Fourth of July desserts

Despite the rainy, gray skies, we had a great time with friends on the 4th. We grilled and shared salads and munchies ... and for dessert ... we had pies and chocolate! Great way to top off some delicious food.

One of the favorites was Toll House Pie. Unbelievably rich, this pie can be served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream ... or straight up from the pie plate.

OVEN: 325 degrees

TOLL HOUSE PIE

2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 - 9" unbaked pie shell

Beat eggs 'til foamy. Add flour and sugars. Beat until well blended. Blend in melted butter. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Pour pie mixture into unbaked pie shell. Bake 1 hour.

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Kitchen Wisdom

In honor of summer days ahead, I thought I'd share some more from Your Household Guide ... especially about flowers!

• A tablespoon of household bleach added to the water in a vase of zinnias will keep the stems from rotting and you will have fresh flowers longer.
• Midday or afternoon is the best time to cut roses and gladiolus.
• To make a fern healthy and grow fast, put a piece of fresh meat in the pot every few weeks; must not be salty.
  
• Use ice cubes to water indoor plants. They will melt slowly and not spill over.
• Insert a few rusty nails in the soil around your African violets. The blossoms will be larger, more profuse and will have a brighter color. Keep in north window and water from the bottom.
• Did you know that if you pour 2 tablespoons of castor oil around the roots of your Christmas cactus in October it will bloom in December?

Enjoy your 4th of July holiday weekend! Be sure to spend some of it outside in your flower garden.

~Judy

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