Racing Towards August!

"Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way."--Nikita Koloff

     The summer is going by so swiftly.  My youngest son celebrated his birthday this past week and decided to take a few friends to the Miller Motor Sports Park and do some go-carting.  They enjoyed their time there.

     I borrowed this quilt pattern from a friend in the neighborhood.  It's called "Honey Bees" by Calico Hills Farm.  It's one of the few quilts I am able to finish this summer.  I did hand-quilt it though.

Summer is all about salads.  This one is loved by everyone in the family.  It's easy to prepare and can be served as either a main dish or a side.

Oriental Chicken Cabbage Salad

2 chicken breasts, boned, skinned and cooked

2 T. toasted sesame seeds

2 T. slivered almonds

½ head cabbage, chopped

2 green onions

1 pkg. chicken ramen noodles, broken up

Combine salad ingredients in large bowl.  Combine dressing ingredients in bottle.  Cover and shake.  Pour on salad and toss.  Chill for 1-2 hours in fridge.

Dressing:   3 T. rice vinegar                            1 tsp. salt

                  1 tsp. lemon juice                          ¼ tsp. pepper

                  2 T. sugar                                      seasoning mix from noodles

                  ½ cup oil

                                                           

     I can never think of a good way to use up extra plums.  This recipe is fun to make because the plums go on the top during the preparation but end up on the bottom after baking.  I love the tartness with the sweet cream.

Plum Pudding Cake

1 C. flour                                             3 T. oil

¾ C sugar                                            2 C. sliced fresh red plums

2 tsp. baking powder                          1 C. packed brown sugar

¼ tsp. salt                                            1 tsp. cinnamon

½ C. milk                                            1 C. boiling water

            Heat oven to 350°.  Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Beat in milk and oil until smooth.  Pour into ungreased square pan, 8x8x2 inches.  Top with plums.  Mix brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over plums.  Pour boiling water on plums.  Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes.  Serve warm and if desired, with cool whip.  Makes 6 servings.

     I found this book at my daughter's house and I borrowed it because I heard it was a pretty good read.  I heard right.  The couple in the book were prisoners of war in Malaya and met up again six years later in Australia where they worked hard to build up a town in the outback.  I was impressed with how hard they worked and it caused me to wonder what kind of business would I start if I had the chance.