My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Throughout my life I was always involved in sports and was very dedicated to all around physical fitness.  Somewhere in my late 40's I slowly started to slack off.  I still walked and did a lot of physical work in the yard in the summer but that just wasn't enough. I'm just not as physically fit as I want to be.  I realized this in May when TBG had his surgery.  The first week while his arm was still in a sling, I had to help him get up and down and quickly realized I was using muscles I hadn't used in a number of years. Then while doing the shopping alone, I realized it wasn't as easy for me to load that 40pk of water into the cart either.  I've since added upper and lower body strength weights and exercises and have started stretching again while continuing the walking I've always done.  I can tell already that I'm a bit stronger and can lift more than I could back in May.  I'm not quite sure why I ever stopped but I'm happy I decided to get back into it.

Where I've been: Friday we went to breakfast and then stopped by the farmer's market. Peach season has started, and they are sweet and delicious.  

Where I'm going:  I have to work M-F which seems to be getting harder and harder.  Other than that, no plans yet.  

What I'm watching:  I really didn't watch much this week.

What I'm reading:  The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate. "Tender, charming, and seasoned with pinch of old-world magic."  This is the first book of hers that I have read, and I really enjoyed her writing style and the way her characters in the story come alive.  I give it a solid 9.

What I'm eating:

TBG saw this somewhere on TV or FB and wanted me to make it. 

I had my doubts that it would work well but I indulged him. It is a beef cheeseburger on two end slices of tomato instead of a bun.  He said it tasted pretty good but was a bit hard to keep it from falling apart.  (Go figure)  I had mine on a bun and zucchini chips for us both.

Beef chili with amazing cornbread

Chicken sandwich and 'fries'

Nathans hot dog with the works, potato salad and deviled eggs.  

TBG-chicken, me a steak with potato salad, eggs and tomato slices

Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic, butter bread sticks.

BIG salad

Who needs a good slap:  I got a text message yesterday saying they were with the state of Illinois, and they have photos of my vehicle going through a toll booth and to click to pay the 75.00 now.  There are so many scams going on now it's crazy, and I firmly believe anyone that takes advantage of people like this deserve 5 hard slaps.  No mater what situation you're in, ripping off people is wrong.  Figure out an honest way to make some money.

What's making me smile:  It was a nice, relaxing 4-day weekend.  I am glad that I checked the interstate report before we left Saturday because 3 exits from ours there was a bad accident with a semi hauling hazardous chemicals. Both North and South bound lanes were closed, and they were asking people to avoid travel because the back roads were filling up.   The fact that neither of us was really disappointed to stay home always makes me smile.  Home is where the heart is, right?

Stay safe and stay cool.  

In My Kitchen

I am joining Sherry at sherrys pickings for her monthly series In My Kitchen where people from all across the globe share what is going on in their kitchens.  

June is always the start to a busy time in my kitchen putting fruits and veggies up for the winter. I didn't grow much in the garden this year so I'm thankful for a nice local Farmer's Market to find all of our seasonal favorites.  The canning, freezing and dehydrating begins.

The best thing about Summer is all of the fresh produce.  I'm fortunate to live in an area where we have a pretty long growing season.

This company was at a fundraiser we attended and I chose this bag of double dipped chocolate covered peanuts.  They were so fresh and delicious I wish I had bought more than one.  Isn't that always the case?

While shopping I found this 'localish' white corn meal.  I used it in my recipe for cornbread and am very happy to have found it.  I will be buying this brand from now on.  

I typically make all of our sauces, including BBQ sauce, but I do like to have a jar on hand this time of year when I need to save time.  This is from the processing plant/store front where we buy a lot of our meat.  It has a smooth flavor that isn't too sweet and is delicious on grilled chicken.

I am a huge cheese fan so I was excited to try this when I saw it.  It's a cheddar and gruyere blend and it's very tasty.  

June was a bit warmer here than normal so I didn't want to do much baking but needed a sweet treat.  Banana pudding to the rescue.  You can find my recipe here.  It's such an easy and refreshing desert that is perfect for any season.  Culinary Adventures with Lori: 2019 Christmas thoughts

I have a rather large collection of cookbooks and I keep promising myself that I won't buy anymore but I am weak.  I love Recipe Tin Eats website and kept hearing about her cookbook Dinner so it kind of jumped in my arms when I saw it at the bookstore.  I've already cooked a few things out of it and have dozens of page markers with others to try.  It really is a great book.

Well, that is my look back at what went on in my kitchen in June.  Sherry, thank you for hosting.  It's always so much fun to see what is going on in everyone's kitchens.

Happy 4th of July!

 

Wishing all who celebrate, a happy and safe holiday.  Stay cool!  Card is from my super talented, sweet friend Ann at Ann's Snap Edit Scrap (annssnapeditscrap.blogspot.com)