Positively Tuesday-More Summer

      Here's a good photo to usher in what I consider the change of the season, the first day after Labor Day. This was from our solo week at the cabin last October, and as case rates  are growing, this may be where we spend our time off this year as well. There's still may weeks until then and the weather man says it is still summer with glorious sun and temperatures in the 70's-creeping towards 80 by Friday. I wouldn't be a Minnesotan if I didn't talk about the weather. Tuesday's, especially after a long weekend and mine was extra long, are my "just get through it" day of the week. I've tried to turn it into my  glass half full day and recap my joys, smile worthy things, and simple pleasures of the last week. There were a lot and I should be starting the week with a hop in my step, figuratively speaking. 

1. I got a smile out of my 14 year old nephew, with help from his mom, buying lottery tickets for his brother for his 18th birthday. Apparently no big wins, but both were pretty pleased about the possibility as he scratched off the football helmets on the  cards.
2. I had a stomached bug for several days starting Wednesday morning.  While I didn't take any sick time, I did lay down mid-day to let some Pepto kick in, and pup was right there to curl up with me. Pet's know when they might be needed, whether you'd like it or not. 
3. We had a few mornings of rain, but it made for nice coolish weather to get pup out before starting work. I feel like I have clearer head when I get a walk in before starting. And yet, I don't make time to do this enough. 
4. I felt like I was playing hooky from work on Friday afternoon, even though it was my flex day off, going to a movie with DD1. The 15 year old inside me thought this might not be a bad thing to do for real some afternoon for a mental health break. This is actually allowed and even called out as a need under our sick time provisions. 
5. I didn't buy flowers at the Farmers market on Saturday since we were splitting our weekend time between home and the lake. I spent a few minutes just appreciating the beauty and will get some next weekend. The people I saw buy them, had smiles on their faces and that gave me joy.
6. I bought a lovely butternut squash at the market and when I went grocery shopping, I purchased nutritional yeast. I couldn't really find a recipe for he Trader Joe's vegan mac and cheese, but Big Box Vegan had some hacks to help improve part of the flavor that some find  might be off-putting. I think I can  come up with my own sauce using the squash, nutritional yeast,  milk beverage, and perhaps some white beans like I used for a pizza sauce last fall.  I found this version from the Veganista that doesn't use any milk product, but cashews. I get excited to experiment, and I love squash so even if not quite the same, I can't imagine that it won't be tasty. 
7.  Saturday night could not have been better way to spend an evening. My sister  sent out a group text to see if anyone wanted to join her for dinner outside at a restaurant overlooking the river. DH and I, the texting sister, another widowed sister, my single brother, and my oldest brother and his wife joined. Service is slow at this place in normal times, but they were very short staffed and busy, which worked to our favor as we could spend nearly 2 1/2 hours without feeling guilty occupying the table.
8. Should I shut up about the weather? Sunday was even better than Saturday! DH and I took the boat for a final summer ride before his BIL helped him get it on the trailer to take to a place for winterizing. It would have been nice to keep out for a few more weeks, but the guys had one day only ample enough help to get the large dock in, and there would no longer be a good place to secure the boat. The pontoon will stay through next weekend, moved temporarily to the smaller dock at the other cabin. That other dock is much easier to take in. DH has someone come get the pontoon and winterize, and then they'll bring back in the spring. DH will get his boat and park at the cabin once it is winterized. As we decided to keep it, he will invest in a few things to make next summer easier such as a fitted cover and cleats for the dock for securing it instead of the gerryrigged process he used this summer. 
9. Yesterday I wanted to use up some bananas that were taking over my freezer and yet more of the plain yogurt lingering in the fridge. I made three small bread pan loaves, using  baking mix, yogurt, assorted spices, and the bananas. I realized when I ate my first piece that while it was tasty, it wasn't very sweet, but the banana, cinnamon, all-spice, and nutmeg flavors really came pleasantly through. I had forgotten to add additional sugar! Well, I guess I invented a new bread- sort of a cross between a biscuit, a scone, and a quick bread. 
10. While I was working mid day (and I got one major task off my plate), DH and DD1 met up for a walk by the river. After I finished what I intended to complete, I cleaned the porch while pup kept me company, watered my flowers which are trying to hang on, and then pup and I played a bit before relaxing until they got home. It was a satisfying end of my last day of calendar summer. 

     I'm in no hurry for true fall. My days don't change with the start of the school year, other than what my work day consists of. I'm happy to hold onto summer for many weeks. I'll be avoiding pumpkin spice in my baking and will slip out later for a walk and my lunch outside. How about you? What simple pleasures, joys, and smiles have you had this past week? Are you ready for fall or wanting to hold on to summer  a bit longer like me?

Positively Tuesday-Still Summer Edition

     Labor Day is late this year-the last date it can be as the first Monday in September, stretching out the "last" of the summer weekends. Still, based on the astronomical calendar, summer doesn't end until September 22. This has been an odd summer, and it will transition into an odd fall. It already has for those with kids returning to school, regardless of what type of school. Regardless of how odd things are, there still promises to be some wonderful weather days, some miserably hot weather days, and tastes of fall thrown in for good measure. I've got a short list of what I still want to do, continue to do,  to enjoy summer.

Swim in the Lake:  I'll need to navigate a little muck to get far enough in the lake to swim  if the guys decide to bring n the dock this weekend, but I'd like to fit in perhaps two more swims. My older daughter left her paddle board in the boat house so maybe she might like to come along and get it out a couple more times. 

Make a big batch of roasted vegetables: Before the corn, tomatoes, onions, and other summer fresh produce is gone I want to buy them all and do a big roasted vegetable dinner. I'll look forward to the fall and winter squashes but before it ends, I want the fresh taste of summer some more. 

Make a batch of jam with summer fruits: I have odds  and ends frozen in the freezer. Whatever else I can get my hands on, I'll experiment with a mixed fruit variety. 

Wear sandals and flip flops: My odd tan lines, which are probably only noticeable to me since I barley tan, are an homage to being able to just slip on flip flops to get the mail or take out the garbage. For walking the dog, I try and at least put on a more stable sandal with a good bottom. Soon enough my feet will not want to be exposed to the cold, so until then, my piggies are appreciating the freedom. 

Read under a tree: Our big red maple tree in the back yard provides a lush shade filled spot to bring a magazine, book, or even my lap top (even if the internet gets spotty) to read periodicals. I even thought I should pack up some reading materials, and maybe try and  McGyver a way to get a folding camp chair attached to Penny and bike to a different park. Wouldn't that be an adventure for me! This is a wild idea. at least  for me, but if I pulled it off, wouldn't you all be surprised. 

Have cocktails on the deck or porch: Not only a summer activity, but logging off and grabbing a cold one and heading outside when I can still catch a few hours of daylight is wonderful. Each day is shorter than the one before. 

     Of course some of these are not strictly for summer, but are more doable before the cold winds of fall come. It would be equally prudent to take advantage of a perfect fall day. What are you still doing that is normally thought of as a summer activity? What have I left out of my list that I should add? 

Don't Use the F Word

I can swear a blue streak if I am good and angry about something. I apologize in advance should anyone be in ear shot when I am on a roll and so steamed up the effenheimer may escape. No, that is not the F word I am referring to now. I'm talking about the F word as in fall, the season that follows summer.  I love fall, don't get me wrong, with cool nights and warm sweaters, apple picking and hay rides in pumpkin patches. However, this year, I am longing for a bit more summer. Maybe it is because we took vacation so late, and now there is only two weeks left, I feel like summer past me by. We are normally are second or third week of July vacationers, just after soccer season ends, and before fall sports, and then all of August left. It could be because I'm used to August at the lake, celebrating a slew of August birthdays, and picking up corn at the farm we pass on the way. With no cabin to go to, and all the weekends before being work weekends, there have been no lazy days of summer, except for the two days I snuck up there in June with DD2 and friends.

Two days ago I was of the mind set, "There's two full weeks of summer left-yeah!" This has turned to, "Crap, there's only two weeks left of summer." My evening laziness hasn't helped. Getting caught up at work means I have had no physical, and more importantly no mental down time during the day. I came home Monday and Tuesday night exhausted and binged watched tv on my computer, in between running DD places. I've still got stuff sitting in my suit cases. It started raining last night and is still raining hard this morning. The house feels damp and sticky and needs a very good top to bottom cleaning, as well as efforts to get all the rubbish out of the basement to get the new floors in, bathroom fixed up, and fireplace back in working order. Still, I want to squeeze a few more nights sipping a cold one on a patio or deck, grilling food and eating outdoors or packing food and heading to somewhere with water, if only for an afternoon.

Fortunately, I have these two weeks of work, but begin September with a four day weekend, plenty of time to mix work with a good day devoted to a summer pursuit. I may have to hide my computer from sight each night though. Netflix calls me like a siren to a sailor. 

Maybe a good give away win will be the jump start to fall I need. Here's a couple on right now. If you are running any drawings, feel free to leave a link in the comment section. 

Sluggy is working her magic at Don't Read This, It's Boring. Click the blog name to get to her drawing for a whole host of goodies. Be sure to read a few more posts, and watch her video on latest shopping deals-and do not mess with her and taxes. 

I'm still collecting survey responses on topics of interest and other bits of information to help me launch my new site, Sam and Coffee. Copy the survey link into your browser, or click here. One responder will win a $25 Amazon gift card. It is not a sponsored give away. i;m going with Amazon becasue of the universality of access.

Sunday for the Books

I hope you all had a great weekend. We did end up at the lake, got there mid morning, and had a couple circles around the lake in the pontoon while DH took pictures of the cabin that will be coming down next week. The kids all want nice prints of the cabin.  Before we went out, he walked around and took pictures of each side.His parents built it when he was about three years old, so 50+ years of memories will be coming down, but a new place to build new ones. DD2 "swam the lake", the annual tradition.  I guess a bunch of others did 4th of July weekend, but we had left early to go to a party. I didn't do the whole lake, but jumped in on the other side and swam back with her. What a work out. With the 90+ temps the last week, the water was perfect. 

After the swim, we were pretty hungry. With my cooking and baking day, I was ready for an easy lunch. DH grilled some hotdogs and we had a tuna macaroni salad, cucumber salad, ranch tortilla chips, and oatmeal cookies as well.  I cleaned up lunch and we all relaxed a bit reading. We were the only ones there at both cabins, so it was so peaceful. We decided to take one more good long swim before heading back. Our niece and boyfriend came about that time, beer in hand, having the same idea that it would be a calm and relaxing spot. She swam with DD and I for a while, until we said our goodbyes and left them to enjoy the rest of the afternoon to themselves. 

Back in town DD wanted to have another go at driving so she chauffeured me for a change. a stop a the dollar store for a couple greeting cards, paper towels, more hair bands (DD and I both go through these in volumes), and zip lock  gallon size bags for my coworker for her swiss chard and kale picking. She drove us to Target to take a look to see if they were starting to clearance out any swim suits; they're not, and I took a look at the cameras.  The one I had my eye on at $149 was back to $299.  I wonder if perhaps n line it might be lower? We left buying nothing.  Let me repeat that. We left Target, the store I  refer to as the $100 Dollar Store, not buying a thing. 

Some more driving and we ended up downtown by the river, and had a nice stroll, counting the number of people playing Pokeman Go.  We don't need to play it as we are more amused seeing others wander in small packs or individuals capturing characters on a screen. Hey, folks are out walking at least. DH is watching t.v., DD is on the porch in her favorite spot reading again, and I've got a load of laundry going, and will start the dishwasher before going to bed. Money tiff aside, it was a good weekend. If you're a blogger, I hope to catch up with you on yours. If not, drop me a comment and share your best weekend happenings. Summer is half over-live it up I say.

Sunburn and Salads

Another work week, and It has felt like a long time since I was last in the office. I didn't check e-mails or do any work over the weekend, so now that it ix summer, I want to head in early. DD2 starts drivers ed classes today, and I will have an off schedule juggling transportation for a few weeks. 

Aloe is  my friend. I was careless like an ignorant sun worshiping teenager, not using enough sun screen and not keeping in the shade. Fortunately the wonder gel has kept the pain of the 2nd degree burn at bay, but my face looks just ridiculous. I didn't get a nice all over pink hue, but a blotchy red,  face, made worse by the white circles around my eyes where my large sunglasses protected my face.  I am lie a raccoon, in reverse. I'm too embarrassed to show my face, but isn't it a lovely line on my neck, particularity where my chain necklace lies? Wear sun screen people-loads of it. I am resorting to putting some liquid foundation on my face to try and blend the color difference.  I am not a fan of make up, particularly foundation, in the summer as it feels so heavy, but I will be making an exception this week. 

It is officially salad season for lunch and dinner. I have more chicken breast in the freezer, spinach greens, and fruit.  tonight I think dinner will be a spinach salad with chicken, sunflower seeds, sliced apples, and the last of the raspberry vinaigrette in the fridge. I'll make ahead for tomorrow a cold pasta salad that we can eat quick between her class tomorrow and a 6:00 soccer game. I should make extra for lunches as well, though I hat e to add the dressing too far ahead as it soaks into the pasta and then it becomes too dry (and adding more just ups the fat!) I'd love ideas your favorite summer salad combos. Anything cold and nourishing hits the spot for me these days. 

6 Weeks of Summer

Friday I shared that this weekend was the town festival.  I haven't partaken in a lot of activities, but did get DD#2 and friends down to the carnival, and I heard some good music.  DD won a goldfish, so she is now the proud parent of Fernando. We still had a bowl and other assorted fish items from our last attempt at goldfish, so a quick clean and his home was ready. I wandered the craft fair, located this year on the grounds of the one historic old "mansion" in town. I didn't buy any crafts, but did walk out with a jar of dry rub for pork and chicken, two Bloody Mary seasoning mixes, and two bottles of unique sauce/marinade. One was garlic and herb and the other rhubarb and barbecue. My family loves to use interesting sauces and it was a local family owned company so despite the $32 for all, I didn't feel bad about paying so much. No kettle corn this year-the vendor was no longer the former Amish vendors with their big open fire kettle, but a much more modern looking regular popcorn maker. They also were only selling in huge bags, and I like to just get a small bag.

 Both Friday and Saturday night were live band tent dances at a bar and grill less than 1/2 mile from us if you cut through the ponds. This means we can sit on our deck and actually hear the concert in full.  Several neighbors were out listening last night.  I decided I was not in the mood to be eaten by mosquito's, so we didn't head to the river for Fireworks. Friday were natural fireworks with lightning and severe thunderstorms throughout our whole region.  Not much sleep was had Friday night, so it was early to bed anyway last night. We haven't decided if we are driving to the Lake this morning yet. Rivertown Days marks the halfway point of the 12 week school summer vacation. 

I've read in multiple places it takes 21 days for something to become embedded into a person's routine.  That could be exercising, eating better, cooking breakfast, decluttering, or any other new discipline or bad habit  a person tries to break. With six weeks left of the unofficial Minnesota summer, that gives me two 21 day cycles to draw upon.  I have many posts noodling in my head and will slowly subject them all to you, but to give you a preview, I've been reading The Minimalists 21 Day Journey as my launching spot. I've never been great at following such disciplined practices as outlined here, but I think the general concepts, if even followed partly, should be a good addition to my aim for more simplicity in my life. Today's tackle will be my Must List.; more tomorrow on that.

Here are a few pictures of the old mansion which housed the craft fair. It was very sunny and I was wearing sun glasses, so apologies for the less than stellar shots. The mansion is built in a Gothic style.  I've been inside, and for all it's size, it is not very ornate, and actually a bit depressing. It was almost like once the house was done, no one took anytime to put any heart or personality into the interior. It is true to how the family lived there, which was not many years because the story is the woman of the house, from the hustle and bustle of the eastern United States, never liked Minnesota and considered it temporary. The grounds though, are lovely, with a preview of fall bounty to come.
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Anything Salad

I read once in some food snobbery cooking article that a dish made with cold pasta should never be called a salad and furthermore should never be considered good food. If my memory serves, this officious twit, went on to chronicle culinary horrors of a summer food buffet with an assortment of these dishes, and they left wondering what the world of entertaining has come to.  Well this soul has never been invited to my holiday gatherings or the ones held by my friends and family, and if he showed up, he might go away hungry. Of course one needs to be careful about keeping food cold, but I wouldn't dream that someone could call my mother's tuna salad, made with mayonnaise, "botulism in a bowl." Just rude. 

Personally, one of my favorite things about warm weather is the ease of getting food together in short order, and often with pantry staples.  We are a long way out from farmers markets and garden produce, but the quality of canned and frozen vegetables has improved, even in bargain brands, and combined with a nice el dente pasta, some seasonings, oil and vinegar, a beautiful salad can be made in minutes. I just made one with some rainbow rotini noodles, a can of diced tomatoes, some red peppers in a jar, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and generous amounts of garlic powder, Italian seasoning blend, and black pepper.   DD#1 made dinner for friends last night and there was leftover cauliflower crumbles so I threw them in as well.  Red wine vinegar would have been nicer, but not what I had on hand. 

Last weekend I used a box of penne pasta, diced tomatoes, rinsed cannelloni beans, olives, and used two partial bottles of salad dressing.  This was hauled to the cabin and went well with still leftover (frozen) from the funeral in March ham and potatoes we ate on a break from cleaning. There were even leftovers that DD#1 took for lunch the next day.  My family and friends will be enjoying salads of all kinds, made with anything I can pull out of my refrigerator or pantry this summer. I like the economy, the variety, the nutrition value, and the ease. Those with more refined palates are welcome to join, but keep can keep their opinions to themselves.

Last of the Summer Gardens

Cool fall weather motivates me to get in the kitchen and cook and bake up a weeks worth of humble and tasty dishes.  That will not be today.  September 28th, 2014, while may not make the record books, we are at a hot and sunny 81 degree temperature.  I stopped yesterday at one of the roadside stands and  people were five deep to pick up sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons-the last of the summer bounty.  The acorn and butternut squash looked superb but I have a hard time enjoying the if I'm not wearing a sweater.  I was planning on sharing a few thoughts and a recipe or two on tasty fall morsels but am switching gear and sharing my ad hoc recipe for tomato, onion, and cucumber salad. 

I make a pig out of myself with it, but it is one of those treats that doesn't allow me to eat in  moderation.  I can reason that it is full of healthy vegetables, and vinegar and all things that our bodies need.  My hubby teases me and asks if I m making my "delicacy". While not a delicacy , it is one of the simple pleasures that you can't put a price tag on.  Well, actually, you can as I would estimate this cost me less than $2.00 to make a big huge mixing bowl worth, since I used free onions from a colleagues dad's farm, a $1.00 huge beefy tomato, and two cucumbers that were just 3 for $1.00.  You fortunate and talented gardeners can make for almost nothing . 

Above is my purchases from the stand, plus the last of the onions from my work friend.  I probably would have bought more if I had more than $3.00 cash on me. We've been enjoying the gift onions all week in stir fried potatoes, fajitas, and my daughters Spanish omelets.

The salad couldn't be easier.  Here it is-everything is approximate as I never measure:
3 TBLS sugar
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup mayonnaise (or what was left from scraping the sides of the jar in this case)
2-3 small-medium onions
2-3 small- medium cucumbers
1-2 firm tomatoes
lots of pepper and salt to taste

Dissolve sugar in vinegar, add mayo, salt, and lots of pepper.  Stir until mixed. Thinly slice onions and loosen into rings or thin long slices. Thinly slice cucumber.  Slice and then 1/4 tomato into chunks. If you choose, salt vegetables before putting in with the dressing to get some of the water out.  I never bother with this.  Mix veggies into dressing, stir and cover them, add more pepper if you want (I love lots of pepper).  Cover and chill until really cold,  dressing is very watery, almost like pickle juice, but oh so delicious. 

All can be altered to your preference and degree of dressing you want. I know others leave out the mayo but I like the flavor and the creaminess it provides. I make a lot of the dressing, and then let the veggies marinate for a while.  It might seem a little wasteful, but I often then slice another 1/2-full cucumber and onion to the leftover dressing in the bowl and put back in the refrigerator for the next day.  We ate half last night, and will finish it off today with some pulled chicken sandwich's.

True fall will come back, and winters are long here in Minnesota.  We'll soon be indulging in soups, stews, baked breads, and squash. But for today, we'll eat like it is still August.