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Remodeling Guide

Remodeling Home
Remodeling Intro
Kitchen Colors
Kitchen Styles
Kitchen Layouts
Designing around Limitations
Tips for Hiring a Contractor
Shopping for Accessories
A Feng Shui Kitchen
Kitchen Redo For Less
Fireplace Accessory Info
Preparing Your Fireplace
Designing a Home Bar
Increase Kitchen Storage
Organize Your Laundry Room
Creating Your Own Wine Cellar
Bathroom Storage Options
Kitchen Islands and Kitchen Carts
Accessorizing Your Bathroom
Outdoor Living
Outdoor Kitchens
Cabinet Hardware
Kitchen Sinks and Faucets
Bathroom Ventilation
Create Your Own Mudroom
Baker's Racks
Keeping Trash in Order
Bathroom Sinks and Faucets
Father's Day Gifts
Feng Shui For the Garden
A 4th of July Celebration
Choose the Right Bar Stool
Choosing a Countertop
Pot Racks
Range Hoods
Choosing a Bath Vanity
Turn Your Closet Into a Pantry
Cabinet Lighting
Installing a Bathroom Fan

  
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4th of July Celebration
 by Shannon McMahon Bruchal

Believe it or not, we're almost through June, and that means the 4th of July will soon be upon us. We commemorate the day the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress, and America was free of British rule.  Independence Day became an official holiday in 1783, and was made a federal holiday in 1941. The 4th of July is celebrated in many ways throughout the country. Picnics and barbecues, parades, fireworks, flags and red, white and blue have all come to signify this summer holiday. It's not too late to start planning your own special party to pay tribute to the birth of our nation.

Take in a parade in your town or in a neighboring town and show support for your local police and fire departments, scouting organizations, clubs and government officials.  Invite your family and friends for a day of fun in the sun.  Organize a casual barbecue and keep it hassle-free by using red, white and blue paper goods instead of using your regular dishes and silverware.

Look around your yard to determine whether the furniture you have is sufficient, or if you will need to purchase some chairs and tables for the occasion.  Add a sturdy bar and stools for serving and seating your guests. An extra round table and stools create a cozy little eating area. If you're looking to replace your current table and chair set, try a glass-top table and sling chairs for simple elegance.

Make sure your grill is cleaned and ready to go.  Get your tank filled if you're low on gas, or replenish your charcoal supply. If you're looking to buy a new grill, consider the Cook-n-Dine, a unique grill that cooks without a flame.  The Magma Del Mar grill is a pedestal grill that works perfectly in the corner of your deck or patio.  Your menu should be simple. Choose picnic and barbecue favorites like hot dogs and hamburgers, BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, baked beans, potato salad, apple pie and ice cream.
You get the picture.

If the night should grow cool, light up a fire pit for warmth and atmosphere.  Gather everyone around the fire and give them a stick and some marshmallows. Toast the marshmallows over the fire and add chocolate and graham crackers to make S'mores, a longtime campfire favorite. 

Cleanup will be a breeze with the proper trash receptacles.  Select an outdoor trash can that can stand up to the elements. You can keep waste and recyclables in an orderly fashion with trash bins designated for each kind of refuse.

Close out the night by catching some local fireworks. If there are no fireworks in your town that day, look up in the sky around dusk. Chances are you can see the display from surrounding towns. You may consider lighting some fireworks and firecrackers of your own. Please remember to exercise caution, especially around children.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!