The Glorious Fourth

Wednesday 4 July

Jean and Donald kindly invited us, Susan, and Mike over for an Independence Day celebration, which was supposed to begin with a pleasant swim in the pool. This was unfortunately forestalled by an enormous monsoon-like thunderstorm, so we sat, dry and happy, in their pleasant parlor instead, and relaxed with wine and cheese (brie, blue, feta, and cheddar), spicy hummus, crackers and chips.

When we proceeded to the red, white, and blue-bedecked table, we cleared our palates with a green salad with ginger dressing while Jean and Donald pampered us, constantly topping up our glasses and filling our plates. The main course was a superb salmon (!!!), served as broiled fillets topped with pesto and decorated with lime slices. What I think is a close approximation is published here.
Accompanying the salmon was a palette-like platter of colorful broiled vegetables: green and yellow squash, eggplant, onions, mushrooms, sugar-crisped carrots, and red, green, and yellow peppers. Oh, and some rice, which supplied the white. Everything was tender and tasty.
Of course, the pièce de resistance (what is this, Bastille Day?) was dessert. Here Jean could return to her patriotic color scheme: fresh strawberries and blueberries, home-baked shortbreads, and whipped cream to cement them together. So we patriotically ate till our eyes popped.

Though the rain was still threatening, when it got dark we drove out to Oak Park and enjoyed the fireworks display. It was a festive crowd, and the screech of rockets was almost drowned out by the delighted screams of small children. Despite a bit of drizzle, we oohed and ahhed through the entire display, and Mike, who was smart enough to bring a camera, got some pictures.
Then Jean brought us back home and forced us, yes, FORCED us, to eat Frango chocolates and drink cognac - or absinthe (whose reputation for deadliness is not unmerited). She is the hostess with the mostes', no doubt about it. So thanks, Jean and Donald!