The long days of Summer

Summer is in full swing here and we've had some really nice weather.  We've spent a lot of time outside talking about our day over an ice cream cone or having lunch/dinner out on the patio table. There have been some really hot and humid days but that's expected, and we just roll with it. 

I've started dehydrating and canning things for the winter. Strawberry season and blueberry season are over here, and we really enjoyed them.  I was able to put about 3 or 4 pints of each in the freezer for later.  This is one batch of garlic dill pickle spears that I water bathed.  Today I made pesto for the freezer. It really livens up a dish in the winter.

We've been eating our share of summertime meals.  

BBQ chicken thighs, potato salad and a small side salad.

BIG salads

Spach cocked chicken on the grill

Chicken, red onion and poblano pepper skewers with beans and rice with a delicious avocado crema.

BLT's with zucchini 'fries'

Pepperoni, green pepper, onion and mushroom pizza with a ton of fresh basil cooked on top.  SO good.

This is before and after cooking.  The basil really shrinks up, doesn't it?

I started watching Son of a Critch on Netflix. It has three seasons right now and I'm about halfway through and really enjoying it.  It is set in Newfoundland during the 80's and follows the Critch family, particularly the youngest son.  If you want a fun, feel good series, this is it.   

I'm about halfway through the book The Finnish Way by Katja Pantzar.  "Discover the simple, nature-inspired ways that Finns stay happy, healthy and strong, no matter what life has in store."  

This post ended up being pretty photo heavy, but I have to share these two pictures of Binx.  The first one is of him sitting on his perch watching rabbits running around the yard. The second one cracked me up.  I hadn't seen him for a while, and I asked TBG if he was in his tunnel.  Just when I looked at the back of it, his eyes popped open so I could see him.

Happy July!

 

Spring turned into Summer

Spring was a busy time and it looks like Summer is going to be the same.  Along with the extra work of gardening and taking care of everything outside we're working on a few home projects while also trying to find time for some fun.  It's good to get it all done now though so I can hibernate in peace during the Winter.

We've already been enjoying so much of the seasonal foods this time of year brings.  We've been eating so many BIG salads with fresh salad mixes.  The snow peas, radishes and cucumbers have all been so amazing.  We've had fried green tomatoes, BLT's and zucchini fries. That first BLT of the year is always so delicious. I love winter but Spring and Summer garden veggies have been missed.  

I find that basil does better in pots than out in the herb garden.  I always do two large pots so we have enough to eat fresh, to dehydrate and make pesto for the winter.  I love fresh basil.

I dehydrated my first batch on Sunday and it filled a pint jar.  By next weekend I should have enough for a batch of pesto and a tomato, basil pizza which is my favorite.

A friend of mine gave me a huge pot of hens and chickens to plant in the yard.  This is a new to me variety and I think they're gorgeous.  I also was given a dogwood start for Earth Day.  I have it in a pot for now so that by Fall the roots will be much larger and then I'll plant it in the back yard.

Reading outside on the back patio is one my favorite things about summer.  So far I've enjoyed The Little Giant of Aberdeen County and The Gilly Salt Sisters both by Tiffany Baker along with A Bakery in Paris by Aimie Runyan.  All were very good but the last was a 10 for me.  The story, characters and the writing were captivating. 

Meals have been on the simple side.  We've been mainly cooking on the grill or having Big salads and more veggie focused light meals.  Tonight I'm doing poblano peppers stuffed with cheese, onions and ground lamb over rice because I've been craving them for a few weeks.

I've decided to go back to soy candles and found this one that smells heavenly.  Who doesn't like caramelized praline?  I think the soy candles just burn a lot cleaner.

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying Summer (or winter for some of you).  I'll leave you with a cute picture I snapped of Binx, who always brings a smile.  My boy is all grown up.

Things That Make Me Smile

 

Mary's Amish White Bread Recipe

In Sunday's post I mentioned the amazing sandwich I picked up from this cute Farm Market a few weeks ago. I told the owner, that this was the most delicious white sandwich bread I had ever tasted.  So we started talking about breads, dough, etc.  I told her I made all of our breads and I was very happy with them all except the sandwich bread recipes I had tried which were good but not amazing.  We finished our conversation and right before I left she handed me a piece of paper with her recipe for the bread.  How sweet was that? 

It's funny how food can bring people together isn't it?  

I tried her recipe two days later and it tasted exactly like the one she made and TBG loved it.  I've made it twice now and it's safe to say this is our new go to sandwich bread.  

Ingredients:

1 cup warm water

1/3 cup sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons or one packet of yeast

3 cups of all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons of oil 

1 1/2 Tablespoon melted butter to brush on as soon as it comes out of the oven

Directions:

Stir together the water, sugar and yeast and set aside for 5-10 minutes until it bubbles

In a large bowl add the flour, salt and oil, then pour in the yeast mixture.  Mix together until the dough no longer sticks to the side of the bowl, about 10 minutes. I used my Kitchen Aide with the dough hook but she said it easily comes together by hand as well.

Roll into a tight ball and place in a greased bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap and set aside to double in size.  About 60-90 minutes.

Deflate the dough and shape into a log to fit a 9x5 loaf pan.  Cover with plastic wrap again and set aside for another 60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350F and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

Brush the crust with melted butter and let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes then remove and transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Slice to your desired thickness and enjoy.

 

Happy 3rd Gotcha Day Binx

Three years ago today we brought Binx into our lives.  You can read about that here.

https://culinaryadventureswithlori.blogspot.com/2022/06/things-that-make-me-smile.html

He's all grown up now but still the same strong willed, curious, smart, full of energy creature we have loved since day one.

What happened to May?

It's June 1st!  May was a busy month with projects, my birthday (chapter 58), two graduations, Memorial Day weekend and 9 glorious days off of work. 😉 This post is my brain and camera dump of it all.  

A few weeks ago, we had a bunny have babies in our yard behind the shed.  It was the cutest thing seeing these two tiny little creatures running around our yard.  They have gone off on their own now, I think, but the mom is staying put.  All of the houses around us have dogs so she is a pretty smart bunny. We can be outside, and she isn't afraid of us at all. This is her enjoying free time laying out under the old red bud.  She stays under there for hours.  I think it is a good shelter away from hawks.

This bush is one of my favorites and I don't even know what it is.  It always blooms in the middle of May. The blossoms smell so divine, and the bees just love it.  Bonus points if you know what kind of a bush this is.

The farmers market opened up, so we've been enjoying springs snap peas, radishes and lettuce.  It was so good to see my favorite farmer.  We talked about the cold, wet winter and spring. He was also selling flower baskets, and they were all so gorgeous, so one had to come home with me.

In my last post I told you about the Commons that opened up in our downtown area.  They had a grand opening, and this was a photo taken of the area from a drone.  It's really a great addition to our town.

I've spent quite a bit of time sitting outside reading. I've read Love, Loss and What We Ate by Padma Laksmi.  The Little Giant of Aberdeen County and The Gilly Salt Sisters both by Tiffany Baker. All three were really good books that I enjoyed.  Yesterday I started Keeper and Kid by Edward Hardy and I'm enjoying it too.

When I have to go to our sister hospital which is about 25 minutes away, I've passed this place called Farm Market. It's a building by the roadside of the owner's property.  I decided to stop and see what they had and I'm SO glad I did. It's a cute little building with fresh veggies, baked goods, and tons of other goods. I was starving so I ordered a bite to get me through the rest of the day.  They served me the best turkey sandwich I think I've ever had on the best Amish bread I've ever eaten.  When I told her the bread was amazing, she gave me the recipe and now it is my go-to sandwich bread. (I've already made it twice) TBG loves it as much as I do. The inside is just so soft.

Carrot Cake made by TBG for my Birthday.

A delicious chicken fajita nacho plate at Los Azteca in Louisville Kentucky.  One of my favorite places to go to.  Talk about an amazing downtown area!

I hope everyone is well and has been enjoying Spring. 

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: I have loved the downtown areas in every city I have ever lived in and have so many memories from them all. Where we live now has really evolved over the last few years.  We have a number of good restaurants and shops.  The library is there. TBG's Tae kwon do school is there. A number of weekly, monthly and yearly festivals go on there also. Now the city took a large vacant area in the middle and made a gorgeous green space with lots of seating, swings and picnic tables.  It is a great place to hang out during some of the festivals or to just relax and enjoy.  They had an Easter egg hunt there this year and it was so cute to see so many children running around.  I think it is a great addition to our town.

Where I've been:  Wednesday I had a dentist appointment for a cleaning.  All is good except the two back bottom molars that need to come out soon that I've known about.  We went to a grand opening of a furniture restoration business that a couple we know opened.  They do beautiful work, and the store front is very pretty.  Saturday there was a recycling event, so got rid of a few old electronics, went and picked up soil for the gardens and then had a nice lunch at the local BBQ place. The rest of the day and most of Sunday was spent outside working in the yard and on the gardens.  I have a couple of more things to plant (and pick up) and then we're done.  It all looks so nice.  I'll get pictures soon.

Where I'm going:  We have a high school graduation to go to Saturday.  I also want to stop by the orchard to pick up a flowering basket of some kind and a few more things.  They beat the box store prices and products by a mile.

What I'm watching:  We watched Nonna's on Netflix and really enjoyed it.  His lifetime experiences with food are the same as mine so I really felt his story and what he wanted to do. The 'real' guy that started Nonna's has a cameo in the movie so I'm glad I had seen a previous story on the movie to recognize him.  

What I'm reading:  Little French Bistro by Nina George and I LOVED it. From the NY Times, "this is an extraordinary novel about self-discovery and new beginnings."  Her writing really puts a picture in your mind of the places and characters.  For me to make time to read a book in a few days tells you just how good it is. It was an unpredictable, heartwarming story.

What I'm eating:

Beef, veggie and cheese quesadillas with rice

Blackened chicken, mashed potatoes and asparagus

BIG salad

Indian chili with cornbread  Culinary Adventures with Lori: 52 Recipes in 52 Weeks #5 Indian Spiced Chili  It was a rainy, slightly chilly day and this hit the spot.

Roasted chicken legs, mac and cheese, coleslaw

Salmon, rice and salad 

I tried a new salmon recipe from the latest cookbook I picked up that I can't wait to post about this week.  It was amazing.

Who needs a good slap: People that never have anything good to say and spread their toxicity to everyone around them.  I just don't understand it. The constant complaining, and grumbling is just exhausting.

What's making me smile: This may sound funny to some but checking things off my to do list really makes me smile.  It's good to be able to look back and see what you've accomplished.  Even the little things feel so good to get checked off the list.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!! 

Things That Make Me Smile

 

This picture popped up in my FB memories today from probably 12 years ago.  Some of you know my Mom has had severe dementia for the past 5-6 years.  Like many mothers and daughters, our relationship was 'complicated'.  But through it all, I can still see pictures like this and smile.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Am I the only one that can't believe it's May already?  I seriously feel like we just finished the holiday season but that was almost 5 months ago.  I'm doing everything I can think of to be in the moment and slow down, but time just keeps ticking by too quickly.  

April was a very wet month here and so far, May has continued with that trend.  In between the rains I've been trying to work on the yard and the garden.  

Asparagus season has arrived here, and we've been enjoying it so many ways.  We do love it roasted but if you haven't tried it fried, you really should.  It takes it to a different level. Culinary Adventures with Lori: My Week and the April A-Z Challenge

Where I've been:  I had lunch with a friend group at our favorite Mexican restaurant which is always fun.  TBG and I have been on daily walks (in between the rain). It really is beautiful here this time of year. Friday nights Downtown was last night and while we were there walking around, I finally stopped in one of the new kitchen/food item stores.  TBG wanted to try their popcorn seasoning (which is very tasty) and I found a spice blend that sounded delicious.  (We haven't tried it yet.)

Where I'm going:  Wednesday I have a dentist appointment for a cleaning.  It's at 8am so I took the day off to reward myself.  I am also taking off the last week of May so we can get away for a few days.  I'm excited about that.

What I'm watching:  We started watching the new series on Netflix Four Seasons. I'm a big fan of Tina Fey and she stars in it and produced it. We watched one episode and really enjoyed it. I think between tomorrow and Wednesday we'll binge watch the rest. I also watched The Chef's Table-Legends on Jamie Oliver. I love his outlook on food.  I have a couple of his cookbooks that I refer to often.

What I'm reading:  I did sit outside a few times when the sun was shining and continued reading Care and Feeding.  I'm close to being finished and am enjoying it.  I am trying very hard not to buy any new cookbooks, but I had to have Nagi's second one.  There are SO many recipes I can't wait to try so I'm glad it jumped in my cart.

What I'm eating: 

Blackened cod, basmati rice and coleslaw

Chicken sausage with onions and peppers, pasta alfredo and asparagus

BIG salad x2

Add some cheese, chicken and/or hardboiled eggs and all of these veggies made 6 really good size salads. We both also eat a lot of various salads for our lunches.

Skillet chicken Shawarma, rice and naan 

Last night when we were leaving the downtown area, TBG wanted to stop at the Elk's for their Friday chicken bucket special.  It was delicious as always and so much food so we're having the leftovers tonight.

Who needs a good slap:  I can't think of anyone off the top of my head.

What is making me smile:  The last two Sunday's have been awesome.  It really is nice making sure there is nothing that has to be done and just let the day unfold as it comes.  Unscheduled time to do whatever we want in the moment has been amazing.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  We decided to go back to 'old fashioned' Sundays starting tomorrow, and we figured Easter was a perfect day to start.  Tomorrow morning we're going to an Easter program and then come home to just relax and spend time together.  No phones or computers allowed.  Only fun or relaxing activities that rejuvenate us individually and as family and friends followed by a delicious meal.  I've tweaked my routine over the last few months to make sure everything needing done gets done during the week, so I think this is going to be awesome.

I also came across this list that I've been thinking about.  

 

Where I've been:  Other than work and regular errands I didn't go anywhere this week.  

Where I'm going:  Outside of work, I don't have any appointments or commitments which you all know is my favorite kind of week.

What I'm watching:  Yesterday we had our yard all cleaned up and reset after the winter.  It always amazes me how green everything is this time of year.  It's gorgeous.  Our old red bud is hanging in there.

What I'm reading:  I only read a bit this week.

What I'm watching:  North of North is a new series on Netflix.  I've watched the first three episodes and I'm enjoying it.  I also saw they put the 2002 movie Life or Something Like It on.  I remember seeing it when it came out and decided to watch it to see if it has stood the test of time.  I think it has.  I really enjoyed watching it again.

What I'm eating:

Lamb burgers and fries-SO good.

Coho Salmon, rice and spicy slaw Culinary Adventures with Lori: Coleslaw with a bit of a kick

BIG salad x2

Blackened chicken, baked potato, slaw

Spaghetti and meatballs, salad

Tonight, I'm making lamb and potato hand pies with a salad

Who needs a good slap:  Clear Wave.  I am all for companies advertising their product and getting new customers but sometimes it's a bit too much.  In the last four months we have gotten two or three fliers every week in the mail along with someone ringing the doorbell once a week.  Three different times we've told them we aren't interested yet they continue.  Yesterday TBG told them to please STOP coming to our house. We'll see if that helps but somehow, I doubt it.  I give three slaps just for all of the paper they are wasting every week with all of the fliers. 

What is making me smile:  I have so many reasons to smile, and I appreciate every single one, all day, every day.

I hope everyone that celebrates has a beautiful Easter and a wonderful week ahead.  Be sure and take time to have some fun and make some memories.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  So far, April has been a busy month.  Our 35th wedding anniversary was last Sunday.  Sadly, our road trip was postponed. Over the three-day weekend we ended up with over 9 inches of rain which isn't my idea of road trip weather. We still had a great weekend and did go to our favorite Italian place for a celebratory dinner.  Beside normal errands, and a fundraiser, we have been working on a few projects around the house along with getting the gardens ready.  In our new raised beds, we've layered about 3 inches of cardboard with two inches of leaves and sticks so now all we have to do is add all of the eggshells and dirt next weekend and start planting.

Where I've been:  We went to Market Days downtown yesterday after breakfast.  The weather was gorgeous, and it was so nice to sit on one of the park swings and just relax a bit after walking around all of the shops and vendors.  I'll take pictures next time because this new Commons area is really cool.  I picked up a few things from Kingdom Seasonings and did find a cute mat for the front door from a vendor.  It looks just like Binx.

Where I'm going:  Other than an appointment for a haircut, the week is pretty open.  I have a three-day weekend to celebrate Easter at home with the family so I'm looking forward to that. I'm hoping for a nice Spring weekend with no rain, but we'll make the best of it either way.

What I'm watching:  Con Mom was a documentary that was very sad and a bit infuriating. I just don't understand how some people can do such shitty things to people.  Prada to Nada was cute and The Life List was a feel-good movie with a nice ending.  All three are on Netflix.

What I'm reading:  Yesterday I spent an hour or so outside reading on the patio which is one of my favorite places to read and I finally made a good dent in Care and Feeding.  

What I'm eating:  

Thai chicken with rice and asparagus

BIG salad

Steak, baked potato and salad

Atlantice salmon, rice and slaw

Fried chicken sandwich and potato wedges

Pizza and salad

LO beef chili and garlic cheese biscuits

All of the soups, stews and chili are out of the freezer just in time for spring and summer.  I may make a batch of soul soothing chicken soup the next time I roast a chicken just because it is so good to have on hand.

Last week I made chocolate chip cookies and this week I made black bottom cupcakes and took some to work for a birthday lunch.  Everyone loves these.  They're a combination of a delicious chocolate cake with a cheesecake filling. Culinary Adventures with Lori: Search results for black bottom cupcakes

Who needs a good slap:  No one comes to mind.

What is making me smile:  Ann Ann's Snap Edit Scrap has been sending me happy mail each month for a while now.  Her cards are SO cute and always put a huge smile on my face.  I took one of my favorites to work to put on my desk.  It makes me smile every time I look that way.  Thank you, Ann for always sending me smiles!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!