A Few Garden Pictures

I thought we would take a break from the kitchen and cooking today and look outside.  We had lots of rain in the spring and early summer here in the mid-Atlantic.  The rain stopped last week and the temperatures soared.  So we are watering on a daily basis again.  Here are a couple shots from the deck and patio area.

The Mandevilla.  Wow!  I am very happy with how well this is doing.  This is the first year I have planted this beautiful, vining plant and it has given me a beautiful show.  I love the large, showy flowers.  It has a tendency to want to wrap around the chains on the basket and move up and wrap around the iron supports.  So it takes some maintenance to unwind it every now and then.  I want it to continue to grow and to cascade down over the sides of the planter.  We're getting there.

Here is the window-well garden I started a couple years ago.  Heuchera in the center, boxwood, ivy, a little juniper, some small air ferns.  And this year I added the large fern on the upper left.  That took the place of a schefelera that was in that pot that did not make it.  This picture really does not do this little garden justice.  It is quite stunning.

Finally, I got these cute ceramic outdoor candle holders at the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Alexandria.  I got the candles there also.  They were designed to be used specifically in these holders.  I learned during the rains earlier that it you invert the holder over the candle it helps to keep both the holder and the candle clean.  It also does not allow mosquitoes to breed in what would be standing water.  Plus it's not bad to look at turned upside down.  When company arrives, just turn them over, place the candle inside and light it, and enjoy and evening on the deck!

So that's it for today.  We will be working on some patio upgrades over the coming weekend and possibly spending some time in the yard again since temperatures are set to lower considerably on Saturday.

A Few Garden Pictures

I thought we would take a break from the kitchen and cooking today and look outside.  We had lots of rain in the spring and early summer here in the mid-Atlantic.  The rain stopped last week and the temperatures soared.  So we are watering on a daily basis again.  Here are a couple shots from the deck and patio area.

The Mandevilla.  Wow!  I am very happy with how well this is doing.  This is the first year I have planted this beautiful, vining plant and it has given me a beautiful show.  I love the large, showy flowers.  It has a tendency to want to wrap around the chains on the basket and move up and wrap around the iron supports.  So it takes some maintenance to unwind it every now and then.  I want it to continue to grow and to cascade down over the sides of the planter.  We're getting there.

Here is the window-well garden I started a couple years ago.  Heuchera in the center, boxwood, ivy, a little juniper, some small air ferns.  And this year I added the large fern on the upper left.  That took the place of a schefelera that was in that pot that did not make it.  This picture really does not do this little garden justice.  It is quite stunning.

Finally, I got these cute ceramic outdoor candle holders at the Crate & Barrel Outlet in Alexandria.  I got the candles there also.  They were designed to be used specifically in these holders.  I learned during the rains earlier that it you invert the holder over the candle it helps to keep both the holder and the candle clean.  It also does not allow mosquitoes to breed in what would be standing water.  Plus it's not bad to look at turned upside down.  When company arrives, just turn them over, place the candle inside and light it, and enjoy and evening on the deck!

So that's it for today.  We will be working on some patio upgrades over the coming weekend and possibly spending some time in the yard again since temperatures are set to lower considerably on Saturday.

Chunky Macaroni Salad

As I posted yesterday, we spent some time in the kitchen this past weekend experimenting with some new dishes.  One of those was a variation of the Classic American Macaroni Salad.  I woke up at 2:00 AM on Saturday morning and got to work on this.  While my neighbors slumbered peacefully, I was hard at work on getting all the ingredients just right for my new macaroni salad recipe.  Below is a pictorial of that work so early in the morning.

We started with a one pound box of Barilla Elbow macaroni.  This is the classic style of pasta this is used to make macaroni salad.  You could substitute bowties or penne - whatever you like.  But for this recipe, we will use Elbow.

The pasta was cooked for seven minutes and then drained and rinsed in cold water.

While the pasta was draining I cut up the cucumber, peppers, onions and tomatoes and placed them in Ziploc bags and placed them into the refrigerator.

I laid down some paper toweling in the refrigerator.

Then I placed the rinsed and drained pasta still in the strainer on top of the paper toweling.  I did not want to assemble the salad just yet, so I left the pasta like this in the strainer for the remainder of the night.

Later in the morning, once all the neighbors were up and starting their weekends, I assembled the salad.  I combined the cucumbers, peppers and onions altogether in a stainless steel bowl.

In a separate bowl, I mixed the pasta, mayonnaise and Ranch Dressing.

Lastly, I combined the cucumbers, peppers, onions and tomatoes with the pasta and the remaining ingredients and I ended up with a huge bowl of the most delicious macaroni salad you have ever tasted.  I named this Chunky Macaroni Salad because all of the dice in this recipe is large.  Refer to it as a "large dice" or "rough chop."  You want the veggies to be in large chunks rather then finely chopped.  This was a huge hit with  Steven, Bob and Bette.  Definitely a dish I would serve to company.

If your weekend plans include spending some time in the kitchen or getting together for a summer barbecue with friends, check out this recipe under the Food & Recipe Tab.  I think you will be glad you did.

Chunky Macaroni Salad

As I posted yesterday, we spent some time in the kitchen this past weekend experimenting with some new dishes.  One of those was a variation of the Classic American Macaroni Salad.  I woke up at 2:00 AM on Saturday morning and got to work on this.  While my neighbors slumbered peacefully, I was hard at work on getting all the ingredients just right for my new macaroni salad recipe.  Below is a pictorial of that work so early in the morning.

We started with a one pound box of Barilla Elbow macaroni.  This is the classic style of pasta this is used to make macaroni salad.  You could substitute bowties or penne - whatever you like.  But for this recipe, we will use Elbow.

The pasta was cooked for seven minutes and then drained and rinsed in cold water.

While the pasta was draining I cut up the cucumber, peppers, onions and tomatoes and placed them in Ziploc bags and placed them into the refrigerator.

I laid down some paper toweling in the refrigerator.

Then I placed the rinsed and drained pasta still in the strainer on top of the paper toweling.  I did not want to assemble the salad just yet, so I left the pasta like this in the strainer for the remainder of the night.

Later in the morning, once all the neighbors were up and starting their weekends, I assembled the salad.  I combined the cucumbers, peppers and onions altogether in a stainless steel bowl.

In a separate bowl, I mixed the pasta, mayonnaise and Ranch Dressing.

Lastly, I combined the cucumbers, peppers, onions and tomatoes with the pasta and the remaining ingredients and I ended up with a huge bowl of the most delicious macaroni salad you have ever tasted.  I named this Chunky Macaroni Salad because all of the dice in this recipe is large.  Refer to it as a "large dice" or "rough chop."  You want the veggies to be in large chunks rather then finely chopped.  This was a huge hit with  Steven, Bob and Bette.  Definitely a dish I would serve to company.

If your weekend plans include spending some time in the kitchen or getting together for a summer barbecue with friends, check out this recipe under the Food & Recipe Tab.  I think you will be glad you did.

Some Time in the Kitchen

When I began the kitchen renovation, in particular the backsplash installation, I lost the paper towel holder which was affixed to the wall where the backsplash is now.  Since then, the roll of paper towels has set on the counter and has been moved from place to place depending on what I was working on in the kitchen at the time.  During the summer months, I have a fan which sits on the kitchen counter.  This, of course, plays havoc with the paper towels.  I could not take this another day.  So I picked up this handy device.

The Perfect Tear Paper Towel Holder.  I was desperate for some some sort of apparatus which could coral the paper towels.

I wanted less of this.

And more of this.  Isn't that nice and neat.  The roll of paper towels fits securely on this holder.  You simply unscrew the top, slide the roll of paper towels over the holder and screw the top back on.  The large dowel in the center has flexible metal arms attached which hold the roll securely in place.  You simply unwind as many paper towels as you chose and tear them off.  A perfect tear, every time.  This handy item can be had for $18.47 from your local Wal*Mart.

*          *          *

Once I had the paper towel problem under control, it was time for a little breakfast.  I decided poached eggs would be nice.  So I used my microwave egg poacher.

  

You must get one of these.  They are perfect for making one, two or three poached eggs.  I spray inside the white bottom portion with butter flavored Pam.  Place my egg or eggs inside with a little salt and pepper.  Microwave on high for 45 seconds.  Remove from the microwave and turn out onto a small plate.  Slide the egg(s) back in the egg poacher, this time upside down.  Sprinkle the top with your favorite cheese blend and microwave for another 45 seconds.  And what do you get.

Why, the perfect poached eggs.  I used a four cheese blend on mine and that is a slice of julienned pepperoni on top.  Absolute perfection!

Of course, what goes better with a beautiful creation like this, than a glass of bubbly.

How much fun is this.  Pinot Grigio Sparkling Champagne.  I couldn't resist.

We spent some more time in the kitchen this past weekend at Crest Avenue.  We made Chunky Macaroni Salad, a recipe of our own creation.  And we made Spinach & Cheddar Souffle.  Come back for more information on both of those dishes, the preparation process and the recipes under the Food and Recipe tab.

Some Time in the Kitchen

When I began the kitchen renovation, in particular the backsplash installation, I lost the paper towel holder which was affixed to the wall where the backsplash is now.  Since then, the roll of paper towels has set on the counter and has been moved from place to place depending on what I was working on in the kitchen at the time.  During the summer months, I have a fan which sits on the kitchen counter.  This, of course, plays havoc with the paper towels.  I could not take this another day.  So I picked up this handy device.

The Perfect Tear Paper Towel Holder.  I was desperate for some some sort of apparatus which could coral the paper towels.

I wanted less of this.

And more of this.  Isn't that nice and neat.  The roll of paper towels fits securely on this holder.  You simply unscrew the top, slide the roll of paper towels over the holder and screw the top back on.  The large dowel in the center has flexible metal arms attached which hold the roll securely in place.  You simply unwind as many paper towels as you chose and tear them off.  A perfect tear, every time.  This handy item can be had for $18.47 from your local Wal*Mart.

*          *          *

Once I had the paper towel problem under control, it was time for a little breakfast.  I decided poached eggs would be nice.  So I used my microwave egg poacher.

  

You must get one of these.  They are perfect for making one, two or three poached eggs.  I spray inside the white bottom portion with butter flavored Pam.  Place my egg or eggs inside with a little salt and pepper.  Microwave on high for 45 seconds.  Remove from the microwave and turn out onto a small plate.  Slide the egg(s) back in the egg poacher, this time upside down.  Sprinkle the top with your favorite cheese blend and microwave for another 45 seconds.  And what do you get.

Why, the perfect poached eggs.  I used a four cheese blend on mine and that is a slice of julienned pepperoni on top.  Absolute perfection!

Of course, what goes better with a beautiful creation like this, than a glass of bubbly.

How much fun is this.  Pinot Grigio Sparkling Champagne.  I couldn't resist.

We spent some more time in the kitchen this past weekend at Crest Avenue.  We made Chunky Macaroni Salad, a recipe of our own creation.  And we made Spinach & Cheddar Souffle.  Come back for more information on both of those dishes, the preparation process and the recipes under the Food and Recipe tab.

My Friend Bette Hands Over Her China

During a recent visit to my friend Bette's house in Gettysburg, she informed me that she had a set of china that she was no longer using and she wondered if I might be interested.  I told her I was and the set showed up this week.  It is a set of Christmas china.  I already have a set of Lenox Christmas china, but you can never have too much china.  This set includes coffee service for 15, including the sugar and creamer and coffee urn.  Additionally There are four dinner plates.

The box arrived very carefully packed.  I really like the holly design on these plates and saucers.

And what a nice design on the back of each plate with the manufacturer's name, the name of the design and the year.

Really beautiful.  I was kind of getting in the mood for Christmas as I was unpacking the boxes.

And here we have a table full of china.  You can see the coffee urn in the foreground at the bottom of the picture, the creamer next to the dinner plates and that is the sugar holder in the upper right hand corner.

This set will mix and match nicely with my existing set of china if I choose to do that.  Or I could use this set on its own if serving just tea and/or coffee.  Either way, it is a beautiful set and will be a nice addition to my collection.  I have to order storage containers which I will do this week.  Actually, all of the china needs to moved together in one place and we will be talking about that in the upcoming weeks.

My Friend Bette Hands Over Her China

During a recent visit to my friend Bette's house in Gettysburg, she informed me that she had a set of china that she was no longer using and she wondered if I might be interested.  I told her I was and the set showed up this week.  It is a set of Christmas china.  I already have a set of Lenox Christmas china, but you can never have too much china.  This set includes coffee service for 15, including the sugar and creamer and coffee urn.  Additionally There are four dinner plates.

The box arrived very carefully packed.  I really like the holly design on these plates and saucers.

And what a nice design on the back of each plate with the manufacturer's name, the name of the design and the year.

Really beautiful.  I was kind of getting in the mood for Christmas as I was unpacking the boxes.

And here we have a table full of china.  You can see the coffee urn in the foreground at the bottom of the picture, the creamer next to the dinner plates and that is the sugar holder in the upper right hand corner.

This set will mix and match nicely with my existing set of china if I choose to do that.  Or I could use this set on its own if serving just tea and/or coffee.  Either way, it is a beautiful set and will be a nice addition to my collection.  I have to order storage containers which I will do this week.  Actually, all of the china needs to moved together in one place and we will be talking about that in the upcoming weeks.