Life really can be a picnic!

Everyone loves a picnic! This blog is about some of the things I love the most, and the term "picnic" just about covers them all. First of all, a picnic has to include food; simple food that is easy to fix. Next, you need someplace fun or different to visit; a nice, peaceful location. And of course, you always need to take along a good book to read and a well-used quilt to spread everything out on. So, there you have it! Easy recipes, good books, fun quilts along with some interesting, down-to-earth places to visit. You can even take your family or a friend or two if you want.



Thursday, February 13, 2014

For the Love of Chocolate

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." ~Charles M. Schulz
 
 
 
 
 
     One of my favorite days of the month is when I get to go and help my friends prepare a lunch for all the ladies in our small community who are seventy and older.  There was lots of chocolate involved this time and lots of red and pink.  These gracious ladies are so appreciative of everything we do for them.  It makes service a joy when we see how happy they are.  Thanks to my beautiful daughter for showing me how to do the chocolate covered strawberries and helping me do them.
 

 
 


 
     We have had many days of rain lately, which is probably a good thing since we are in our third year of drought here in Utah.  Most people that I talk with are looking forward to Spring.  This quilt makes me dream of Spring although I love winter because I can hide away inside and quilt.


 
 

     This pattern comes from one of the Thimbleberries Books although I can't remember which one at the moment.
 
 
     I just finished reading this book by Sarah M. Eden.  It's a nice regency era romance.  I loved the character of Corbin.  He's a quiet and loving gentleman.  Everyone needs to read a good romance every now and then.


     Here are a couple of recipes that our family enjoys for Valentine's Day.



Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 boneless chicken breasts                  ¼ tsp. pepper

8 thin slices cooked ham                     ½ tsp. salt

4 thin slices Swiss cheese                    ¼- ½ tsp. thyme or rosemary             

¼ cup melted butter                            ½ cup cornflake crumbs

Place each chicken breast between sheets of plastic wrap, skinned side down and pound with meat mallet to about ¼” thickness.  On each chicken breast place 2 slices of ham and then a slice of cheese.  Roll up and secure with toothpicks.  Dip each roll in melted butter, then roll in cornflake crumbs, turning to thoroughly coat each roll.  Place rolls, toothpick side down, in a 9x13” baking dish.  Bake uncovered in a 400° oven for about 40 minutes or until chicken is golden brown.  Serve with Cordon Bleu sauce if desired.

Cordon Bleu Sauce:  Mix 1 can cream of chicken soup, ½ cup sour cream and juice of 1 lemon (about 1/3 cup) and heat to just warm.

 


Pink Salad

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 8 oz. carton cool whip

1 10.5 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained

1 8 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 can cherry pie filling

1 squirt lemon juice (optional)

chopped nuts (optional)


            Fold all ingredients together and chill until ready to serve.


 
Rolo Pretzel Turtles
Small pretzels
Unwrapped Rolo candies
M&Ms, cashews, pecans, peanut M&Ms or any other candy you prefer
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place pretzels on cookie sheet that has been lined with foil.  Center Rolo candies on top of each pretzel.  Place in oven for 5 minutes until chocolate is melted.  Remove cookie sheet from oven and place a candy or nut on top of each melted Rolo candy and slightly push down.  You can place the cookie sheet in the freezer until the chocolate has hardened.
 
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