Happy Dependent's Day

You know you're in the south when you hear gunshots in the middle of the night and they turn out to be fireworks in the middle of the street. I lock my door just to be sure.

My fourth of July started out like any other day. I filled my car up with gas, went to see a movie, did a little grocery shopping, and then baked an American apple pie.

I'm not the best baker in the world, but I truly love to do it. Something about the sequence of events and the aroma. However, today was a new baking experience for me. I have baked in other people's homes, I have baked on a boat, and I have baked in a dorm room kitchen, but this kitchen was very different. I couldn't gain internet access from the house so I was stuck scouring the rooms looking for cook books. Low and behold, the family I am staying with does not use the kitchen very much, and therefore does not have any recipes. I looked in the kitchen, I checked the laundry room, and I even searched the near empty pantry. So today I baked an apple pie completely from scratch, without a pie plate, and completely without any recipes to go from. Not my best, but getting there.

As the pie was cooling, I was lying in bed watching V for Vendetta on my computer when Uncle David texted me to say that he and Angela were having a cookout and that everyone in the family was coming. On the way, I picked up some Romaine for the burgers as requested, and drove the ten minutes to their farmhouse further out in the country.

It was a wonderful meal laden with cheeseburgers, french fries, guacamole, and of course, apple pie. I was in charge of the french fries. I had never made them before, but I will definitely make them again in the future mmmm...

Angela made this excellent soup and I can tell you how to make it right now. Boil broccoli and carrots in water, pour it into a blender, and push the start button, add a little salt and pepper, and voila! I couldn't believe it but even their daughter Madeline was eating away. Of course that little one will eat guacamole and hummus with a spoon. No transportation device required to get the food from her bowl to her mouth.

After the meal, we said good night to everyone and Uncle David and I went to see the Shreveport fireworks in downtown. Although they were not as good as the Bay fireworks, I was still wholly impressed. It was a good time. We talked about an idea that him and Angela had had about holding a fundraiser through Herby K's to raise money for animals in the area.

Shreveport has stray cats and dogs roaming the streets in an area where it is not uncommon to kill a sick dog. The shelter can only care for so many at a time and so they end up killing off some of them. Their plan is so well thought out and great that I can only hope to contribute in some way even though I will no longer be here when the time comes.

It was a great day! Starting out a little slow is always a good idea. As the day progressed it just got better and better. However, now, I am about to pass out. Hopefully tomorrow I will think of something wonderful to do with the day. Maybe check out a cool art museum or something? Then I plan on babysitting little Madeline and hanging out with the pups. Until then...