Sunday, July 3, 2011

The Third of July is the New Independence Day

For obvious reasons, we don't get Monday off to properly celebrate the 4th of July, and both J and I will be in the office tomorrow. Boo. Luckily, J works for an American firm, and they threw a "summer" party today at one of the partner's houses near Fitzroy Square. The weather decided to be cooperative, and it was fairly warm all day even though the sun disappeared around noon behind some innocuous looking clouds.

The square is only a ten minute walk away from our flat, and the firm rented out the garden for the day and the place was decked out with red, white and blue decorations. I figured they pretty much gave up on the thin disguise of a "summer party" when I saw the American flag napkins and little desserts with mini American flags sticking out of them.

The whole shindig was a pretty classy affair with temporary awning put up in case the sun decided to show, and the catering staff were everywhere offering up various goodies to eat and drink. But keep in mind that this was a 4th of July celebration in London so there was an interesting mish-mash of American and British things. For example, we had brisket and baked beans (American) but we had clotted cream on a scone with berries for dessert (British). We were throwing around a football (American) while we were drinking Pimm's (British). I guess that's how my Independence Days will be from now on. =)

I had a lovely time - the people were fun to talk to and the food was delicious so the three hours we were there pretty much flew by. And the celebrations don't end here! Now that I'm back home, I'm baking some Independence Day cookies - basically oatmeal chocolate chip cookies with red and blue M&M candies mixed into the batter.  All of my British friends have agreed to eat them, but they don't know about the secret plan the other Yanks and I have formed to eat said cookies while pelting the others with used tea bags. Team America, f*ck yeah!

No comments:

Post a Comment