Fourth of July!

No doubt about it - it's been Hot!  Humid too, with the dew points into the high 70's.  All that pushed the heat index over 105 for the last few days & today was no exception.  Last evening we had big plans though!  Kay set out chairs & fans, cold ice tea & snacks.  We watched a super fireworks display at the LeFever's, with Seth as our ignition tech!

Early evening on the 3rd.  The marigolds are now in full bloom!

 Linus's seeds have made a wonderful hedge of beautiful marigolds & the original orange daylily's are in bloom behind them.  I've been watering a couple times a day & they seem to be handling the heat better than most of the flowers.  Those in pots bake, even getting watered three times a day.

Today, Grandma's ice cream maker took center stage!  It had been among Mom's things in her garage in Boulder.  I had to wonder what Grandma would think?  Her ice cream maker had made ice cream on so many Fourth-of-July days here in IA, when I was a kid.  Then, at Mom & Dad's in Boulder, it was used a few more times.  Now, here it is back in Iowa & back to doing what it does best!  I used Grandma's recipe for the mix.  We didn't have the farm fresh cream, but we did have eggs off the farm!

Linus & Butch in the laundry room~

 With the record breaking heat, there was no way the guys could set up outside, even in the shade & expect the ice cream to freeze.  The laundry room in the basement worked.  Farah's feed tub acted as a drainage basin.  Gary pitched in too & the three men took turns cranking.  It didn't take long & soon the cream froze!  It was packed in fresh ice & covered with towels to season.

Finished product!

After dinner, out the can came.  When we opened it up - well - it was perfect!  To say that it was good - isn't saying enough!

Home~

Our second Fourth in IA & the time has flown. The date of the Blue's & Brews Festival at the park has been changed to August.  This in the hope that more people will be in town to boost attendance. The weather man is promising us a couple cooler days & we're ready! The firefly's are lighting up the dark, humid nights & the cicadas' are just starting to chirp. A sure sign that our summer is here!