Delicious Summer Recipes

I've recently been searching for some new recipes for the summer.  You know, all the wonderful produce that's in season has had me wanting some good salads.  I've posted a couple on Instagram recently, but I thought I'd share the links to them here.  

This first one is Ravioli with Sautéed Asparagus and Walnuts from Green Valley Kitchen.  I could only find cheese ravioli in my store, which I thought was ridiculous, but it was still delicious.  These are my photos, so you can see how they really turn out.  

The second one is 10-Minute Zucchini Noodles with Garlic, Lemon and Parmesan.  I asked for and received a Spiralizer for Christmas and I finally tried it out.  It worked perfectly on zucchini and this recipe was very good too.  You can find it at Instant Pot Eats.  

I loved all of these recipes or I wouldn't be passing them on to you.  I've just hit the jackpot lately.  This one was my favorite combination.  Pasta, tomato, basil what can be wrong with that? This recipe is from Alexandra Cooks and was a favorite with my husband too.  

And lastly, I decided to make my own hummus. In Japan, we couldn't buy hummus or decent crackers.  I craved hummus and Triscuits. I had friends that would make their own. I even brought cans of chick peas to Japan for them and myself.  I never did it. Yesterday I did and I added "Everything but the Bagel" sesame seasoning to the top with some olive oil. It was amazing with some Triscuits.  I made this Classic Hummus recipe from Gimme Some Oven.  

Do you have some new summery recipes you'd like to share with me? I'm on the hunt! 

Happy eating. 

Karen

Spontaneous Sightseeing

Hello again.  Things are hopping around here as you can imagine.  We are preparing to move at the end of the month.  This next week the packers arrive to pack up our two shipments, one by air and one by sea.  It's getting complicated to say the least.  On Monday we took our paperwork into Los Angeles to get our Visas.  They were able to process them in one day since we had the paperwork done and approved.  It allowed us about five hours of unexpected time to explore downtown.  We parked right across the street from the Disney Concert Hall.  I've always wanted to see it in person.  I was excited for the opportunity.

It really is as beautiful or more so than it looks in pictures.  I wish it had been a beautifully clear day, but it was hazy.  I highly recommend using the free audio tour through the building.  It gives you so much more information and insight than just a walk around it would give you. 

 One of the concert halls.

 Beautiful curves everywhere.

Look at that massive pipe organ!  

 This donor wall is made out of felt with steel letters imbedded into the strips.

The gardens were beautiful.  This rose fountain was made out of valuable Dutch Delftware Tiles donated by the makers.  It is in memory of Lillian Disney.

Loved seeing the donor in this section.

Can you imagine that this beautiful building was originally designed in stone?  Several people tried to convince the architect to build it in metal after seeing the Guggenheim museum.  He finally made a model and was convinced.  I can't imagine it any other way. Check out their website for more information. I'll have to show you other pictures from our day next time.  This post is getting TOO LONG.  All the pictures are from my iPhone, since I had no idea we would be touring this beautiful building.  They aren't even edited.  See you soon!

Karen

Country Life

You might've heard a little about a wildfire last week out my way. It was in my neighborhood on the west side.  Thankfully, we're on the east side. The trick is, there is basically only one way out of the area.  The fire got very close to that access road.  Sadly, one family lost their home.  As you can tell by the photos that it's the dry season here.  It's very, very dry.  It was definitely too close for comfort.  

 I'm very thankful that the fire department worked so hard for days to keep it under control. It only burned 355 acres.  Not nearly as big as the Colorado, Oklahoma, or New Mexico fires this year.

VERY THANKFUL!

 Today I had a visit from a little roadrunner.

Yesterday, I watched two Egrets check out my neighbor's yard.

And the moon was beautiful over the Valley.  

My Country Life.

Best of Summer

I've decided to do an occasional post called Best of Summer. It will just be random, when the mood strikes. I know, exciting stuff, huh? Gripping really. 

Don't you just love the farmer's market?  I love getting fresh fruit and vegetables during the summer.  We get fresh produce all year round here in SoCal, but the summer is the best! Look at these gorgeous cherries! I mean, who doesn't like a beautiful, fresh cherry? Okay, well, probably somebody. 

I also bought flowers for my Fourth decorations, obviously. These were your pretty standard grocery store type flower bundles.  Doesn't everyone grow dark purple daisies in their yard? They work really well for Independence Day. Maybe I should've bought the gorgeous delphiniums at a different booth.

Berries are my favorite. I've been eating a lot of them lately. I wish they'd stay in season FOREVER.  But then maybe we wouldn't treasure them so much.  I bought extra to make this trifle for our church BBQ. I found it here on Pinterest, big surprise.

 It was half gone by the time I got through the line.

I also played with my mantle a little. I pulled out my PB galvanized stars, flags and my Statue of Liberty. Confession: I didn't really get her while visiting NYC. I've never seen her in person. But, if I had, I certainly would have come home with a little statue, most definitely. Just saying that Ebay is very handy, maybe too handy.

 My HH has books that are perfect for the occasion.

 Two weeks ago I came home from my parents' with this clock that was my Great Grandmother's.
I propped George Washington and Ben Franklin next to it. They feel right at home.

For some reason, I find it difficult to take a good picture of this mantle.  It's probably because of the reflection in the mirror. Hopefully, you get the idea.  I hope your Fourth of July festivities are safe and happy ones! Fourth of July and the farmer's market are some of the BEST things of summer!

I'm joining Hello Monday with Lisa Leonard for the first time! 

Saturday Snapshot

A House with A View

Hello again.  It is finally a new billing month and I have my 5G restored.  I used it up way too fast last month and about two weeks into it realized that there was going to have to be some serious internet fasting going on.  It was such a bummer.  Well, here we are back with a full 5G available.  There has been a lot going on around our house this last week or two.  Carpentry and painting are in process and those photos won't come till the work is finished.  But, today should be the final day for tree clearing.  Here is what we started with.

Yes, it is very pretty and I'm not a fan of cutting down trees.  But these are Eucalyptus trees and are also a fire hazard which we needed to get rid of.  My husband's main priority was to gain full view capabilities.  He hasn't seen the results yet, but will be very pleased.  I will take better photos soon.  Not only did I not have internet, my good Canon died.  Two and a half weeks and a big chunk of change later and I will be able to take better pictures.  The following are from my iPhone.  

 We had help from some very hard working guys in very, very hot temperatures and steep slopes.

When the summer haze is gone, the mountains will be in full view. Can't wait!