Mavens Independence Day

Today we celebrate the 4th of July - a federal holiday and a great reason to throw a party, shoot off fireworks, go to parades and have barbecues - but the real reason we celebrate is because it's the birth of American Independence from Great Britain. To make a long story short: The 13 colonies wanted to break the ties between them and the British Monarchy of King George III, so they had Thomas Jefferson (with the help of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin) draft up the Declaration of Independence. They formed the United States of America and were free to operate as an independent nation with no more ties to England. So in honor of that famous document, we decided to draft up a short, mock version of our own.  We call it our Declaration of Wine Dependence - hahaha - and it goes a little something this this: 

In CONGRESS, July 4, 2013

The unanimous Declaration of the two united Mavens of America. 

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for two people to evolve into a brand (Wine Mavens) which has connected them with another (Black Box) to assume among the powers of the earth, the togetherness and equalization to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's Wine God entitle them, a decent Malbec, Shiraz, Cabernet or Merlot and once they have tasted the nectar of the gods the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare themselves impaired by the separation (or decantation). 

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Black Box Wines are created equal, they are endowed by their creator, Dionysus, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are seeing, swirling, smelling and sipping. That to secure these rights, the Black Box Wine Mavens are institutionalized among winos, deriving their wine drinking powers from the consent of the governed. CHEERS!!

So with that being said, let the party begin...

This 4th of July we wanted to kick it poolside and decided at the last minute (two days before) to throw a party, so you know what that means - we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get everything ready.  First things first: we were on a mission to find a fire works stand so we could pick up a girl's best firecracker friend - SPARKLERS!

Most people barbecue for the 4th, but we decided with the 90 degree heat we would make some fun, summertime, skewer foods to enjoy. Our friends were kind enough to bring some yummy dishes too and a few even brought us boxes of wine...SCORE!!!

However, we started off the party with our Easy Rider Cocktails: Svedka vodka, raspberry lemonade and mint (nice and refreshing).

There were also lots of delicious desserts like bread pudding with a rum sauce, peach dump cake, tres leches cake and homemade vanilla ice cream.

Turns out, it was the perfect combination of people (50), pets (6 dogs) and provisions. 

Once the sun went down, the fireworks started crackin' and we visited with some of greatest folks we know, well into the night. So thank you to all of our family and friends who took time to stop by, make and bring a dish and celebrate this holiday with us. We had a blast!!

And we'd like to give a SMSO (Special Maven Shout Out) to all our service men and women who protect this great country everyday.  We Thank You and Salute You!!!!

Happy 4th Y'all!!