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.......

Truite de Carreroles #EattheWorld

 This Andorran Mushroom Omelet is made with ingredients common to the area and makes a wonderful breakfast or Meatless Monday night meal.

Join us as we travel to Andorra to Eat the World......

An Easy One Skillet Dinner and the Weekly Menu

Tender Pork Tenderloin, Caramelized Sweet Potatoes, and Roasted Apples cooked together in one skillet for an easy, weeknight meal.

Celebrating our Anniversary with a Hugo Spritz #ItalianFWT

This past Saturday was our 34th Wedding Anniversary.  We were busy celebrating Frank's 75th Birthday with a Cinco de Mayo party, so Margaritas and Cervezas were the pours for the night.  The following day, we visited our niece, who is nearly 2 hours away.  We finally had a quiet night alone on the 4th, which is Frank's actual birthday.  We celebrated with a refreshing Italian Cocktail, the Hugo Spritz.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo and a Book Review

We combined my husband, Frank's, 75th birthday on Saturday with Cinco de Mayo for a wonderful Fiesta.  We had about 30 guests, and I wanted to keep things simple.  Life doesn't get much easier than a sheet pan Shrimp Fajita platter. 

Blini with Sour Cream and Caviar #SundayFunday

This elegant appetizer is incredibly easy to make and impressive to serve.  A great way to show the special person in your life just how much you appreciate them.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Elegant Appetizers for Mom...

Spiced Salmon and Sweet Potatoes and the Weekly Menu

Flaky, tender salmon fillet served atop spiced, roasted sweet potatoes for a fabulous Fish Friday dinner.

I is for Ice Cream

Smooth, Creamy, Delicious Ice Cream flavored with Nutella is a perfect finish to a Springtime Dinner.

I is for Ice Cream........

Crispy Roasted Potatoes because This Is Not About Us #LitHappens

This Is Not About Us was chosen by Debra of Eliot's Eats as our April Lit Happens selection.  Lit Happens is an online book club where each month one of the members chooses a book and posts discussion questions on our Facebook Page.  We read the book at our leisure and answer the questions when we finish.  It is a fun, no-stress book club to belong to.

Cottage Cheese Muffins and a Book Review #SundayFunday

Sneak some protein into those morning muffins you hand to the family as they run out the door.  These muffins are light, fluffy, and delicious using cottage cheese and applesauce for the liquid ingredients.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are serving up foods that are protein-rich, containing cottage cheese, paneer or tofu.

Orange Turkey Meatballs and the Weekly Menu

Tender turkey meatballs seasoned with Asian flavors, covered with a delicious orange sauce, served over rice for an easy, delicious dinner.

Chopped Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese #BrunchWeek

This delicious chopped salad with homemade creamy herb dressing is the perfect start to a meal or addition to a brunch buffet.  You can serve the bacon and blue cheese separately so people can add them according to their tastes.

Today is the final day of Brunch Week, 2026 edition......

Grilled Potato Wedges #Movies&Munchies

Our Movies and Munchies film this month, chosen by Debra of Eliot's Eats is the 2011 Rom/Com, I Don't Know How She Does It.

Caprese Asparagus #BrunchWeek

This delicious recipe makes a perfect side dish for a Brunch Buffet.  Roasted Asparagus smothered in Mozzarella Cheese before being topped with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.  Caprese has never tasted so good!

Welcome to the second installation of Brunch Week 2026......

Lavender Bee's Knees Martini #BrunchWeek

The perfect spring cocktail to start off a brunch celebrating all the important women in your life this Mother's Day.  Bee's Knees is an iconic cocktail that is lightened up and made special with the addition of a lavender-infused sparkling wine.

This gorgeous color is perfect for Easter, Mother's Day, or a Kentucky Derby gathering.  Anywhere you are celebrating with a brunch, whether it's just you or a whole gang.

Pizza Beans #SundayFunday

This is a wonderful Meatless Monday meal with tons of protein from the beans and cheese, with all the pizza flavors you love.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are cooking up Lima Beans today.......

Ground Pork Fried Rice and the Weekly Menu

This colorful, delicious, semi-homemade dinner comes together quickly, starting with ground pork.  It is flavorful, tasty, and nutritious.  It is a great way to use up leftover rice, but you can also use precooked rice from those microwaveable cups or pouches with great results.  If you have leftover or fresh veggies, feel free to add them to this stir-fry. A package of frozen stir-fry vegetables makes this meal quick and easy.

H is for Haluski

This traditional Polish Dish is fantastic as a Meatless meal or as part of a buffet.  It can be used as a side dish, but is hearty enough to be the main course for non-meat-eaters.

H is for Haluski......

Overnight Focaccia #BreadBakers

This delicious bread is the perfect make-ahead recipe.  It needs to rest in the refrigerator for at least 18 hrs before being formed, and then another 2 hrs. before being baked, so you need to plan ahead, but it takes very little hands-on time.

The Bread Bakers are baking up Italian Breads this month.......

California Recap and the Weekly Menu

The Angel Face and I had a great trip to the central coastal area of California to visit my brother and his family.  We landed in San Francisco and drove down Highway 1 to my brother's house.  It adds a few hours to the drive, but it is well worth it just for the views.

We made a lot of stops along the way to enjoy the beauty of the area and explore the beaches.  Melody especially loved the Elephant Seal Vista Point.  We got to Santa Margarita around 7:30 and visited with my brother, Larry, his wife, Mary, their second son, Chad, and Chad's daughter, Molly, before falling into bed with the Angel Face, remarking that we had traveled for 17 hrs.

Day 2, I awoke early and went for a walk with Chad's wife, Natasha.  The Angel face hung out with Molly while Mary and I ran some errands.  After lunch, I took the Angel Face and Molly to Avila Beach where they explored the tide pools. 

I took a quick nap when we returned home, before preparing a pot pie for dinner.  My eldest nephew, Scott, came by for a visit and invited Melody to hang out at their pool while she's here.

Day 3 was another beautiful sunshiney day, perfect for a trip to Morro Bay.  We enjoyed the beach, the view of Morro Rock, watching the sea otters frolic, and exploring the strand.  

When we got home, we headed over to Scott and Julie's for a family dinner.  We were missing Scott's eldest, Quinn, who is off to college.  Julie coaxed the tortoises, Wilma and Willie, out of hiding with some Romaine, their favorite treat.  The girls enjoyed the hot tub, creek, and pool, while the adults caught up.

Day 4 started off quietly. Natasha and I went for a walk-and-talk while the Angel Face and Molly hung out.  Then the Angel Face went to Molly's house, watched Ice Age, and helped garden while Mary and I ran some errands.  

After lunch, I took a nap, and then we went to Avila Valley Farms, where we fed the animals, did some shopping, and got some ice cream.  On the way home, we stopped at Bubble Gum Alley in San Luis Obispo, and the Angel Face made her mark in history.

For dinner, the whole family went to Toshi 1.0,  and the Angel Face bought herself a cool t-shirt as a souvenir of the visit.  Early to bed tonight....it's been a busy few days.

Day 5 dawned cloudy and colder.  Natasha and I enjoyed our walk, and then we rested up until lunch time. The Angel Face took a 2-1/2-hour nap, and then we went to In-N-Out for burgers.  After lunch, we went to an Escape Room and finished with 13 seconds to spare.

  

Woke up to drizzling rain on Day 6.  Natasha and I took our last walk and talk, then Larry, Mary, and the girls joined us for breakfast.  The Angel Face and Uncle Larry started with a huge cup of hot chocolate.

We said our goodbyes and headed north, meeting up with my friend, Cam, at Quail and Olive in Carmel Valley Village, a specialty food store owned by Cam's friend, Anni.  Cam collaborates with Anni and her husband to create menus featuring their products.  I had been wanting to check it out, and I was not disappointed.  We then walked over to the Big Sur tasting room, owned by her friend, Lenora.  We tasted some lovely wines.  I ordered products from both stores, so stay tuned for them to be featured in future posts.

We enjoyed dinner with Cam, her husband, Jake, and their eldest son, Riley, at Tarpy's in Monterey.  Cam ordered ceviche that came topped with an edible flower that the Angel Face enjoyed trying.  Back to the room early enough to enjoy a movie before bedtime.  

We stayed at the Olympia Lodge in Pacific Grove on our final night of the trip. This is the view from our room when we returned after dinner and when we left in the morning.

We had a wonderful breakfast at the Red House Cafe, and then we set off to explore the area via the PG Recreational Trail.  Angel Face explored down low and up high.  It was a beautiful walk with terrain as varied as you chose.  You can see the weather moving in on us in the last two photos. God is good. We stayed dry the entire hike.

It was an amazing trip, and the Angel Face suggests that it become an annual tradition.  It is so good to be home, settling back into our routine, starting with the Weekly Menu.

On Wednesday, we are attending a wine-pairing dinner at J. Baldwin's with the Luths, and Thursday evening, we are headed downtown for the Broadway in Detroit showing of Suffs.  We will have dinner out before the show.

Here is what we are eating the rest of the week.....

Monday

Pork Tenderloin

Sweet Potato Planks

Tuesday

Hamburgers

Wednesday

Wine Pairing Dinner

Thursday

Out before the Theater

Fish Friday

Salmon Packets

Egg Foo Young #SundayFunday

This popular carryout dish is a Chinese/American version of an omelet.  Chock-full of flavorful pork and vegetables, it is cooked much longer and browned much more than a French omelet, then smothered in a flavorful, savory gravy. 

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are serving up sprouts today.....

An Algerian Chicken paired with Organic Wines from South Africa #EattheWorld #WinePW

When I was visiting my friend Linda in Tucson last month,  she gifted me a packet of Ras el Hanout that she had picked up during a cruise to northern Africa.  I decided to use it to make this Algerian Chicken dish.

Then, since I am hosting our Eat the World event this month, I invited the others to visit Algeria with me.

Bocata de atún #CooktheBooks

This traditional Spanish Bocadillo (Sandwich) is stuffed with canned tuna, roasted piquillo peppers, hard-boiled egg, olives, and tomatoes with a schmear of mayonnaise, all wrapped up in parchment to keep it together as you eat.

I was inspired to make this sandwich after reading Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn.  I was inspired to use tuna as I made this sandwich on a Lenten Fish Friday...

Cauliflower Mac and Cheese #SundayFunday

This Macaroni and Cheese Casserole can be made ahead of time to be baked right before dinnertime.  Nobody will know that the creamy deliciousness is due to the inclusion of cauliflower in the sauce, packing extra nutrition, to boot.  The perfect side to that Easter ham.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Make-Ahead Easter Recipes today...

G is for Gruyere

Puffed pastry stuffed with Ham, Spinach, and Gruyere Cheese makes a delicious and fun appetizer or first course.  I enjoyed the leftovers for lunch the following day. 

G is for Gruyere........

Easy Enchiladas #SundayFunday

This easy enchilada recipe has been a staple in our household for many years.  It is not a true enchilada recipe as it uses flour tortillas instead of traditional corn tortillas, but it is easy to make,  delicious to eat, and can be made ahead of time.  

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

The Holy Triduum Weekly Menu including Easter

We are heading into the Easter Triduum....We have choir practice on Wednesday, Mass on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday.  On Tuesday, we are going downtown to see &Juliet.  We will have dinner out before the show.  

courtesy of Hail

Pineapple Pistachio Cake #SpringSweetsWeek

This delicious cake starts with a boxed cake mix and is finished with instant pudding and frozen whipped topping.  I served it up for my brother's birthday, which we celebrated on St. Patrick's Day.

Today is the final day of Spring Sweets Week........

Sushki #SpringSweetsWeek

Sushki are traditional Russian treats served with tea or coffee.  They are a crunchy, hard, sweet bread that reminds me of the better-known Biscotti of Italy.  

These treats are traditionally placed onto a string and draped over a samovar for serving.  I did not have a samovar, so used a large coffee pot to hold the hot water needed for a Russian Tea.

Napoleon #SpringSweetsWeek

This easy-to-make, semi-homemade, elegant-looking dessert takes just a few minutes of hands-on time with delicious, stunning results.

I was making these for a crowd, so I doubled the recipe and made a batch of vanilla/strawberry and a batch of lemon/blueberry. I also omitted a layer to make more individual pieces, which served as part of a Russian Tea baby shower for my Grandson.  

Homemade Potato Chips

Thinly slice russet potatoes, fried in vegetable oil until golden and crispy, and then sprinkled with sea salt and pepper, for a great snack or side dish.

The Sunday Funday Bloggers are sharing Fries and Chips recipes today........

Turkey and Swiss on Rye, A Book Review and The Weekly Menu

When I was visiting my friend, Linda, in Tucson earlier this month, she suggested a fun series, The Althea Rose Mysteries, that she has been reading since the first one came out in 2015.  

I ordered up the first of the series as an audiobook on my library app and have been listening to it during my daily walks.

F is for Fondue

Gruyere Cheese and Apple Cider combine to make a wonderful warm dip.  A perfect start to any meal, or a wonderful snack or light dinner.

F is for Fondue........

Irish Minestrone Soup #MoviesandMunchies

Unlike Italian Minestrone, Irish Minestrone contains no beans and includes bacon.  It is perfect as a starter, a delicious lunch, or a hearty dinner when served with some soda bread and a salad.

I was inspired to make this soup after watching Leap Year, our Movies and Munchies selection for March. I am sharing it today in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Maple Bourbon Smash #SundayFunday

Cheers!!!  We are celebrating the birth of our first grandson, Milan, who was born yesterday morning at 6:45 AM.  When we got back from the hospital, Frank made us each a Maple Bourbon Smash to commemorate this momentous day.

We chose this particular cocktail because the Sunday Funday Bloggers are preparing to celebrate Maple Syrup Saturday on March 21st.......