Happy Labor Day! & A "Festive Fruit Tart" Recipe That Is Delish!

Labor Day is on Monday September 3rd, and I’m sure we are all looking forward to a long enjoyable weekend as we start the month of September. This weekend celebrates the “unofficial” end of summer. Everyone is going to the beach, having picnics, BBQ’s and enjoying the last weekend of their summer activities. After Labor Day most school districts start school back up again
for another year.

You may ask, what is Labor Day and why do we celebrate this day? So here are some facts about the holiday. Labor Day is an American Federal Holiday that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers. We pay tribute to the achievements of the American workers with parades and fireworks that are a sight to see. It is also supposed to be a day of rest and considered a workingman‘s holiday. The first Labor Day was held on September 5th 1882 in New York City. Then on June 28th 1894 it became a Federal holiday, stating that the first Monday in September of each year would be legal holiday in all U.S. territories. In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the season for the National Football League, (NFL) and some college leagues as well. Labor Day is also a great day for stores to have “End of Summer” sales.

Whether you spend the day quietly at home relaxing, or enjoying one final celebration of the summer, you are sure to relish the day with your family and friends. A wonderful way to end this day is with a “Festive Fruit Tart” for dessert. This mouth-watering, sweet, and juicy fruit tart not only looks beautiful on your holiday table, but it is delicious as well. Simple, easy, and quick is what is on the menu for your day. This recipe is one that I have prepared for my family many times and it is a crowd pleaser. This fruit tart is courtesy from “Taste of Home” magazine. Hope that you enjoy and Happy Labor Day to all of my readers!

“Festive Fruit Tart”

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 10 minutes + cooking
Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients:
Pastry for single-crust pie (9 inches)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon almond extract, divided
1 cup of fresh blueberries
1 cup of fresh raspberries
1 medium ripe peach (peeled and sliced thinly)
1 kiwi (peeled and sliced thinly) (I added)
2 tablespoons apricot preserves (Sorrell Ridge)
　
Directions:
Press pastry onto the bottom and up the sides of an un-greased 9 in. tart pan with a removable bottom; trim edges. Generously prick the bottom with a fork. Bake at 450° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract until smooth; spread over crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese mixture.
In a microwave, heat preserves ad remaining almond extract, uncovered, on high for about 20-30 seconds or until warm. Brush over fruit. Store in the refrigerator.

From Left: Uncle, my Mom & Dad, & Aunt

© I would like to wish a special “Happy Anniversary” to my aunt and uncle who have been married for “55” years. My uncle is my dad’s brother and my godfather as well. My Aunt Ann and Uncle Vincent are both very special to our family. My hope is that they have many more years of love with family, have health, and pray that their faith will bring them blessings. The best is yet to come! Leo Buscaglia said, “Love is life. And if you miss love, then you miss life.”

“When there is love in a marriage, there is harmony in the home; when there is harmony in the home, there is contentment in the community; when there is contentment in the community, there is prosperity in the nation; when there is prosperity in the nation, there is peace in the world.”
- Chinese Proverb

Till Next Time………

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