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.



Sunday, September 30, 2018

Quilter's Joy

"The cavity which suffering carves into our souls will one day also be the receptacle of joy." ~ Neal A. Maxwell


     I went to Quilt,Etc. a few days ago to see the Show and Tell for our Block of the Month quilts.  Some of these ladies were really creative in the way they put their blocks together to form their quilts.  I am sad that I haven't finished my quilt yet; I hope to finish it soon.  Here are pictures of some that were finished.



























     This is probably the easiest recipe ever .  It has only three ingredients and I have to say that these little mini muffins are pretty tasty.



 

Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Mini Muffins
1 Box Triple Chocolate cake mix
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
Mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Spray mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Pour cake mix in large mixing bowl and add pumpkin a little at a time and mix with a spoon. Then use an electric mixer and mix on low speed for 2 minutes. Scoop mixture into mini muffin pan ¾ full.  Sprinkle with a few mini chocolate chips.  Bake for 15 minutes or until done.  Makes about 30-32 mini muffins.

 
 
The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill (Tales from Ivy Hill Book #1) by [Klassen, Julie]


I read this book a few months ago and enjoyed this story of yet another strong, hard working woman and the struggles she faced and the rewards of her efforts.


Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair!

"The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give."~ Howard Cosell



     Last Monday, my husband and I decided to go to the State Fair.  We like to go on the first Monday because that's ice cream day and for $3 you can eat all the ice cream you want.  Unfortunately, after 3 scoops you're pretty much full.  Every year they also make a sculpture out of butter and display it.  I also like to go and look at the quilts.  Here are a few that I like.



































 


     Here's a great pasta recipe that this family loves.  It's a great way to use up leftover salmon.




Creamy Salmon Pasta
1 lb. fettuccini
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
½ onion, finely diced
3 tsp. garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp. parsley flakes
1 cup chicken broth
Rind from one lemon
Juice from one lemon
1 cup heavy cream
1 lb. cooked salmon
1 cup parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile, melt butter in large frying pan and add olive oil.  Saute' onion and garlic until transparent.  Add salt and pepper, parsley flakes and chicken broth.  Cook until broth is mostly reduced.  Add grated lemon rind, lemon juice and heavy cream.  Stir and cook until sauce is thickened.  Add cooked salmon that has been cut into chunks with a fork.  Add half of the cheese.  Stir until heated through.  Add cooked pasta with a little of the pasta water.  Stir until mixed.  Serve topped with remaining parmesan cheese.  Makes 6-8 servings.



Kilmeny of the Orchard (Annotated) by [Montgomery, Lucy Maud]

     Here's another book by the famous author, Lucy Maud Montgomery.  While it's not my favorite by this author, it was still one I enjoyed.