Friday, July 11, 2014

A fourth of July in Garezers


We kicked off our fourth of July celebrations this year with a little bit of World Cup viewing and a parade. Of course the parade was more of the family-down-the-street-with-a-tractor-and-a-wagon type than the Dziesmu Svētku variety. Actually, the XIV Latvian Song Festival was taking place on these warm summer days (in Hamilton, Ontario), we just didn’t make it up to Canada and instead were celebrating America’s birthday on the shores of Gaŗezers.


What is the fourth without a barbecue? Master griller Alnis manned the burgers, with a little bit of supervision.


We sat down to a table decked out in red, white and blue.


After taking a break to digest we hit the cheesecake. Yes, there really are 50 blueberries and seven stripes of raspberries. And yes, it was delicious, if I can say so myself.


That evening was the camp bonfire, but afterward we had some fireworks of our own down on the beach.


It was the next night, Saturday, that we headed to Atbalsis, the resort and campground adjacent to Gaŗezers on neighboring Clear Lake. Mikus wasn’t the biggest fan of the late bedtime nor the noisy/bright celebration, and fell asleep halfway into the celebration with his head tucked into my armpit. But the rest of us enjoyed the show, filing this fourth of July away in our memory banks another good one. Now if Atbalsis would just cut down that one tree...


7 comments:

  1. That cheesecake is beautiful! :)

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    1. I'm sure you could fashion a gluten free version - there is a lower cake (without a crust) in addition to this one in the "dzeltenā pavārgrāmata," the Latvian cookbook everyone needs in their kitchen. Right now they are on sale in kantīne for $15. The official title is Pēc acumēra un garšas kamēr gatavs.

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    2. I think I have that one at home - not that I've ever used it, as the kitchen just isn't my domain. :) I'm better off just eating the berries themselves! Too bad one cannot live on fruit alone, because if that were the case, I'd be all set this month, what with Washington State cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and local VA/MD/PA peaches...

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  2. Wow, your family had an awesome 4th of July weekend. Looks like you had a 'master' burger chef.... ha....

    Here in America, we do have lots of local parades featuring wagons, floats, --and just small-town type of celebrations... I lived in New Orleans for about 4 years --and that city really knows how to have REAL celebrations!!!! ha

    How are you feeling? When is the baby due? Will this be the last one????

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy, thanks for stopping in today! We did the Chicago 4th of July celebrations for years, those were some impressive fireworks! Our little town experience was just as fun, but I would love to be in NO one year...

      We're expecting this August, and as to how I'm feeling - let's just say I wouldn't mind some cooler temperatures!

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  3. Cake looks so tasty. And raspberries- ņam!

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    1. Thanks Inese! Wish I could say they were from our yard, but our raspberries have finished for the summer...

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