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Monday, July 5, 2010

Mosaic Monday ~The 5th of July



Our 4th of July was kind of a bust since it was cloudy and 53 and threatening rain at the time we should have been headed to the water to watch fireworks. Oh well...there's always next year! We had a great fireworks show from our front window though. The people in our neighborhood must have had to take out some second mortgages to afford the displays we saw! I had prepared a little picnic....quiche and Cherry pie, so we just ate it at home. Today ended up being glorious and the forecast actually has one day this week pegged for 94...hows that for a turnaround 40° difference!!!



I can't believe I've lived in Washington for 7 years (July 6th to be exact) and I don't think I have ever made a cherry pie. But I remedied that this year! This recipe was just right..not too sweet, not to tart.

Fresh Cherry Pie

Inspired by this post on Make and Takes.com who adapted their recipe from The Joy of Cooking

2 prepared pie crusts (store bought or homemade), rolled and ready to use

5 cups pitted sour or Bing cherries (2 to 2 1/2 lbs.)
1 1/4 cups sugar (3/4 cup for Bing cherries)
3 to 3 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch or quick-cooking tapioca
2 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 to 2 drops red food coloring (optional–I didn’t use it)
2 to 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Fit one of the rolled pie crusts in a 9 to 10″ deep dish pie plate.

Place the pitted cherries in a large bowl. Sprinkle with sugar and cornstarch. Toss. Add water, lemon juice, almond extract, and food coloring (if using). Toss again to coat, making sure no lumps of sugar or cornstarch remain.

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For our 4th of July picnic I knew I wanted quiche because I thought it would be portable and also give me the opportunity to use up a few things from the fridge. I browsed a few recipes and made my own conglomeration.
Bacon, Tomato and Mushroom Quiche

Start with your favorite pie crust and precook in pie pan at 425 for about 5-7 minutes. Take out of the oven, then begin to layer your ingredients. I used the following in the order given:

6 piece of bacon, crumbled
A cup or so of cherry tomatoes, halved.
One sauteed onion
1 cup chopped mushrooms, sauteed with onions
1 baby garlic (still looks like a bulb) chopped, sauteed with onions and mushrooms
Colby Cheddar mix, shredded about a cup sprinkled on top
3 eggs beaten with 1 cup cream (pour over above mixture)

Turn oven down to 375° and cook for about 40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.
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Since I missed the big fireworks and maybe so did some of you I thought I would try to find some natural fireworks. If you squint maybe some of the bloom bursts will fool you!

This Veronica looks like shooting rockets


Alstromeria is just HOT enough looking to be fireworks!


Neat little geranium explodes with color


Mountain bluet is a pretty burst of blue


This golden feverfew would brighten a night sky


This ageratum looks like tiny sprays of blue fire poppers


These hosta blooms really reach out and grab you


All we need is a little red to go along with these blue and white geranium Splish Splash sparklers


How about lily Lollipop for a fireworks encore?


This old fashioned daylily is like a sunburst


Phlox unfurling is pretty exciting


Closeup clematis explodes like a BANG!


I'm going to set off a sky rocket if I actually get tomatoes this year


This little guy is like those double fireworks that change colors


And again with the rose campion


Calendula making a loud pop


And the Grand finale, a red white and blue finish


I'm adding this post to Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House. Check out all of the other neat mosaics. I bet you might even see some REAL fireworks!


Join me in the fun! I'd love for you to participate in this event with me. Bring your ice cream related posts...anything goes! Tablescapes, recipes, memories, and favorite products will all be welcome. Or anything else you come up with. Check out last year's post HERE to check out what it's all about. See you at the parlor!

21 comments:

Foley said...

Suzy, sorry you had crappy weather! Your cherry pie and quiche look great - the quiche really peaked my interest!!

All your blooms are beau - marvel at how you remember all the names!! LOL

Melodie said...

That pie looks to die for! ANd the crust looks perfect. I wish I could master crust.

xinex said...

Your flowers are gorgeous and I like how you associated their description with firework....very creative indeed!..Christine

Haden News said...

Love your flower fireworks display!!

Pam said...

Love your natural fire works; they are all gorgeous! And the pie and quiche both look delicious! I'm new here and will enjoy following for more great posts! Nice blog!

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

A beautiful, patriotic Mosaic, delicious recipes and gorgeous flowers ~ A perfect post! :)
Have a great day!

Americana Lady said...

I love your Mosaic with the cherry pie in the middle! Your meal looked so good. I am sorry you missed the fireworks, but your flowers are sure sparkling! Until next time, keep your flag wavin'...Joan

Marigene said...

Cute portable pies...I am just not a good pie maker.
You always have the most beautiful flowers...love the color of the alstroemeria and calendula.

Debbie said...

Your pics are fabulous!!! LOVE all the flowers you have growing in your garden. The cherry pie looks yummy, but the "other" pie looks mouth watering good!!!
Enjoy your day.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Mary said...

Oh, your cherry pie looks delicious, and your flowers are so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at MM. :)

Kathleen said...

We had cherry pie too! I have been putting that cherry pitter to the test!
Yours looks excellent as does the quiche, and the flowers are beautiful!
98 here today at water's edge at the end of the island, can't imagine the city.
But I read it was 106 in 1936 on July 4th, so it is all cyclical!

Betty said...

Oh now I might have to make a pie sometime this week, yours looks so delish! And what beautiful flowers! I'll be visiting more often. Thank you for stopping and commenting at Shabby Tea Party.

Julie said...

Beautiful flowers!

Thibeault's Table said...

Wow!!!! Gorgeous pies. Your pastry looks perfect.

Ann

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Suzy, how I love this post! A cherry pie for a picnic sounds wonderful.

I'll have to remember to order some calendula seeds for next year. Your flowers are gorgeous!

Carol said...

Sorry about your lousy weather, Suzy! Not so good here either! 102 here today and humid. Yuck! but your flowers sure did brighten my day, and that cherry pie! Looks delicious!

Kathy said...

Love how you used your flowers in your post! They're gorgeous - what a terrific display! :)
I am looking forward to your ice cream social - putting it on my calendar!
I have a new blog party - Victoria a Return to Loveliness and two giveaways this month!
Hope you stop by,
Kathy

colorchic said...

Good thing you got your baking done early in the week! Our summer weather is finally here! Your cherry pie looks delicious... did I inspire you? Now if I could only reach the cherries up in my tree without a very tall ladder I could back a pie too.
PS Your flower photos are gorgeous!

pam said...

Getting my ice cream ready!

Beansieleigh said...

Hi Suzy! This is my first time here, having just stumbled in somehow or other!.. But I LOVE all your recipes! I've been wanting to try hummus, and here you have the recipe just waiting for me! The pie and quiche look TDF!! I'd love to participate in the ice cream social!! I'm hooked! I'm now a follower!.. Just one question though, if I could: I'm just one person, and my son won't eat hummus, so I'm wondering how long it will keep in my refrigerator before going bad??... Nice to meet you! ~tina

My Slice of Heaven said...

Both pies (pizza and cherry) look delicious. Your blog is wonderful. I look forward in participating in your Ice Cream Social! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'll be back to visit yours again soon! Anita

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