4th of July

My festive attire is somewhat misleading.  I actually didn't do much of anything to celebrate 4th of July.  I just wasn't feeling it this year.  Maybe it was because 4th of July fell on a Wednesday and I had to work the next day.  Or maybe it was because the weather was crummy.  Or it could be that Independence Day just feels a little different here than it does in the Midwest where I grew up.  No fireworks or small town parades.  No hot summer weather.  We live in Northern California so the weather is often cold and foggy, and fireworks are illegal for fear of forest fires.  In the Midwest, parades and fireworks are a 4th of July staple.  July is also usually hot and sunny.  So growing up, 4th of July meant parades, fireworks, bonfires, s'mores, swimming, beaches, and boat rides.  That's what I'm used to.  Even so, I tried to get in the spirit by wearing this silly outfit and creating a patriotic table setting.  I found these cute water bottle labels, straw flags and pennant banner at Tip Junkie.  They were all free and I printed them at home. 

I am a Coca Cola girl and only bought Pepsi because it matched my decor.

Dinner for two.  My husband and I were on our own this year.

Because of my above comments you might think I am homesick and don't like California.  That is not the case.  I actually love California.  We spent much of 4th of July in beautiful Big Sur and attended a festival at Esalen Institute.  My husband wasn't really into the hippie vibe of the festival (i.e. he hated it and felt totally out of place).  Not me.  I enjoyed it and the views were gorgeous.  Plus, only in California can you see mineral baths full of nude people (lots of nude people!) on 4th of July.  Not exactly the quintessential 4th of July experience but it was interesting nonetheless.  Here's to exploring new things and nontraditional holidays!  In case you were wondering, our uptight traditional selves stayed fully clothed.  Public bathing in the nude is not my kind of silly whim.  There is nothing silly about that.  Well, actually there is.  The image did make me want to giggle (no offense to nudists).

See, I told you the weather was crummy.  Beautiful view but gloomy weather.

Decided not to wear my silly 4th of July hat and shirt to the festival.