Fourth of July is Coming: Get Out that Red, White and Blue!

Fourth of July conjures up many images for me...I guess the first would include the nights when I was very young and watched the magical fires in the sky, (well, that's what I thought of them way back then), from the fire escape outside our living room window in Brooklyn...It was easier to see them that way then to buck the crowds at the park a few blocks away..at least that's what my mother told me.

Then, when I lived in Germany as an army wife, we used to go to the army base to see the small display that was put on for those of us who just wanted a taste of the good old USA ...

After moving back to the states, Miami Beach was where we saw many great displays as we sat on the old coral wall, just beyond the ocean on South Beach, for many years, my two little girls, dressed in some sort of crazy red, white and blue outfits I had put together for them and had a grand old time.

As the years passed we always made it a point to see a fireworks display wherever we might have been... one year, I remember we went out on a friends boat and saw fireworks from 4 different locations at one time...boy, what a sight that was... then a big hospital near my house started to have a 4th of July celebrations each year and we could view the display right from my back yard...what a convenience that was...My daughters would bring their little ones over and we would play in the pool, have a picnic type dinner and sit back to relax as the sky lit up ...

Most recently, hubby and I have been spending our 4th of July holiday in Marco_island_..Both my daughters have time shares in a fantastic condo right on the beach and they manage to reserve their units each year for that week...Both their in-laws have time shares also, and since it's a huge family with many sisters, brothers and their children, a big party is planned for the hours that lead up to the display at sundown... They stake out one of the outdoor barbeque / table areas and everyone brings a dish to share.....What a feast that turns out to be...I'm usually responsible for one or more desserts. When I ask what to bake the answer is usually a resounding call for a Key Lime Cake and another No Bake dessert I make...I created that one when my oven was broken for a while and now it's one of our favorites...Recipes to follow.

Then the excitement begins as we all make our way down to the beach, set up our blankets and chairs and wait for the festivities in the sky to begin.....so far, we have been lucky, the years we have been there, and not encountered any bad weather so the fireworks, as they burst in the air above us have always been a fantastic sight especially since they follow a magnificent sunset over the gorgeous Gulf coast waters.

I'm looking forward to next month so much, since we don't often get together like that anymore, with everyone in one place at one time...My four little grandsons are growing up so fast and when I look at my daughters, I can still see them in those little funny outfits I made for them...now they dress their little ones in red, white and blue....it's a family tradition I guess....Happy Fourth to you all...

Recipes for two my most requested desserts:

Key Lime cake

Ingredients...

1 box Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme cake mix
1 4 serving-size box instant lemon pudding mix
1 cup water
2/3 cup vegetable oil....I use canola oil
1 Tablespoon Key lime Juice.....you can buy it bottled in the juice department of most markets or use fresh key limes
4 eggs or egg beaters as a substitute. Sometimes I use two eggs and one container of Egg beaters

For the Topping

1 cup confectioners sugar
½ cup water
2 Tablespoons Key Lime Juice.....I usually use a little more for more tartness and more Key lime flavor

Beat the cake mix, pudding mix, water, oil, lime juice and eggs just until ingredients are blended and no large lumps remain. Pour into greased and floured tube or bundt pan and bake 55 minutes at 350 degrees or until cake tests done, by putting a knife in the center..if it comes out clean, it's done.

Cool cake in the pan until lukewarm, then poke holes into the cake with a large fork....Blend together the topping ingredients thoroughly, then pour topping over the cake. Let the juice mixture be absorbed. When cake has cooled completely, turn out onto a serving platter and pour any topping left in the baking pan over the cake. and voila....tres bon!.....Makes 12 servings...

Angel Food No Bake Lemon Cherry Cake

1 10 inch Angel Food cake
1 (4-oz.) pkg. instant lemon pudding mix
1 1/2 cups cold milk-- whole, low fat or non-fat..I usually use low fat
1 cup sour cream- light or regular
1 or 2 (21-oz.) cans Cherry pie filling or Blueberry if you wish...sometimes I use both for more fruit taste and to contrast the colors of the holiday

Tear the Angel Food cake into bite size pieces and place in a 9 by 13 inch pan....combine pudding mix, milk and sour cream in a mixing bowl and beat until thickened, about 2 minutes... Spread over cake. Spoon Pie filling on top, cover with foil or plastic wrap and chill thoroughly. Makes 16 servings

Note: If you use both blueberry and cherry put the cherries on one side and the blueberries on the other for a Fourth of July look,...or, if you want to use just one type of fruit and want more fruit use two cans of either

Enjoy, and Bon Appitit!