First Day of Swimming Lessons

My son is a seahorse,

my daughter is a crocodile,

...and I feel like Esther Williams in my water aerobics class! ;-)

Quilted Memories

I am participating in the "I Remember Laura" Blog-A-Thon hosted by Quill Cottage Blog. This week the category is "quilted memories". Please visit Miss Sandy to see all the other participants!

I am fortunate to have a cabinet full of "memories". Both of my grandmothers were very talented seamstresses. My paternal grandmother knitted, crocheted and did alterations in her home. My maternal grandmother sews, embroideries, crochets, and quilts. There is always a quilting rack set up in my grandmother's home. Her hand stitched quilts are the most incredible things to behold - the tiny, precisely even stitches are amazing. She always embroideries her name and the date on the back of each quilt. I am blessed to have many of her creations in my home.

This first quilt is a baby doll sized one that my Grandmother and I "made together" when I was little. I think the part I "helped" with the most was picking out the fabrics!

This beautiful quilt my grandmother made for me while I was in college.

This quilt, also made by grandmother, is very special. When I look at it, I can see the materials she used for many of the dresses she made for my sister and I while we were growing up.

This quilt was made by my husband's great aunt. I love all the different fabrics and have always called it our "crazy quilt".

We received this store bought, wedding ring pattern quilt as a wedding gift.

And this one, also store bought, covered our bed during our early marriage. Our bedroom decor and tastes have changed over the years, but this quilt will always bring back memories of that time.

This very feminine, fan pattern quilt was also made by my grandmother.

She has made a special quilt for each of our children. This one is our son's.

And this one is our daughter's.

All of my quilts are kept tucked neatly away...at the ready for warmth, comfort, and memories whenever they are needed.

I am participating in "The Simple Woman's Daybook" -
please visit The Simple Woman Blogspot to join in the fun!

~for today~
Monday, June 2, 2008

Outside my window...
there are blue skies, white puffy clouds, and lots of sunshine!

I am thinking...
about my husband.

I am thankful for...
good health to enjoy the day.

From the kitchen...
I'll be making Italian food for supper.

I am creating...
a summer schedule.

I am going...
to the grocery store.

I am wearing...
a pink t-shirt, blue jean capris, and flip flops.

I am reading...
homeschooling curriculum catalogs.

I am hoping...
to be productive today.

I am hearing...
the hum of the computer and the ticking of the clock. (The children are reading!)

Around the house...
there's Monday's laundry to do.

One of my favorite things...
long summer evenings.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
swimming lessons and finishing up the details of my daughter's birthday party.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you...
the summer sky from my back window.

Supper Menus
June 2nd-7th

Monday
italian chicken, potato gnocchi with pesto, tomato and mozzarella salad
Tuesday
thai spicy peanut chicken, coconut ginger rice, lemon grass and chile soup
Wednesday
angel hair pasta with marinara sauce, ceasar salad, garlic toast
Thursday
chef salad, country white bread, peach cobbler
Friday
take out pizza
Saturday
steaks on the grill, baked potatoes, lettuce and tomato salad, watermelon

Supper on the Deck

There are many different ways to cook corn on the bar-b-q, but we've found the tastiest and easiest way is to just put the ears right on the grill - no need to pre-soak. Rub a little oil on them first, and in about ten minutes they are done and so very yummy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

How to Make a Lattice Pie Crust

Roll out pie crust. Using pastry wheel (or pizza cutter), slice crust into nine 3/4" pieces.

Lay 5 pieces over crust.

When doing this, pick up every other piece so that the ones left will all fit nicely on the pie.
You will not use the end pieces.

Peel back every other piece.

Lay one piece just to the right of the middle of the pie.

Fold the three pieces back over.

Fold back the other two pieces, lay down a piece and fold the two pieces back over.

Do the same thing on the other side of the pie...

...and you're all done!

Seal around the edge and flute.

Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on the top if you'd like.

To keep the edges of my pie from browning too quickly, I use to cover the edges with foil. Using this inverted pie plate is even easier! The one I use came from one of those over-size store bought pies - it's the perfect size to cover a nine inch pie plate - just trim out the middle!

Fresh Cherry Pie

Fresh Cherry Pie
8 servings

1 1/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup corn starch
1 cup cherry juice
4 cups fresh cherries, pitted
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 recipe double pie crust

In a sauce pan, combine sugar and corn starch; gradually stir in cherry juice until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat; add cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg and extract. Place one pie crust in pie plate and pour in filling. Make a lattice crust. Seal and flute edges. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 375 and bake 45-50 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Enjoy!

Linked to Sweet Indulgences Sunday, Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

Link

"If we wish away the moments, they will be gone.
The things we have wanted to leave-
the mess, the noise, the obligations-will be gone,
but so will the children!
This is true of every moment of life.
If we do not see its joys, if we do not make the most of it,
it will pass-and so will its opportunities."

~Jaroldeen Edwards

Enjoy your weekend! :-)

Garden Fresh Taco Salad

Garden Fresh Taco Salad
6 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning mix (or use recipe below)
1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
3 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/4 onion, diced
1 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup (4 ounces) monterrey jack cheese, shredded
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup salsa
crushed tortilla chips

Cook beef; drain. Stir in 1/2 cup water and taco seasoning; simmer. In a large bowl, toss lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cheeses, and beef. In a small bowl combine sour cream and salsa. Pour over salad; sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips and toss. Add extra salsa on each serving if desired. Enjoy!

Homemade Taco Seasoning
to season one pound ground beef

1 teaspoon instant minced onion
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

For flowers that bloom about our feet,
Father, we thank Thee.
For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,
Father we thank Thee.
For the song of bird and hum of bee,
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For blue of stream and blue of sky,
Father, we thank Thee.
For pleasant shade of branches high,
Father we thank Thee.
For beauty of the blooming trees,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For this new morning with its light,
Father, we thank Thee.
For rest and shelter of the night,
Father, we thank Thee.
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends,
Father in heaven , we thank Thee.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com
"Seaside Summer I" by Vitali

The New Pool

it's...big!

Thank you Daddy!!! :-)

Fettuccine Alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo
4 servings

1/2 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
8 ounces fettuccine noodles

Melt butter. Add cream, garlic powder, and pepper; stir and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir in parmesan cheese. Cook fettuccine noodles according to package directions. Toss cooked noodles with sauce, turn on the Italian music, and serve! 

“The easeful days,
The dreamless nights;
The homely round of plain delights;
The calm, unambitioned mind,
The simple stuff of summer time.”

~Aster Austin Dobson

illustration courtesy of www.allposters.com

"Summer' s Day in a Flower Garden" by Robert Payton Reid

Wonderful Things of Summertime...

backyard swimming pools
flip flops
watermelon
vine ripe tomatoes
fireworks
swing sets
bar-b-q
sundresses
kitchen curtains dancing in the breeze
lightening bugs
cook outs
beach towels
suntans
good books
ankle bracelets
homemade ice cream
summer movies
daisies in a mason jar
parades
swimming holes
cicadas 
cherry pie
floppy hats
popsicles
shell jewelry
picnics
sunflowers
the library
tubing
honeysuckle
hammocks
sun tea

peaches
black-eyed susans
butterflies
camping
farmers markets
grilled corn on the cob
hot pink toenail polish
rope swings
the beach!

dewberries
4th of July
porch swings
wildflowers
aloe vera gel
farmer’s markets
snow cones
the lake
tire swings
sleeping porches
shade trees 
ladybugs
sand castles
moonlit walks
road trips
bare feet
straw purses
sunshine
ripe strawberries
fresh squeezed lemonade
drive-ins
afternoon thunderstorms
homemade pickles
s'mores
carefree children


Linked to Farm Girl Friday Blog Hop #111

First Day of Summer!

Our traditional first-day-of-summer breakfast - out for doughnuts. A trip to Hobby Lobby for new craft activities and a visit to the library to load up on books. Welcome summer! :-)

Basket Carnival

I am participating in the-basket-carnival at orgjunkie. I am sharing how I organize some of my bathroom cabinets. This tall cabinet is not very deep. I feel it wouldn't be a wise use of space to store linens in it. I also do not have a traditional medicine cabinet in my bathroom. So, I use recycled baby wipe containers, labeled with my label maker, to store my cosmetics, medicines and toiletries. Be sure and stop by the-basket-carnival for lots of great ideas to use baskets, containers, and totes for organizing!

Chocolate Marble Cheesecake Pie

Chocolate Marble Cheesecake Pie
8 servings

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 square semisweet baking chocolate, melted
1 chocolate graham pie crust

Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla; mix well. Add egg and blend. Combine 3 tablespoons of pie mixture with melted chocolate. Pour pie mixture into pie crust. Drop chocolate mixture by spoonfuls into pie and marble with knife. Bake at 325° for 35 minutes. Cool and refrigerate until serving. Enjoy!

Easy Baked Beans

Easy Baked Beans
16 servings

6 slices of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 (16 ounce) cans baked beans
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Combine ingredients and bake uncovered at 350° for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars

18 servings

for crust -
2 cups flour
2/3 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
for topping –
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
confectioners' sugar

Combine flour, butter and confectioners' sugar; pat into a rectangular baking dish. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Combine sugar, eggs, flour, lemon juice, extract, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl. Mix until frothy; pour over crust. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until light golden brown. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into serving bars and refrigerate. Enjoy!

Apple Pie

Apple Pie
8 servings

1 recipe double pie crust
6 granny smith apples

½ cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
extra sugar and cinnamon for topping

Peel, core and thinly slice apples. Mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, flour and half of the butter. Fill pie crust and dot with remaining butter. Place top crust on, seal, and vent, or prepare lattice crust. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350° for 45-55 minutes. Enjoy!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup - Just for Dad, Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup - Potluck Favorites.