One of the few bad things about living up north – besides the very cold winter weather – is the black flies. We have flies and mosquitoes in the warmer months and those can be extremely annoying. Most of the time when I know I will be out in the woods or around water I try to squirt a little Deep Woods Off on my arms and neck. But I wish there was an easier way to keep the biting flies and other bugs away from me!
Give me S’more!
When summer rolls around it is time for the best dessert ever! This dessert though simple and kind of primitive because usually one cooks it outside, is delicious. S’mores of course, is what I am talking about. S’mores is the perfect treat after a grilled dinner on charcoal. If anyone is like me and my family, the grilling season is our favorite and we always use charcoal. Charcoal provides a nice smoky flavor to the food. I prefer it on meat rather than vegetables but it all tastes good either way.
Another way that s’mores make the perfect dessert is when I am camping with friends. There is nothing like sitting around a roaring campfire holding marshmallow sticks in one hand and a cold drink in the other while stargazing. I am pretty sure this is my favorite atmosphere for enjoying a nice gooey s’more! For anyone feeling adventurous I highly recommend using chocolate grahams and peanut butter cups in place of the honey grahams and milk chocolate!
Sparkle, shine and BANG!
Independence Day is my favorite summer holiday. I generally am not a great fan of the summer because it has a tendency to be too hot. Funny part is I do not like the winter either because of the snow. I guess there is no making me happy with the weather. However, the Fourth of July no matter the weather would still be my favorite day of the month!
People enjoy barbeques, festive desserts, outdoor activities, swimming, parades and fireworks. Fireworks are the highlight in my book. I love the multiple colors, whistles and final bang from the fireworks. There are certain areas that present the best fireworks. Usually in my state many of the fireworks are shot- off from riverbanks or old mill lots. Therefore many people tend to gather near there.
Tonight was no exception. The parking was atrocious. I have never seen so many people flock to the riverside. People parked their cars even in the streets, blocking traffic. I had to drive around for half of the show before finding parking. Despite all of this I did find a really sweet spot half- way through the show and parked. The presentation was worth the driving.
Cooling off the night
One of the best parts of the summertime is being able to enjoy a nice refreshing cup of ice cream before bed. Nothing is more satisfying than to be able to take one spoonful after the next of my favorite ice cream and not feel guilty. They have some excellent low fat andlow calorie ice creams on the market.
A favorite flavor of mine is mint chocolate chip. I just love the combination of mint and chocolate together. This ice cream reminds me so much of the candy, Andes mints. When the night is hot the refreshing coolness of the mint mixed with chocolate allows my body to be fooled into being cooler then it really is. Either way, all I know is that it works!
If I had to choose a second favorite flavor of ice cream then I would have to say peanut- butter and chocolate. These two flavors in any combination equal pure bliss. Tonight is kind of sticky and warm. Since I have the air conditioning on than I think eating a bowl of ice cream is in order. Now, to decide which flavor…
Wicked Weather
Lately the weather has been so nasty. The Northeast has received a few thunderstorms that are as violent as usually seen later in the summertime. Instead, these thunderstorms that bring hail and winds have arrived earlier. People have begun to put in their vegetable and flower gardens and to have such severe weather puts a little bit of fear and worry in the farmer’s heads. Folklore states that poor man’s fertilizer is lightning. This is fine except that all too often most recently the thunder has been accompanied by wind, heavy rain and hail.
Another part of the country that has received massive amounts of rain is the mid-west. Major flooding had begun in the Dakotas, stranding hundreds of people. The pictures the media displays on t.v. is so tragic. The snow is nearly melted in most areas, thank goodness! The damage would be much worse if there were still mountains of snow present. I surely hope the waters begin to receed soon. No one deserves such hardships.
One invite too many
About a month ago I received a bridal shower invitation to a bridal shower I was hoping I would not have to attend. The reason for this is because my connection is to the groom not the bride. Therefore, my level of excitement is non- existent.
I contemplated just not attending and sending a gift card instead however; I would feel really guilty if I did this course of action. The second biggest
problem I have with attending this shower is that I am going to be surrounded by strangers and only a few people I am familiar with. I do not enjoy being placed in an environment that makes me uncomfortable unless it is necessary. This situation is unnecessary. For this one time I am going to just “buck
it up” and make the best of the party. I know it will make the bride happy and I would want some “stranger” to do this for me.
Fresh Air
Finally warmer weather has arrived in time to start sleeping with the windows open. I wait all year long for the first goodnight’s sleep with the window open. I always sleep better with the window open.
One of the reasons and in particular the most important reasons are due to the melodic music heard in the night. Crickets are the most common noise heard but if you listen closely the sounds of the loons and bullfrogs along with the gentle breeze can be heard. These sounds are delightful and are one thing that city folk cannot begin to understand unless they experience them first hand.
Another reason is for the fresh country air. The air in the country is very different from the city. Some may say that the air is different because of the melodic sounds described earlier. Others simply say that it is due to pollution or lack of pollution. Either way the best medicine for a goodnight’s sleep is the fresh country air with the band of bullfrogs playing in the background.
New Summer Salad
Last night I made this new pasta salad recipe I found. I was hesitant at first but one the dressing was added to the pasta and veggies it was in one word, amazing. The dressing was considerably involved with a ton of ingredients but once they were all blended it made for a creamy, yet zesty dressing. Again, it was amazing.
The name of the salad was actually what intrigued me because it was based off of a salad served at one of my favorite restaurants. The pasta salad is called “Hooter’s Pasta Salad.” For a chain restaurant I did not expect to have the salad be so elaborate in seasoning. The pasta used was also what made it special. The tri-colored vegetable pasta is what is called for. This kind of pasta absorbs the dressing well. I highly recommend this salad at the next family or friends BBQ. It is sure to be a huge hit!
Mother’s Day Recap
Mother’s Day this year was so special. For once in a number of years I had a ton of plans. I love having plans on the holidays even if they are not major ones.
This year I will be attending to family BBQs. I really enjoy BBQs as well, especially with the family. For both events I have volunteered to bring a dish. When it comes to cooking for a BBQ, my talents really emerge. One of them will have a potato salad while the other will have a fruit torte. The fruit torte is truly going to be a masterpiece. This is an expensive treat to make but it is worth it when all is said and done.
Before I leave for these gatherings I also have to be sure that my gifts to the mother’s are wrapped and ready. This year’s shopping was easy because I spotted the perfect gift for both of them a month in advance. In one of my many gift catalogs I discovered a fairy toad house that I absolutely fell in love with. I almost bought one for myself but decided that the expense of the two I was buying was expensive enough. These Moms are going to fall in love with them too. I can’t wait to see their faces when they open them. The look
should match the look when they taste my dishes as well!
Family Jewels?
Yesterday, I read in my newspaper that a resident of Vienna Austria was working in his garden and stumbled upon some buried treasure. This must have been quite exciting for the gardener. It turns out that the jewelry that was found is over 650 years old. My first question to this finding is why were they buried?
Multiple explanations can be said for such discoveries. Perhaps the owner of these jewels had to bury them for fear that they would be stolen. Or maybe the keeper of the jewels had stolen them and was trying to hide them for future use? Either way I personally wouldn’t mind finding some jewels in my backyard. I am not sure what I would do with them or if I would report it to officials. Maybe I would sell them. If the jewels are found on my property either way then I say “finder’s keepers.”