We have a standing visit with our friends Grace and Tim and John over the 4th of July weekend ever year. Here’s some pictures from the past: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and now 2011. Whenever we get together, we eat lots of good food and have lots of fun.
Here we are sitting down to a meal inspired by the trip Grace and I took to Arizona in the spring. It’s Bandera’s Macho Salad (recipe here) and cornbread (recipe here). Please note, that Bryan has asked me never to make a different corn bread again, ever. This recipe is as good as it gets.
I made strawberry Shaum Torte for dessert.
Here’s the recipe from my mom and before her Tekla Loeber (that’s my mom’s maternal grandma…I think).
Ingredients
1 cup egg white (preferably room temp)
2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar
2 tsp vanilla
Heavy whipping cream sugar
Fresh strawberries
Directions
Beat the egg whites with mix master until foamy but not firm. SLOWLY add two cups sugar. Then add the vinegar and vanilla.
When very stiff, turn onto an ungreased spring form pan.
Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour
OR
gas oven: preheat to 500 degrees. Put torte in overn, close door. After one minute, turn off oven, leave door closed, and torte in oven for 3 to 8 hours.
electric oven: preheat to 400 degrees. Turn off after 10 minutes, leave in 3 to 8 hours.
Fill with whipped cream and sliced, sweetened strawberries.
The kids had fun chasing fireflies in the yard. Sylv got dressed in her firefly costume from Halloween last year.
This is one of my favorite pictures. He’s about to catch a firefly…and it’s even lit!
There’s Grace and Tim, looking relaxed:)
Summer evenings are just the best!
Here’s Andrew with a firefly on display.
Sylvia the firefly hunting for her brethern.
John and Sylvie intent on the capture.
They were all very gentle with their insect prey.
Two buddies in 2011. I think we need to start feeding them!
She’s so cute!
Can you see the little firefly above her outstretched fingers? 
So cute:)
It’s been over a month since our visit, but the memories are still fresh and bring lots of smiles to my heart. Thanks, Grace and Tim and John for coming out to see us!