Red, White, and Blue

The Charlie Daniels Band - Star Spangled Banner

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People Watching, a time honored tradition

Just when you think times have changed, along comes the forth of July. A classic picture of Americana; parades, grilling, fireworks. As far as I can tell, at least in the last 50 years, it has remained a steady reminder that although times change, what is most important in life (family, friends, commodore) is as sure and true now at the day we signed the Declaration of Independence. 

A grassy knoll is the best seat in the house weather your watching fireworks or people. Just be careful where your wandering eyes land or you may end up like "Peg Leg" who apparently couldn't keep his eyes off one of Nana's sisters'.

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Red, White, & Blue = Sunburn, White Cap Waves, & Clear Sky's.

Before this weekend, tradition to me was defined as "what has always been done in one's family." That was until I excitedly planned a glorious outing, packed the car, loaded the kids, then, heard a tiny voice from the back of the car say, "Mom, where are we going?' ""To your Aunt's then to see fireworks," I explained, the lines in my face exaggerated with the joy of what I had planned.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!, NOOOOOOO, We Can't Do That! 

It's BReaking TRa-Di-Tion!!!!!!"

Well... Color me Red, White, & Blue. It had never occurred to me that tradition was not what had ALWAYS been done but, rather, what one REMEMBERS having always been done. For my 6 year old, it was tradition to stay home, ride bikes and run through the sprinkler with his friends. Set off fireworks in the streets and hunker down with his dad and eat desert.

(Don't worry folks, all was not lost, there were plenty of smiles to go around.)

What's an all American holiday without a little family time?

For me, tradition is a vague picture of what others did. I remember a trip to Travers City, MI, awed by planes performing spectacular feats in the sky and so many fireworks I couldn't stay awake to watch them all. I remember floating in a pool in a neighborhood and watching fireworks being set off by the surrounding houses. But what I remember most was that there was always good food, laughter, and people putting there differences aside to come together. That is the tradition I want handed down to my children. 

Now someone pass me the Rhubarb pie!

Nana Recalls a couple of July 4th's; Salute

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

• Pie Dough: one half shaped and chilled in a pie plate, the other rolled out flat and chilled (see note) - This is where Pillsbury Comes In, usually by the eggs in milk at the store.
• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 3 cups fresh rhubarb
• 3/4 cup sugar (or less/more to taste), divided
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca starch
• egg wash (1 egg beaten with a big pinch of kosher salt)
• turbinado sugar for sprinkling (optional)

• Preheat oven to 425° F. Core and quarter strawberries. Chop rhubarb into 1/2 inch pieces.

Toss strawberries and rhubarb together with 1/4 cup of sugar, and allow them to macerate (the sugar will begin to break down the fruit, releasing some liquid) for 20 minutes.

Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch or tapioca starch.

Drain off excess liquid from the strawberry mixture using a china cap or strainer.

Add the sugar mixture to fruit mixture. Stir well until all of the starch has dissolved.

Pour filling into prepared, chilled dough shaped in a pie plate

Place the chilled, rolled top crust over the filling. Trim the edges and crimp as desired. Cut slits or patterns in the top with a sharp pairing knife. Chill for 20 minutes before baking.

Apply egg wash to the top of the pie and, if you'd like, sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Place chilled pie into a 425° F oven. Rotate the pie once after 15 minutes, then again after 30. If top or edges are browning too quickly, place aluminum foil over effected area. Bake until the top is a deep golden brown and filling is bubbling in the center.

Allow pie to cool for 30 minutes before serving.

1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.