While the rest of the country is fighting against unbearable heat, out here in Seattle it's a known fact: Summer doesn't start until the 5th of July.

But this year we were lucky, because the sun was shining bright yesterday, and we experienced the luxury of clear blue skies for the first time in I don't know how many years!

Which made it the perfect evening for fireworks - Starbucks put on a fabulous presentation as seen in the below video shot from Gasworks Park, on South Lake Union:

If you ever have an opportunity to come out to Seattle, I'd highly suggest you time it around the 4th of July. Really, it's just specatular!

And a big shout out to my home town of Maple Valley, who put on a fabulous show of their own, down at the lake in my neighborhood - and all within walking distance of my house! But let me tell you, it's the gift that keeps on giving, as I live near some extreme pyromaniacs - the fireworks are still going off today, and they'll continue over the next several nights, I'm sure! And I love it!!!