Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Easty 4th of July menu


If your life is as crazy as mine lately, here is a simple menu for the 4th of July. COuld makeit a little easier and a lot less stressful.

"Let’s not make things complicated this year. The 4th of July is quickly approaching and wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to throw together something simple? Enter: the Quick and Easy 4th of July Menu. Full of mozzarella skewers, cheeseburgers, potato salads and more, this red-white-and-blue-filled menu will not steer you wrong.

Last minute menu planning for the 4th is no problem with these fast and simple recipes!

Appetizers
Mozzarella Skewers
Ultimate Shrimp and Dipping Sauce
Creamy Red Pepper Dip with Vegetables

Main Courses
Grilled Pork Ribs
Jalapeno Cheeseburger
Baked Beans and Hot Dogs

Sides
Jazzed Up Cole Slaw
All American Potato Salad
Basted Grilled Vegetables

Desserts
Barefoot Contessa’s Flag Cake
4th of July Pie
Ice Cream Dirt Cake

Drinks
Watermelon Lemonade
Summer Slush
Fruity Iced Tea "

thsese can all be seen at: http://www.chewonthatblog.com/2009/06/23/quick-and-easy-4th-of-july-menu/


Enjoy

Barb

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Fun Craft for the kids!!!!!


Bald Eagle Toilet Paper Roll Craft

Although this does make a great USA themed craft, it works for any bird and forest theme (we have bald eagles up here in Canada too). I love the toilet paper roll crafts that have wings.

It would also work as a "Fish Eagle" craft.

Materials:

  • toilet paper roll,
  • printer,
  • glue,
  • scissors,
  • something to colour with
  • paper

Instructions:

  • Print out the template of choice.
  • Colour the pieces as appropriate and cut them out.
  • Glue the large rectangular piece around the toilet paper tube.
  • Glue the tummy onto the front of the tp roll.
  • Glue tail onto the back of the tp roll. I glued it to the inside back and then folded it upward. I think it looks nice that way, but be creative!.
  • Glue the head onto the front of the tp roll.
  • Glue the wings onto the back of the tp roll to make it look like the eagle is flying.
  • Fold the feet and glue the tabs to the inside of the tube.

Templates:

  • Close the template window after printing to return to this screen.
  • Set page margins to zero if you have trouble fitting the template on one page (FILE, PAGE SETUP or FILE, PRINTER SETUP in most browsers).

templates:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/image/bbaldeagle1.gif

and

http://www.dltk-kids.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/image/bbaldeagle2.gif

I found this at http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/mbaldeagle.htm

Happy 4th

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A Star Studded Treat for the 4th


A great festive way to enjoy the 4th in style!!!!!

Nothing says patriotism like a star-carved watermelon filled with fresh blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, and other star-cut fruit.

Add melon shooting stars and top it off with a wire handle threaded with blueberries.


What You Need:
  • One large watermelon
  • Cantaloupe, honeydew, blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, and star fruit
  • White self-stick shelf liner
  • Star-shaped cookie cutters in various sizes (we used 2-inch and 2-3/4-inch star cutters)
  • Sharp knife
  • Flat-edged ice-cream scoop or large spoon
  • Pumpkin carving saw
  • Melon baller (optional)
  • Artistic wire: 18-gauge copper wire in Dark Blue and Red
  • 3 to 6 thin wooden skewers

Instructions:

1. Download the free pattern for this project. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.)


2. From the self-stick shelf liner, cut a 1-inch-wide strip that is long enough to reach around the center or "equator" of the watermelon, piecing several strips together if necessary to fit.

3. Trace the star shapes from the pattern section (or trace around the star-shaped cookie cutters) onto self-stick shelf liner and cut the shapes out. Continue tracing and cutting out stars until you have enough to fit around the center of the melon. Place the star cutouts on the centerline of the melon as shown in the pattern. Alternate large and small stars and adjust the spacing between the stars as necessary.

4. Using a sharp knife, cut an oval opening in the top of the melon. Using a flat-edge ice cream scoop or large spoon, remove the pulp from the melon; place the pulp in a large container and set it aside.

5. Using a pumpkin carving saw and starting at the top opening of the watermelon, cut down to the star cutouts; carefully cut around each star and along the top of the centerline. Tip: Hold each star shape securely as you cut around it to prevent the star from breaking off. If one accidentally breaks, simply put the piece back on, securing it with toothpicks. Remove the star and centerline cutouts from the melon.

6. Use a melon baller or slice the reserved watermelon pulp to make small pieces. Repeat to make small pieces of honeydew melon and cantaloupe, as desired, until the watermelon bowl is almost full. Slice strawberries, kiwi, and star fruit, adding the pieces to the bowl.

7. Cut several lengths of blue and red wire long enough to create the basket "handle." Thread blueberries onto the wires and insert the cut ends into the sides of the basket.

8. Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut stars out of thick slices of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Place the melon stars on wooden skewers, adding blueberries between the pieces of fruit inside the watermelon.


Enjoy!!!!!

Barb

Monday, June 15, 2009

It's a Holiday here!!!! Graduation


I know this the same pic on every blog but the kids have my camera. They are showing a friend from Shanghai sights before she goes back at the end of the week. More on this on my other blogs and there will be more pics when my camera is returned. lol

Happy Graduation to all the Grads out there!!!!!!!!!
Hugs, Barb

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

A great Potato Salad to go with that great steak!!!!!!!

Mediterranean Potato Salad


Makes: 6 side-dish servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Chill: 4 hours


Ingredients

  • 1 pound whole tiny new potatoes
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion
  • 1 2-ounce can anchovies, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 of a small red onion, sliced and separated into rings
  • 3 hard-cooked eggs, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a medium saucepan; add water to cover and, if desired, 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until just tender. Drain well. Cool slightly. Cut potatoes into quarters and place in a large bowl.

2. Meanwhile, for dressing, in a small bowl combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, and pepper. Stir in olives, capers, green onion, and anchovies. Pour dressing over potatoes. Add onion and eggs. Toss gently to mix.

3. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours, stirring salad occasionally. Makes 6 side-dish servings.

Nutrition Facts

  • Servings Per Recipe 6 side-dish servings
  • Calories 222,
  • Total Fat (g) 14,
  • Saturated Fat (g) 2,
  • Cholesterol (mg) 118,
  • Sodium (mg) 356,
  • Carbohydrate (g) 19,
  • Fiber (g) 1,
  • Protein (g) 7,
  • Vitamin A (DV%) 5,
  • Vitamin C (DV%) 21,
  • Calcium (DV%) 3,
  • Iron (DV%) 13,
  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
from Better Homes and Gardens

Stay turned tomorrow for more!!!! great Father's Day treats!!!!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Getting ready for Father's Day


A Father's Day Menu! Part 1 The main dish--fit for a king!!!!

Steak with Roasted Garlic and Herbs Whole bulbs of garlic are soft and succulently sweet after roasting, making them a fantastic flavor treat to spread on grilled steak or slices of crusty bread.