It’s officially the Fourth of July weekend and Keith and I are about to head to Western Maryland for a few days. It’s been years since I was there for the Fourth, and I’m looking forward to pleasant temperatures, beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and a fantastic display of mountainside fireworks. But, since we’ll miss all the cookouts and festivities at home, how about an Etsy round-up of paper goods to represent how people in our home county celebrate the ultimate summer holiday?

I’m not a native Marylander, but in nearly 20 years of living here, I’ve learned enough to know that the quintessential Maryland summer party revolves around one thing: picking crabs. Now, I myself don’t eat seafood, but it certainly wouldn’t be a long summer weekend in Maryland without a few bushels of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs (and Old Bay, naturally) and a generous supply of ice cold beer.

(From left) Cold Beer Poster (11″ x 14″) by How Fabulous Designs, $12; Blue Crab Card (4.25″ x 5.5″, A2) by Dandy Lion Press, $4

Living on a peninsula, surounded by the Chesapeake Bay and two major tributaries, everyone (a) owns a boat or (b) knows someone who owns a boat. So when you put a promising weather forecast with an extended holiday weekend, you know the waterways will be filled with recreational seafarers. (You also know that the Bay Bridge in Annapolis with be jam-packed with beach-goers.) When we’re back at work on Tuesday, we’ll no doubt see a few tomato-colored folks who forgot to reapply their sunscreen while fishing or relaxing on the boat or beach!

(From left) Sailboat thank you cards (set of 4, 4.25″ x 5.5″, A2) by Wheeler Studio, $8; Chesapeake Bay Bridge by Skip Willits, $14.95

I’m not a huge fan of summer in general (the heat! the humidity!), which is why I’m excited about retreating to the mountains, but what I wouldn’t trade for an eternity of autumn is the smell of grilling that perfumes the air and makes my mouth water every time I step outside. Other people might get excited about the softball games, too – but on July 4th, everyone looks forward to the fireworks!

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July, wherever and however you celebrate!

(Counterclockwise from top left) BBQ Grill personalized notecards (set of 12, 5.25″ x 4″) by Swanky Press, $13; Mennonite Softball (8″ x 12″) by poyntbs, $45; Starburst thank you cards (set of 8, ~4″ x 6″, European A6) by Two for Joy Paper Studio, $12