Friday Night Dinner - when it's too hot to cook!

Yesterday I had a horrible day at work! Just horrible. It was one of those days that I really wish I was not there and seriously thought about just walking out. There were lots of numbers that didn't make sense (literally), and everyone seemed to be having the same problems. We decided it was Friday the 13th's fault! By the time I rode my broom out of there at 4 pm, I didn't have enough brain cells to even remember my own phone number.... I stopped at the Store of Hope, which is run by the local Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and hosted by my 'best friend', Mary. After viewing the items made by the incarcerated 'youngsters', I got back on my broom and headed to the hacienda.... Just one more stop - at the GROCERY STORE. Now I had no idea what I really wanted for dinner, only that it was more important for me to have a HUGE glass of something to guzzle than to cook. I ended up with this: A. Appetizer (Antipasta): Antipasto platter, which consisted of provolone cheese, hot cappicola (shaved slices), proscuitto, Italian dry salame, bleu cheese stuffed olives, provolone and mozzarella cheeses with baguette rounds.....and frozen pina coladas. B. Main course(Prima): Homemade caesar salad - Romaine (cut, not torn) tossed with REAL caesar dressing (egg yolk, garlic, anchovies, lemon, worcestershire, with olive oil whisked in) and topped with croutons and Parmesan. I realized I didn't have any croutons, so I took that baguette loaf (still had some left) and cubed it - tossed the bread cubes with a little garlic oil and baked them in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Ta Da! Homemade croutons. While the croutons were baking, I took some shrimp skewers and drizzled olive oil over them and sprinkled a little bit of garlic flavored Old Bay seasoning. They grilled for 5 minutes on each side over low DIRECT gas heat, and topped the salad with them. This was served with a nice cold 'Fish Eye' Chardonnay - of which I had 2+ glasses.... outstanding! C. Dessert (Dolci): I compromised my integrity on this one. Being a baker, I am a snob when it comes to desserts....FRESHLY made desserts. I was too tired to make something, so I broke down and actually PURCHASED cannoli and petit fors. Had Chocolate Cappucino coffee to wash 'em down. All in all, not a bad night, gastronomically speaking. Today I think I shall search for a turntable so I can play my old albums and "45's". Have some Quiksilver Messenger Service and Lobo that I am just dying to hear again!! What's on your agenda for the weekend?

Summer in the South

Today is July 1st.  As many of you who are familiar with OR who live in the South, by now we are in the midst of temperatures hotter than you can even imagine.  My sister in law, who lives in Massachusetts, was so hot when the temperatures reached 92 that she had to go inside when we were working in her gardens.  She couldn't believe I wasn't hot, too.  I told her that 92 was a nighttime temperature for South Carolina and we native southerners don't even break a sweat until the thermometer reaches triple digits.  She just looked at me.  I think she didn't believe me. 

Our dogs eat breakfast EARLY, like 6:30 in the morning while it's still cool.  Then they have fans & ice water to get them thru the hottest part of the day.  Buster, who is now IN REMISSION from lymphoma (thanks to a wonderful, lovely vet named Rosemary Branson at Blythewood Animal Hospital) waits for me to provide them with frozen dog treats.  I made them peanut butter & banana treats yesterday and keep them in the freezer.  They get one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  It's a good way to use overripe bananas other than make bread, because it's too hot to turn the oven on!

FROZEN DOG TREATS
1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
1 cup mashed banana
water

Blend all together with a touch of honey if you like.  Freeze by scoops on wax paper until firm.  Keep in freezer until time to serve.  Our dogs LOVE THEM!

We have the house on the market - so far we've only had 3 people look at it.  Hopefully someone will come along SOON that just falls in love with it.  We need to sell to be able to buy our dream home and ultimately our dream 'life'.....the grand opening of  "The Blandford House and Gardens" - events and such.  We can't buy that until we sell this.  Everything hinges on that....know of anybody who needs a good starter home?

Happy July 4th everybody!  Remember the good old red, white & blue.  That is what enables me to write this freely and you to be able to read it just as freely.  Independence.  We have that.  Can't imagine not having it. 

Can you?