Sonoran Hot Dogs #OurFamilyTable

The Sonoran Hot Dog originated in Sonora, Mexico.  I first tried one when visiting our friends in Tucson, Arizona where they are very popular.

Hot dogs wrapped in bacon and grilled until crisp then placed onto a sweet that has been slathered with refried beans and topped with tomatoes, salsa verde, shredded cheese and spicy sauce.

The members of the From Our Dinner Table Group are sharing Hot Dog Recipes today.......

The Teen is Fifteen!!

So something amazing happened Thursday.  The Teen turned Fifteen.  It was a quiet day, spent putting together her birthday gift and going out to B Dubs for her Birthday Dinner. 

Then last night, the celebration began........

I think she had a very happy first birthday with us and her new extended family.......

This Beautiful Fantastic Meal inspired by the Movie #FoodnFlix

Duck Breasts pan seared to a perfect medium rare, drizzled with an amazing Blueberry Caramel.  This is one Beautiful Fantastic meal.

This wonderful meal was inspired by the movie This Beautiful Fantastic......

Savory Cheese Muffins #MuffinMonday

These garlicky muffins are filled with two different cheeses and sweet onion bits.  They are the perfect side dish for whatever you are cooking up for dinner.

It is time for Muffin Monday........

Chocolate Dream Pie #OurFamilyTable

Throwback to many of our childhoods here. This Chocolate Dream Pie is just as good as you remember.

I have fond memories of my Mom serving up this easy, no bake, back of the box recipe.  Perfect to share with you today as the members of From our Dinner Table Group celebrate No Bake Dessert Recipes.

Happy Birthday Dear Friend and The Weekly Menu

Today we are celebrating Kirsten's birthday with a casual bbq.  I have invited her Mom and John's folks over to join us.

Happy Birthday Dear Kirsten.....Happy Birthday to you.......

Oysters on the Half Shell #FishFridayFoodies

I love putting out a tray of oysters on the half shell at parties.  They are always a hit and such a treat for seafood lovers who seldom get the opportunity to indulge.

Join me and the rest of the Fish Friday Foodie gang as we share Fish/Seafood Appetizers today.....

Tiramisu Cake #TheCakeSliceBakers

This delicious dessert is served up in cake form for an elegant and beautiful presentation.

Welcome to the World of the Cake Slice Bakers............

Sourdough Bacon Waffles #FantasticalFoodFight

Tender delicious waffles filled with flavorful bacon bits are a great way to start your family's busy summer days.

The Fantastical Food Fight team are kicking butt with Sourdough Recipes today.......

Coconut Ciroc Martini #NationalMartiniDay

Are you a Martini lover?  I must admit that if you are talking about a traditional Martini, made with Gin, Vermouth and an olive garnish....not so much.  I thought changing the Gin to Vodka might help but I didn't like that any better.

Luckily the term "Martini" has evolved over the years to include just about anything served up in a Martini glass.  This makes it possible for me to join in celebrating National Martini Day with the Festive Foodies group.

Chicken Enchilada Soup and A Book Review #LitHappens

Filled with all the flavors of Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas this soup is ready in less than an hour.  Serve with a side of Corn Bread and a Margarita for a Fiesta in the middle of the week.

I made up this soup for a busy Taco Tuesday dinner after running errands all day.  We got home from the orthodontist, our last stop, and were starving.  This soup, using leftover chicken, was ready in half an hour.  That is a Win/Win in my book.  A quick, delicious meal that uses leftovers......

Patriotic Fruit and Cheese Skewers and The Weekly Menu #OurFamilyTable

These adorable little Red, White and Blue Skewers are perfect to serve up poolside or at your picnic on Independence Day.

Fruit and Cheese go so well together and are great for appetizers, sides with grilled meat or dessert.  The members of  the From our Dinner Table Group are sharing Patriotic Party Ideas today........

Life's Simple Pleasures; Caramelized Onion Cheese Soup and a Glass of Rosé #SoupSaturdaySwapper #FrenchWinophiles

Life doesn't get much better than a bowl of creamy, rich, hot soup and a cold glass of clear, crisp Rosé from Languedoc.

This soup starts with Caramelized Onions and finishes with plenty of Gruyere cheese for creamy richness that welcomes the acidity and dryness of  Rosé wine.  Join me today as The French Winophiles collide with Soup Saturday Swappers.......

Hibiscus Iced Tea Margarita #IcedTea

This delicious Margarita is not only gorgeous to look at but it is refreshing and delicious as well.  A perfect summer cocktail to serve up poolside.

It's National Iced Tea Month........

Avocado Cupcakes with Lime Frosting #ImprovCookingChallenge #NationalCupcakeLoversDay

These amazing cupcakes get their tender crumb from the addition of avocado and their citrusy flavor from lime zest and juice.  Your family is going to love them and won't even realize you have sneaked veggies into their treat.

This amazing creation is what happens when National Cupcake Lover's Day collides with the Improv Cooking Challenge!

Summer Shandy Beer Bread #BreadBakers

Containing only 4 ingredients and 3 items for clean-up, this delicious homemade bread is ready in less than an hour.  Using Summer Shandy gives this beer bread a bright summery flavor.

Join the Bread Bakers as we bake up Quick Bread today.......

Date Glazed Beef Kebabs #EattheWorld

These amazing Kebabs are loaded with Middle Eastern flavors of dates, pomegranate and pine nuts.  They are quick to make and cook up in just a few minutes on the grill.

We are visiting Israel this month as we Eat the World.......

Strawberry Shortcake Bars #BakingBloggers

All the delicious goodness of strawberry shortcake in cookie bar form topped with glazed strawberries and homemade whipped cream.  YUM!!!

Join the Baking Bloggers today as we share recipes Baked with Summer Berries......

Blue Lemonade #OurFamilyTable

This refreshing and beautiful cocktail is perfect to serve at your next BBQ or Pool Party.

Join me and the other members of From Our Dinner Table Group as we share Sensational Summer Cocktails.

Grilled Chicken Caesar paired with a South African Chenin Blanc #WinePW

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts marinated in Caesar dressing before being grilled to tender juicy perfection, chopped up and served along with salad greens also tossed in Caesar dressing and topped with crunchy garlic croutons.

This is not only the perfect summer meal, it was also a perfect pairing for a bottle of South African Chenin Blanc provided by sponsor KWV Wines.  All opinions and writings are completely my own.  I received no monetary compensation for this post.

The Final Week of School and The Weekly Menu

Today was the last full school week for the Teen.  Next week is finals, two full days to prepare and 3 half days to take the exams.  She has been exempted from two of the exams so will only be attending for a quarter of a day on two of those.

The weather around here has still been humid with thunderstorms but the Teen and her friend managed to fit in some pool time in between the storms.

Spiced Beef Kabobs #FoodieExtravaganza

These delicious sirloin kabobs spiced with ground coriander and served with a lemony mint yogurt sauce are the perfect addition to your next appetizer buffet.

Join the gang at Foodie Extravaganza as we celebrate World Tapas Day........

Roasted Rack of Lamb and a Book Review #CooktheBooks

Tender, juicy rack of lamb rubbed with herbs and roasted to your desired temperature before being cut into chops for serving.  I like mine a little more on the rare side as you can see.  When serving guests I make two racks, one more rare and one more medium rare, to please every palate.

This roasted lamb was inspired by our Cook the Books selection this period......

Cheese and Spinach Ravioli Casserole #OurFamilyTable

This easy peasy casserole goes together quickly and makes a delicious one pot meal.

We are celebrating National Dairy Month with the From Our Dinner Table Group......

Jumping for Joy! It is June and here is the Weekly Menu

May is normally one of my favorite months.  We were married in May. Frank's birthday is in May.  Mother's Day is in May.  The gardens start blooming. The birds start singing. The weather starts warming. The sun starts shining.  Wait.  What!!!  What sun?  I can count on one hand the number of days we have had sunshine in May.  I have been suffering the Gray Sky Blues....big time.

But June is here and hopefully blue skies and sunshine are on the way.......