If you don’t own festive Fourth of July clothing, then you haven’t been to Old Navy this month. Walking into the popular chain store is like being swallowed by a giant Patriotic Fruit Pizza. Red, white and blue shirts, shorts and sandals with bits of Americana emblazoned on them are everywhere. What’s more, Old Navy is running a Buy Two; Get the Third Item Free sale all weekend long, so if you are still in need of Independence Day-themed gear to wear to fun-filled Fourth of July festivals, parades or parties, you know where to shop.
Of course, dressing up to celebrate America’s birthday is only part of the fun. My 6-year-old daughter is busy decorating her bike with red, white and blue streamers, ribbons and flags to ride in our town’s Fourth of July parade. Other kids in the neighborhood are doing the same with wagons and scooters. Even the animals are getting in on the act. One of our neighbor’s dogs will be sporting an Uncle Sam top hat and tails for the weekend festivities.
Meanwhile, I am planning to whip up my own red, white and blue treat to contribute to a food and fireworks party we’ll be attending on Sunday. These easy Strawberry Rhubarb Bars will be topped with vanilla ice cream and served on blue plates in order to keep with the patriotic color theme:
Ingredients for Crust:
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 ounces unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
Ingredients for Filling:
3/4 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
3/4 cup rhubarb, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small sauce pan bring strawberries, rhubarb, and lemon juice to a boil.
Mix together sugar and cornstarch, then add to the strawberry mixture. Continue to stir until thick.
Combined all crust ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until butter is crumbly.
Press half the crust mixture into a greased 8 by 8-inch pan.
Pour strawberry filling over crust and sprinkle on remaining crust mixture.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Top with ice cream or fresh whipped cream before serving.
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