~Memorial Day~

Today is Memorial Day-
the day we remember
and we honor
the men and the women
who have died
in service
to our country!!

Thank you!

The Beautiful Month of May!

Every week during the month of May there are always new "happenings" going on in our gardens.  A quick walk around our yard or a glance out of our windows bring beautiful sights!

Today, the large cluster of lavendar Chives can be seen from a distance.  A closer look at the Irises brought a great surprise!  The long slender buds are beginning to form.  Soon there will be many more.  The big pink Peonies are beautiful and there are more buds!

In another area the small green Zinnia sprouts have popped up. They were planted from seeds that were harvested from last year's abundant colorful crop.  It's a tradition to save the seeds, plant them the following year and enjoy the gorgeous colors!  Spring is a beautiful time of year!

Enjoy!
Happy Gardening!

Grilled Swordfish!

Grilled Swordfish

The warm weather has arrived!  Here in Western Massachusetts we have gardening on our minds!  It's time to start purchasing our annuals, perennials and seeds too.  The garden centers were crowded today with so many enthusiastic people choosing the plants that will add color to their yards this Spring, Summer and Autumn.  Some people are also planning their vegetable gardens. 

Today is a beautiful sunny day and our local grocery store has fresh Swordfish in the Seafood Department.  I knew what we would be having for dinner.  Grilled Swordfish!  It's easy to prepare and does not take long to grill.   

The amount of needed grilling time depends on the size of the piece of Swordfish Steak and your grill. Using our grill it usually takes 14- 15 minutes total grilling time.  7 minutes on each side.

For my Grilling Swordfish recipe, click here.  Yes, it is worth the click! 

Now that we have returned to shopping "in person" in our grocery store, Mashed Potatoes and a veggie salad will also be served.  It's amazing how much we missed eating Mashed Potatoes when I was planning our menu for one and one-half weeks at a time.  We also did not have fresh seafood as much as we usually do.  However, a bag of frozen Shrimp was always in our large freezer.  Frozen Shrimp has become a staple for me and purchasing it "on Special" is the best way.  This past year+ has certainly been challenging, but the future looks so bright!

Enjoy!
Yummy!     

   

To All Moms...

Enjoy your special day!!!

Cheers,

~April!~

~Apple Blossoms~

While taking a walk outside at this time of year we can see so much color here in New England!  It is popping up everywhere and is such a treat.  The landscape is beautiful.  Today while taking a walk in our neighborhood dainty apple blossoms made an appearance.

Enjoy! 

Cornbread

Growing up my mom always used a boxed mix when baking Cornmeal Muffins.  For so many years I used that same brand.  Then, one day a neighbor shared a recipe she uses to bake Cornbread.  She had gotten it from another woman who bakes.  That is always a good indication that the recipe will be really good.  It is!  I've baked this delicious Cornbread so many times in 2020 and continue to bake it in 2021!

The Cornbread is a beautiful yellow color like the Daffodils above.  We always enjoy eating it at breakfast and extra portions are wrapped individually and placed in our freezer.  It is so easy to defrost in the microwave for a few seconds for a quick breakfast, too.  I've never remembered to take a photo!  I cannot believe that either, but it's true! 

O.K., so I had the recipe for maybe 8 years.  I cannot even remember why I decided to get the needed ingredients.  Ground Cornmeal was not something that I had on hand.  Well, now I sure do!  A bag of cornmeal sealed in a Ziploc bag is now always in my fridge. 

This Cornbread is just delicious!  It is also easy to prepare.  I changed the recipe a bit- like I always do.  I use Olive Oil and bake it in my 8" rose colored glass Pyrex baking dish.  

Now that I've kept you in suspense about the recipe, here it is:

Cornbread 

Oven Temperature:  350°F         Baking Time:  50 Minutes

Ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Yellow Cornmeal   
3/4 Cups Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder  

2 Eggs
1 and 1/2 Cups Milk
1/4 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil for baking & sauteing

PAM 

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. In another bowl beat 2 Eggs.
3. Add the Milk to the Eggs and stir well.
4. Then add the Olive Oil to the Eggs/ Milk and stir well.
5. Pour liquid ingredients into dry ingredients.
6. Stir well and pour into an 8' x 8" pan that has been sprayed with PAM.
7. Bake for 50 Minutes in a 350°F oven.
8. Cool and enjoy.
   

This Cornbread is so delicious!  It is the recipe that I had been searching for- for years. 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Ah, Spring!

Spring has arrived! It is wonderful to see the perennials popping up!

On all sides of our yard there is color!  Lavendars, greens, pinks and yellows! Welcome Spring!  It's good to have you back.

We are enjoying!