Tin, Tin, Tin.... Yeah, it's done!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

How are you all doing? I don't have a whole lot to talk about today... am going to physical therapy twice a week. Still don't feel great, but I am trying really hard to be positive! I am so glad I still have my sense of humor! And I am grateful for my daily morning phone calls from my sister Heather! We just laugh and laugh. She has two lovely boys herself, so between the two of us, we have six boys! We could sure tell you some funny stories!! Did you all see that seven year old kiddo who hijacked the car and was chased by police? I laughed so hard the tears ran down my legs when I saw that on the Today show this morning! LOL Oh, I have to show you some photos of the tin back splash that my wonderful husband Jon put up in our kitchen! He is so very talented! Enjoy your weekend everyone and I will look forward to chatting soon!

Good Morning, Let the Stress Begin

I have missed you all! In case you didn't know, I have had major hip surgery and have been not blogging for a couple of weeks. I have had a tough recovery, but have been showered with love and blessings from my wonderful family and loads of friends! Thank you everyone for the awesome hand delivered home cooked meals, flowers, cards, candles, prayers ! I have some photos above of the medical devices I have had to use lately.lol...Notice the blue "boots" Jon had to velcro me into these babies to keep my feet and hips aligned. They were "Hitler" torture items, I am sure of it!! Ha, ha. Also, check out the photo of the boys with me and my new walker. I am slowly moving to the crutches, but boy do I get some weird looks when we are out at the grocery or etc.!! I have posted an AWESOME recipe for a Panini Salad that a friend made for our family. I have never tasted anything like it! Also, I started a new section of my blog called ... "What the heck should I do with this?" I will occasional find junk or "treasures" as I like to call them and want to transform them into something fun and prim. Take a look and let me know what you would make with it. I know there are a LOT of talented ladies out there, so send me your comments! Many blessings to all!

~Kim

NEW SECTION.....

What the heck should I do with this?

Recipe of the day:


PANINI SALAD yummy!!!!!!!!!!

- 2 personal-size pizza crusts
- 4 slices provolone chesse
- 3 Tbs. olive oil
- 1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbs. thinly sliced basil
- 1 Tbs. chopped parsley
- 1/4 tsp. sugar
- pinch 0f salt, dash of pepper
- 1 bag italian-blend lettuce
- 2 oz. thinkly sliced Genoa salami
- 1/4 c. sliced red onion
- 1/4 c. roasted red pepper, sliced
- 2 plum tomatoes, sliced

To Make:
1. Heat oven to 450. cover each pizza crust with 2 slices of provolone cheese. Bake on the oven rack for about 7-9 minutes or until cheese is golden. Let cool then cut into wedges.
2. In a small jar, with a lid, (I used a baby food jar) combine olive oil, vinegar, basil, parsley, sugar, salt, pepper, and 1 tsp. water. Shake it up to mix! Next, place 2 pizza wedges on each of 4 plates: top with lettuce, ham, salami, onion, roasted red pepper, and tomato slices. Shake up the dressing once more to mix and drizzle over the salads. Makes 4 servings and boy is it good!!!!

Photos from the Homestead

Here you go my blogger friends... thanks for sharing all your great "homestead" photos as well! I have really enjoyed looking at all the great home decor ideas, projects, etc
~Kim

Patriotic Fun!

Greetings Friends! I have added some great photos of our July 4th Picnic. Also I have had so many requests to show some photos of our home, I added a couple of those too! I am having a little technical trouble "labeling" the photos, sorry about that. I am still learning how this all works! I have been reflecting on our great holiday weekend, and I am truly so grateful for our wonderful family and friends! I have also been blessed with some new blogging friends.. Kindra and Renee! It has been so much fun getting to know them! I hope you enjoy the photos and please send some comments my way. Simply click on the comments icon and follow the directions! Blessings to you all...until next time!

Spencer, Gannon and Nick getting ready for the fireworks!




Fun times Jennifer, Roy and Alan enjoying the picnic!

Tyler, Nicholas and Hunter having fun!

Spencer, Connor and Gannon by the tree

The Gang at the Park!








July 4th fun lights!

Take Time for the Little Things

Nicholas with Dad doing some "big-time" fishing.

Hey everyone! I am going to keep today's post short and sweet. Have a SAFE and fun fourth! Enjoy the day and take some time for the small ,simple things that this holiday stands for. Freedom, liberty and all things American! I will be spending some quality time with dear friends and family this 4th and will be watching my boys' faces light up as they see the colors explode in the night sky. Treasure these moments, as they are swiftly gone!

Friday's Recipe!

President Kennedy's Favorite Strawberry Tart

1/2 c. Sugar

2 T. Cornstarch

5 Egg yolks

2 c. Milk

1 t. Vanilla

10-inch Baked tart shell

2 pints Fresh strawberries, washed and hulled

1/2 c. Apricot Jam

1/2 t. Sugar

1 t. Grand Marnier

** Combine the sugar and cornstarch. Add the egg yolks. Beat well. Scald the milk. Gradually pour it over the egg mixture, beating constantly. Bring almost to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Cool slightly before adding the vanilla. Chill thoroughly. Spoon the custard into the baked tart shell. Place the strawberries, hulled ends down, on the custard in rows or circles. Combine the jam and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Cool slightly before adding the Grand Marnier. Spoon the glaze over the strawberries.

Attention Walmart Shoppers!

Wow! I can't believe the Fourth of July is Saturday!! Even more shocking is the amount of people that are already out and about doing pre-holiday stock up and shopping. I am literally scared for my life at times when I go to our local Walmart. (lol) Where do these people come from?? Well, I will quit rambling. The boys are excited about fireworks, but if you haven't heard, Elk River is NOT having them this year due to budget cuts. I think that is happening all over these days. We might head up to Princeton to see theirs, and Jon might decide to dig out his arsenal of fireworks and light them off in the street. We did that one year, and it was better than going anywhere. He put up a screen on our garage and we all sat in the "bug-free" zone and had a blast. The only thing was that I could NOT get over my fears of him losing a limb in the process! The boys and I are heading off to see Ice Age, Dawn of the Dinosaurs today and then I will brave the mobs and pick up some blue cheese for my salad I am making for our July Fourth picnic. Wish me luck!

How to Make Star Luminarias~

You will need: White lunch bags, sand, glass votives with candles and a hole punch for this project.

*To Make: Punch a star design on the front and back of each white bag. Fill with about one cup of sand. Add the votive candles and ta-da, you have a great night time decoration.

Hello everyone! This is officially my first post ever! I am so grateful to have my boys next to me right now helping me with the blog! They are the technology wizards of the family! I hope to bring you weekly updates about family, events and outings, food and recipes, craft and decorating ideas and projects. My hope is that I can now stay better connected with our friends and family both near and far. I will be posting photos soon so stay tuned!

Recipes:

This one is great for all your July 4th gatherings!

Blue Cheese Potato Salad

8 c. potatoes, peeled, boiled and cubed
1/2 c. scallions, chopped
1/2 c. celery
2T fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 c. Slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 t. celery seed
2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 c.crumbled blue cheese
2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. white wine vinegar

*In a large bowl, combine potatoes, scallions, celery, parsley, almonds, celery seed, salt and pepper. In another bowl, mix together blue cheese, sour cream and vinegar. Pour over potatoes and toss to coat. Chill overnight. Serves 10 to 12. Enjoy!