Potato Salad

6 (2 pounds) medium potatoes
3/4 cup chopped sweet pickles
2 tablespoons chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons sliced or chopped pimiento*
2 teaspoons salt or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons celery seeds
Potato Salad Dressing (see recipe below)
6 hard-cook eggs (5 chopped and 1 sliced)
Fresh parsley
Paprika

* Pimientos are roasted sweet red peppers that have been preserved in oil. TIP: After opening and using part of a jar of pimientos, to prolong life of remaining pimientos, add a teaspoon of white vinegar and refrigerate.

In a large pan over medium-high heat, add potatoes and cover with cold water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, approximately 12 to 15 minutes or until just tender. Remove from heat and drain. NOTE: I usually remove the skins when the potatoes have cooled enough to hold. As soon as you can handle the potatoes, cut the warm potatoes into bite-sized chunks and place in a large mixing bowl.

Add sweet pickles, onion, celery, and pimiento to the potato chunks. Sprinkle with salt and celery seeds; stir until well blended.

Prepare Potato Salad Dressing. Pour salad dressing over the potato mixture; toss gently. Add 5 chopped hard-cooked eggs, gently mixing into potato salad. Refrigerate salad several hours. If potato mixture gets too dry, add additional mayonnaise and 2 teaspoon sweet pickle juice.

Place salad into a large serving bowl and garnish with remaining sliced hard-cooked egg. Sprinkle parsley around edge of bowl and sprinkle paprika over sliced eggs. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Potato Salad Dressing:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon sweet pickle juice

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, prepared mustard, sugar, and sweet pickle juice; stir until well blended.

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Apple Pie

Pastry for 9-inch two crust pie
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
5 to 6 medium (2 pounds) green tart cooking apples
2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare pie pastry. In a large bowl, combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Peel, core, and slice apples 1/4-inch thick. Toss apple slices in sugar mixture until well coated. Spoon apple filling into pastry-lined pie plate and dot with butter. Cover with remaining pastry and flute. Cut slits in pastry so stream can escape. Brush milk over top and then sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar onto top of pie crust.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden brown and apples are tender. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack before cutting and serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 8 servings.


Red, White and Blue Trifle For July Fourth

1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix*
1 cup raspberry jam, divided
3 cups fresh raspberries and blueberries, divided**
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup sherry, or brandy, divided (optional)
1 (6-serving size) vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
3 cups milk
2 cups sweetened whipped cream
Sliced toasted almonds

* A purchased sponge cake may be substituted.

** Fresh local strawberries may also be used.

Prepare the yellow cake according to package directions using a 9-inch cake pan (reserve one layer for another use).

In a large bowl, mix together berries and sugar; let set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to let juices form.

Slice one baked cake layer horizontally into two equal layers. Place one sliced cake layer into a trifle dish or a large glass bowl with straight sides; cover with 1/2 cup raspberry jam and 1/2 of berries and juice.

Pour 1/4 cup sherry or brandy over the top, as evenly as possible. Place the second sliced cake layer on top and cover with remaining raspberry jam, berries, and berry juice; pour remaining sherry or brandy over the top.

Prepare the vanilla pudding according to package directions, using the only 3 cups of milk. Pour hot pudding over the top of the cake; let cool. When cool, spread with whipped cream. Decorate with toasted sliced almonds. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, decorate top with whole berries

Makes 10 to 12 servings.


source:http://whatscookingamerica.net/Salad/FavoritePotatoSalad.htm

Labels: fun foods, july 4th

Here is a listing of the all Presidents of the United States in order of their terms in office. Memorize this list and you'll always be prepared, should you ever get on a T.V. quiz show!

1. George Washington, 1789-1797

2. John Adams, 1797-1801

3. Thomas Jefferson, 1801-1809

4. James Madison, 1809-1817

5. James Monroe, 1817-1825

6. John Quincy Adams, 1825-1829

7. Andrew Jackson, 1829-1837

8. Martin Van Buren, 1837-1841

9. William Henry Harrison, 1841

10. John Tyler, 1841-1845

11. James Knox Polk, 1845-1849

independence day12. Zachary Taylor, 1849-1850

13. Millard Fillmore, 1850-1853

14. Franklin Pierce, 1853-1857

15. James Buchanan, 1857-1861

16. Abraham Lincoln, 1861-1865

17. Andrew Johnson, 1865-1869

18. Ulysses Simpson Grant, 1869-1877

19. Rutherford Birchard Hayes, 1877-1881

20. James Abram Garfield, 1881

21. Chester Alan Arthur, 1881-1885

22. Grover Cleveland, 1885-1889

23. Benjamin Harrison, 1889-1893

24. Grover Cleveland, 1893-1897

presidents, 4th of july25. William McKinley, 1897-1901

26. Theodore Roosevelt, 1901-1909

27. William Howard Taft, 1909-1913

28. Woodrow Wilson, 1913-1921

29. Warren Gamaliel Harding, 1921-1923

30. Calvin Coolidge, 1923-1929

31. Herbert Clark Hoover, 1929-1933

32. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1933-1945

33. Harry S. Truman, 1945-1953

34. Dwight David Eisenhower 1953-1961

35. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 1961-1963

36. Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1963-1969

37. Richard Milhous Nixon, 1969-1974

38. Gerald Rudolph Ford, 1974-1977

39. James Earl Carter, Jr., 1977-1981

40. Ronald Wilson Reagan, 1981-1989

41. George Herbert Walker Bush, 1989-1993

42. William Jefferson Clinton, 1993-2000

43. George W. Bush, 2001-2008

source:http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/4th/presidents.html

Labels: American Presidents, july 4th

People everywhere are fascinated by fireworks -- by the mystery and splendor that light the night sky or turn a backyard into a festival of light and sound. Like nothing else, fireworks can excite, thrill and amaze us. But as dazzling as fireworks can be, they can also be harmful if used improperly.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety (NCFS) urges you to put safety first when celebrating this Fourth of July. Legal fireworks are safer than ever, in part because of stringent federal safety standards enacted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1976. The incidence of fireworks-related injuries has dropped dramatically during the past 10 years, according to Ann Crampton, executive director of the NCFS. But she says it can be cut further by following a few simple guidelines.

"Only use legal fireworks," she says. "The key, of course, is being able to recognize what's legal and what's not. Legal fireworks conform to the standards. Illegal ones often don't."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission requires that legal fireworks show the name of the item, the name of the manufacturer or distributor and easy-to-read cautionary labeling and instructions for proper use. Currently, 32 states, plus the District of Columbia, allow the use of some or all types of consumer fireworks.

"Commonly used fireworks include cones, fountains, and sparklers," Ms. Crampton says. "Before setting off any fireworks, contact your local police or fire department to make sure fireworks are allowed in your area."

	Light Up The Fireworks This July 4th ! Send this sparkling wish to dazzle up your dear ones' Fourth of July. [ Flash ]		Celebrating The Glory Of Our Nation ! A bright and beautiful ecard to celebrate the glory of America on Fourth of July. [ Flash ]

Illegal devices include M80s, M100s and silver salutes. They have been federally banned since 1966 because of the large amounts of illegal explosives they contain. "Don't confuse these items with legal, consumer fireworks. Illegal devices will usually be unlabeled, will not bear a caution statement and will not list the manufacturer's name," cautioned Ms. Crampton. "Illegal explosive devices are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injuries. If you find any illegal items, or know of anyone selling them, contact the police immediately."

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If you choose to use consumer fireworks to celebrate this year's Fourth of July festivities, remember the following safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety:

* A responsible adult should supervise all fireworks activities.
* Never give fireworks to young children.
* Always purchase fireworks from reliable sources.
* Follow label directions carefully.
* Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
* Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from buildings and vehicles.
* Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them in metal or glass containers.
* Light them one at a time then move back quickly.
* Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.
* Observe local laws and use common sense.
* Sparklers, fountains and other items that many states allow for use by consumers are not appropriate when a large crowd is present.
* If attending a community display, leave your own fireworks at home -- there will be plenty of excitement provided by the display.

For more information on Fireworks safety, visit the National Council on Fireworks Safety web site at http://www.fireworksafety.com/

Amy Schamburek is a young mother and the editor of 20ishParents.com, an invaluable resource for young parents.

Labels: july 4th, safe firecrackers

Types of Fireworks For July 4th
By Amy Schamburek www.20ishparents.com

Battle in the Clouds
Shells that explode in a series of loud bangs, giving the impression of a battle.

Firecrackers
Small, usually cylindrically shaped explosives strung together that explode on the ground in sharp bangs.

Shell
Canisters fired out of a mortar that explode in flowery star bursts.

Girandole
A cluster of rockets that spin a disk up and off a center pole and into the air like a flying saucer.

Cherry Bomb
Powerful, round red firecracker that is outlawed in the United States.

Rocket
Cone-shaped cylinder attached to a long stick that soars high into the air when lift.

Roman Candle
Tubes stuck into the ground that when lit send stars into the air; so called because the Romans supposedly featured them at carnivals.

Set Piece
Wooden contraptions set with lances that when illuminated form the outline of a person or scene in colored fire.

Catherine Wheel
Set pieces that revolve in different kaleidoscopic color combinations.

Sparkler
A narrow steel wire that when lit sends out a shower of fine gold sparks.

	Happy Independence Day! A cute and bright Fourth of July wish for your friends/ family/ loved ones. [ Flash ]		Sparkle Up Your Fourth of July ! A sparkling ecard to celebrate the joys of Fourth of July with your friends/ family/ dear ones. [ Flash ]
	Happy 4th of July ! Reach out to everyone you know with this sparkling ecard. [ Animated ]		Celebrating The Spirit Of Our Freedom ! Celebrate the glory of America with this beautiful Fourth of July wish. [ Flash ]

Labels: American Independence DayEcards, july 4th