More Vacation Pics

I've had a request from Luke's other GPs to get more vacation photos up.  So here they are in no particular order.

Rock Paper Scissors with Uncle Rick (I can't remember what they were playing for)

We finally found a way to keep Austin in one place for a few minutes

He's still sitting.

Ryan enjoying "man island" ("Aunt Caity can come on man island because I think she's having a boy.")

A well protect Luke hanging on the beach

He's a dancing machine

The pure unadulterated joy of being "6"

And oh...those eyes just steal your heart

And these lashes!

And his schmaltz

A rare moment of quiet

And aren't I adorable in my bathrobe!

I think it's pretty obvious that I really obsessed with my grandkids and I like it that way.  (Enjoy Rick and Mary!)

Peach Almond Upside Down Cake

I made this.  I really did.   And my photo looks as good as the photo in the July/August Edition of Food Network Magazine (p. 141), which is where I got the recipe.

I just subscribed to this magazine after buying a couple at the store.  I found myself using several recipes that I figured I needed to have this come right to my house.  And boy was I right.  This is the first thing I made out of this edition and it was so beautiful and delicious that I made it again today.

The July/August edition is on newstands now, so grab yourself a copy.  I want to make the cover pasta and the Farro and Corn Salad on page 139, just to name a few.  I won't even mention the insert with 50 versions of milkshakes.

I've been AWOL

I haven't posted in a bit.  Can you guess why??

Yep, we managed a few days up North on Lake Huron.  A splendid time was had by all who could come.  We are already working on finding a place for next year.  Someplace big enough to include the new babies.

I'll post some more pictures soon.

Pesto Pizza

This was dinner on Friday night:

Pesto Pizza!

Got these pre-made pizza crusts from Papa Joe's, made pesto from my homegrown basil (I think this qualifies for Garden to Table Challenge) and then added whatever I could find in the kitchen.  There is sliced zucchini, tomatoes, sautéed shallots and mushrooms, bacon and a little mozzarella and parmesan on top.

This photo is from before it was cooked.  I forgot to take a picture after.  Duh.

I grilled it on the grill so the crust was nice and crunchy.  So yummy and easy.

Card of the Week

Happy Saturday!

It's that "graduation" time of the year and I needed a few cards.  I used this week's CPS sketch and Carol's (The Answer is Chocolate) recent cards for inspiration.  Here is the CPS sketch:

I call this one, Variation on a theme (or easier to duplicate a card look than think up four different designs):

Thanks Carol for the great inspiration.  It was just what I needed.

Off to make Cheesy potatoes.

How Does Your Garden Grow

My potted garden is officially done.  It was actually done a week or so ago, but I finally got around to taking some photos.  It's fun to take some before and after photos so you can clearly see how well everything grows.

Here are my tomatoes:

I planted four types this year.  I have a yellow pear, grape, Early Girl and Beefsteak.  (You can also see a bit of the outdoor rug I now have on my deck.  I just love it.)

Lettuces:

Strawberries:

I actually planted two different types of strawberries.  Can't remember the names of them.  This one did have a medium size berry growing, but it somehow disappeared.  Found a certain dog climbing up the pot the other day.  I'm going to have to move these higher, cause clearly Joey likes strawberries.  (Heck, he likes anything.)

Orange Pepper:

And finally my herbs:

Thyme, rosemary, Italian parsley and the new player this year...dill (which I've already used in a dill dip, which my son consumed very throughly.)

And of course...my basil.  Made pesto chicken last week and I'm thinking about a pesto pizza next (Krissy's suggestion).

Look who wants to help me water!

Happy Gardening.

Things I'm Hooked On

In no particular order, some things I can't just get enough off lately:

1. Potbelly's - I've in know I've said this before, but I just can't get enough Potbelly's.  I love the TKY on multigrain.  I think fresh turkey is the key.
2. Draw Something - Very addicting
3. Warm sunny days
4. Sweet Potato Fries - I am working on trying to master the perfect sweet potato fry (without actually frying the little buggers).  I'll post the recipe once I finish testing.  I think I'm getting close.
5. My new outdoor rug for my deck.  It makes it feel like it's another room in my house, it's so cozy. (And it was only $79 at Lowe's)
6. Grilling..everything.  Onions, peppers, squash.
7. Homemade soup.  I know the weather is warmer, but I am craving soups.  I've made a wonderful corn chowder and vegetable provencal soups recently and deciding what to make next.  Any suggestions?
8. Crossword puzzles 
9. Basil
10. "Paris in Love" by Eloisa James - Picked this up at Barnes & Noble recently.  Fun little book that's easy to read in short breaks in my life.  I like that.

Have a great week-end!