Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap

Welcome friends, newbies, followers, and readers! It's time for more weekly recipe swapping fun. Feel free to share any and all family favorites here until 11 PM Sunday evening (EST).

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If you'd like to participate, simply write up your post and leave the link here with MckLinky. Please remember to mention my name and link to my blog within your posts as well. And feel free to grab the Colleen's Kitchen button above for your posts and/or sidebar. Thanks for joining in! It's been such fun pouring over the weekly entries...

 

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This salad is one of our all-time summer season favorites.  Just add some corn on the cob and something from the grill and you'll be enjoying summertime at its best in no time at all. 

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 Panzanella
(adapted from Barefoot Contessa)

3 T olive oil
1 loaf hearty/crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tsp. sea salt
1 pt grape or cherry tomatoes
1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 red (yellow or orange) pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 red onion, somewhat finely diced
1 block mozzarella, cubed
20 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped


Dressing:

1 tsp finely minced garlic
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 T vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Heat oil in a large pan. Add bread and salt. Cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned. Add more oil as needed. Set aside to cool.  Whisk all dressing ingredients together. Set aside.  In a large bowl, mix the tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, onion, basil, and mozzarella. Add the bread cubes and toss with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Serve now or let the flavors blend for 30 minutes or so.

(click here for printable recipe)

Thanks, as always, for joining in the recipe swapping fun!  Have a wonderful summertime weekend if you can ...



Also linking to:

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Remodelaholic Recipe Link Party
Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday

{embrace the camera}

Emily is hosting her weekly {embrace the camera} blog party today and I'm tickled to be joining in again ... at last.  It's not often that I come out from behind the camera, but I'm trying.

If you'd like to join the fun, go for it!

 



 

Todd took this picture while we were enjoying an oceanside lunch in Oqunquit, Maine last weekend.  We had a blast "playing tourist" ... even though Brendan looks less than thrilled here. (Sadly, he's in a major "don't take my picture" phase right now.)  It was a good day ... complete with pictures, trolley rides, a walk on the Marginal Way, and loads of this wonderful view.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  If you're new here, take your time and look around a bit.  I'd love to have you back again ... any time.

Celebrating Summertime: A Giveaway

::: GIVEAWAY CLOSED .... WINNER COMING SOON! :::

That's right, friends ... it's time to celebrate this last, lovely summertime stretch with a little salt dough giveaway fun.  

Here's what I'll be sending to one lucky winner:

 Buds and Berries Bowl Fillers

{(4) strawberries and (2) flowers}

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 Bugs and Blooms Bowl Fillers

 {(2) lady bugs, (2) flowers, and (2) large watermelons}

To enter, simply leave a comment for this post only.  One entry per person, please.  If you do not have a blog, please include your email address with your comments. I'll have the kids choose the lucky winner on Sunday, August 1st.     


Thanks, as always, for making this space such a sweet and rewarding one.  Good luck and thanks so much for stopping by.  I hope you'll return often ...  

Christmas in July

Our record-breaking heat and humidity has finally yielded just a bit here in Maine, but I am longing for more of this wonderfully cool, crisp air.  And though fall is my very favorite season, I was completely inspired by Dan's recent Christmas in July post ... and just had to join in.  What a fun way to reminisce, cool off, and think about all of the warm and cozy preparations to come.



Here's a sampling of our many homemade and handmade Christmastime favorites.  I hope you'll enjoy looking ... and maybe find a bit of inspiration as well: 

Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap

Welcome friends, newbies, followers, and readers! It's time for more weekly recipe swapping fun. Feel free to share any and all family favorites here until 11 PM Sunday evening (EST).

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

 

If you'd like to participate, simply write up your post and leave the link here with MckLinky. Please remember to mention my name and link to my blog within your posts as well. And feel free to grab the Colleen's Kitchen button above for your posts and/or sidebar. Thanks for joining in! It's been such fun pouring over the weekly entries...

 

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Though there's nothing quite like a warm gooey s'more enjoyed with friends and family around a summertime camp fire, these little treats are a very close second.  So if you're in the mood for some timeless chocolate-y goodness (without the fuss of packing and camping), give this recipe a try.  It was a huge hit with everyone here!

S'mores Scones
(adapted from Baked Perfection)

1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 T sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup chocolate chunks
3/4 cup mini- marshmallows
1 1/4 cups fat free heavy cream

Preheat oven to 400º.  Mix flours, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, baking powder, salt, chocolate, and marshmallows together in a large bowl. Pour in heavy cream. Mix or knead by hand, just until combined. (Mixture will be sticky!) Flour surface. Divide dough into two sections and pat into two  four-inch rounds. Using a pizza cutter, cut each round into eight pieces and place on a large parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 9 to 11 minutes until golden. Cool completely before serving.

(click here for printable recipe)

Thanks again for joining the recipe swapping fun this week!  Have a lovely weekend!

Also linking to:

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap
Remodelaholic Recipe Link Party 
Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday 

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

Is it just me ... or does anyone else feel like they're leaving a trail of half-finished projects in their wake while their want-to-make list grows exponentially?  I don't know if it's the heat or our busier-than-usual summertime routine, but I'm definitely not getting a whole lot accomplished.  I am, however, picking away at a few projects here and there.  Slowly but surely.  How about you?


I'm also developing a serious fondness for this lovely, light, and breezy color.  It's my new favorite, especially after a little aging and distressing action.  (The Krylon website, incidentally, is full of ideas and inspiration too.  In case you're in need of a quick and easy project or two): 

In fact, I've used this new favorite to re-purpose a few old treasures for our still-in-progress bathroom redo. I just couldn't resist when I saw this vintage-inspired shower curtain last week.  It's airy, homey, light, and just a bit girly.  The perfect piece to lighten things up a bit and bring in some new colors and textures.  It's going to look so sweet mixed in with the neutrals and aged cranberry we have picked out for that space thus far, along with the rag wreath I made this week.  That's the new plan anyway ... and I'm really looking forward to it. 

As for the bathroom, the upper walls are now completely painted and the bead board and trim finally have their very first coat of cranberry.  Just two more coats to go, followed by a little antique glaze treatment.  Oh, and the new flooring too.  It's been slow going, but we're getting there.  Such is the DIY way, right?  I can't wait to be done!

And last but not least, I've finally finished up some fun little bowl fillers for one more summertime giveaway.  So stay tuned, friends.   

Thanks, as always, for stopping by.  Don't forget to check in with Leslie to see what everyone else is picking away at this week.  I'll be back on Friday for some recipe swapping fun.  See you then ... if not before!





   

 

Rag-Tied Wreath Inspiration

It's too hot to cook and too hot to craft ... unless you're feeling inspired (like I was) by this little wreath from Burlap and Blue.  The idea is so simple and yet the variations are limitless.  Just gather your materials and a cold drink, find a comfy chair, crank up the AC, and begin. 

You will need:

floral wreath base (I found one at Dollar Tree)
assorted fabric scraps/yardage
measuring tape
scissors

Stay cool if you can!  Thanks, as always, for visiting and sharing in a bit of my creative and crafty fun.  Here's hoping I can finish painting my bathroom so that this wreath will finally have a home ...  

Linking to:

Kids Cook: Week Two

It's no secret that we've been trying to "beat the heat" here in Midcoast Maine for quite some time now.  In fact, it's been an incredibly hot and humid summer thus far for us, which is a complete turnaround from last year's dreary monsoons.

So when the kids asked to do another round of "Kids Cook," we all agreed that we just had to make Tina's homemade jello pudding pops.  These summertime treats were simple to make and lots of fun.  And let's not forget ... delicious and refreshing too.  The perfect antidote to every one's sweaty day crankies.  Hallelujah!

As with our maiden efforts, the kids chattered away and had a blast measuring, stirring, sampling, and taking turns.  The good and simple stuff that is meaningful and memorable in its own quiet way.  Especially on a hot and lazy summer afternoon.

I hope you're all keeping cool and making some messy kitchen-centered memories too.  Even if it's not exactly cooking weather.  Soon enough we'll be bundling up, baking and hunkering down for the cold and blustery days that always return.  And by then we'll be longing for these crazy hot and sweaty "dog days" of summer.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!  I hope to get back into the blogging swing come Monday.  Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

Colleen's Kitchen Recipe Swap

Welcome friends, newbies, followers, and readers! It's time for more weekly recipe swapping fun. Feel free to share any and all family favorites here until 11 PM Sunday evening (EST).

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

If you'd like to participate, simply write up your post and leave the link here with MckLinky. Please remember to mention my name and link to my blog within your posts as well. And feel free to grab the Colleen's Kitchen button above for your posts and/or sidebar. Thanks for joining in! It's been such fun pouring over the weekly entries...

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Blueberry season is fast-approaching here in Maine ... and so I've been on the lookout for a few new and tasty recipes to add to the mix this summer.  So far so good. 

Let me say that this little pie is fabulous!  It was a huge hit over the 4th of July Weekend and I can see it easily becoming our summertime company dessert.  It's quick and easy to prepare, delicious, and pretty.  A little tart and a little sweet.  And just a little different.  So bring on the blueberries and enjoy!

{This recipe is also linked here.}

 

   Blueberry Sour Cream Pie

(based on a Recipezaar recipe) 

  

one unbaked pie crust or prepared shortbread crust


Filling:


3/4 cup sugar
2 T flour
1 cup light sour cream
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
 2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Topping:


6 T flour
4 T sugar
3 T cold butter


Preheat oven to 400º.  Mix sugar and flour together in a large bowl.  Beat in sour cream, egg, vanilla and salt  until smooth (about 5 minutes).  Gently fold in blueberries.  Pour into pie crust and bake at 400º for 25 minutes.  Prepare crumb topping while pie bakes.  Remove pie from oven and sprinkle with topping.  Return pie to oven and bake 10 -12 minutes more until set.  Chill before serving.

(click here for printable recipe)

Thanks, as always, for joining in the food-related fun.  Have a lovely weekend and stay cool if you can.  Summer, it seems, is here to stay!

 

 

We're having a heatwave!

Well, friends, the "dog days" of summer have arrived way ahead of schedule here in Maine this summer.  And it doesn't look like they'll be leaving anytime soon.  Yikes!  

Is it the same where you are?

Fortunately, we've managed to find a measure of relief here, there, and everywhere this week.  The movies.  The library.  The beach.  Today, our favorite summertime spot was a breezy, beautiful, and welcome oasis.   At last!

    

Stay cool if you can ... and come back on Friday for some sweet blueberry goodness, recipe-swapping style.