Good morning all! My husband just informed me that it had been a while since I posted on my blog - thanks, honey..... We had a wonderful 4th of July. How about you? We made the best blue cheese burgers and fried okra salad - so yummy. I'll give you the recipes at the end. Probably the most entertaining part of the 4th was my sisters having a water fight on the 2 blowup airplanes in the pool I bought for the "children". Actually, the "children" had a blast on them. There are pictures out there somewhere. I would like to get them! We watched the fireworks in the front yard at Frontier City. They were beautiful. The brothers-in-law have a tradition on 4th of July that we like to call the Easter Egg Hunt. We live on a golf course and each year on the 3rd or 4th at dusk, all the men put on long pant and long sleeve shirts (for the ticks) and go on the course and into the woods searching for lost golf balls. They usually come back with 150-200 golf balls and wash each and every one, divide them up and compare their treasured balls (golf that is). It is so much fun to watch them take off with bag in hand bantering about who will find the most. We had friends over on the evening of the 4th and sat outside and visited and ate - very relaxing evening. One couple brought their 1971 Buick Grand Sport convertible! It is absolutely beautiful. After the 4th I had foot surgery, well actually toe surgery. It was a minor surgery, but the doctor was adamant about me not putting any weight on it for at least one week! If you know me at all you know I'm not the best patient. Bill got me the cutest little scooter to zip around on.  We sent Trey a picture and he wants to know if we can keep it!  Aubra has been such a mother hen from bringing us dinner, to visiting on her lunch hour, to scheduling an appointment for Annie (our boxer).  I've always said I need an assistant and she would be perfect.  Bill has outdone himself.  I got up one morning and the table was set and there sat an ice chest with fruit and cheese in it.  Wow! Was I impressed.  Aubra saw it later and said "he is really good."  One last thing - I am re-reading "Younger Next Year" and it is just fabulous.  I highly recommend everyone read it, even if you are 30 or 40 because you can never start too soon to take care of yourself.  Now for the recipes....
Blue Cheese Burgers - I like 6 ounce burgers, so make two 3 ounce patties.  At least salt and pepper both, or add your favorite burger seasoning.  I also brush them with a very good balsamic from Teaoli in Edmond.  Put a heaping tablespoon of crumbled blue cheese on one patty and press it into the meat.  Top with the other patty and press sides together very tightly.  Grill until medium rare, to medium.
Fried okra salad - You can start with fresh diced okra if it is in season and toss it with a little flour and cornmeal, or you can use Stillwell's breaded frozen okra.  Both work very well.  Put about 1/3 cup of olive or vegetable oil in a large skillet and heat until almost smoking.  Pour in okra.  Spread it out and salt and pepper it and LEAVE IT ALONE!  Let it brown nicely before turning it.  They less you stir it, the crunchier and crispier it will be.  It will take about 20 minutes to cook.  In the meantime, dice about 8 grape tomatoes and 4 green onions and set aside.  When okra is brown and crispy, pour in bowl lined with a paper towel.  Let it drain for a minute or two, remove the paper towel and toss with tomatoes and onions.  Adjust seasonings if necessary.