When I was growing up, we’d spend nearly every 4th of July (or the 3rd or 5th) at my grandma’s house. Oddly enough, I can’t remember much of the food other than blueberry cake and watermelon! My grandma would tell us the story of how, when she was growing up, every 4th, her father would announce at the end of the night “The Summer’s over!” It was something about how prepping for the 4th of July was a ton of work for their little candy store in Brooklyn, and then after the 4th, the school supplies came in… but now, every 4th, we all say “the Summer’s over!” and happily go about our remaining 8 weeks of summer activities.
Last night, my mom and stepdad and my sister and her boyfriend came over for a BBQ… and it rained. ALL DAY. i was so worried that it was going to turn into a “broil in” instead of a “cook out” but just as I was getting out the broil pans, I looked outside. It had stopped raining! I quickly got the grill going and put the food on so in case it started to rain, it would still be a cook out!
Let’s rewind, shall we? The very first thing I did after detailing the kitchen, was to set the table. In 3 years living with Adam, this is the FIRST time I set the table! What do we think?
We started the evening with my everyone’s favorite chips, guacamole, and salsa from Valli Produce (the best produce market EVER) served in our fancy schmancy chip and dip bowl from Pearl! Were your ears ringing yesterday?? I couldn’t stop gushing over how sweet you are!
I made a huge salad with field greens, orange peppers, cucumbers, lowfat feta, avocado, and some Cardini’s Caesar for dipping.
Since it was a cook out, after all, I grilled some BBQ chicken breasts and some of my summer burgers and had tomato and romaine for sandwich making.
My mom was kind enough to bring her amazing potato salad! I don’t even try to make it because I can NEVER get it to taste right!
There was some camera-shy corn on the cob, condiments for the burgers, and well… just see for yourself! Yes, that’s my mom giving me bunny ears 
Then came dessert! (what, you thought all that was it?) I made a blueberry crunch! Usually, that’s my mom’s thing, but when I saw blueberries for $0.99/lb, I had to make one! The recipe is simple, usually: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 stick butter. Make crumbs. Put enough fruit in the bottom of a baking dish to coat the pan about 2 berries high. Top with crumbs. Bake at 350* until the fruit is “pooped” and the crumbs are brown.
I did a little something different: I substituted 1/4 c. of the regular flour for some of the coconut flour I’d gotten from Tropical Traditions. It was absolutely delicious, and beautiful!
My mom brought a nostalgic treat for us as well: huge strawberries with brown sugar and sour cream. Never had it? You must! Dip your strawberry in sour cream, then brown sugar, then eat. SO delicious! My very patriotic plate:
We ended the night by heading to the green on the golf course right next to our house to watch our town’s fireworks. It was a great show as always!
When we came inside, I pretty much crashed on the couch. Next thing I knew, it was 2 a.m. and I dragged myself to bed.
How was your Fourth?
I have a mall/pool date with my friend today, and I’m looking forward to just relaxing!
What a great cook out! Everything looks really, really good…:)
Krista´s last blog ..Sun, Glorious Sun
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the perfect combo of social activities and relaxing time!
and yay for the rain disappearing just in time!
mara, your table setting looks professional! it must have been so fun to have everyone at your house and be the hostess
your coconut-flour substitution in the blueberry crunch is so smart — i love blueberries and coconut together. i bet it was amaaaaaaazing!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)´s last blog ..The solo part
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Sounds like you had a great 4th of July celebration filled with family, friends, love and yummy eats! Your food looks amazing and making me hungry just looking at your pictures!
We spent the 4th out of town at a country music fest with fireworks afterwards lots of fun. Didn’t have all those yummy eats like you did though!
~Linda
AZLinda´s last blog ..TGIF!
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Wowzers! That is such an amazing spread! You’re a great hostesss, I think the table looks professional and all the little details and serving dishes just make it look so special!
Christina´s last blog ..Italian Sausage Skillet
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you are close, but grandmas dad sold fireworks and they had to work til late on the 4th, hence the “summer is over”.. she used to say that i was confusing because in NY, school ended at the END of June,so the summer had just begun… a legend!
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Mara @ What's For Dinner? Reply:
July 5th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Thanks mama!
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Your bbq eats look awesome! I love the strawberries, sour cream brown sugar thing but once a friend brought his (now ex) girlfriend over and she totally double dipped when eating these. . . ewww. That is now my memory of this dessert, though it is still yummy!
Meghan@traveleatlove´s last blog ..Dinner in a box
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omg omg omg that blueberry crisp…I want it!!!
Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats´s last blog ..It’s My Birthday & I’ll Cry If I Want To
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uh oh! Mara’s burgers?! no… no.. … AHHH! those things are sooooooooo flippin delicious!! Wish I could have stopped by!!!!
Loved hearing about your childhood!!!
SUMMAS OVAAAAAAAAAA!
And your almost-rainy grill session sounds vaguely familiar!
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Oh my gosh! Amazing food! Next year, I’m totally inviting myself over!
Sophia´s last blog ..An Invitation to My Humble Abode
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I’m glad you got your cookout in the end
I have recipes like your mom’s potato salad, where I won’t even attempt to make it because it just won’t taste as good as mom’s! Better to wait it out and get the real thing, right?!
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Ye Olde English…Subway?
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I have never ever tried strawberries with sour cream and brown sugar – I am going to have to pick that up when I’m at the grocery store next.
And everything looks beyond delicious! Glad you didn’t have to broil in!
Quix´s last blog ..Happy 4th of July!
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Oooh, could you taste the coconut flour in your blueberry dish? I’ve looked at picking up some coconut flour, cuz duh, coconut.
I like the sour cream/brown sugar combo on grapes, but I can see how it would work on any berries really.
Marianne´s last blog ..I Think I Might Cry
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