Laid Back Day

What a great couple of days we have had!! We had a great time with friends last night--and enjoyed good company, food, and fireworks.  We also discovered that we can see the city fireworks from the wheat field on the north side of the house--we have always set off our fireworks so we could see them on the west deck.  Last night we walked across the yard to the north side of the trees.  We thought the plowed wheat field would be safer with the wind that was blowing.  And, Low and Behold--we enjoyed OUR fireworks, and those from the city!!  And what a bunch of pyromaniacs we are all raising around here.  Thankfully, even with all the testosterone and no lack of lit punks around, we had minimal injuries!! 

This morning found us sleeping in a bit after the late night fireworks and visiting!  When Jeremy came in at 11:30, I was still in my nightgown, cleaning and puttering.  I enjoyed my coffee out on the deck this morning in the damp coolness of summer sprinkles.  This afternoon found me hanging  out with my great friend and neighbor Jen, whom I never get to see anymore because of the busy-ness of our lives!! The boys (my 3 and her 1) decided to go walking.  They have started this tradition of being dropped off at a bridge between our houses, and they walk alongside the creek back to Jen's house.  They have a great time doing it--and we enjoy letting them.  Today they let D go with them and got back to her house directly before a nice shower came along.  J, Cami and I sat out on the deck and just watched it pour down from the heavens as we sipped on leftover sangrias (which were even better tonight than last night) and played with seashells and Barbies!!  When Jen brought the guys back over, she said they heard the rain start and they all turned to look silently at her. . without saying a word, she shrugged her shoulders and out the front door they went to play in the rain--joined by Jen's older daughter.  We ended up with 1 1/2 inches of rain--which we desperately needed!! And the AC is off tonight, with windows open. 

Now, we weren't TOTALLY lazy!! The boys were trying out recipes today.  We have tried out chocolate dipped gingersnaps, burst of lemon muffins (made with lemon yogurt and coconut), and a blueberry tea bread.  Several more things are yet to be tried out!! 9 days left till fair time!!  J was going to help D finish his clock yesterday (they have to attach the hands and put on the numbers).  After about 30 minutes of being out in his shop, Jeremy came back and asked if I still had the website of the place we had ordered the clock parts.  Somehow (I don't know how, as that shop is METICULOUSLY clean) J misplaced the minute and hour hands.  We reordered them yesterday--the hands cost 81 cents and the shipping and handling was around $12!! Go figure!! They shipped fast the first time, so they should be here in time for the weekend!!

So instead of leaving you with any fair recipes yet, I thought some of you might enjoy the recipe for our traditional July Fourth Jello salad!!

Red, White, ‘n Blue Salad

3 oz pkg berry blue jello

2 cups boiling water, divided

2 ½ cups cold water, divided

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1 cup whipping cream (I used half and half yesterday-and it worked fine)

6 tbsp sugar

16 oz (2 cups) sour cream, lite

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 oz pkg red jello

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries

In a bowl, dissolve blue jello in 1 cup boiling water; stir in 1 cup cold water, add blueberries. Pour into a 3 qt serving bowl. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Meanwhile in a saucepan, sprinkle unflavored jello over ½ cup cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Add the cream and sugar; cook and stir over low heat until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved. Cool to room temp. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon over the blue layer. Refrigerate until firm. In a bowl, dissolve red jello in remaining hot water; stir in remaining cold water. Add fruit. Spoon over cream layer. Chill until set. May garnish with whipped topping and additional berries.