Independence Day 2011

Last year over the July 4th holiday weekend it was cloudy and rainy with highs in the high 50's/low 60's.  We had a pretty hard time motivating to do much, except cook, as evidenced here. 

This year could not have been more different!  The weather was postcard perfect San Diego weather - in the high 80's all weekend and the fog burned off each day by 9 or 10 a.m.  We spent almost the entire weekend outside.  But I have to say that the biggest highlight was Paul's blue ribbon win at the San Diego County Fair Homebrewer's Competition!

He entered a Scotch Ale:

In addition to the ribbon, he got this "trophy":

While we were waiting for the announcement of the winners, we perused some of the county fair cuisine.  The newest addition to the fried food parade this year was deep fried Kool-Aid:

I was way too creeped out by the idea to try it, although I did see some kids eating it.  Instead, I decided to indulge in some Indian fry bread and a beer, two of my favorite guilty pleasures (though they are usually hard to find in the same place):

On the actual holiday, we headed down to Scripps to bbq.  We set up shop on the deck of one of the labs and you sure can't beat having this as the view from your office:

There was a charcoal grill set up on the deck and we threw some salmon burgers and veggies over the coals:

Paul topped his burger with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, avocado, tomatoes, and lettuce.  I topped mine with bbq sauce and Swiss cheese:

Hope you all had a very Happy 4th of July!