Time for Labor Day Weekend

4 09 2009

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Ah Labor Day weekend – you are the last hurrah of summer. Do you have plans dear reader friends? Are you going to BBQ’s or spending moments outside in the (hopefully) sunshiney days that are so rapidly becoming shorter?

Who knows what this long weekend will bring for me? We are productive here at the home, but I’ve been sick this past week and so our progress has been slow. Maybe this long weekend is just what I need to get better. I hope that for once I can get out my grill and use my deck this weekend. I’m hooked on the fading bits of summer today and embracing the fall to come in our new house.

Have a good weekend yall!

Shared with Hooked on Houses & The Inspired Room

That’s not my backyard above, I just wish it was.  Picture from HB.


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Categories : Recap

Recipe Week: The Neely’s Chicken Salad in Tomato Cups

13 08 2009

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The Neely’s Chicken Salad in Tomato Cups

Prep Time:
20 min
Inactive Prep Time:
–
Cook Time:
–

Level:
Easy

Serves:
6 servingss

Ingredients

* 1 rotisserie chicken, skinless and meat shredded or diced
* 1/2 small red onion, diced
* 1 shallot, chopped
* 2 tablespoons freshly chopped tarragon leaves
* 1 celery rib, chopped
* 1 cup slivered almonds
* 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
* 3/4 cup mayonnaise
* 3 cups halved seedless red grapes
* Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 6 large beefsteak tomatoes
* 1 head butter lettuce

Directions

Mix first 10 ingredients in a large bowl.

Core tops of tomatoes with a paring knife. Using a melon baller, scoop out the insides of the tomatoes. Lay a leaf of lettuce in each tomato so it peeks out the top. Fill the tomatoes with a large scoop of the chicken salad and serve.


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Categories : test kitchen

Recipe week – Martha Stewart’s Blueberry Pops

11 08 2009

Maybe it is because I have just come back from vacation and I like to spend a fair amount of my vacations trying new food – but I am in the mood for a week of recipes and food related goodness. So we’re having recipe week, maybe I’ll make a snazzy food week banner later today. This next recipe is one that I found on Martha Stewart’s website. It looked so delicious and summery, I couldn’t not share it with you. She’s got a whole host of recipes for summer desserts, including a lot of icebox cakes and they all look amazing. Enjoy!

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When the heat rises, cool off with a delicious frozen treat. Loaded with fresh blueberries, these pops are perfect on hot summer days.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 3 hours

Ingredients

* 5 cups blueberries
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. In a blender, puree blueberries with water, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing with a rubber spatula to release as much liquid as possible; discard solids. Add water if needed to yield 3 cups.
2. Divide among ten 2 1/2 ounce molds; insert wooden sticks, and freeze until solid, about 3 hours (and up to 1 week). To remove, dip bottom of molds in warm water for 2 to 3 seconds.

First published: July/August 2004


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Categories : test kitchen

Time for the weekend

7 08 2009

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This weekend I am leaving for a short trip, so I thought this picture of the open road was most appropriate.  Though I am not going far, this trip has a feeling of getting away attached to it.  I hope that my short trip is both fun and restful.   Are any of you out there in blogland going away for a late summer trip?  I hope you all head for the beaches this weekend and soak up the sun.  Have a good weekend everyone and see you on Monday.


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Categories : Recap

More Summer

6 07 2009

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Categories : fashion

Martha Stewart’s Vodka Thyme Lemonade

6 07 2009

0703_msl_vodka_ade_detail_lI saw this recipe in a Martha Stewart magazine what feels like a million years ago and never made it until this weekend.  Summer is the perfect time for this refreshing drink and since lemonade is a favorite of mine, I couldn’t pass this up.  It was perfect for my Sunday afternoon of naps on the porch and ice cream.

Here’s the recipe and here’s the link. When I made it I used lemonade mix instead of 24 lemons though!

Ingredients

Serves 8

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 12 sprigs fresh thyme, plus more for garnish
  • 4 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 24 lemons
  • 2 cups vodka

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, combine 2 cups water with the sugar and thyme; bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool to room temperature.
  2. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a large glass measuring cup; discard thyme. You should have 2 cups syrup. Cover with plastic; chill.
  3. In a large serving pitcher, stir together lemon juice, vodka, and chilled syrup; garnish with thyme. Divide evenly among eight tumblers filled with ice; serve immediately.

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Categories : test kitchen

Bobby Flay’s Texas Burgers Recipe

15 06 2009

Happy Monday All! Is it damp and cool there like it is here in Massachusetts? I found this recipe for you that will inject a little summer into your dinner no matter what the weather is like outside. Enjoy!!


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Porch Swings

11 06 2009

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When I was a little girl, my neighbors had a porch swing.  I used to go over there and just sit in their yard and swing – I thought it was just about the coolest thing.  I was a kid who loved rocking chairs and reading outside so this seemed like the perfect match for me.  I could see myself sitting and rocking on the porch swing reading my favorite books.  If only my parents would get one too!

Unfortunately my neighbors moved away and took their lovely swing.  I only got to use it a few times but I have a strong affinity for porch swings.  Here’s a selection of the lovely porch swings that I’ve found.

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1&2 from Porchswings.com,  3&4 from swingshowcase.com


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Categories : Garden

Light and Sheer

9 06 2009
A new Polyvore set for you, especially those looking for summer inspiration.  I like this look, fashionable with a bit of whimsy.

Light and Sheer


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Categories : fashion

Midori Sour Recipe

1 06 2009

Happy Monday everyone!  Here’s a drink recipe for a midori sour – a great summer drink recipe that’s sure to be a hit at any party in the warm weather.  I could have used one this weekend, I spent my whole weekend on the beach.

Anyway enjoy the drink and the warm weather that has finally come.


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Categories : Entertaining

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