4th of July Celebrations!

Hope you had a nice 4th of July!
We had a fun filled Holiday, filled with Iowa sweet corn, fresh berry tarts, patriotic potatoes and good friends!

It was definitely a hot one and the end of the record temps seem to be nowhere in sight. The gardens look a little tired and could use some rainfall.

We cooled off with these homemade fruit tarts. I am usually not a pie crust kind of girl, but I couldn't resist the rich buttery flavor of these! The vanilla pastry cream was actually made with farm fresh eggs that I collected in the morning. These berries were from the store (we're out of the short lived strawberry season because the season was pushed ahead significantly), but they were delicious! Don't you love the little strawberry rose that Adam carved? I have no talent (or patience) for that...

Earlier this Spring (on Good Friday to be exact, which is an old wives tale), I planted these potatoes: Red Pontiac, Yukon Gold, and even Adirondack Blue's. The blue potatoes are actually bright purple inside and liven up any potato salad.

They are one of the many unusual varieties planted in the garden.

And, with the 4th of July... that means the beginning of the legendary Iowa sweet corn season!
The Black's Heritage Farm in Ames has 20+ acres of sweet corn that has been staggered so its ready up until Labor Day. We had some on the grill for the 4th and it was delicious, well worth the yearly wait.

Enjoy!