Lemon Lime Sparkling Punch

This punch is so easy to make and taste so good.  It is easy to mix up right before your event and it will last all day. It is a refreshing drink for a hot summer day.  You can make it fancy with a sprig of mint and either a lemon or lime slice. 

You could add an umbrella to this drink if you have one. 

 These are the three ingredients you need to make this delicious punch.

 For one recipe of this punch you mix 1/2 bottle of simply lemonade, 1/2 bottle of simple limeade, and 3/4 of a 2 L Sprite.  Have all your ingredients chilled before mixing.

 I made a double batch of the punch for my quilting ladies get-together.

Dress it up and enjoy.


Lemon Lime Sparkling Punch Recipe

30 oz Simply Lemonade chilled
30 oz Simply Limeade
1.5 L of Sprite Chilled
Lemon and Lime slices
mint leaves

Deconstructed Caesar Salad

I saw this recipe the other day and thought it would be a nice and easy side dish.  One of the things I hate about making salad is all the chopping.  This recipe takes the chopping out of the equation. 

This looks pretty on the plate. 

I forgot the picture of all the ingredients.  I must be out of practice.  Start with cooking your bacon.  I like to cook it in the oven.  It will stay nice and straight that way.

Take the romaine lettuce. It is safe to eat again.

Cut in half.

Wash and let drain.

When you are ready to make your salad squeeze the excess liquid out of the half.

Place the halves on the plate.

Drizzle with caesar dressing either homemade or store bought.  This is store bought.

Then sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Then place the strip of bacon on top.  Now that is an easy salad.

Valerie Bertinelli's Quick Strawberry Jam

A couple of weeks ago on Valerie's cooking show she made this strawberry jam that looked so easy and so good.  I knew then I had to make some for our Royal Wedding Watch Party.  I know some of you are not into the Royals, and not the baseball team either, but it was a fun opportunity to make a tea party.  I had fun making my scones and cream, little finger sandwiches and this jam.  And with it being strawberry season it was the perfect time to make some.  This jam can be stored in the fridge for about 10 days but, I don't think it will last that long. 

This was my table spread for the wedding. The scones with the Devonshire cream and strawberry jam were so good!

 You need to start with some nice fresh strawberries.  These berries came from Maggie Valley and they have had some of the best berries this year.  The smell so good too.

 You will want to wash and hull about a quart of berries.  Place in the food processor to chop.

 You don't want them turned to mush but chopped.

 Add them to a saucepan.

 Add 1/2 cup sugar

 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar.  This may seem strange but the vinegar brings out the natural sweetness of the berries.

 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.  Sweet things always needs just a hint of salt.

 Place on the cooktop at medium high heat and bring to a boil.  You will need to stir frequently.  Cook for about 8-9 minutes or until it thickens.  Times will vary.  You just want it to thicken.

Place in a heat resistant container and let cool at room temp.  Then store in the fridge. 

Then enjoy with some fresh scones or biscuits. I have a little left over I might try it with some peanut butter in a sandwich.

Quick Strawberry Jam fit for a Queen

1 qt strawberries hulled
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Squash Casserole

Everyone needs a good squash casserole recipe in their book.  This one can be made with just squash or a mixture of squash and zucchini.  I know it isn't squash season but it will be right around the corner and you will be looking for new recipes to try with all that fresh squash that either comes from your garden or your neighbors'.

This is a nice and cheesy casserole.

The ingredients are easy enough to keep on hand.

Start with 2 Tablespoons butter in a skillet.

Chop an onion and saute in the butter.

Add in about 4 cups sliced squash

Saute the squash and onions until they are cooked tender.

In another bowl add 2 eggs

Whisk them.

Add 1 cup milk

1 cup grated cheddar cheese.

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Add the squash to the liquid mixture.

Melt 2 more Tablespoons of butter.

Salt and pepper

Pour the melted butter into the mixture.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish.  (All mine were in use).  Add casserole.

Add a sleeve of butter crackers to a zip lock bag.

Crush the crackers.

Add to the top of the casserole.  Preheat a 350 oven and bake for 45 minutes.

Then enjoy.

Squash Casserole Recipe

2 Tablespoons butter
4 cups sliced yellow squash
1 onion chopped
2 eggs
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 sleeve butter crackers.

Preheat oven to 350.  Bake for 45 minutes.

Oatmeal Coconut Cookie Scrub

This is the last of the sugar scrubs from the holidays.  Everyone knows that oatmeal is suppose to be good for your skin.  It is soothing to take an oatmeal bath, especially if you have dry skin.  I think you will like this scrub to make you skin feel really good. 

They fit well in these little jars.  Be sure to label the tops especially if you are making several different kinds. 

Looks like you are making breakfast. 

Start with 1/2 cup oatmeal.

Add it to the food processor and process until you make a fine dust.

See how it almost makes a flour like consistency.

Add 1 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoons baking soda

Mix that well.  Smells good too.

Melt 6 Tablespoons coconut oil.

Pour into the dry mixture. 

Place into your container to store.

Oatmeal Coconut Cookie Scrub

1/2 cup oatmeal

1 Tablespoons brown sugar

2 Tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

6Tablespoons melted coconut oil.