Uova al Cirighet and a Book Review

A perfectly fried egg drizzled with lemon-and-herb sauce is a popular first course in Northern Italy's Piedmont region.  

Blueberry Swiss Roll and a Book Review #SundayFunday #CooktheBooks

 Tender lemony sponge cake, filled with blueberry mascarpone cream, and rolled into a neat little package.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Sponge Cake Recipes today..........

Veggie Wraps and the Weekly Menu

Easy to make and lovely to serve, these little bites of goodness will be a big hit at any end-of-summer gathering or as an addition to lunchboxes as the kids return to school and life gets busier and more complicated again...

Q is for Quiche

Fresh Corn Quiche with Pancetta and Jalapenos, topped with Cheese and a smooth Custard that magically creates its own crust.

Q is for Quiche.......

Campfire Potatoes #SundayFunday

 We have been having a great summer with lots of outdoor cooking both at home and while traveling in the RV.  These easy, delicious potatoes are perfect whether made on a gas grill, over a campfire, or on a charcoal fire.  They are the perfect side for whatever else is being cooked up, and the leftovers make great fried potatoes in the morning.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are cooking up spuds today.......

Grilled Zucchini Carbonara and the Weekly Menu #FarmersMarketWeek

 We celebrated National Sneak Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day earlier this week.  I was, in fact, gifted Zucchini from my neighbor.  If you aren't that lucky, pick some up next time you are at your local Farmers Market because you are going to want to make this delicious Grilled Zucchini Carbonara.....

Today is the final day of Farmers Market Week......

Sweet Corn Risotto with Shrimp #FarmersMarketWeek

 It is sweet corn season in Michigan.  Everywhere you look, there are tables of sweet corn.  Farmers' Markets, Roadside Stands, Front Yards, Local Gardens.  Our favorite place to get sweet corn is from a stand that opens each year called Potato Joe's.  He has, hands down, the best sweet corn around.

Welcome to Day 2 of Farmers Market Week.........

Ham and Cheese Stuffed Bread #BreadBakers

I served these rolls, stuffed with ham and provolone, with bowls of Norwegian Fish Chowder, known as Fiskesuppe, for dinner one night and the remainder for breakfast the following day.  They would also make a great lunchbox meal.

The Bread Bakers are serving up Stuffed Buns today........

Summer Chicken Stew #FarmersMarketWeek

 I call this Summer Chicken Stew, not only because it is chock-full of the flavors of the season, but also because it is cooked using a slow cooker, perfect for hot summer days when you don't want to heat up the house.

Welcome to Farmer's Market Week........

Fiskesuppe; #EattheWorld meets #MoviesandMunchies

A delicious, creamy fish chowder perfect as a starter or a light meal.  This is one of the best fish chowders that I have ever enjoyed.  The pop of dill and lemon added right before serving is a game-changer.

We are traveling to Norway today as we Eat the World.......

Two Cultures Collide bringing a Bundle of Joy

 Our fifth child is from China.  She joined our family as an exchange student almost 20 years ago and quickly became a child of our hearts.  In June of 2024, she married a wonderful man from France.

Garlic Basil Wax Beans #SundayFunday

What's better than having a garden?  Having a generous neighbor with a garden.  I was gifted a gorgeous batch of yellow wax beans the other day.  I cooked them simply so as to relish their deliciousness.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Fresh Vegetable recipes today.......

La Cantera Reserva and Ribs with a Temparanillo Glaze and the Weekly Menu #WinePW

Baby Back Ribs with a Spanish-inspired rub, glazed with a mixture of honey, chili sauce, and Temparanillo Wine that I opened to pair with dinner.

We are celebrating Spanish Wine Pairings for Summer with our Wine Pairing Weekend group.

P is for Popsicles

Popsicles for Breakfast?  Why not?  I surprised my grands with these nutritious, delicious popsicles for breakfast while we were camping.  They thought they were being indulged because we were on vacation, but I knew that they were getting all the healthy ingredients of a yogurt bowl in popsicle form.

P is for Popsicle............

Sufferin' Succotash it's the Weekly Menu #SundayFunday

 Corn season has arrived in Michigan.  My husband is ecstatic, and I am here, once again, trying to think of applications for this vegetable that he insists on eating Every. Single. Day.  it is in season.

I decided to ask the other Sunday Funday Bloggers to get corny with me so I could have some new ideas for this season.

RV Life-2026 Edition- A Return to Frankenmuth and the Weekly Menu

We enjoyed our visit to Jellystone Park in Frankenmuth so much last year that we decided to revisit this year. 

Last year, Little Miss M got sick and was unable to join us.  The Angel Face had such a good time that she suggested we come back this year so Little Miss M could enjoy it with us.  Frank's cousin and her husband also bring their grandkids to this park each year, so we coordinated our visit.  

Boursin and Salmon Bagel #SundayFunday

I always look for easy-to-make, portable foods when camping.  This Boursin Cheese and Smoked Salmon bagel was the perfect breakfast while camping last week.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are having a Bagel Fest.......

O is for Old Fashioned

This delicious, classic cocktail has a twist: crisp apple cider added to the mix, creating an Apple Cider Old Fashioned.  Cheers!!

O is for Old Fashioned.......

Carlota de Limón #SundayFunday

What to do when the theme for your Sunday Funday Blogging group is Cakes around the World, and temps are at record highs while air quality is at record lows?  You make an Icebox cake from Mexico that is quick, easy, delicious, and requires absolutely no baking!!

It's time for Sunday Funday, and we need a reason to have some fun after being stuck inside for the past few days while our poor Canadian neighbors are devastated by the wildfires consuming their land.

The Promise Girls; A Book Review and the Weekly Menu

The Promise Girls by Marie Bostwick is the story of 3 sisters born to a mother with high aspirations she wanted to live out through them.   She raised them as a single parent, writing a novel about how they had been conceived in test tubes using sperm from artistic geniuses, and that they were now, due to genetics and nurturing, budding artists and geniuses themselves.

2 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream #IceCreamSocial

Ok, you caught me.....I lied.  This Ice Cream is supposed to be only 2 ingredients, but I had to add a little milk to get the consistency I wanted.  So I guess this is actually 3-ingredient ice cream, unless your bananas are a little riper and creamier than mine.  

We are having an Ice Cream Social today........

Instant Pot Chicken Mac and Cheese #SundayFunday

This Chicken Mac and Cheese is made in an Instant Pot.  Ready in less time than it would take to bring the cooking water to a boil to prepare the noodles, with no need to turn on the oven on these hot summer days.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Mac and Cheese Recipes today......

Galettes Completes paired with a Vigné-Lourac Les Perles and the Weekly Menu #FrenchWinophiles

Pour yourself a glass of this Vigné-Lourac Les Perles and imagine you are sitting at a French café, people watching, as you enjoy this classic French Brunch dish.

N is for Noodles

This Chicken Caprese Noodle Salad is a great main course for those hot summer days.  All the flavors you love in a Caprese Salad tossed with Spinach, Noodles, and Chicken.

N is for Noodles.......

Coconut Crusted Chicken #SundayFunday

 Tender strips of chicken, dredged in coconut flour, egg, and a panko/coconut flour mixture, then pan-fried in coconut oil and finished in the oven.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing recipes using Coconut Flour today........

250 years of Independence and the Weekly Menu

 

I remember 1976, when we were celebrating our country's 200th anniversary.  I was so excited and proud to be an American.  I was a young adult and had just had my second child, my son, Chuck.  His room was decorated in Red, White, and Blue.  Our country was recovering from the Watergate scandal, and we had great hopes for the future.

North Carolina Recap and the Weekly Menu

We were barely home from our vacation in Greece when we repacked and headed to North Carolina for a long weekend.  We started our adventure on Thursday, heading to a hotel near the airport because we had an early-morning flight on Friday.

We met up with Jim and Sharon, and then went to Leonardo's for dinner, where we reviewed information for a Vietnam tour, provided by our Travel Agent, Denise of Travel Tiger Vacations. 

Quick and Easy Poutine #SundayFunday

Enjoy a plateful of comfort as we support our neighboring country in celebrating Canada Day!  Poutine is a classic Canadian dish from Quebec that consists of French Fries and Cheese Curds tossed in a rich brown gravy.  

The Rangoon Ruby and a Book Review

This iconic drink was made popular by Trader Vic's during the 1960's and is similar to the Cape Codder or the current-day Vodka and Cranberry. The Rangoon Ruby was documented in Trader Vic's Pacific Island Cookbook.

I first heard about this cocktail while reading The Island Club by Nicola Harrison.

M is for Melon

I enjoyed this refreshing summer salad as a light dinner one evening, so I put together just enough for one person.  It would make a great dish to take to a potluck or to serve with dinner when you are grilling.  It can be made to serve 1 or 50, with ingredient adjustments to fit your menu.

M is for Melon........

Pork and Sweet Potato Skewers and the Weekly Menu

Summertime is grilling time here on the farm, and I love trying new recipes.  This recipe uses marinated pork tenderloin, parboiled sweet potatoes, and chunks of fresh pineapple skewered together and grilled to tender, juicy perfection.  

Who Doesn't Love a Bar? #CooktheBooks

Our Cook the Books selection for June/July is Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J Ryan Stradal, chosen by Simona of Briciole.

Happy to be Home and Ready to Resume my Michigan Summer with the Weekly Menu

We had a glorious 12-day stay in Greece.  You can read all about it and see photos in this post.  As always, we are happy to be home. While we were gone, Marissa's sister moved back to Michigan. We are excited to get reacquainted with her.

Greek Wines outside of Santorini #WorldWineTravel

 I just happened to be vacationing in Greece during this World Wine Travel event, in which Camilla of Culinary Cam invited us to explore up-and-coming wine regions.  I  was not too familiar with Greek wines, but I did know that Santorini is the most popular wine region.  I decided to explore Greek Wines outside of Santorini.

A Great Getaway to Greece.

Day 1 and 2- A looooong and tiring flight that lasted from 9 PM ET on 6/1 and ended at 10 PM (Greece Time) on 6/2 that included a 2 1/2 hour delay in CDG as we sat on the plane at the gate awaiting to take the last leg of our flight.  We arrived at the hotel, checked in, ordered room service, showered, and crashed.

Perros Calientes (Venezuelan Hot Dogs) #EattheWorld

A popular street food in Venezuela, these hot dogs are dressed with cabbage, onions, and crunchy potato sticks, then drizzled with a savory sauce.

We are traveling to Venezuela today as we Eat the World.......

L is for Lemon

Marinating these pork chops in lemon, olive oil,  and Mediterranean seasoning before grilling guarantees moist, tasty results.

L is for Lemon........

Greek Yogurt and Blueberry Oat Muffins #BreadBakers

These high-protein, low-processed sugar, and fiber-loaded muffins are very moist and delicious.  Make sure you allow time for them to cool completely before serving.  This is one of those recipes that I enjoyed more the second day.

The Bread Bakers are sharing breakfast breads today.......

Green Goddess Dressing #SundayFunday

Looking for a great summer side dish for your next cookout?  This super-easy veggie tray featuring Green Goddess Dressing is perfect with whatever you are cooking up.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Cookout Ideas today......

Grilled Carrots #SundayFunday

 Grilling carrots is a wonderful way to bring out their sweetness while still leaving them tender-crisp.  

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are featuring Carrots today.......

A Frittata for Shadow Friends

 I was recently provided with an early-release copy of Tess Gerritsen's 3rd book in the Martini Club Series, The Shadow Friends.

I wish to thank Tess Gerritsen and NetGalley for this opportunity.  I received this book in return for an honest review on the NetGalley page and on this blog.  I did not receive any monetary compensation, and all writings and opinions are my own.

K is for Kale and a Book Review

Baby Kale Salad with Steak and Citrus Vinaigrette is a delicious, healthy, and enjoyable meal now that the weather is breaking and the grill is fired up.

K is for Kale......

Remembering Memorial Day-Greek Orzo Salad and a Book Review

Let us take a moment before we begin the busyness of our day to offer silent gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms and benefits we enjoy each day.

photo courtesy of Vecteezy through Google images

Farro Salad with Tomatoes and Charred Peppers #SundayFunday

This delicious salad can be served as a side to whatever summer foods you are grilling and is hearty enough to be a main dish for any vegans at the table.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Vegan Recipes today......

Pizza Casserole for Remarkably Bright Creatures and the Weekly Menu

 

Back in 2023, I read the novel Remarkably Bright Creatures.  I enjoyed the novel so much that I suggested it for our Lit Happens Book Club and was inspired to make a Chicken with Mushrooms recipe that I shared along with my Book Review.  

RV Life-2026 Edition-Holland State Park

Day 1- We left Sunday morning after Mass for our first RV adventure of the season.  We headed west to Holland, on the shores of Lake Michigan, where we set up camp at the Holland State Park.  As soon as we were set up, we headed back an hour to Kalamazoo to see our friend Sister MaryAnn.  We picked up pizza on the way and had a short but lovely visit.  We got back in time for the sunset.

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Butter #SundayFunday

Delicious, tender chicken breasts grilled to perfection and topped with a wonderful, fresh strawberry butter.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are featuring Strawberries today......

The Quail and Olive Citrus Beet Salad, A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

 I took the Angel Face to California in March.  We had a great time visiting with my brother and his family, going to the beaches, and traveling the Pacific Coast Highway.  On our way back to the San Francisco Airport, we stopped in Monterey for a night to visit with my friend, Camilla.

We met at The Quail and Olive, owned by Cam's friend, Analeise.  It is a lovely store, and I excitedly picked out some products to ship home.  

J is for Jalapenos

These spicy-sweet little candied jalapenos are called Cowboy Candy.  They are quick to make, fun to serve, and delicious to eat.  I like adding them to grazing boards, sprinkling them over burrito bowls, and combining them with cream cheese to spread on crackers or my morning bagel.

J is for Jalapenos.......

Sourdough Oat Waffles #BreadBakers

These light, fluffy waffles start with a 100% hydrated sourdough starter, mixed with oats and flour to provide extra structure, protein, and fiber.  A great way to start the day.

The Bread Bakers are sharing sourdough recipes today.......