July 1, 2020!

Salmon Daylily!

Today was the day!  It's July 1, 2020!  Every year in the early Spring I watch the leaves of the Salmon Daylilies pop up from the ground.  As the weeks go by the leaves become longer.  Then, stalks appear.  Each stalk grows in length and then has buds.  That's a sign that flowers will be on the way.  Soon they open. 

The beautiful sight began today when the first Salmon Daylily bud blossomed!!  It looks like 3 more flowers will appear tomorrow!

Enjoy!

     

Tortellini Salad

Tortellini Salad
(File Photo)

Like so many of you, my friends, I've been cooking up a storm!  As you can see, I have not had a chance to blog lately.  So, taking a current photo of food is... well... a dream.  I had a little bit of Baking Powder left and this week like magic, I have it.  What a different "new norm"!  I realize you have been finding the same situations at any time during the week.  People are cooking and/ or learning to cook! 

Hopefully, if we all wear our masks and use precautions things will change again to a more comfortable norm. 

One day last week we enjoyed Tortellini Salad as a side dish at dinner.  There was a bag of frozen tri-colored tortellini waiting in the freezer.  Waiting for me to prepare it!  It's one of my favorite pasta salads in the warmer months.  There is something great about biting into a cheese filled Tortellini that's surrounded by Italian Dressing.  The seasonings from the dressing just coat each little Tortellini!  Did I mention it is easy to prepare?  It is!  Very easy!

Sometimes, I add black olives, whole or sliced to this pasta salad.  They are optional.    

Tortellini Salad  

Ingredients:   
(1) 12 ounce bag Frozen Cheese Tortellini- may be lesser quantity
Italian Salad Dressing
Parsley Flakes
Garlic Powder

Method:

1. Prepare Tortellini following directions on bag. 
2. Drain, rinse with cold water.  Drain again.
3. Place in bowl.
4. Add about 1/2 Cup Italian Salad Dressing, combine.
5. Add desired amount of Parsley Flakes and Garlic Powder.
6. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
7. Before serving, stir.  Add a little more Italian Dressing if needed.

It is that easy!  If you don't have the tortellini in your freezer, remember this recipe to prepare another time in the coming months!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

May Colors!

There is a rotation of color in our yard when the flowers start to blossom.  I've been waiting for the Peonies' buds to open and this morning some did.  Bright pink flowers!

Overnight, the Iris buds appeared.  It was also a very welcome sight today!  Before I know it the lavender flowers will be visible.

The Zinnia seeds planted last week are beginning to sprout.  It's always so cool to see.  The seeds we planted were saved from last year's colorful crop.

Spring is here and beautiful colors are visible!

Enjoy!

 

~Grilled Haddock~

Grilled Haddock
(File Photo)

One day last week it was pleasantly warm outside.  Earlier that day about 1 pound of Haddock fillets had been purchased from our grocery store.  The day passed way too quickly and before I realized it, I needed to make decisions about dinner!  I knew we would be enjoying this seafood prepared- some way.  Exactly how I wasn't sure.  That was when our grill came in handy!  It was the first time this Spring that we enjoyed Grilled Haddock!  It is so easy to prepare and takes a short amount of time to grill.  A grilling basket/ container comes in very handy here!  A sauce is not needed to add extra flavor.  The Paprika and Thyme work so well here.

For the recipe, click here.

Haddock fillets will be added to our next grocery list.  If the day is pleasant outside, that is probably how I will prepare this seafood, again!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

On May 10th

there is only one thing to say!

I wish all of you Moms and people who fill the role of moms

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Enjoy!

May 3rd!

Mother Nature always keeps us on our toes!  These days our neighborhood is bursting with so many different colors.  Sometimes, it is found at eye level and at other times a glance upward is rewarded.

Enjoy!

  
 

Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas

These days living our daily lives dealing with COVID- 19, grocery shopping has become a planned activity.  There's no more making a short list and popping in to your favorite grocery store.  It's much easier to purchase ingredients that will be used in meals that we can enjoy for 8- 10 days.  The pound of Haddock that's purchased is prepared and enjoyed that night, like usual.  However, there are no longer 3 items on our grocery list.  It has become a larger list!  So, a slightly larger amount of chicken can be purchased, then grilled or baked.  There are easy meals to prepare and to enjoy with those extra slices of chicken the next night.  I talking Chicken Enchiladas!  Packaged Tortillas and Salsa need to be added to your grocery list if you are planning on enjoying this dinner one night, soon!

It's easy to prepare because the chicken has already been cooked!  The extra slices are cut into small pieces and mixed with sour cream, shredded cheese and a few other ingredients.  A small amount is placed on each tortilla before wrapping and placing into a baking dish.  About 30 minutes later Chicken Enchiladas will be ready for dinner.

Yes, I have written complete directions for this recipe before and it can be found here.

Last night we enjoyed them.  It sure was a quick and easy dinner to prepare!  Add tortillas and salsa to your grocery list whenever you will be baking/ grilling chicken.  A few slices of the chicken is key to another delicious dinner!  Leftovers?  Oh, no!  Those extra slices are the main ingredient to a very delicious dinner.  

Enjoy!
Yummy!