It is the Fourth of July, a day to celebrate our independence and the many freedoms we take for granted.
One of the latest is this: Freedom from Blogging.
Blogging is a right but not an obligation.
We do not have to do it if we don’t want to, and today, I choose to be free.
Of course you are free to comment away because I am not the boss of you.
God Bless America!
Trail Baboon 
Dear Dale and Trail Baboon bloggers…finally I have a day with time to read and comment and…what is it they say “Always a day late and a dollar short”? That’s me. But tomorrow…another day off and time to blog.
Happy Fourth, y’all!
LikeLike
cynthia, We all miss you!!
LikeLike
Morning all… have a tremendous Fourth and I’ll “talk” you all when I get back!! Have a fun week while I’m gone!
LikeLike
dale today no one is the boss of you either. enjoy your first truly independent day in 35 years. we are all pulling for you. lets look forward to the future development evolve from birth of the united daleconnelly.com of america.
LikeLike
In my freedom, I am going to post the recipe that my sister Barb has just sent me, in response to my desperate request. It’s a cake my mom made frequently, and the making of which my sister has taken on. I’ll tote it to a potluck today and think about my mom, who slipped away from us just a couple months ago while valiantly trying to recover from a broken neck.
I’ll give you the short version, but Barb’s elaborate, scientific, and highly edifying commentary is available on request. Don’t be dissuaded by the name. The dates really just function as another source of sugar; I am not a date lover and I love this cake.
CHOCOLATE CHIP DATE CAKE DISCOVERED IN ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, RICE LAKE WISCONSIN, SOMETIME BEFORE 1960
1 C. chopped dates
1 1/2 C. boiling water
1 tsp. baking soda
Pour the boiling water over the dates and soda in a small saucepan. Allow to cool.
Cream 1/2 C. of butter with 1 C. of white sugar. Add two whole eggs. Add the cooled date mixture.
In another bowl, sift together
1 1/2 C all purpose flour,
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
Combine the dry ingredients with the butter/sugar/egg/date mixture. Mix until well blended.
Pour into a 9X13X2″ baking pan (I usually spray with a cooking spray)
BEFORE BAKING, sprinkle over the top:
6 oz. (1C) semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. white sugar
1/2 C.. chopped nuts (walnuts are the norm)
Bake at 350 degrees until nicely brown.
LikeLike
I have used this recipe for years, too, and it’s one of my family’s favorites. Enjoy!
LikeLike
welcome audry, you need to contribute a recipe and tell us how long you have been out there please
LikeLike
do you know where yours came from? i’m trying to do some archeology on this one.
LikeLike
This looks whacy enough to be wonderful.
LikeLike
make that “wacky”
LikeLike
i took it to a party where, again, people had to guess every food known to humans before they came to dates. basically, the dates turn into sugar. brown sugar.
LikeLike
send the commentary that is often the best part
LikeLike
Yum Lisa! Thinking of your mom and mine today too. Mom would have been 82 today.
Happy 4th everyone!
LikeLike
tough to forget the 4th of july for a birthday. happy memories
LikeLike
Thanks, Tim!
LikeLike
happy birthday to her, cynthia.
LikeLike
Here is my recipe for Quinoa Tabouli w/Pomegranate I’ve raved about. It’s the perfect recipe for me: mostly raw and fresh, extremely healthy, minimal prep, great flavor/texture, beautiful colors, easily available ingredients and everybody loves it (except picky kids). The only downside is that pomegranates are only available in the fall. I haven’t figured out a suitable substitute, but I’ll bet some of the great cooks on this blog could think of something.
QUINOA TABOULI W/POMEGRANATE
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup arils (seeds) from 1-2 pomegranates
1 cup cucumber, diced
½ cup chopped green onion
½ cup green pepper, diced small
¾ cup minced parsley
½ cup minced cilantro
¼ cup minced mint leaves
¾ cup sliced raw almonds
DRESSING
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together except dressing ingredients to make tabouli. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Pour over tabouli, mix and serve.
LikeLike
This sounds like a must-make. I’ll noodle on the substitute for poms, which I adore. And thanks for introducing me to the word “arils!”
LikeLike
Maybe try some chopped bing cherries? Probably not as pretty that way, but I do like cherries in salads.
LikeLike
Went to Toy Story 3. Our family will never not love children’s books and movies. Very good. One of the outfits Barbie pulls out of Ken’s closet is a Nehru jacket, which as you recall we were discussing last week. And Ned Beatty, who I referenced last week, voices the villain.
LikeLike
Thanks for the review Clyde. Glad you were out and about. How’s your sister-in-law?
LikeLike
Clyde – Ned Beatty is definitely one of the great character actors who’s been around a long time. I don’t always remember their names, but I appreciate and recognize them when I see them. As my acting teachers told me in college, “there are no small roles, only small actors.”
Many years ago before having kids, I had season tickets to Guthrie for 2 seasons that I loved. It was great fun seeing the big name actors (Richard Ooms, etc.) take on small roles in different plays throughout season with the same craft, passion and relish as their starring roles. That, to me, is the sign of a true artist.
LikeLike
Wow — several folks within a few blocks spent megabucks on fireworks. Especially neighbors across the street. We had our own private show, practically. We only spend $50-$60 on fireworks — enough so Lucas can have some fun. I forget how much fun it is to watch until I see them again each year!
LikeLike
we took second in the tournament and because of going to extra einnings the last moments were highlighted by the town fireworks (left field line) and the country club fireworks (right field line ) . the team form missoula montana played a little better than we did even though we got more hits (19) and fewer errors (o) they took it to extra innings and won 10-9.
a good time was had by all. driving back on monday for 8 hours across so. dak.
july has been great so far. lets hope it continues.
LikeLike
Thanks for the update on the tournament, tim. It sounds like a wonderful scene at the end with the fireworks and the guys playing ball.
Finishing second is a disappointment, but no disgrace. My 1971 high school team (I was a fan, not a player) made history in central Illinois by finishing second. They were just written up in Sports Illustrated and I hear there are movie scripts making the rounds. Here’s a video.
LikeLike