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Sunday, July 3, 2011

From Our House to Yours, Happy Fourth of July!


Due to a series of events last week, it turns out that we are spending the Independence Day Holiday at home this year.  Actually this is fine with me.....I love to travel and I love to go to special events.....but I like to stay at home as well.  I'm pretty easy that way.





Waiting on the counter for tomorrow are some fresh fruits and veggies that we'll be eating with some traditional BBQ. We couldn't wait....had to cut the watermelon this afternoon....it was calling to us.  Turns out to be the best one so far this season.





We're also having to use some self control with the bowl of strawberries.....okay, actually we have no self control when it comes to these and have eaten quite a few of these already since I took the picture this afternoon. They're very hard to resist, so why not?





I also made a jar of sun tea this afternoon and now have it chilling in the fridge.  Does anyone else like to have a big cold glass of sweet iced tea for breakfast in the summertime?  I grew up in the South and iced tea goes with any meal, right?





Jim or Christopher are usually the ones who man the barbecue  in the family, while I make the sides. I've had my copy of The Summer Book by Susan Branch  for several years now....it's such a cute book I'd enjoy reading it even if I never made any of the recipes.  I have, however, used it quite often over the years so this weekend I pulled it out and chose the "Peach and Plum Crisp" to make for our July 4th dessert.





Here's the finished product when it first came from the oven.  It looks and smells so good that I've included the recipe in this post for you.  In fact, I've had so much fun this afternoon looking through this cookbook with all it's adorable summertime drawings, I've decided to choose something to make from it every week for the rest of the summer.....I'll be sure to share with you when I do. :)





Peach and Plum Crisp

Filling:
4 medium peaches, peeled and pitted
2  1/2 lbs plums, pitted
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbs quick cooking Tapioca
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
pinch of salt


Topping:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup oats
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp cinnamon


Butter a 10 inch glass or pottery pie plate...... I used a different size dish because my 10 inch is broken :(   ...... I think the trick is to make sure it is at least 2 inches deep.  Peel peaches by dipping each one briefly in boiling water. Cut them and the plums into wedges.  Mix together all ingredients for filling and put into the pie dish.  Let stand one hour, stirring occasionally. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix together topping ingredients and spread evenly over fruit.  Bake on center rack of oven, placing a cookie sheet on lower rack to catch juices.  Serve hot with ice cream or cold with whipped cream. 



Enjoy and have a Happy 4th!




18 comments:

Arija said...

Yum, yum, yum, what a lot of goodies. Makes me wish it were summer . . .

Arija said...

OOps, Happy Independence Day!, and great feasting.

Melynda@Scratch Made Food! said...

Happy July 4th to you and your family! Thanks for linking this great dessert to Cookbook Sundays! I hope to see you again and peek in on all that you do, when I visit back. Thanks!

Kerry said...

Beautiful pics...everything looks so summery and delicious! Happy Fourth!

Mellisa said...

Thanks for posting the Susan Branch site. I have several of her books but had no idea she had a blog. The Crisp looks delicious! Can't wait to see more of your "summer" cooking in the weeks to come. :)

Anonymous said...
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Ava said...

Yes, I definitely will drink sweet iced tea at any meal, even breakfast! Love your post and pics...have a great 4th!

Ava :)

Patricia Anne said...

Your flower boxes look so pretty. What are the blue/purple ones? It's so hard to find that color, especially when you need something that will withstand the heat! And I know that's something you have a lot of in Phoenix. Beautiful pics....hope you're enjoying your
4th!

Elaine said...

Patricia, the flowers are lisianthus. I like them for that very reason....they thrive in our desert heat even though they look like they wouldn't. Add that to the fact that they are a gorgeous color and you gotta love 'em!

YayaOrchid said...

Happy Independence Day Elaine! Your food looks amazing. Looks like a perfect meal. Happy week!

Ginny said...

What a nice post, Elaine.....I always love your pics too....the epitome of summer! Looks like you guys are having a nice day, not to mention a yummy one! I don't have that Susan Branch book you mentioned so I'm glad you're going to be posting some more "summer stuff" from her book. :)

Posh said...

Stopping by from FMBT to say hello.
Have a great Tuesday!
POSH
http://poshonabudget.com/2011/07/deal-seeking-tuesday-more-restaurant-freebies.html

carol l mckenna said...

Yum is right ~ Sounds like you had a great Fourth ~ Enjoy that 'Sweet Tea" ~ hugs and namaste, Carol

ps following from Never growing old ~

marianne said...

Just found you on 40 and over blog hop...Love your flower boxes and it look like you had good food to eat...hope you will visit my blog and follow if you would like...

www.bondedwithlove.blogspot.com

Bonded With Love by Marianne

Lavish Bookshelf said...

That recipe sounds great! I'm a new follower stopping by from Friday Over 40. Hope to see you soon!

Shauna said...

New reader here, hope you will come visit and follow me also :) Shauna from http://www.trying2staycalm.com/

About a Mom said...

Hi! It looks like you had a fabulous 4th! I am a new follower from Follow Friday hop! So glad I found your blog! Please stop by http://aboutamom.com to say hi & return follow! :)

Claudia said...

Hi....Just dropping by to say hi and to tell you how much I like your blog. I've had friends tell me I should start my own but I just say I have no time....I'm always reading lovely blogs like yours! I truly mean that. I've already gone back and read quite a few posts of yours from the past and I plan to read the rest of them. You have a unique style that I enjoy and I really like your photography too. Will be back for sure now that I have found you.
Blessings! Claudia