Our 4th of July

The day dawned with clear skies -- perfect for a parade!  Clara rode Star down Southold's Main Street with our friend Barbara (riding Mackinac) and the other members of the East End Livestock and Horseman's Association.

Barbara's husband Ron led the way as flag bearer.

After the parade we snacked on clams on the half shell (freshly dug by Pete), homemade guacamole and chips and minted lemonade while we watched Edgar and his incredile Friesian do tricks.

After naps, we headed to the home of Widows Hole Oysters for a benefit organized by Patrick Connelly of Bobo restaurant in Manhattan.  Mike and Isabelle, the proprietors of WHO, have the loveliest spot in Greenport.  Their rambling shingled house overlooks both Widows Hole and Greenport Harbor, which means you can see both the Greenport and Shelter Island fire works from their lawn.

We were greeted at the garden gate with glasses of bubbly Proseco with macerated berries.  We wound our way down the path lined with luminarias.

We dined on oysters, of course, and whole striped bass roasted over wood in a fire pit dug just for the occasion.  We ate the first fresh corn of the season, crabs, sausages, grilled asparagus, carrot slaw, potato salad, mesclun salad and beautiful bread.  For dessert: fresh mixed berries with whipped cream and a shortbread cookie.

Lieb Cellars provided the wine and Greenport Harbor provided the beer.  Ted Charles and his band played jazz on the porch.  Mike and Isabelle ordered up a beautiful sunset.  The fireworks followed soon after. 

I can't remember a more perfect 4th of July.