Long Days, Almost Summer Solstice

It is that time of year that my Mother would love. Long days and short nights. Our longest day of the year is just around the corner. June 20, 2021. I hope your Summer plans are getting made. I am making a Summer Fun list myself. I have already kicked it off by starting an herb garden. What are you doing? Share a comment and let us know.

Hackin’ Away

• Since the pandemic I have begun to realize how possibly many germs are around out house. One change I have made is to go to paper products instead of kitchen towels and hand towels in the bathroom. I use a product from Scott for my hands in the kitchen. I still use regular paper towels for messes, etc. but I like this product since they are heavy duty.

When I am able to find them, I purchase the Kleenex brand hand towels for the bathroom. I have yet to find a place with a steady supply other than Amazon. This switch to paper has not been that expensive and as you might imagine, it saves on laundry in addition to being more sanitary.

• I love white vinegar! It just has a myriad of uses other than culinary! It attacks mold, mildew and hard water stains. My bathroom sink is a deep burgundy and the water stains really show on it around the faucets. White vinegar took care of them for me. Also, don’t forget that white vinegar will kills weeds in hard to get places like between sidewalk sections which are really annoy me.
• Here is a great hack I picked up recently! If you are having a get together where balloons are involved you can insert one of those wire cages that you get for your tomato plants and tie the balloons to it. They can be arranged in many different ways on the tomato cage. You’re welcome!

• There’s an app for that! In an effort to combat food waste Flashfood has partnered up with various stores to offer flash sales in your area. It is so easy. Download the app. It determines your location and if there are any stores in your area that participate. If there is one (or more) than they display the deals. You put them in your cart, purchase them online and then simply stop at the store. They have dedicated coolers and shelves for the Flashfood buys and it is quick and easy. Some of the stores that participate are Tops, Giant Eagle, Martin’s, Loblaws and Shop and Save. Tops is the one store in my area that participates. I have gotten some really good deals. The first time you order you get $10 off your purchase. Check it out!

Recipes

I was shopping with my friend, Shelly, and she said she wanted some chocolate mint candy melts. Of course I needed to know for what. She said she made Mock Girl Scout Thin Mints with them. Naturally, I bought some too and as well as, some salted caramel melts. I then got the original flavor Ritz crackers. You could use a store brand too. You melt the candy in the microwave a minute at a time until it is all melted. Stir in between each minute as these candy melts may look as if they are not melted but in fact are. The last thing you want to do is microwave it too long. It makes the chocolate gritty and tastes unappealing. Then using tongs, dip a cracker in the melted candy and place on parchment or waxed paper to harden. Yum!

Baked Feta and Tomatoes with Pasta *saltysidedish.com

This recipe has been going around online and my friend Cheryl told me how great it was and encouraged me to try it. She was right!

• 2 pints Grape Tomatoes
• 1/3rd cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2-3 chopped Garlic Cloves
• Fresh basil bunch (about 1/3rd cup), see notes
• 8 oz. block of feta cheese
• kosher salt
• cracked pepper
• 8 oz. box of pasta – I recommend Cavatappi ( I have used bowties and small penne too)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pour in 2 pints of cherry tomatoes into casserole dish.
3. Place feta cheese block in center of tomatoes.
4. Sprinkle tomatoes and cheese with sea salt, freshly cracked pepper.
5. Drizzle olive oil around dish, approximately 1/3rd cup, going over tomatoes and cheese. Its fine to use a little more or a little less.
6. OPTIONALLY add 1/3rd cup fresh basil leaves
7. Place in oven on 400 for 30 minutes.
8. Move on to boiling pasta al dente according to box. I recommend Cavatappi, however other pastas can be used.

Jazzed Up Cream Cheese Brownies

I always keep a brownie mix (or two) around in case I need a quick and easy dessert. If you would like to jazz up your brownies a little you can! Just do your mix as usual and place in a prepared pan. Meanwhile, in a mixer combine 8oz. of cream cheese, one egg, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and if you want to really get wild fold in some chocolate chips. Once that is mixed place by dollops at random places on top of the brownie mixture in the pan. Using a butter knife gently swirl the mixture through the brownie to form a swirl pattern like you see in ice cream. Bake as you usually would but it will be thicker and take a little longer. Just let it go 5 minutes longer. Check for your desired doneness and if it isn’t there give it a couple more minutes. My grandsons gobbled it up!

Mexican Street Corn Casserole *easyfamilyrecipes.com

• 32 oz frozen corn thawed
• ▢1/2 cup mayonnaise
• ▢1/2 cup sour cream
• ▢1.5 tsp chili powder
• ▢1/2 tsp garlic powder
• ▢1/2 tsp salt
• ▢1/4 tsp cayenne optional
• ▢5 oz queso fresco grated or crumbled (I used a taco blend)
• Garnish with cilantro if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F
• Pour the corn into a large casserole dish.  Mix in the mayo, sour cream, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and half of the queso fresco until combined.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes or until heated through and the sides begin to bubble.
• Sprinkle the remaining queso fresco over the casserole and top with chopped cilantro. Enjoy!

Hummus

My daughter sells Pampered Chef and I was able to get their cooking blender. I tried making my own hummus and was very happy with the results. However, you don’t need a blender that cooks to make this! It was just my inspiration to try it.

• 1 can (15.5 oz./440 g) chickpeas, drained (reserve ¼ cup (60 mL) liquid from the can)
• 1 can (15 oz./425 g) Great Northern beans, drained
•  Liquid reserved from chickpeas
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) olive oil
• 1   garlic clove, peeled
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) sesame seeds
• 1 tsp (5 mL) salt
•  Optional: grilled or raw vegetables, naan or pita bread, or crackers

1. Add the ingredients, in the order listed, to the blender. Replace and lock the lid. Turn the wheel to select the GRIND setting; press the wheel to start.
2. If the blades are still moving but not blending food, use the tamper to push the ingredients back into the blades.* Tip: Use the tamper in a circular motion to keep the hummus moving into the blades. Do not tamper for more than 30 seconds at a time.
3. Serve with grilled or raw vegetables, naan, pita bread, or crackers.

Jararcuterie

This is just what it sounds like and you might imagine. Charcuterie in a jar. Just put in each jar a portion of what little delicacies you would put on a charcuterie board and you have a party!

The Crafts Keep Coming!

You know that it just happens to be flag day so I am sharing some of my patriotic fare!

My Ribbon Flag

I just cut white lace and red ribbon (7 red and 6 white) and tied them to a piece of jute. For the blue field I used 1/4 of a blue bandana which I pinned to jute. I have it hanging from my deck.

Bandana Flag

I purchased 4 white bandanas, 5 red bandanas and one blue. I used a yard stick to suspend everything on. I had to drill a hole in each end to put some jute through for a hanger. To form the flag I cut the bandanas into 5 inch wide strips. I sewed two strips together. Then I ironed back both raw edges to form approximately an inch and a half band. I then attached each band I made with hot glue onto the yardstick. I did have some fabric left unused. When I was done with 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes I folded over the edges of the one blue bandana until it covered a portion of the first six stripes. Then ironed back those sides that I had folded and then hot glued it to the yardstick.

Not Enough Doors and the Wreath

On one of the sale sites I purchased an old wooden door for $10. I knew I would find a use for it. I sanded of the loose paint chips, leaned it up against the tree in my side yard and created a new place to decorate.

I used deco mesh and a 12 inch wreath form to imitate the flag in circular form. The deco mesh was 10 inches wide and I cut 10 inch strips to make a square. I then gathered that square up in the middle and attached it to the wreath form with pipe cleaners. I add some stars I bought from the Dollar Tree to the blue field. Wow! I just realized this is the first time in this blog post I mentioned the Dollar Tree! I can hardly believe it took me so long to get to it! You know, I love that store!

Summer Hat Wall Decor

Sue, Shelly and I get together to have lunch and craft a bit every so often. This last time, Sue had picked up straw hats from the Dollar Tree for us to decorate. Below you will see my effort. I simply painted letters a dark green that spelled SUMMER, found some little strawberries to hot glue on and made a bow using my bow maker for the first time. We used some floral wire to make a hanger for it. Simple but cute! It is also strawberry season!

I saw a woman using this bow maker in a video and I searched Amazon and found one. It is an easy tool to use.

Thank you so much for reading! Please leave a comment or if you have a question ask! Hopefully, you found something that is useful to you! See you next time!