Spinning into Summer

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.  ~James Dent

     Every June, the company that my husband works for pays for each of their employees and their families to go to Lagoon and have dinner there.  Lagoon is an amusement park in Farmington, Utah.  We had a full day and our heads were still spinning the next day.  My favorite ride is probably the tilt-a-whirl.  I have fond memories of riding on that one with my Dad when I was a child.  I was thrilled to find a quilt in the latest issue of McCall's Quilting magazine with that same title.  I will have to make this one some day soon.  I love the colors!

     These pictures demonstrate some of the sights we enjoyed at Lagoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     The garden is doing well.  The weeds are doing better.  We harvested a nice crop of spinach so I've included a couple of recipes to help use up our abundance of spinach.

This recipe is from my friend, Patti.  She is not only a great friend but a great cook as well.

Strawberry Pecan Salad

1 pkg. mixed baby greens  (this is where I used the spinach)

¾ cup sliced fresh strawberries

¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

¼ cup sliced red onions

¼ cup coarsely chopped pecans, candied

¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Put first 5 ingredients together and toss with the dressing.  Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

Candied Pecans

Combine nuts and 2 Tbsp. sugar in skillet; cook and stir on medium heat for 5 minutes or until sugar is melted and pecans are evenly coated.

 

 

 

Kielbasa Pasta and Green Veggies

(Adapted from recipe in Better Homes and Gardens magazine)

3 cups medium shell pasta

1 bunch broccoli, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1-14 oz. package kielbasa sausage, cut into ½ inch slices

1 small onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup chicken broth

 ½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

2 cups spinach, roughly chopped

1 tsp. dill weed

½ cup parmesan cheese, grated

Crushed red pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Add broccoli to the pasta for the last 4 minutes of cooking time.  Drain and rinse with cold water.

Meanwhile, brown sausage in a 12 inch skillet.  Add onion and garlic and cook until softened.  Add pasta mixture, chicken broth, salt and pepper to the sausage skillet.  Heat through.  Add spinach and dill.  Turn off heat.  Toss to wilt the spinach.  Add ¼- ½ tsp. crushed red pepper and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Serve hot.  Makes 4-6 servings.

     I had to throw in a recipe for a treat.  My daughter made these cookies for us on a Sunday night.  This recipe comes from a college roommate.  I've yet to find a recipe for Snickerdoodles that I like better.  They turn out soft and delicious every time.  I usually use half butter and half shortening.
    

 

Snickerdoodles

 

 

1 cup shortening                                               ½ tsp. salt

1 ½ cup sugar                                                  1 tsp. soda

2 eggs                                                              2 tsp. cinnamon

2 ¾ cup flour                                                    2 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. cream of tartar

Cream shortening, sugar and eggs. Sift dry ingredients and stir into creamed mixture.  Roll into balls the size of a walnut.  Combine sugar and cinnamon.  Roll cookie balls in this mixture Place on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes. 

 

 

 

I enjoy reading books that are geared towards children and young adults, mostly because the author doesn't throw in a lot of swearing and inappropriate material just to get their book published.  One such book that I like is Holes by Louis Sachar.  The movie is good as well.

 

 

 

 

A few years ago I made this cute table runner.  It can be found on my entry bench during the hot months.  The pattern is called June Garden.  It's designed by Kathy Schmitz of Four Corner Designs. I bought it as a kit.