Friday, June 23, 2017

IT'S FUN FRIDAY STUFF & NATIONAL TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY

It's all about food, fun and books in this Friday post. Let's jump on this tasty train to get the weekend started!

SEXY STRAWBERRY & KIWI SALAD
3 Kiwis, peeled and sliced
1 Quart Fresh Strawberries topped and halved
4 Large Basil Leaves, chopped
4 Fresh Mint Leaves, chopped
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
Pinch of Salt
4 Ounces Goat Cheese
4 Tablespoons Balsamic Glaze


Place the kiwis, berries, basil and mint into a large mixing bowl. Squeeze the lime juice over fruit and sprinkle with salt, tossing gently.  Crumble goat cheese over the fruit, and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Drizzle balsamic glaze over the salad just before serving.  Should serve 4.



IRANIAN GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH POMEGRANATE SEEDS
TASTE OF PERSIA - Naomi Duguid
2 Cups Mashed Peeled Grilled Eggplant (from 1 pound eggplants)
1 Tablespoon Fresh Mint
1 1/4 Teaspoons Salt
1/2 Cup Chopped Shallots or sweet onion
2 Cups Pomegranate Seeds (In a container, or use 1 Large Pomegranate)


Place the eggplant in a bowl, add the dried mint, salt and shallots or onion, then stir well to mix.  Add the pomegranate seeds and fold them in.  Let stand for at least 30 minutes so the flavors all come together.

Just before serving, add a little more dried mint and salt, then stir in thoroughly.


PERKY PICNIC PENNE PASTA SALAD
1 Box of Penne Pasta, cooked al dente
1 Orange Bell Pepper, finely chopped
3 Green Onions, Sliced
1/2 Cup Sliced Green Olives with pimientos
1/4 Cup Fresh Dill
2 Tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Tablespoons Olive Juice
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1 Cup Mayo
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon White Pepper

Drain pasta and rinse with cold water.  Place pasta in a large mixing bowl and add bell pepper, green onions, olives, and dill.  Toss the ingredients then set aside.

In a separate mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, olive juice and sugar.  Whisk until all the sugar is dissolved.  Stir in mayo, salt and pepper. (Add cayenne pepper for more heat)

Pour dressing over pasta and toss until ingredients are evenly coated.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Yummy!


IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ROMANCE
Any Day Now - Robyn Carr
You can't go wrong with a hunk who just happens to have an adorable puppy.


Home At Last - Lily Everett
A bar owner gets unexpected help from the woman he broke up when the townspeople try to teach him a lesson that hurts his pocket.


REAL LIFE STUFF
Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud - Anne Helen Petersen
Come on and admit it.  Don't you want to read this book just because the title is so over the top?
Check out essays from Lena Dunham, Caitlyn Jenner and more, that deal with society's take on opinionated women.


PICNIC LOVE
Do you remember how we went on picnics with potato salad, lemonade and sandwiches? Times have really changed because the sky's the limit on what we can do with food choices now.


1.  Choose a movie you've been dying to see, then invite your bestie over.  Won't she be surprised to see a tablecloth on the floor filled with fried chicken, pasta salad, berries a bottle of Prosecco and no bugs?


2.  Do you want to plan a picnic for your family?  Why not choose a theme where all the food is from Greece, France or Spain, along with the decorations to go with it?  This works well in your own backyard, a public park or church grounds.  Everyone will be talking about your event planning expertise for days.


TIPS
According to a recent study, slowly drinking from 1-6 cups of water may help with that horrible headache that's beginning to creep up to ruin your day.


YIKES!
I'm afraid of any bug, so when the news started talking more about tick infestation a few weeks ago, I did some research. Ticks don't only spread Lyme disease.  In fact, different species don't mind sharing various diseases.  To find out which ticks are likely to be in your area, and what they can spread, visit cdc.gov/ticks.


HONEY
Honey has an indefinite shelf life in your cupboard UNLESS it's unprocessed or opened.  Even then, it doesn't actually go bad, but crystallizes.


TMI - lol
Uh...the Amazon Fire Stick, which sells for about $39.99 on Amazon and Target, sure does a heck of alot more than advertised.  A friend told me that he and his nephew looked on YouTube last night, and that Fire Stick now has a ton of porn loaded for FREE. Ok, I'm officially shocked!  If you've been watching this blog, you know I'm obsessed with finding freebies, but I'll take a hard pass on this deal. (lol)



CRAB EXTRAVAGANZA
Despite being born in Maryland, I'm no fan of crabs, but lots of people are, so this time of year is a real treat.  Speaking of MD, if you're headed out for a quick trip, or want to vacation there, these restaurants are a great place to get your crab on.


Waterman's Crab House has steamed crabs that are literally overflowing with garlic butter and LIVE music to entertain you and your friends.


The Red Roost boasts The Red Roost Plus Pot which includes steamed crab, garden salad, steamed shrimp, fried chicken, steamed clams, mussels, corn on the cob, and fries.  A mighty meal that includes all this will set you back close to $90.  
But they have a lot on their menu, just in case you're not that hungry.


If you can get your boss to agree, hang out with your dog at work today, and make sure you are pretty in pink.




34 comments:

  1. Just love the strawberry salad, our British strawberries are so juicy and tasty at the moment, I may just give it a try.
    Although aren't strawberries yummy with cream too!

    Yet again a wonderful mix for us to read, thank you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Hey Jan! I just love my berries for sure! Hugs...

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  2. The strawberry kiwi and the penne definitely sound a treat. That Robin Carr book would be a great summer read.
    Oh my, that Amazon stick is definitely a loaded purchase. LOL

    Have a great weekend, Ro!

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    1. I couldn't believe all the things you can do with that Fire Stick. Crazy! Yay to strawberries! Hugs...

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  3. I love strawberry and most fruits. I also love crab and lobster but hot dang they can be expensive for sea bugs. Because if you look at them they really just look like over grown bugs that live in the ocean...thus sea bugs.

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    1. I love my berries as well, Mary, and they're super healthy! Crabs are so dang expensive for sure. Unless I have a coupon, that's not something I would grab from the supermarket.(lol) Hugs...

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  4. Love your first two recipes in particular. Basil goes so well with strawberries. When summer comes around again I will have to try that.
    Too loud, Too fat? A book about me. (Not the third part of the title though).
    Have a great weekend.

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    1. I totally DON'T agree that you're too fat, or too loud. I think you're just right! Aren't these recipes amazing? Hugs...

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  5. Mmm I love pasta and that recipe looks so good! I also envy anyone who was able to take their dog to work today.

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    1. Isn't pasta so yummy? I adore all animals, but definitely more partial to cats and all their mystery. So many cool dogs to pet though. Hugs...

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  6. Yum! I don't know which salad to try first...the strawberry/kiwi or the pasta! Thanks for the recipes!!!

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    1. I love, love, love my berries Angela! Hugs...

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  7. Replies
    1. I totally agree! Many of the places I used to visit, I don't go to anymore, because I'm afraid of taking bugs home, and don't want to take the chance. Hugs...

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  8. Oh I am trying both the pasta and fruit salads, I never thought of adding olive juice but Yes!!!
    I love the idea of taking your dog to work and if I still did I know my boss would have let me :)

    Great post RO! Happy Weekend

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    1. I think it would be great to have bosses get in on National Holiday things. So fun! Yes, to pasta and berries! Hugs...

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  9. That book Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud sounds great! I take my dog to work every day, since I work from home. I wouldn't have it any other way!

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    1. Doesn't that book sound fun Steph? It's getting more and more popular these days. I know it's totally fun to work from home. Hugs...

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  10. Strawberries and Kiwis I could get on board with that. LOL on the porn. That is too funny!

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    1. Girl, you'd be so amazed at the things I hear about from others. (lol) Yay to berries! Hugs...

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  11. Picnic in the park is on my summer bucket list! It's something I keep meaning to do, so it MUST happen.

    -Lauren

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    1. Lots and lots of great stuff in this post RO!!! Gave me a few things to check into and to think about...thank you 💮

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    2. Girl, give me picnic in the living room where I won't run into ants, bugs or gnats. lol Hugs...

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  12. Okay, I've GOT to go eat dinner. Those luscious recipes made me hungry!
    Have a great one, Ro.
    Hugs,

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    1. Pasta and berries are totally awesome, right? Hugs...

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  13. All this food is making me hungry. :) I love the idea of a picnic themed after a country like Greece or fRance. Such a great idea. And ticks- ugh. I've been hearing so much lately about them and the Lyme disease expansion. Yikes.

    And while I'm not a fan of crab I do like other seafood- looks awesome.

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    1. I'm afraid to go to a lot of places these days because of the tick thing. Don't want any of them latching on. Give me the indoor picnic, please which is free of bugs. (lol) Hugs...

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  14. Now I want fresh strawberries. Yes, the ticks can be scary and that penne pasta looks fab!

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    1. Yes to strawberries and other berries, Kim! Hugs...

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  15. Man, you should try the blueberry goatcheese pie! It's my favorite and this Strawberry-Kiwi salad sounds so refreshing!

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    1. That pie sounds pretty yummy, Braine! Give me a fruit salad any day to cool things off in this heat. Hugs...

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  16. I like strawberries in a baby spinach salad, along with green asparagus and balsamic vinaigrette.

    As for the water tip: the headache may actually come from dehydration, so drinking water is a really good idea ;-)

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    Replies
    1. That recipe sounds pretty good Tamara! I'm always in for just about anything with strawberries! Hugs...

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