Fireworks Actually Are 'Street' Here in J.C.

Is it sacrilege to listen to British punk on Independence Day? Not sure, but we did it anyway. Of course, lots of good ol' American rockin' was goin' on in the backyard here, too, yesterday. The sounds emanating from our Dominican neighbors' yard added a fiesta-like touch to the affair (not unlike most other summer weekend nights 'round these parts).





On the menu: grilled pizza (with homemade dough), bbq chicken (with my special lip-smackin' sauce), and an array of other snacks and goodies. I also made some tasty and tipsy frozen strawberry margaritas. Apparently my use of real strawberries is a rare thing these days. Sad.

The highlight of the evening, no question, was the impromptu fireworks display which took place on the street right in front of the house across the street from ours. Guys took turns sparking up various black market eye treats. Cars whizzed by as rockets soared and popped inches away. An adorable crew of kids (a.k.a. shorties) was enthralled, stomping on the stoop and clapping vigorously. Extended cries of "Yaaaaaaaay" could be heard blocks away, no doubt. Next to the pre-rodeo fireworks display we caught at a fiesta in Costa Rica in January, this was definitely my most memorable.

As for the obligatory cookie of the day, it commemorated the earlier, yet no less contentious and bloody days of this great country. Yet again, taking The Punk Rock Kitchen's Rock-Out Cut-Out recipe to new heights (berry-flavored filling, too!)