Summer and the Livin' is Easy

"A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way." ~ Author Unknown


     The summer has been crazy busy already.  I thought I would be able to relax once it came but I was mistaken.  Even Father's Day was so busy that there was no time to just sit and take it easy.  I was able to finish my "Summerville" quilt.  This pattern is by Bonnie and Camille.  I bought it as a kit and it came in the cutest box.  The line of fabric is called Vintage Picnic. We get beautiful sunsets here and my husband was able to capture it when he took pictures of this quilt.

  Here are a couple recipes that would be excellent served for Father's Day. 

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

from Six Sister's Stuff

Serves: 4-5

 

Ingredients

• 1-2 lbs. boneless beef chuck roast, cut into thin strips
• 1 cup beef broth
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 3-4 cups fresh broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Hot cooked rice (could also use brown rice or quinoa)

Instructions

1. Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place beef strips inside slow cooker.
3. In a medium bowl, mix beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic cloves together. Pour over the beef strips in the crock pot and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours (the beef will be so tender that it will fall apart when you touch it).
4. In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and cold water. Mix in with the beef and liquid that is in the slow cooker. Add broccoli pieces to the slow cooker, put the lid back on, and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high heat.
5. Stir, then serve over hot rice.

     

Can't-Eat-Just-One Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

from Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 1/3 cup instant vanilla pudding mix (half of a 3.4-ounce package)
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• FILLING:
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• FROSTING:
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

• 1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar in warm water. In a large bowl, beat milk and pudding mix on low speed 1 minute. Let stand 1 minute or until soft-set. Add egg, melted butter, salt, yeast mixture and 2 cups flour; beat on medium until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough (dough will be sticky).
• 2. Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
• 3. For filling, in a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Punch down dough; divide in half. Turn one portion of dough onto a lightly floured surface; roll into an 18x10-in. rectangle. Brush with half of the melted butter to within 1/4 in. of edges; sprinkle with half of the sugar mixture. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Cut into 12 slices. Repeat with remaining dough and filling ingredients.
• 4. Place all slices in a greased 13x9-in. baking pan, cut side down. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°.
• 5. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on a wire rack.
• 6. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter until creamy. Beat in vanilla, water and enough confectioners' sugar to reach desired consistency. Spread over warm rolls. Serve warm. Yield: 2 dozen.

     The book chosen this time is not a novel.  It's a resource book.  It's the perfect guide to use in planning your next summer vacation.  Our family would much rather go to a National Park than an Amusement Park any day.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first National Park in the United States.