A perfect early summer lunch~

Chicken salad and sweet tea!

 

I love chicken salad sandwiches!I grew up eating them and still use my mom's recipe.
It's simple but so good.What better to team it with than a giant glass of sweet tea! Wow,just screams summer right?!
I didn't make the tea,it's called "Peak" sweet tea and you can buy it by the (big or little ) bottle at your grocery.I found it in the aisle with the OJ and all that.It's really tasty too.

Old time Chicken salad~
1 can white chunk chicken breast
2-3 big TBSP Miracle Whip(or mayo)
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp sweet relish
1-2 tsp chopped onion and celery(I like alot but the kids won't eat any!)
dash of salt,pepper,and celery seed

Mix together well and serve on toasted bread or buns.(I know my bun looks a bit mangled and slighty burnt but it's better that way!)
You can get fancy and add some chopped walnuts but I like it just like this.

I just can't believe that tomorrow is the 1st day of June!Wow,spring is nearly over and the long hot days of summer will be here soon. Is it just me or does time go by much quicker now than it did when I was younger???!!

Meaty Rigatoni and The BEST garlic bread!

Well if there is one thing I know my kids will almost always eat is pasta.I don't mind it but I must have a good garlic bread to go with it.This is the BEST recipe if you want to make your own at home.I buy the one in the foil pouch quite often but this is nice when you have the time to make it.I made some meaty rigatoni to go along with it here.I NEVER have leftovers with this!
Of course it's from the one and only Paula!!!YUM!


Paula Deens Zesty Garlic Bread~

1 head garlic, unpeeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup (2-sticks) butter, softened (I actually used light country style spread)
3 tablespoons minced parsley leaves (dried is just as good)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1loaf sourdough bread, split horizontally
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Cut top off garlic head. Place garlic on a piece of aluminum foil; drizzle with olive oil. Fold edges together to seal. Bake 30 minutes; cool.

Squeeze cooked garlic into a medium bowl. Garlic will be soft and sticky. Add butter, parsley salt and pepper, stirring to combine.

Spread cut halves of bread evenly with garlic butter mixture. Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat, with oven door partially opened, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until butter melts and bread is toasted. Cut into slices to serve.

Aunt Ruthie and some thoughts

I found this scripture on this wonderful blog/website that I visit often.
It struck me today.

Isaiah 43: 18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

I do have a bad habit of dwelling on the past.I know that I shouldn't and that is a struggle for me daily.

If you get a chance and have not been to see Aunt Ruthie at her "Sugar Pie Farmhouse" then you must go right this very minute!!!
Wonderful lady and very inspiring.I love all her decor and awesome recipes!
There is even a message board to chat about home,family,etc

Sugar Pie Farmhouse

My peonies have finally bloomed!! I just love these so much.They are my 2nd fave flower (next to a rose) and they seemed to be taking their good old time but they have arrived.I only wish they could stay around longer than they do.
They smell mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,heavenly!

"Nights In Rodanthe"

I finally got to watch a movie that I've been dying to see over this past weekend.
"Nights In Rodanthe". I read the book (by Nicholas Sparks)awhile back and absolutely loved it.
The movie was a bit different in places but still a very romantic and yes SAD story.
I think the REAL star of the show was the house! It's an almost eerily beautiful beach house in North Carolina called "Serendipity". It suited the movie perfectly and it made me want to go there and live in that house!!(at least visit)
The beach shots were gorgeous and you definitely got swept up in the haunting love story between those characters.(played perfectly by
Diane Lane and Richard Gere)
A wonderful movie but get your Kleenex ready!

New recipe blog

 

I'm working on a new recipe blog.I haven't updated my old one in ages so I thought I'd just start fresh with all my old ones and some GREAT new recipes I've found.
I love trying the new stuff but it's funny how I go back again and again to all my old favorites.
I made a taco salad recipe yesterday that I've had for more than 20 years and it still tastes great and brings back many memories of my family,friends and so many dofferent occasions.
When I make certain dishes I can literally put myself back at that Christmas dinner or one of the (many!) baby showers that we've had through the years. Those are very special memories for me.It's funny how we can taste a food and be transported back to a certain time or even a feeling.
So,anway I'm going to work on that new blog hopefully soon.
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday weekend!
Back to the normal day to day.;p

Memorial day! Summer is here~

Wow!It's been more than a month since I've posted.I guess life just happens and there are never enough hours in the day it seems.
I can not believe Memorial Day weekend is here again! My kids will be out of school for the summer soon and I'm looking forward to not being on such a rushed schedule for a few months.
There are tons of roses,peonies,clematis,etc blooming all over here and we have a nest of baby birds and the mommy living in my basket on the porch.It's so peaceful where we live now.I'ts taken some getting used to being so isolated but it sure is nice.
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy weekend!