Short But Sweet

Hi this is going to be short and sweet as the saying goes.

We had a busy day yesterday Brittney went to Church with us then we went out to eat breakfast with some friends we usually do that on Sunday some times we sit with each other and some times we are at the other end of the table you never know but its fun any way.

I did the usual laundry after church when we got home Steve and Liz were here working on their bikes later Cindy called and we went over to check out some landscaping they had purchased. So I ended up helping her clear up the area where she wanted to have it planted we got it all cleared I wish Bill would have taken a picture it would have been good for a laugh it was so hot out I had a hand towel draped over my head to keep the sun from frying my brain OMG I must be nuts at my age still doing that kind of stuff but I actually love creating things I must be crazy..

This morning I watered my neighbors flower pots out side just in case the rain didn't manage to get into them.They will be home some time tomorrow. I tied up some of my grasses in my flower gardens they kind of cover up other plants and don't get the proper sun and raked up a little.

I know my life sounds exciting Cindy and Julie came over then Megan. Cindy and I went flower and plant shopping Wednesday is going to be the day everything gets planted It should look great.

Here is a recipe share from me of course I don't measure I just go by taste and how much I think I like in this recipe. Julie will be over early in the morning and I wont be able to get near the computer so I thought I better write this down tonight.

Diane's Zippy Potato Salad

4 red Potatoes boiled jackets on

2 hard boiled eggs

1/2 white onion

Hellman's Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons of Italian Giardiniera

Remove skins from potatoes after cooling off slice, add chopped hard cooked eggs, chopped onion, Italian giardiniera. Mayonnaise. Mix well add salt and pepper to taste if desired .Chill for an hour serve and enjoy.

Thanks For Looking
I know I don't have the commas and periods in there where they belong.
 That's me I always did my own thing.

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise

I thought this would help to cool you off

Its a picture my brother sent in during the winter when he made a trip up to the mountains.

Did It Help

Nothing exciting happening today!

 If you call dusting exciting will then you are thinking I had  an exciting day.

Megan did make a pit stop to let Julie and Julies  cousin Jason use the bathroom on the way to Family Days she called me to see if I wanted to go but I had this project I wanted to finish and anyway its hot today, high of 92 and I am not crazy about family days to many people walking around for me at least at my age.  I graduated from that I have been to so many of those over the years I'm know what there all like.

 Right after Megan left then Cindy stopped to make her pit stop ..I think she was going to try to catch up with Megan she felt sorry for her with the two little kids and they were bouncing off the wall when they came in, thanks but NO thanks :).

Sorry Megan don't get mad I love you all but I had to get my project done.

One wonderful thing about living out here everyone just comes by all the time.

Yesterday it was Cindy, Brittney then Steve stopped We all had dinner together Italian Sausage on the grill Bill made his famous macaroni salad and we had our first corn on the cob for this year it was so good cant describe how good it tasted.

 I added another photo share this one is of the flowers and plants this summer. 

 I take them I might as well share them.

I'm trying to think of a recipe share for today and Bill is going to make Chicken on the grill and my neighbor gave me peach jam and we wanted to use it up so he is going to use it as a glaze sounds good to me.

I am in charge of there house they are on vacation. I don't go in although I have a key I usually walk around it to make sure everything looks in order. I did water there pots the other day because even if it rains the pots just don't seem to get it.

Here is a great sounding recipe

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Spicy Peach Glaze

Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay

Ingredients

Spicy Peach Glaze:

2 cups peach preserves or jam

1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 small jalapeno, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper

8 Frenched" chicken breasts

4 ripe peaches, cut in half and pitted

Directions

Combine Spicy Peach Glaze ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Reserve 1/2 cup.

Preheat grill. Brush the chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place skin-side down and cook for 6 to 7 minutes, until golden brown. Turn over and continue cooking for 5 to 6 minutes. Brush both sides with the peach glaze and continue cooking an additional 4 to 5 minutes.

Place peach halves, cut side down on the grill and grill for 2 minutes. Turn over and brush with the reserved 1/2 cup of peach glaze, grill for 3 to 4 more minutes until peaches are soft.

Thanks For Looking Enjoy Your Day

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise

Another Beautiful Day

I just came in from watering plants and pots and propping up my Russian Sage its getting ready to go into full bloom. I brought it with me when we moved here 7 years ago. I didn't see it any where now its all over the area everyone has it. I cant blame them it is beautiful even tho they copied off me LOL Just kidding about the copy. I have been out there for hours and its pretty hot out the temp says 85 it feels more like 95. I did come in now and then to take a break I'm old and cant stand the heat all that much. OK enough complaining. :)

This morning Bill and I made Egg Salad  for lunch its a favorite summer time treat I don't make it often it takes two of us to make it. LOL I made the bacon in the oven my favorite place to make bacon. Cover a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan that has a lip with foil. line up bacon on pan and bake 400 for about 15 to 20 min until crisp, drain on paper towel. 

After the eggs were boiled and let set for 15 minutes Bill pealed them we share cooking duties now and then. OK here is the recipe I got the idea from Cindy. Or maybe she got it from me.

 HUMMM

Diane's Summer Time Egg Salad

6 to 8 hard cooked eggs

5 to 6 slices crispy bacon

fresh chives  desired amount

Good Quality Mayonnaise like Hellman's

 enough to coat to your desired consistency.

1 tsp Frenches honey mustard

salt, pepper to taste

Combine all above leave kind of chunky.

Serve on desired toast I used rye because that's what I like.,

 with or with out lettuce

enjoy its summer time.

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise

Hot again today 90.

 We went out for lunch today at one of our favorite places Fuddruckers. Its a burger place and we like it. I'm not crazy about the area but we cant always like everything.

Tonight were going out to dinner with friends to a local Mexican Restaurant it will be fun it always is.

 Early this morning I got my hair done she lightened it a little so we shall see after a few washings and the sun bleaches it how light it will be. I also bought a new 32 in TV for my up and coming birthday present for the kitchen. Love it and I deserve it. Its not often you turn 70 and are married 49 years. so that's my story and I'm sticking to it. LOL

 Yesterday Cindy, Britt and Julie came over, Megan came after work Brent stopped by on his way home from work so we had a great visit. Bill and I made dinner we fried Ham and we  fried potatoes  we also had creamed corn it was delicious Cindy and the girls jumped in and helped so much fun and Julie made a necklace from a kit they bought her from Hobby Lobby. she made it for her Mom. I know Megan wore it to work today. :)

Here is another recipe I promised to be eaten with the pulled pork its amazing.

Making the Cole Slaw

The Dressing for the Cole Slaw

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups White Vinegar

1 cup Cider Vinegar

1 1/2 cup Sugar

6 Tbsps. Dry Yellow Mustard Powder

2 Tbsps. Celery Salt

2 tsps. Ground White Pepper

Instructions:

Place all ingredients into stainless steel saucepan. Bring to a boil mixing well. Turn off fire and let cool

Cole Slaw Mix

Ingredients:

3 heads White Cabbage (sliced thin)

8 ozs. Green Pepper (julienne)

8 ozs. Red Pepper (julienne)

8 ozs. Red Onion (thin slice)

12 ozs. Carrots (julienne)

1 cup Peanut Oil

2 tsps. Celery Salt

2 1/2 cups Cole Slaw Dressing (recipe above)

Instructions:

Toss all ingredients together. Let stand one hour and serve.

Thank's For Looking

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise

Good Morning

Another beautiful day looks like rain.

Were expecting a high in the 90s  and humid

Isn't that a gorgous picture above, I just had to share it.

I'm Back today with one of the recipes I promised in yesterdays Blog!

Jamie's Avocado Dip is a special one from my Niece who lives in a state where Avocados are plentiful and so delicious.

Jamie's

Avocado Dip

6 to 10 avocados

1 yellow onion shredded
5 garlic cloves crushed

2 ripe tomatoes diced

1 bundle of cilantro

garlic salt

1 lime

1 orange 

Mix together the first 5 ingredients leaving it chunky

Taste 

 add garlic salt to desired taste

 Add 2 squeezes of lime juice and 1 squeeze of orange juice.

Enjoy

While I"m sharing recipes

Here is one I made last night and it was delicious as well.

Especially on a hot summer night or really any time.

4 to 5 Idaho potatoes cut into wedges

Fresh Rosemary desired amount  chopped

1 crushed garlic

1/2 stick of butter

Olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

I used an iron skillet

melt butter and oil together

coat potato wedges that have been pealed and washed

add rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper

mix well place into preheated oven
400 degrees for 30 minutes

 turning often

Check for done ness serve.

We served this dish with

 Bill famous Charcoal Grilled New York Strip Steak

Bill coated his steak with a mixture of powdered sugar and salt befor grilling.

That gives the steak a carmalized covering so delicious.

And a Green Salad
Lettuce, Tomatoes and fresh chives from the garden

Enjoy

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise

Hi From Me

We hired a limo to take us to and bring us home from the air port.

At the Airport waiting to board.

Our Plane

We are back from vacation we got home Thursday evening Cindy, Brittney, Megan and Julie were here to greet us .and of course our puppies were thrilled. Friday I cleaned, UN packed and did laundry as a matter of fact I always have laundry where it all comes from I cant imagine.

Friday Steve and Liz came by and visited before they went to work.
 Saturday Sara, Trish and Freda,  Steve, Liz came by for a visit . Sunday was Fathers Day Brittney came over and went to church with us. I always like to show off my beautiful grand children so that made me happy.
 Cindy, Bill, Brittney, Steve, Liz, Megan, Brent and Julie came over for Fathers Day. Bill grilled.
We have been busy having company. Something I always enjoy.

US

 Thanks Theresa for taking the picture

On the way home flight.

Our Casino where we stayed Aria.

 We had an amazing fun vacation Thanks to the Riley Family we thoroughly had the best time.
Tom's gardens are amazing he spends a lot of time out there tending to them and it shows. a labor of love.
Thanks to everyone who helped us have a great time we love you all. We hope you will come visit us soon.

The Dessert

Me and My Brother

Even the hour or so that we drove in the Mojave dessert with out air was worth it. The  3 1/2 hour trip Thur the dessert from Tom's to Vegas and for some odd reason the air in the car stopped working Panic Time LOL  it stopped working from one pit stop to another, weird!
 After the second stop it finally kicked back on..  it was HOT some thing to write in my Blog about I told them.
I had visions of riding all the way Thur the dessert with out air. Scary..

Besides our regular 3 month visit to the Doctor and visiting our friends at Barns and Noble to do catch up. I also had to do an assignment on the computer for this group I belong to and that took a lot of hours to complete. That is another reason I haven't been writing in my Blog for a while. 

Last night and Early this morning I went out and trimmed up a couple of plants that have over grown they needed trimming and then they will re bloom again in about a month. I have been doing that for a couple of years now and it works. they get so big they crowd everything out.
 I also crawled around pulling up weeds and bird seed that grows around the arbor that's one of the joys of  feeding the birds, another nasty thing but we really enjoy the bird feeder so its worth the clean up now and then.

Joni and Scott

I want to thank my  Nephew Scott for the excellent BBQ slowed cooked  Pulled Pork it was amazing, also my three nieces Jamie, Lacey and Crissie for making excellent food.
 Avocado dip, zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting, zucchini  from there garden and the best Cole slaw it went perfect with the pulled pork and beef brisket Scott made. my mouth is watering just thinking of it.
 I will post there recipes in the next few blogs. And I cant forget the zucchini, squash and onions Joni made right out of the garden.
 awesome.

Dan and Scott

Dan, Joni, Layla, Lacey, Tom and Bill

Thank You all for an amazing week something we will always cherish.

Chrissie and Joni

Us again with Theresa

Thanks For Looking

I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise.

Hi

I designed my newest page I hope you like it.
 I have been so busy after coming home from our vacation.
 We have to get back into the swing of  the real world.
I will tell about it hopefully tomorrow. Although its Fathers Day and we will be busy getting ready for the celebration.
Hopefully I will have time the fallowing day.
Until then have a Great Day.

Hugs From Me

Diane Louise

HAWKS WON!!!

Yes they won the cup after 49 years

Congratulations to the winners.

Go Hawks

The Stanley Cup (in French called La Coupe Stanley) is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs champion. It has been referred to as The Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously (chiefly by sportswriters) as Lord Stanley’s Mug.

The Stanley Cup is surrounded by numerous legends and traditions, the oldest of which is the celebratory drinking of champagne out of the cup by the winning team. Unlike the trophies awarded by the other three major professional sports leagues of North America, a new Stanley Cup is not made each year; Cup winners keep it until a new champion is crowned. It is unusual among trophies, in that it has the name of the winning players, coaches, management, and club staff engraved on its chalice. The original bowl was made of silver and has a dimension of 18.5 centimeters (7.28 inches) in height and 29 centimeters (11.42 inches) in diameter. The current Stanley Cup, topped with a copy of the original bowl, is made of silver and nickel alloy. Today, it has a height of 89.54 centimeters (35.25 inches) and weighs 15.5 kilograms (34.5 lb).

There will be a HUGH ticker tape parade for them today in down town

 Chicago.

 

Thanks For Looking

Enjoy Your Day

 See you when I get back!

Butter Cake!!

Its Raining here this morning!

I haven't posted for a few days its not that I haven't been on the computer, I have.

I have been making a page of our families walk for Madd our Great Nephew Kevin was killed by a drunk driver in December and the family had a WALK in his honor this past weekend. Today would have been his 20Th birthday.

Happy Birthday Kevin

You are missed but never forgotten.

Bless  All the Families who have lost a dear beloved one.

My heart goes out to you all.

Especially to my Sister who lost her son David.

 My husbands only God Child

It was a thrill and honor for Bill to be asked.

  We will always cherish that wonderful memory.

On a lighter note

I have to make a cake today and I better get working on it Im making a Butter Cake my Grand Daughter made for Memorial Day, it was amazing and I have to have one for tomorrow my turn to serve in our circle at church.

Here is the Recipe Megan shared with me. 

Butter Cake

12 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup milk

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 8 inch square baking pan. Line bottom with wax paper or dust lightly with flour.

2.Sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder.

3.Cream the butter and blend in the white sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the milk. Stir until just blended. Pour batter into prepared pan.

4.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 55 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Remove from pan and allow it to cool.

5.Variation: Blueberry Cake; Add 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg to your dry ingredients and stir in 1 cup fresh blueberries into the batter before you bake it. Cut it into squares while it is still hot.

 

Special Butter cream Frosting

Ingredients

2 cups shortening

8 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons clear imitation vanilla extract

6 fluid ounces heavy cream

Directions

1.Cream shortening until fluffy. Add confectioner's sugar and continue creaming until well blended.

2.Add salt, vanilla, and whipping cream blend on low speed until moistened. Add additional whipping cream if necessary (up to 2 ounces). Beat at high speed until frosting is fluffy.

 

 

Caramel Frosting I

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1.In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, and mix in 3 tablespoons milk and brown sugar. Boil vigorously for 1 minute.

2.Remove from heat, and beat in 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Cool slightly, and beat in the vanilla and remaining 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Add more milk if the mixture is too thick.

 

 

 

All Recipes from

 http://allrecipes.com/Default.aspx

 

Enjoy

Thanks for looking

 

 

Diane Louise