Sunday 09.13.15

The weather has been cooler and crisper in my region.  The sure sign that fall is fast approaching.  That means weekends of attending fall festivals, wineries, football games and bon fires!  Hope you are having a relaxing and fun day Sunday!

Links I enjoy:

The Seven Qualities of a Good Friend

Foods Proven to Make You Happy

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You

How to Reuse Your Summer Clothing during Fall

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Brew Cooking

Cool and crisp fall weather lends to cooking more soups, stews and baking.  Cooking with beer adds a rich earthy flavor to soups and stews that makes them taste like they have been simmering for hours.  Beers with a sweet or nutty flavor can add depth to desserts. Don't be concerned about getting drunk - virtually all of the alcohol evaporates during the cooking process!

Which beer to use in cooking?

• For long, slow cooking use dark, malty beers
• For quick cooked pan sauce use mild-flavored light beers
• For baking try lighter styles of white or wheat beer to avoid a bitter taste
• For uncooked marinades and salad dressings use hop beers - IPA for fullness of flavor

Measuring beer to minimize froth:

1. To reduce amount of foam, open the bottle of beer earlier than needed
2. Tilt a liquid measuring cup while pouring the beer slowly down the side
3. If beer will be used for cooking, re-cap an open bottle, refrigerate overnight and use next day

Some great recipes using beer:

• Beer braised short ribs
• Beer-cheese biscuits
• Skillet-roasted chicken in beer
• Slow cooker chili with beer
• Cran-beery relish
• Chocolate Stout floats

Sunday 09.06.15

Labor Day Weekend - the indicator of the close of summer and cooler weather ahead.  My weekend has been low key and doing activities I enjoy- watching movies, going through fall decorations, hanging out at the pool with friends and listening to music at an outdoor concert.

Hope you all have an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend!

Links I like:

Easy Cold Brewed Coffee

The Secrets to Strengthening Your Nails

Chipotle Bloody Mary

Develop Your Personal Mission Statement

Grilled Parmesan Potatoes and Carrots

Sunday 08.30.15

It’s hard to believe that it is the last Sunday in the month of August!!!  Summer is quickly coming to an end.  I hope you have enjoyed the warmer weather and time spent with family and friends.  My summer was filled with helping my daughter move to Virginia to step into a new chapter of her life.  She is an amazing young woman with an open heart to life and love.  It’s never easy to boldly walk through new doors.  It does make it easier to be surrounded by beaches and the love of her life.

I have also had the privilege to spend time with family and friends, going to country music concerts, walking on nature trails, sitting around the pool, buying fresh produce at farmers' market, watching a NASCAR race, watching Major/Minor league baseball, fireworks at the lake, eating dinner on a patio and attending my 45^th High School Reunion!  It’s been a fun and enjoyable season of my life.

Links I enjoy:

How to be 10 times prettier with coconut oil

How to maintain a white and healthy smile

17 Refreshing Beer Cocktails you need in your life

Makeup Eraser

Microfiber cloths - Norwex

 

 

Mexican Sour Gherkin Cucumber

This past weekend a good friend and I made a day trip to Powell Gardens in Bates City, Missouri.  It was a gorgeous pre-fall outing, walking trails and viewing nature.  We had lunch at the Thyme Café and were served Mexican Sour Gherkin cucumbers as a garnish to the turkey wraps. 

We found them to be quite interesting – they are a cucumber-like fruit with a touch of lemon and shaped like a baby watermelon.  They are good added to salads or can be pickled.  The ornamental vines have tiny leaves and flowers, which are perfect for the cottage garden.   

Pickled Mexican Gherkins

Combine 1 1/2 cups distilled white vinegar, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons Kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Add 1 serrano chile pepper (halved), 1 garlic head (halved crosswise), 2 whole cloves, 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon mustard seeds and 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns. Remove from the heat and steep until the liquid is warm–not hot. Add 1 cup gherkins, cool completely, and chill. Keep them jarred in the fridge–they will stay good for 2-3 weeks.

 

Sunday 08.09.15

Hope you are ‘driving slowly this Sunday morning’.  I am drinking in another cup of coffee while reflecting upon last evening with friends, reminiscing of days gone by.  I attended my 45^th high school reunion.  It was a fun evening and truly hard to believe the years have slipped away ever so quickly.

I have also been reflecting upon my current relationship – we survived a year with lots of ups and downs.  We each have lived a life and know it’s not easy to meld those lives together.  There is comfort in knowing that we have one another in a caring relationship.  We are aware of our personalities and seek acceptance from one another, not change.

Enjoy and appreciate your loved ones – daily!

Links I love:

Outdoor cinemas to spend your summer evening

Tough Workouts That’ll Give You Amazing Results within 2 Weeks

5 Ways To Create Small Space Dining Areas

Watermelon salsa

 

 

Sunday 08.02.15

Hope you are enjoying your Sunday - a day of rest and renewal.  I am spending the day with my dear friend Susie, soaking up the sun while swimming at the pool.  Our paths originally crossed at work while being cube mates. 

Her humor and positive attitude was dimmed a year ago when she had a life changing event - the sudden loss of her husband.  I on the other hand, find myself an empty nester as my daughter has spread her wings to soar into the next chapter of her life.  Not losses on the same plane, but I am hopeful that we can encourage one another to bridge over into our new lives.  When woman experiences a shift in her role, it takes some adjusting whether it is planned or unplanned.

We know that these events have been experienced by others, both before and after us.  We have to hold onto hope in our lives as we wait patiently for our lives to take on new direction and purpose.

Enjoy that second cup of coffee as listen and watch the day unfold!

Links I Like:

The best natural appetite suppressants
Road trip essentials for your car
45 Life Lessons
Steps to a better you
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