Swayze

Swayze @ 6 Months Old

Here is the latest addition to my family

Swayze (aka Batman Swayze-notice his black mask, Swayzers, Swayzeeeeeeee, Swayz)

(Yes, that's right.. after Patrick Swayze from the Road House movie)

He is my son's dog

but I get to love on him

He turned 6 months old on Saturday

He is a rhodesian ridgeback, australian cattle dog

black mountain dog and boxer mix

He weighs about 45lbs

He will probably get up to about 60ish lbs

He seems to get taller every day though

DIY - Canvas Art

My neice just turned 9 years old  

For her birthday,

she came over on Saturday

to spend the night.

After a shopping trip to Hobby Lobby,

we tried our first arts and crafts project.

We bought 2 different size canvas

They each had 2 in the pack

We each had an 8x10

&

 an 11x14 canvas

Of course, all inspiration came from Pinterest

Where else ?

 We just kind of "winged" it

We had the following:

acrylic paints

paint brushes

canvas

mod podge (sparkly)

My neice embraced the project with full force

She knew what she wanted to say

&

She knew exactly the colors she wanted to use

 

Me on the other hand..

Not so much...

I used copper & brown to match my room

I first started with a cute saying

but couldn't really commit

So, I just put random letters on after I painted the copper

Then I painted "expresso" over them

Then I wasn't thinking, and I peeled off the letters...

So... I had to improvise and paint gold over the DREAM letters

looks like it was meant to be that way, right???

This is both of our attempts of doing hearts.

I say for our first attempt at being artist,

we did pretty good...

since they are just going to hang

in our rooms for us to see



Stuffed Summer Squash Boats

 I watched Jamie Deen make this on his show

Home for Dinner with Jamie Deen



Stuffed Summer Squash Boat



The Filling - Italian Sausage, Red Onion & Cherry Tomatoes

I used the "chocolate" cherry tomatoes from my farmers market find this weekend



Stuffed Squash

Stuffed Squash with Breadcrumbs

The only change I made is that I used spicy italian sausage

not turkey italian sausage

I thought the Thai Rice Noodles recipe

 I made several weeks ago was one of the best dishes I had made in a while, but no

This one wins - hands down!  Even my son agreed

Stuffed Summer Squash Boats

adapted from Jamie Deen's Stuffed Squash Boat Recipe - Food Network

Ingredients

4 large yellow squash (straight-neck variety)

1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the breadcrumbs

8 ounces italian sausage (you can use turkey)

1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs

1/4 cup Parmesan

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Put the squash in a 12-inch high sided skillet, cover halfway with water & bring to a simmer. Turn to low, cover with a lid, and cook until tender crisp, about 8 minutes.  Set the squash aside to cool.

3. Drain the water from the skiller, wipe dry and place over medium-heat. Add oil if using turkey sausage.  If you are using italian sausage, you do not need the oil.  Cook, stirring until almost cooked through, about 4 minutes. Stir in the onions and cook until softened, about 4 minutes more.  Toss in the tomatoes, season with a big pinch of salt and pepper.  Cook until the tomatoes start to break down a bit, 1 more minute.  Set aside to cool.

4. While the mixture is cooling, trim the ends of the squash, slice in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds with a spoon, making a boat shape.  Chop up the centers and combine with the sausage filling.

5.  Spoon the mixture into the boats, mounding them high.  Place on a baking sheet.  Mix together panko, parmesan, chopped parsley and olive oil in a small bowl.  Sprinkle on top of the stuffed squash.  Bake until golden on top, about 25 minutes.

White Rock Local Market

We have an awesome local farmers market in my neighborhood

White Rock Local Market @ Lakeside

1st and 3rd Saturdays

Lakeside Baptist Church

9150 Garland Rd

Dallas 75218

White Rock Local Market @ Green Spot

2nd and 4th Saturdays
Green Spot

702 N. Buckner Blvd

Dallas 75218

They are only open

from

8am - 1pm

I got there about 10ish and several farmers were already sold out

I recommend getting there EARLY

I was focused on fresh produce for the grill



Zucchini and Squash

I used the squash last night (see below)

I plan on grilling the zucchini tonight

Check out the lovely yellowy goldish ones



"Chocolate" Cherry Tomatoes



No, silly, these do not task like chocolate

They taste just like cherry tomatoes

Baby Portabellas & Button Mushrooms

I love love love mushrooms

I am going to stuff these and grill them 



Montasio Rosemary and Fresh Mozzarella Cheeses



 We have a fabulous local cheese company (actually several)

but this one is amazing

It's called the Mozzarella Company

Most of the local stores sell their cheeses

They have classes on how to make cheese, how to pair it with wine,

and

how to pair it with beer

I have not tried the Montasio Rosemary cheese

It is a hard cheese so I cannot wait to try it out on my next pasta dish

I plan on using the mozzarella cheese

on my next grilled pizza

Jamie Deen's Stuffed Squash Boats

This was last night's supper

Check out tomorrow's post for the recipe

This is probably the best recipe I've tried in a long time

(& I've tried alot) 

These have spicy italian sausage, red onions,

the "chocolate" cherry tomatoes from above, 

&

are topped off with panko/parmesan bread crumbs

Happy Bastille Day

I am not French, but I do covet all things French !

I started the day off with croissants from Trader Joe's! 

Have you tried these? 

They are

A

M

A

Z

I

N

G

Just put them on a baking sheet the night before you planned to cook them

They rise overnight

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes

Croissants with Apricots & Cumin Preserves

Check the Apricot & Cumin preserves from Belberry

I bought this at Central Market a few weeks ago

I know you are probably thinking, cumin? Really?

It is delish!

Seriously!

A great treat to start the day 

I plan on finishing it out later with this awesome Rose

Grand Cadeau Rose Sparkling

Grand Cadeau Rose Sparkling Wine

from WineShop @ Home

Do not be fooled

This is not a sweet wine

It is a blend of French Colombard, Chardonnay, Muscat, Pinot Grigio & Viognier

It truly SPARKLES! 

Cheers to the French! 

(This is my first post from my ipad using the blogger mobile app. So, I apologize for the lack of proper formatting) 

Pizza on the Grill

Mushroom Onion Pizza

  

My Shiney New Red Grill 

So... check out the new grill!

I'm most excited about it

It's small but perfect for me

I love that it has a side burner!

Check out my yummy pizza

I am loving Mama Mary's thin pizza crust

I just used some marinara sauce that I had in the pantry

(here I used Trader Joe's)

I sliced fresh mozzarella

&

I sauted mushroom and onions 

in white wine, butter, & balsamic vinegar

DELICIOUS!!!

Heart Le Creuset

Heart Le Creuset

I covet Le Creuset, 

&

I love all things heart

 

As I have expressed  

here 

&

here

My dear friend, Misty gave me this one for my birthday.

Isn't it adorable?

Chocolate Chip Cookie "Cake"

Pink M&M and Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Cookie dough & Pink M&Ms

Pink M&M and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Red and Pink Icing

My neice turned 9 years old on Friday, July 5th.  She requested a cookie cake with pink frosting and flowers.

Did you know that you can buy just about any color M&M from Party City?

It was very easy to do.  Nestle even includes how long to bake a big cookie on the back of the wrapper.

I thought of using cookie dough from scratch, but I found that my neice just likes the presentation.  She's not a big sugar eater. 

Flag Cake

July 4th Flag Cake

So, I know... the 4th was last week.  I have not been the best blog poster lately, but I really do plan to do a better job by posting at least 2-3 times a week.

This is a cake I make every year.  This year I did it a little different.  Instead of piping the white lines with cream cheese frosting... I sprinkled powdered sugar on top of the blueberries and raspberries.   The key is to place the blueberries and raspberries that you want to "sugar" on the cake first. (Actually, I spread cream cheese frosting on top of the cake first to act as "glue" for the berries to stick to).    I sifted powder over the rows of berries, then I placed the "non" powdered berries on the cake.

I keep this really simple.  I usually just make a box strawberry cake and make my own frosting. I sometimes use the tub o' frosting.  The presentation is fun, and the cake is usually moist.

This is not a true "flag" replica.  I was afraid I'd run out of raspberries if I put in the full 13 rows.

Thai Rice Noodles with Chicken

I

Thai Rice Noodles with Chicken

 This is a recipe that I clipped out of Cooking Light magazine back in 2009.  I have never cooked anything "thai" before.  This was so delicious.  

A couple things I might do different.  1) Cook the shallots with the green onions, ginger and garlic.   2) Not add chicken.   The flavor was so amazing, that the chicken just got in the way for me.

Thai Rice Noodles with Chicken

from Cooking Light, October 2009

Ingredients

1/4 cup fresh lime juice, divided
2 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
8 ounces 1/2 inch thick rice noodles
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon fresh chile past with garlic (such as sambal oelek)
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
4 teaspoons canola oil, divided
3 tablespoons thinly diagonally sliced green onions
1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup torn fresh basil
1/4 cup very thinly sliced lemongrass (tough outer stalks removed)
1/4 cup very thinly silced vertically sliced shallots

Directions

1.  Combine 2 tablespoons lime juice and chicken in a bowl. Let stand 15 minutes.
2.  Soak noodles in hot water for 15 minutes or until somewhat soft but still slightly chewy. Drain wel..
3.  Combine remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice, sugar and next 4 ingredients (through the chile paste).  Stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt.
4.  Heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 1 teaspoon oil to pan, swirl to coat.  Remove chicken from juice; discard juice.  Add chicken to pan; stir fry 4 minutes or until done.  Transfer to bowl, sprinkle with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt.  5.  Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add green onions, ginger, and garlic; stir-fry 45 seconds or just until golden and fragrant.  Add noodles, cook 30 seconds, tossing well.
6.  Stir in sugar mixture.  Add chicken; cook 30 seconds.
7.  Place 1 1/4 cups noodle mixture on each of 4 plates. Top each with 2 tablespoons basil, 1 tablespoon lemongrass, and 1 tablespoon shallots

Herb Step Garden

Herbs - take 10

I've been trying to grow herbs

since 2009

Then again in 2010

&

once again in 2011

So, this time, I'm going all out

I have the standard herbs

rosemary, lavender, oregano, thyme,

basil, sage, dill, parsley

I also got a lemon tree...

(isn't that baby lemon adorable?)

and...

...creeping spinach

(please, no comments about the dead eucalyptus plant)

Also, you may have noticed my fancy herb markers

Got this idea from Pinterest

I just bought cheap knives at the thrift store

some acrylic paints

and

a silver sharpie

but I found that it works better with

a black archival pen