July 4th Picnic

As a child, I loved the Fourth of July. It was the one summer holiday that just about everyone celebrated. It was a lazy day of sunshine, then a warm summer evening spent hanging out with friends and family, watching the fireworks in the night sky. With all the parades, picnics, backyard festivities, and, of course, the building anticipation for the "big fireworks," the Fourth is truly a holiday for kids.

Getting a good place for the family blanket at a primo firework-viewing spot required strategic planning and preparation -- mostly in making sure we had sufficient foodstuffs for the long evening ahead.

Grilling, is, of course, practically synonymous with the Fourth, and if your viewing location doesn't permit on-the-spot grilling, just grill up these dawgs before you leave home and pack them away with the rest of your mostly-make-ahead feast -- the folks on the next blanket will be jealous!

• Grilled Frankfurters
• Dilled Artichoke Potato Salad
• Saucepan Baked Beans
• Jicama Coleslaw
• Chocolate Revel Bars

A hot dog and sausage platter is the way to go for an easy Fourth of July -- just don't forget to offer a variety of condiments so everyone can build their own perfect frankfurter.

Tangy marinated artichoke hearts add zing to this classic potato salad.

Take the ease of regular old baked beans in the can and make them special with some added mustard kick and crunchy, smoky bacon bit toppers.

The combination of crisp jicama and crunchy cabbage keeps this salad from wilting in the summer heat.

These layered cookie bars are irresistible and easy to take along.