Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Backyard Barbecue #RecipeRoundup and a #Giveaway

 

Welcome to the August Recipe Round-Up! This months round-up brings you Summer-time recipes for a backyard barbecue perfect for those hot August days! Our bloggers are sharing their favorite recipes with you, including breakfast, side dishes and snacks, main dishes and ((of course)) dessert. Come check out what we are bringing you this month! Plus we have another amazing GIVEAWAY that you don't want to miss!!


Vodka Collins #KitchenMatrixCookingProject

This cocktail is perfect for hot summer weather.  It is cold, bright, sparkling and refreshing.


This is the final July recipe of the Kitchen Matrix Cooking Project.....Cheers!!

Monday, July 30, 2018

Fresh Peach Streusel Muffins #MuffinMonday

Tender delicious cake studded with fresh peaches and topped with a savory streusel, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, a snack or dessert.  Try them warmed and topped with ice cream....YUM.


Welcome to Muffin Monday.........

Friday, July 27, 2018

Instant Pot Baked Beans and the Weekly Menu

Dried beans from cupboard to dinner table in an instant.  The classic dish that used to take hours to prepare is now ready in the time it take you to prepare the rest of your meal.



Isn't it hard to believe it's the end of July already?  Where does the time go?

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Watermelon Salad #KitchenMatrixCookingProject

Juicy chunks of watermelon tossed with feta, cucumbers and tomatoes and seasoned with mint makes the perfect summer side for your next get together.


Sunday, July 22, 2018

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Soupe au Pistou paired with Rosé #SoupSaturdaySwappers #Winophiles

Who says soup is only for the wintertime?  It would be a shame to miss out on all of the wonderful summer veggies available at Farmer's Markets across the Country right now.



This wonderful soup inspired by the Provence area of France is the perfect summer dinner choice. Especially when paired with a Rosé wine from the same region.

Friday, July 20, 2018

Salmon Burgers to say Farewell to #CrazyIngredientChallenge #FishFridayFoodies

Tender flakes of salmon mixed with panko and egg, shaped into patties and cooked to perfection on a grill.  Served up with lettuce, tomato and a dollop of Lime/Caper Mayo, these make for the perfect Fish Friday barbecue.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Pineapple Coconut Cake #BundtBakers

All the Tropical Flavors of a Pina Colada in a Bundt Pan.  This moist, delicious cake with just a hint of rum is sure to be a success at your next Luau or Island Party.


The Bundt Bakers are headed to the Tropics today.  Come see what we are sharing...…

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Filet Mignon on a Stick #FantasticalFoodFight

Tender, juicy beef tenderloin skewered with parboiled potatoes, onions and mushrooms makes for a complete meal on a stick.


Welcome to Fantastical Food Fight...…

Beer Braised Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut #HotDogDay

Hot Dogs braised in Dark Beer until they are nice and plump, then cooked on the grill until browned and caramelized topped with Sauerkraut that has been lightly sweetened with brown sugar and braised in a fruity beer.....


Join us as we celebrate National #HotDogDay!!

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Beet Pickled Eggs #KitchenMatrixCookingProject


These pickled eggs are not only delicious but are also very pretty having been pickled along with the beets.


They are perfect as a snack, as part of a meal or as an appetizer....

Monday, July 16, 2018

Murietta's Well Virtual Wine Tasting and the Pairings We Have Enjoyed

I was very excited to receive these wonderful samples of Murietta's Well wines from Snooth with a request to join in a Virtual Wine Tasting.


They requested no other action from me other than participation in the Wine Tasting.  I have chosen to write about the experience today.  All opinions, thoughts and content are completely my own.

Saturday, July 14, 2018

Chilling out with Green Barn Winery #WinePW


My husband and I were driving through Smith's Creek, a tiny little town about an hour north of our tiny little town, when we saw this sign.

We have a winery near us??  You don't say...….

Friday, July 13, 2018

Lemon Custard Ice Cream featuring Nielsen-Massey Organic Lemon Extract #Sponsored

I received a lovely bottle of Organic Pure Lemon Extract from Neilsen-Massey for the creation of this recipe.  All opinions, thoughts, photos and ideas are mine alone.


Enjoy this delightful, bright, creamy, frozen custard during these Dog Days of summer.


Thursday, July 12, 2018

Roasted Red Peppers with Olives and Cheese #ImprovCookingChallenge

This wonderful salad is the perfect addition to your next Charcuterie Board or Appetizer Tray.  It is so simple to throw together that I'm almost embarrassed to share it with you...….


Almost, but not quite because it is so delicious and perfect for those impromptu summer get togethers. 

Welcome to this month's edition of the Improv Cooking Challenge.....

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Wine from Where? #WinePW Invitation Post

Where do you think of when you think of wine country?  France? California? 

Wherever comes to mind chances are that it is not Michigan.  For those who live here, we might think of the wineries located on the west side of our State.  The climate and terroir surrounding Lake Michigan make perfect conditions for growing grapes.



But what about Michigan's Thumb?  That flat area that is filled with cornfields, soybean fields and dairy farms?  Can fruit for wine be grown successfully in this area? 

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Pavlova with Kiwi and a Book Review #EattheWorld

Crispy on the outside these meringues melt in your mouth when you bite into them.  Topped with whipped cream and sliced kiwis, it makes a wonderful pavlova.  Much like you would find when visiting New Zealand.


Come join in the fun as we "Eat the World"...…

Coconut Flour Pancakes #BreadBakers

These tender and delicious pancakes are made with coconut flour offering a gluten free option for breakfast.


Join us as we explore Gluten Free recipes with our Bread Bakers group today...…

Peach Gazpacho Shooters #KitchenMatrixCookingProject

These fun summer Gazpacho Shooters are filled with fresh peaches and vegetables.  You can add some vodka for a festive, adult version.


They are the perfect start to your next al fresco dinner party.....

Monday, July 9, 2018

Instant Pot Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake #BakingBloggers

This delicious cheesecake is creamy, rich and delicious.  It is flavored with a Lemon Blueberry Jam and cooked using an Instant Pot.


Purple Haze Jam Ice Cream #IceCreamSocial


This super simple, three ingredient homemade ice cream is fun and easy to make.  Grab your favorite toddler and make some summertime memories...…


July is National Ice Cream Month and we are having an Ice Cream Social...…

Saturday, July 7, 2018

A Rosé By Any Other Name #ItalianFWT

Being from the USA, I never thought that I liked Rosé wine.  I thought all Rosé wine was cloyingly sweet like a White Zinfandel.  Then I was introduced to some Rosé wines from France and discovered that not only did I like them....I loved them.



So when I was given the opportunity to receive some samples from Chiaretto Pink along with my fellow bloggersin the ItalianFWT group.  I leapt at the opportunity and was I ever glad that I did.

I received two bottles of Chiaretto Rosé for sampling purposes.  I received no monetary compensation.  All opinions and thoughts are my own and here they are...….


Friday, July 6, 2018

Easy Cherry Turnovers and the Weekly Menu

These flaky, little tarts filled with sour cherry pie filling and drizzled with glaze are quick to bake up and fancy enough to serve to guests.


Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Pretzel Crusted Chicken Strips #FoodieExtravaganza


Tender strips of chicken breasts dredged in sourdough pretzel crumbs and fried to a crispy golden brown.  These amazing chicken strips are perfect for dinner served with traditional sides or as appetizers with honey mustard for dipping.


It's time for a Holiday Edition of Foodie Extravaganza.  Happy Birthday America!!!!

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Korean Wings #KitchenMatrixCookingProject

These wings are sure to be a hit at your next backyard get together.  Slow grilled and then tossed in Asian flavors and seared golden brown they are the epitome of what wings should be.


Monday, July 2, 2018

My Leap of Faith and The Weekly Menu

So each year I try to learn or try something new. I have learned to quilt and paint. I have ran in a 5k. I have kickboxed, taken tae kwon do, practiced yoga, and shook my booty in Zumba classes. I have gone up in a hot air balloon, gone ziplining, parasailing, and scuba diving.   I have started a blog, planted some trees, raised chickens and turkeys and pigs. I learned to can, traveled to a lot of new places, tried a lot of new foods and recipes and  explored new wines and new wine regions.  I have hiked woods, and trails and mountains.  I have gone rock climbing, rappelling and white water rafting.  I have gone sport fishing, hunting and tubing.  I have taken in exchange students and gotten licensed for foster care.  I have started and ran a food pantry.  I have scrapbooked and made my own greeting cards.  I have taken guitar lessons, roller skating lessons and dance lessons.  The guitar and roller skating lessons were a fail but I can still say I did it.

And this year to celebrate turning the big 60.....I did this...…


Sky diving was an amazing experience and I am so glad that I did it.  It is not something I would want to do constantly, like scuba diving, but I am definitely glad that I got to experience it and wouldn't hesitate to do it again should the opportunity arrive but first I need to continue on this journey I call life with some of the other things I haven't yet been able to do.

I still have tons of places to go, things to learn and sights to see before my bucket list is empty.  What's next on your bucket list?

I was giddy all weekend long but now I have calmed down and am ready to share our Weekly Menu.

Saturday night we went to 4 pm Mass and then John and Kirsten brought steaks over to put on the grill and we hung out in the pool.  Kirsten's mom joined us and then invited us to her house on the river to watch the fireworks.

Sunday we drove out to the residential home in which the eldest of the girls we are hoping to adopt is living.  We spent the day with her and had a session with her therapist.  Hopefully she will be moving in with us very soon now.

Monday, I am going over to my friend, Kim's, house.  She is home for all the Mondays of July and will be giving yoga lessons.

We are back to having the Angel Face on Tuesdays now which means we will be doing our weekly visit with Aunt Irene on Wednesdays when we take her home. But since this week Wednesday is 4th of July we will be going on Thursday.

We also get to have our Little Miss on Friday this week because Mama has a wedding to attend. I'm hoping we can take her to see Incredibles 2 in the afternoon.  Kim and Kurt are joining us for dinner Friday night.

So, that's our week in a nutshell.  I am sharing a recipe for Baked Beans that I made using the Instant Pot Saturday night.  This recipe was inspired by this one over at Little House Big Alaska. You will find it following the Weekly Menu.

Saturday-John, Kirsten and Caroline
Grilled Steaks
Garlic Potato Package
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Kiwi Pavlova

Sunday
Out for dinner with M the eldest

Meatless Monday
Marinated Peppers with Olives and Cheese
Grilled Cheesy Garlic Bread
Farm Market Vegetable Soup in a Crockpot

Toddler Tuesday
Hot Dogs
Fresh Veggies and Dip

Wednesday-4th of July
Peach Gazpacho Shooters
Grilled Salmon Burgers
Grilled Hamburgers
Pickled Eggs
Watermelon Salad
Jam Ice Cream
Instant Pot Cheesecake

Thursday
Carry out at Aunt Irene's

Friday-Kim and Kurt for dinner
Pesto Bruschetta with Grape Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Chicken and Vegetable Packets
Pina Colada Bundt Cake







Sunday, July 1, 2018

Firecracker Roll #July4th

Tender almond flavored sponge cake wrapped around whipped cream studded with Strawberries and Blueberries.  Let's get ready to celebrate our Country's Birthday.