Good for hot weather....

Good Tuesday to you!  Did you have a good Monday? 

When the temperatures begin to rise, we seem to want to prepare something that will not heat up the kitchen very much.  This salad is a good one to have for times like this. 

This recipe, from a good friend, has been in my files for at least 35 years! 

TUNA-MACARONI SALAD
1 lb. macaroni (smallest is best)
2 cans tuna, drained and flaked (or one large can)
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium size can peas (LeSeuer), drained
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon diced pimento (or 1 small jar), drained
1 cup mayonnaise
- Cook macaroni; drain and chill.  Mix all else together and then fold into chilled macaroni.  Refrigerate before serving.  Serve on lettuce leaf.  Serves 10 to 12, generously

Ready to enjoy!

The rain keeps missing us, and we are more than six inches behind in our average rainfall for this point in the year now.  Are you having normal rainfall where you are?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Beginning the week....

Another week is here.  Did you have a busy week-end?  Do you have a long list for today?

I believe you have seen this before.

Biscuits - always a treat!

The recipe for these has been in my file for a number of years.  I wish I could remember the source as I always like to give credit, but I really have no idea how I came upon this recipe.

SKY HIGH BISCUITS
2 cups flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
4 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup butter, cold and cut into small pieces
1 egg
1 cup milk
- Mix dry ingredients together.  Cut in butter.
- Add liquid (egg and milk), stirring until moistened.
- Knead to hold together, roll, and cut.
- Bake at 450 degrees F for 8 to 10 minutes.  Yield depends on size of biscuit cutter.  Using the smaller cutter gave me 24 biscuits.  The Husband has been enjoying them!:)

This was not to be the year for a Triple Crown winner.  California Chrome, the favored horse to win it all, had a fourth place finish on Saturday.  Congratulations to the winner - Tonalist. 

Have a good Monday!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments. 

Sunday, June 8, 2014 - Day of Pentecost....

These words from Galatians have served as the theme for our Conference United Methodists Women for the past two years.

                    ".....the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

                                kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness,

                                    and self-control.  There is no law against these things."

                                                                                                  ~ Galatians 5:22-23  (NRSV)

The Mission Focus for today, as listed in the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for 2014, is the Neighborhood Center in Camden, New Jersey.

Have a blessed Sunday.

The week-end....

The week-end is here!  Do you have some good plans? 

Did you know that the Belmont Stakes is this afternoon?  California Chrome is entered.  Do you think there will be a Triple Crown winner this year?  From what I've heard, California Chrome is the overwhelming favorite.  It has been a long time - 38  years - since we had the last Triple Crown winner with Affirmed.  We will be watching the race on NBC!

Do you have a special breakfast on the week-end?  Does this look like a special week-end treat?

Biscuits!

Chocolate gravy!

This was a big surprise for The Husband!  He loves having leftovers and will enjoy this treat for a few more days.:-)  Recipes will follow next week!

Stainless gravy ladle - Chateau by Oneida.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Anniversary....

Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  While this event occurred in my lifetime, I was too young to have any memory of what happened on this day. 

Ann McFeatters, a newspaper columnist, has written an article which appeared in our local Sunday newspaper.  She states, "But Normandy still stands as a synonym for courage, heroism and the best humans have to offer - making the supreme sacrifice to help others."

On the 50th anniversary, Bill Clinton was serving as president.  This is a quote from what he had to say on that occasion:  "Let us never forget, when they were young, these men saved the world."

While I do not come from a background of military service - with the exception of an uncle who served for a short time during World War II - and I've a nephew who is serving in the Air Force - I recognize the sacrifices made by those who serve our country in the military, and I'm grateful to them for their service.

This book has been on our shelves since it was first released.

The subject - those who served in World War II.

I think it is past time for me to become more familiar with what is inside the cover of this book!

I look forward to watching the coverage on television today of the special events marking this special anniversary.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In the kitchen - Part 3....

Good Thursday morning to you!  The predicted storms did not occur here overnight, nor did we have the rainfall that was hoped would come with them.  We are nearly six inches behind in average rainfall for this point in the year, so we really do need rain!

I am tardy in welcoming new followers!  I have noticed that there are now 100 of you!  That certainly calls for a celebration!  A give-away, perhaps?  I will be on the lookout for something suitable in the next week or so.

Continuing with a "leftover" from the previous post, here is that picture I couldn't locate to go along with yesterday's recipe.

Bean Salad!

One of the benefits of this salad is that no heating of any kitchen appliance is required to make it, making it perfect to make on a hot summer day!

China details - Strawberries and Cream by Villeroy and Boch, now discontinued.:-(  This is a soup bowl from the collection.

Now - on to today's recipe.  This is one that we have enjoyed for years and years.  It comes from Betty Crocker from years ago.  Unfortunately, I have no picture of this one. 

CHICKEN SALAD FILLING
1 cup chpped cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Blend all together.  (I used the food processor for this.  Just don't make it too fine.)  Refrigerate.  1 1/2 cups. 

This will make enough filling for four or five sandwiches.  We prefer using a good whole wheat bread for them. The filling is also good for a stuffed tomato!  Place the tomato on some crisp lettuce leaves and sprinkle a bit of paprika over the top of the chicken salad.  Yum!  I should tell you that I've rarely made this without at least doubling the recipe.:-)  If you wish, a rotisserie chicken from the super market would work very well, and there would be no need to heat the kitchen for this one, either.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In the kitchen - Part 2....

Happy Wednesday to everyone!  Are you expecting severe storms today?  We have a possibility of stormy conditions later this evening.  We really need the rain - over five inches behind our usual rainfall for this point in the year - but it would suit me fine if the storms didn't arrive!

Some more time has been spent in the kitchen in recent days.  This recipe is one that I have had for many years.  The Husband's sister-in-law gave it to me early in our marriage, and it has been enjoyed many times.

BEAN SALAD
1 can (28 oz.) cut green beans
2 cans (14 oz.) French cut green beans
1 can (14 oz.) kidney beans
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup salad oil (I used canola.)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
salt and pepper (to taste)
- Drain beans.  Place in bowl.  Add green pepper and onion.
- Mix oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a jar.  Pour over beans  green pepper, and onion.  Toss and refrigerate.

I thought I had a picture of this one, but am not able to find it.:-(  I'll check later and it may appear in the next post.:-)

I send wishes for your safety if you are experiencing severe stormy weather today!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.