cups fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise (about 10 ounces)
2 cups small red potatoes, quartered (about 10 ounces)
2 cups small blue potatoes, halved lengthwise (about 10 ounces)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
3 hard-cooked large eggs, finely chopped
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
How to Make It
Step 1
Place fingerling and red potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool slightly. Place potatoes in a large bowl.
Step 2
Place blue potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain; cool slightly. Add blue potatoes, onion, parsley, dill, chives, and eggs to bowl; toss gently.
Step 3
Combine vinegar and remaining ingredients. Pour over potato mixture; toss gently to combine. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
Chef's Notes
Blue potatoes are starchier than the others and tend to bleed, so cook them separately. If you need to, prepare this dish a day ahead, but add the blue potatoes just before serving. If your potatoes are larger than the ones we call for, cut them to a uniform size.
Leave Fireworks to the Experts
Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal but they are not safe.
In 2017, eight people died and over 12,000 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents. Of these, 50% of the injuries were to children and young adults under age 20. Over two-thirds (67%) of injuries took place from June 16 to July 16. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, an estimated 1,200 injuries were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.
Additionally, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires.
If You Choose to Use Legal Fireworks
If consumer fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips:
Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
Never light them indoors
Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
Never point or throw fireworks at another person
Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
Never ignite devices in a container
Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
Never use illegal fireworks
Better yet, grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the fireworks show.
Sparklers Are Dangerous
Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but sparklers are a lot more dangerous than most people think.
Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers
Housing Market Predictions post Fourth of July 2020:
The real estate market has certainly been affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic, but predictions are that with the continued low inventory of homes for sale, it will remain a “seller’s market”. This means NOW is a great time to sell.
Buyers, don’t be dismayed! Mortgage rates are still at an all time low, and the prediction is that they will remain low, so now is also a great time to buy.
Whether you are considering making a move, or just want more information about the process, I’m happy to help. Reach me anytime via call or text at (401) 378-3000.
