Small Batch Zucchini Blueberry Muffins #MuffinMonday

 I'm still working on using up zucchini here on the farm.   These tender, tasty muffins were breakfast one morning using up some of the zucchini and a handful of blueberries that were in the refrigerator.  

It's time for Muffin Monday.......

Fuzzy Melba #SundayFunday

Made with fresh peaches and raspberries, this frozen drink is the perfect summertime cocktail.

It is also the perfect way to celebrate Peaches with the Sunday Funday Bloggers........

A Fun Lunch Date and the Weekly Menu

Our vacation plans got stalled last week so we ended up staying home and taking care of some business.  All was good.  Frank's eye is healing properly.  His second heart doctor was amazed at the shape he was in for his age, especially considering what he has been through in the past year. 

Tuesday night a huge storm went through our area and power was out for over 24 hrs.  I went and took care of the food pantry distribution and when I came home we invited our neighbors to join us in the pool.  We, fortunately, have a whole house generator so weren't affected by the power outage.  

On Thursday we took a ride out to Blake's Farms and Cider Mill.  They have a restaurant and tasting room so we decided to relax and have some fun before we ran some errands.  Frank ordered a glass of their house Merlot and I ordered up a flight of hard ciders for tasting.

Frank ordered up a burger and I had the best sandwich of brie and apple jam grilled on sourdough bread.  OH MY YUM....

Yesterday we met up with Nicole and Pierre for breakfast.  Pierre's birthday is a couple of days before mine and this was the first opportunity we have had to get together to celebrate.  We also celebrated a new job for Nicole.  After 20 years in the restaurant business she is going into a completely different field.  

This afternoon we have a baby shower to attend.  Next week is, again, filled with doc appointments.  It has been one year since Frank's ppc crash and all of the doc's (and there were tons of them) want to see their walking miracle and make sure he is healing properly.  

So here is the weekly menu.  Please stop back each day as I share bits and pieces of our life here on the farm.  What's on your menu this week?

Saturday

Baby Shower

Sunday Supper

Italian Grilled Chicken Breasts

Tomatoes Marchigiano Style 

Rice Pudding

Meatless Monday

Zucchini Fritters

Taco Tuesday

Shredded Beef Tacos

Wine Wednesday

Chicken Cook Up Rice

Thursday

Ground Beef Stir Fry

Scallion Bread

Fish Friday

Roasted Sea Bass

Light up the Grill and Open that Bottle of Jumilla Wine #WorldWineTravel

Boneless Pork Loin, marinated, seasoned with a rub, placed on the rotisserie and then finished with a bbq sauce makes a great dinner as it is and in planned leftovers for the rest of the week.

I paired this roast with a red blend from Taja Vineyards in Jumilla, Spain.........

Cornbread Waffles #NationalWaffleDay

This cornbread is made up in a waffle maker for extra crispness that makes a great "plate" for your favorite chili recipe.  

It is National Waffle Day and the Festive Foodies are celebrating........

Roasted Veggie Couscous #SundayFunday

This is a quick and delicious side dish for whatever you are serving up for dinner.  You can use seasonal vegetables and roast them on a closed gas grill or in the oven depending on the weather. 

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Meal Accompaniments today................

Slow Cooker Mushroom Soup with a Jura Trosseau #SoupSaturdaySwappers #FrenchWinophiles

This soup is not only comforting and delicious but it is mostly hands off.  Place three different types of mushrooms into a slow cooker with some onions and spices and walk away for 4-5 hours.  When you are ready to eat all it needs is a quick puree and a little bit of cream.  

Soup Saturday Swappers are sharing Mushroom Soups today.......

Sweet and Spicy Scallops #FishFridayFoodies

These delicious, tender scallops are marinated in a sweet and spicy bbq sauce and then basted with the sauce while they bake.  They are a perfect first course for your next al fresco dinner party.

The Fish Friday Foodies are serving up Appetizers today.......

Peach Upside Down Cake and the Weekly Menu #CakeSliceBakers

Fresh peaches are in season in Michigan right now and I am one happy camper.  This delicious cake starts with fresh peaches cooked in a caramel sauce and then topped with a simple white cake.  So very good.

It's time for the Cake Slice Bakers...............

Melted Blueberry Ice Cream Cake #BundtBakers

Just 3 ingredients and you have a wonderful dessert to take with you to your next outdoor gathering.  I added a blueberry compote that also takes only 3 ingredients.  Life is good and tasty.

The Bundt Bakersa are sharing cakes that start with melted ice cream......

Wine Wednesday with #L'Ecole Syrah

Here in the Midwest, when someone says come over for a bbq what they are really saying is come over and we will put meat on the grill, have some side dishes and perhaps eat outside if it is early enough and the mosquitos are not threatening to carry you away.

So when L'Ecole sent me two bottles of their 2018 Syrah and a tech sheet saying that it was the perfect wine for BBQ, that is where my mind went.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas #MultiCookerMonday

These steak fajitas are cooked in the slow cooker and then do a quick broil for color and texture before being sliced and returned to the pot for serving.  It is a great way to free up time, especially if having a fiesta and feeding a crowd.

It's time for Multi-Cooker Monday.......

Spaghetti cacio e pepe #SundayFunday

Cacio e pepe translates to cheese and pepper.  This easy, tasty pasta dish is perfect for busy nights when you walk in the door with the hangries and need to get dinner on the table fast.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Roman recipes today in honor of Caesar Augustus......

Tang Cheesecake #FoodnFlix

How about a blast from the past with this Easy No Bake Tang Cheesecake.  Do you remember Tang from when you were a child?  They still sell this iconic orange drink and it makes a wonderful sweet and tart cheesecake.

It's time for FoodnFlix.......

Polish Potato Bread, A Book Review and the Weekly Menu

This loaf of bread made with russet potatoes is hearty and delicious.  It is a moist dough so it needs to be baked in a loaf pan as opposed to being shaped and baked on it's own. 

I was inspired to make this bread after reading The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer.......

Tomato and Eggplant Tian paired with Two Amphora Wines from Portugal #ImprovCookingChallenge #WinePW

This delicious seasonal casserole contains layers of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and onion that are topped with shredded parmesan and broiled to a golden brown.  

I made this delicious dish as part of the Improv Cooking Challenge and paired it with some Amphora Wines for our Wine Pairing Weekend.  I can't wait to share the results with you......

Tart Cherry Preserves #FoodieExtravaganza

Every year our daughter picks all the tart cherries off of her tree and gifts them to family and friends.  She doesn't keep any for herself but she does get back tenfold in gifts back using the cherries.   This year I turned them into preserves.

I have invited the Festive Foodies to join me in Preserving Summer's Bounty........

Celebrating the Algonquin Indian Tribe with 3 Sisters Casserole Skillet #EattheWorld

Indigenous tribes of the USA and Canada relied  on the "Three Sister Crops" for much of their food.  These crops are Beans, Corn and Squash.  They grew abundantly back then and they continue to grow abundantly today.  Our Farmer's Markets are full of these items that were introduced to us by the Native American tribes that had their homes here before our arrival.

I made this vegetarian skillet casserole using the 3 Sisters in honor of the Algonquin Indians who were native to my hometown of Algonac, Michigan.  We are Eating the World........

Sourdough Focaccia with Italian Herbs and Spices #BreadBakers

This delicious focaccia starts with sourdough and is topped with Italian Herbs and Spices.  It is a perfect accompaniment with dinner or is wonderful as a part of a charcuterie platter.

The Bread Bakers are serving up spiced savory breads today......

Baked Corn Pudding #BakingBloggers

My family, well mostly my husband, wants corn on the table nearly every dinner.  Especially during the summer when corn is so plentiful.  So when corn is in season I buy a ton of it and much of it goes into the freezer for the rest of the year.  

He is always thrilled when I give him this delicious, custard-like, corn pudding during the off season.  Your family will be thrilled with it as well so print this recipe out, stock your freezer with the sweet, tasty corn in season right now and remember to stop back and thank me when you make this wonderful and easy casserole.

The Baking Bloggers are sharing Sweet Corn recipes today.......

Beer Pretzel Nuggets #SundayFunday

These pretzel nuggets made with a full can of beer and white whole wheat flour are a fun, little, pop in the mouth treat.  I served them up with some Honey Mustard for dipping.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are opening up beers for today's event........

Zucchini Cream Pie and the Weekly Menu #CooktheBooks

Our Cook the Books selection for August/September is the novel Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber chosen by Deb of Kahakai Kitchen.

I loved this novel.............

Mushroom Bourguignon #FarmersMarketWeek

This delicious meal is just as tasty as the beef version but without the meat.   Chock full of vegetables the mushrooms add the umami so your family will never miss the beef.

This is my final recipe for Farmer's Market Week......

Uccellini-Scappati and a Nebbiolo from Lombardy #ItalianFWT

Scrumptious pork cutlets filled with pancetta, sun-dried tomatoes and sage covered in a savory red wine sauce.

We are visiting Lombardia this month with our Italian Food Wine and Travel group.......

Potato Puffs #FoodieExtravaganza

What do you get when you combine mashed potatoes with pate a choux?  These amazing and delicious Potato Puffs.  How fun is that?!!

We are celebrating National Potato Day.......

Stir Fry Chicken with Blistered Green Beans #FarmersMarketWeek

This quick and easy stir fry is chock full of vegetables that complement each other. Green Beans and Tomatoes grow together and go together perfectly.  Both are in season and abundant right now, take advantage of it.

Today is Day 2 of Farmer's Market Week.......

Brussels and Bowties #FarmersMarketWeek

Bowtie pasta tossed with fresh herbs and sauteed brussels sprouts is a perfect, seasonal Meatless Monday meal.  

We are celebrating Farmer's Markets with the Festive Foodies all week long......

Grilled Kielbasa Sandwiches #SundayFunday

These grilled kielbasa sandwiches are scrumptious.  What takes them right over the top of any others you may have had is the grilled pineapple relish. Sooooo good.

It's time for Sunday Funday........