I’m straddling Monday and Wednesday here, because I have no intention of posting tomorrow. . .not that we have big plans. Our city canceled tonight’s fireworks, and the (two-hour) parade won’t happen tomorrow either. (Yes, 2008 is sorely disappointed; her mama is not.)

While our town recovers from Sunday’s massive storm, our little family will celebrate in the backyard with sparklers and a grilled dinner. 

It should go without saying, but may not so I’ll say it: we grill over charcoal, because that’s how it’s done.

Lucky 2008 got to choose the day’s dessert, so tomorrow morning we’ll bake apple pie from scratch. Thanks to Fancy Nancy, we’ll enjoy it à la mode (Jane O’Connor, we need to talk.)

Meanwhile, the north side of our town is still without power, and may be for the remainder of the week. The city has advertised several cooling centers via email and their website. 

Via email and their website. For people without power.  I’m sure their underutilization is mere coincidence.

Happy, happy Independence Day to all of you. May your festivities be happy and your patriotism civil.

Among my very favorite things is our annual Bacon Hunt.  For eight hours, we send our closest and most daring friends into Chicago's western suburbs on what one might call a wild goose chase.

The Race aspect pits teams against each other to find clues and complete tasks.  Past challenges have included sun salutations, mixing batches of baked goods from scratch, solving unusual puzzles, pitching tents, deciphering clues, eating our favorite (somewhat unsavory) snacks, hitting targets with Frisbees and other wacky hijinx.  Every year includes a baking challenge, a board game-related contest, physical challenges and an event at the library.

Once they've completed the challenges, teams receive a scavenger hunt list with point values ranging from 175 (arrive at the finish line in a Ferrari) to 5 points (a metal thimble).  Items frequently involve costuming, finagling and creative thinking.  And each year, there is a very competitive paper airplane contest.

Members of the winning team receive a homemade apple pie and bragging rights.  We feed everyone Art of Pizza, Chicago's best.

Our friends claim to love the event, and we love planning it.  Even before the scores are tabulated, I start plotting the next annual Bacon Hunt.  By December, I have a good idea of how the amazing race challenges will go, and our spreadsheet is populated with hundreds of contenders for the scavenger hunt list.

Planning Bacon Hunt is a great break for my brain (read:  unique procrastination method.)  And, now that 2012 has arrived, I can officially start talking about the next one.  Hooray!

Is it time yet?