Vibrant Summer Flowers and Fruit

Poppy's Flower

       Lovely is unspoken beauty of flower. The sweet smell of its petals in your hand, as they grow like a miracle from there stems. A Precious gift from mother nature for many to admire...but for few to truly understand.

For the blossoming of there beauty is a miracle on a sunny spring day. Reaching higher and higher towards the sun as the grow more lovely.

But no know just how they grow or why they bloom...Like love within a persons heart.

craig moon

Goat Cheese and Watermelon Bites

Ingredients

• 1 small watermelon 
• 1 (4-oz.) goat cheese log, softened 
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Garnishes: fresh basil and freshly ground pepper 
  
  Preparation

1. Cut half of watermelon into 1-inch-thick slices. Cut slices into 25 rounds, using a 2-inch round cutter. Scoop just enough melon from tops to form indentations, using a melon baller. Stir together goat cheese, 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil, salt, and 1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper. Spoon into indentations. Chill 1 to 2 hours. Garnish, if desired. Country Living Magazine

No teeth required!
Oh! I'm going to be a 
Nana in December!

Yay! Jennifer

Chill and Serve!

What's New In Your Garden?

While you're out treasure hunting for the day

looking for rustic gems for your yard, things you cannot live without, going for a scenic drive, meeting a friend for lunch.... you can have the recipe listed 
below in your crock pot!

I have been collecting primitive odds and ends for quite some time. The inside of my house is getting less cluttered - whew. But my gardens are being tucked with perennials, buckets,funnels, baskets & more!

Etsy and EBay along with perusing magazines have continued to feed my wild imagination.

see what I mean... it amazes me what's out there!

It's been a fun summer of collecting, planting and friends.

Is there something you're on the hunt for? 

What do you collect?

I'm looking for:

• a claw foot tub
• an enamel colander
• chicken feeders
• funnels
• money in the bank

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches: Place bone-in leg quarters in the crock pot and baste with your favorite barbecue sauce and add 1/2 cup of broth in the bottom of the crock pot. Cook on low for about four hours then shred chicken and allow to marinate for an additional hour in excess sauce. When shredding with a fork, do not overdo it as this will make your sandwich soggy in the end. To serve, scoop the meat on a sturdy roll and top as desired—try provolone, crisp lettuce, onions or coleslaw.

Come home, put comfy clothes on,

paper plates, an icy drink & dinner's ready!

Chill!

One Step Closer To Summer!

These blue eyes are telling you that 

Summer will be here before we know it!

playin' in the grass, lickin' ice cream cones

Summer!

sittin' on the beach...

ANY beach...

Summer!

I've been roasting every vegetable imaginable,

trying new recipes, 

being thankful for the beauty 

God presents every day

getting ready for bilateral knee 

replacement in March - and no, 

haven't worn heels in many a moon 

and the surgeries won't change a thang!

I'm more a barefoot gal. 

I love my life.

I have moments, even in the Winter 

when I say say "thank you Lord

for the wonder of it all"

and if I'm down....

I phone a friend (and make the recipe below)

 read a book, or go to Home Goods!

Winter Drearies Tamarind Margarita

For those of you who want to make a blended tamarind margarita, here is a recipe that is very easy and has been very good. I use a tamarind paste (concentrate) instead of fresh tamarinds, which eliminates cooking, straining, sweetening, and other cumbersome steps. It may not be quite as good, but it's damn close.

Tamarind Margarita
2 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1 oz tamarind paste (concentrate)
1 oz simple sugar
2-3 cups ice

Combine in blender and blend until smooth. Rim glasses with chile salt. Serves 2-3.


Notes
Vary the amount of tequila based on how strong you want your drinks. The tamarind is overpowering and you probably won't taste much of the tequila.

Look for tamarind paste in Indian or Mexican markets. I use "Mr. Manish Tamarind Paste" purchased from an Indian grocery store, which contains only tamarind extract.

You may find 1 oz of tamarind paste to be a little too much. I like bold flavor and the tartness, but experiment to find the amount you like best.

Don't over blend  You want to crush the ice but still keep a somewhat watery drink. If you blend too long, the drink becomes too thick and looks kind of unappealing because of the brown color (use your imagination). 

Life isn't always a bowl of cherries

but a good Margarita recipe

ain't half bad!

heeheheehee!

October Gave a Party

October Gave A Party

The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"



Grilled Bacon Jalapeno Wraps

Ingredients: 6 fresh jalapeno peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese 12 slices bacon



Directions: Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
Spread cream cheese to fill jalapeno halves. Wrap with bacon. Secure with a toothpick.

Place on the grill, and cook until bacon is crispy.

Besides the autumn poets sing,

A few prosaic days
A little this side of the snow

And that side of the haze.

~Emily Dickinson

Mushrooms By: Hidden Valley® Ranch

"Creamy Garlic Ranch dressing brings new flavor to the classic stuffed mushroom."
Ingredients:  2 cups unseasoned small croutons 3/4 cup hot water 1/2 cup Hidden Valley® Garlic Ranch Dressing 30 medium (3-inch diameter) fresh mushrooms 3 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup chopped green pepper 1/3 cup chopped red pepper 3 tablespoons chopped green onions 1 large clove garlic, crushed
Directions: Combine croutons and hot water in medium bowl; cover. Let stand 5 minutes. Stir in Hidden Valley Garlic Ranch Dressing; set aside.
Remove stems from mushroom caps; chop stems. Cook and stir mushroom caps in butter in large skillet until lightly browned and tender. Arrange caps in shallow baking dish.
Add 1/2 cup mushroom stems, peppers, onions and garlic to skillet. Cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes, or until tender. Stir vegetables into crouton mixture. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps.
Broil 6 to 7 inches from heat source for 7 to 9 minutes, or until lightly browned and heated through.
Original Recipe Yield 15 servings

How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.

John Burroughs

So here's my plan... my birthday was yesterday and I felt loved and laughter. Being an only child, birthdays were rather uncelebrated when I was growing up. I'm a partier. I love fuss and fling. But I have also had many changes during this year of growing, ups and downs, spiritual newness. I spent the morning having blood work, a mammogram and an mri of my lt. knee. Returned to the radiology group 15 minutes later because they had done my RIGHT knee. I treated myself to breakfast out while I read my Kindle. I spoke with friends and family via texts and cell phone calls. Two friends made Beef Burgundy, Caesar Salad, Warm Crab Dip with Baguette and an Eclair Cake for my "birthday dinner" - a special text was read with enthusiasm.

Thank you to my sisters of the heart!

My sons and their loves...are always the very best!

So again... here's the plan... I'm having a girls gathering very soon with treats, wine, fall ambiance,candles lit to offer thanks to the love that is given every day of the year. Oh, and home-made pumpkin breads.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

Albert Camus

My friends are the flowers in the garden of my life. Jennifer

Friends warm your heart and home.

Not Lemons, Not Limes.... Recipes for YOU!

not pumpkins.....

mandarin oranges

Asian Noodle Toss
By: Clara Coulston
Prep Time: 5 Min
Cook Time: 15 Min
Ready In:  20 Min
Servings: 5
Ingredients
• 8 ounces uncooked thin spaghetti
• 1 (10 ounce) package julienned carrots
• 8 ounces sugar snap peas
• 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken (or shrimp_
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup stir-fry sauce



Directions:
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Stir in carrots and peas; cook 1 minute longer. Drain; place in a bowl. Add the chicken, oranges and stir-fry sauce; toss to coat.

 Avocado Mandarin Tossed Salad

Crunchy toasted pecans and slices of creamy avocado add to the variety of textures and tastes in this interesting mixture. The salad is a lovely complement to a pork roast! Pat Stevens, Granbury, Texas

Prep Time: 10 Min
Ready In: 10 Min
Servings: 6

Ingredients:


• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 4 cups torn salad greens
• 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 cup prepared Italian salad dressing

Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine the oranges, onions, pecans and pepper; refrigerate for 30 minutes. Just before serving, place the greens place the greens in a salad bowl; top with orange mixture and avocado slices. Drizzle with dressing.

a glass of wine or chilled cider, good friends and listen to the acorns fall...jennifer

Seasons Domino Effect - BONUS Recipe Included!

The Season's Domino Effect

Have you noticed that when school begins and

we pack the beach towels and bathing suits away

suddenly we spiral into fall?

I saw Halloween decor out 2 weeks ago!

Sorry, I do not like Halloween.

I'm not sure why but I haven't liked it since I was a child.

But I love Autumn and just about everything about it.

Winter is another story.

garden, harvest, home....

peace to you and beauty
Baked Onion Dip
Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped sweet onion
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese
Minced fresh parsley, optional
Assorted crackers
Directions
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt; stir in Swiss cheese. Spoon into a 1-qt. baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 325° for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Serve with crackers. Yield: 2 cups.

Fingerpring Friday - The Road to a Friend's is Never Long - A Recipe For Friday Night

Welcome Friends!

God has touched my life with girlfriends that listen, laugh, cry, encourage, travel, yard sale, junk, craft, blog.....love me and I love them right back!

the coffee talks

the recipe swaps

summer days

family ways

HONEY BLEU CHEESE SLICES

1 loaf of French bread sliced on diagonal not too thick

brush tops with olive oil and toast lightly

top with crumbled bleu cheese then drizzle honey and serve warm with a chilled Chardonnay or wine your choice.

Thank You Lord For My Friends and hopefully Being a Good One.