Friday Things
1. Happy first day of summer! I’ve been loving the pretty sunsets recently, plus I saw my first lightning bugs of the season this week!
2. Speaking of the first day of summer, we recently bought a new grill and can’t wait to fire it up! What are some of your favorite things to make on the grill?
3. The number of unread magazines that made the journey to the new house is downright embarrassing (three entire reusable shopping bags full). I’m slowly going through the stacks, but yikes. I really need to get into the habit of reading them as soon as they arrive!
4. I’ve been going through bags of Sun Chips (Harvest Cheddar, to be exact) at a ridiculous rate. Is anyone else completely addicted to them?
5. Can I get an “Amen”?!
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6. Speaking of cornbread, does anyone have a great corn spoon bread or corn pudding recipe? I had some at a picnic years ago and never got the recipe. I’ve been regretting it ever since!
7. I still haven’t mastered photographing fireworks, but I’m hoping I can improve this year. I’m going to study these 15 Tips for Successful Fireworks Photography before I head out to watch any displays this year!
8. Yesterday, I met my friend for lunch at her office and she gave me a tour of the place. They have tons of kitchen areas throughout the office that are stocked with free food and snacks, but here’s what I found kind of neat – they place healthier snacks (dried fruit, nuts, pretzels, fresh fruit, etc.) in clear glass jars, while they store the unhealthy snacks (chocolate, junk food) in solid white canisters or in drawers. Sort of “out of sight, out of mind” so you’re drawn to the healthier snacks since they’re the first thing that catches your eye. I might need to try that in my own kitchen!
9. Official sign that I’m old – when I have on satellite radio in the car I see the artist “Robin Thicke” pop up… I immediately think, “Whoa, the dad from Growing Pains sings now?!” Yeah, totally not ALAN Thicke (although after a quick Google search, found out it’s his son). Still couldn’t tell you what Robin Thicke sings. Pass me an afghan and an after dinner mint, please.
10. TGIF! I hope you get to enjoy some time outside!
The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh has a subscription to Zinio which means you can get them on your iPad for free with your library card. All you have to do is sign up!
Magazines, I missed that detail!
Michelle – The Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook has a fantastic corn bread pudding recipe – I strongly recommend. In fact, it’s one of those great little cookbooks where every recipe is fantastic! I got mine from Crate & Barrel, but you can probably get it on Amazon.
Yay for the first day of summer!! I love ALL kinds of sun chips!
My husband just read an article to me that said the first sign you might become a hoarder is that you can’t manage to throw away newspapers or magazines. I think he was giving me a not so subtle hint ;-D
One of my goals for the summer is to catch up on my newspapers (only 2 weeks worth, I swear!) and donate some magazines.
Loved this post, Michelle! Yes, I have a munch-attack addiction of late: Late July Organic Tortilla Chips. They’re all-natural and come in different flavors. Whole Foods had an entire wall of them stacked from floor to ceiling in their entryway and I was drawn in and mesmerized. (Their marketing tactic worked!) Do try them. Love the Sweet Potato, Sea Salt and Summertime Blues as well as the spicier Red Hot Mojo and Sub Lime. And, yes…I’ve made the Corn Pudding you speak of. Found the recipe at AllRecipes.com. But, I’ve tweaked it since and no longer use the Jiffy Cornbread Mix as I’m all about all-natural and organic. I’ll be posting it on the blog next week for the 4th of July. Happy first day of summer, girl!
We have always been in love with Sun Chips ~ Harvest Cheddar as well……UNTIL we tried Sweet & Spicy BBQ Harvest Chips!!! They are now the family’s favorite. BBQ taste, low in sugar ~ just so yummy!
Happy summer!! Happy grillin’!!
I love the zesty salsa Sun Chips, and if they’re in the house, I can’t think about anything else until I eat some. I love grilling zucchini, asparagus, portobellos, corn, meats, and fruit. I love grilling! Happy summer to you!
I do the same thing! I ALWAYS think of Alan Thicke first, then have to remind myself it’s his son. Makes me feel old every… single… time. Also, I’m totally addicted to the cheddar Sun Harvest chips. They’re dangerously tasty. Have a great weekend, Michelle!
Corn pudding! Gaaahh, love this recipe! Full of canned crap and all kinds of things many will say you “shouldn’t” eat, but I sooo don’t care. http://cupcakesandkalechips.com/2012/12/18/corn-pudding/
Happy Friday!!
I love the ideas for the canisters! And Alan Thicke is also a songwriter! He co-wrote the theme songs for Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life!
HI, NEVER HAD THE SUN CHIPS AND NEVER USE A GRILL, NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO. AS FAR AS THE CORN PUDDING THIS RECIPE CAME OUT OF A COOKBOOK HERE IN SOUTHERN ALA BUT THE PEOPLE WERE FROM AREA I AM FROM—-CORN PUDDING–3T OLEO, MELTED–2 t SUGAR–2 EGGS, BEATEN –1/2 t SALT–1/2 t ACCENT’–1 2/2 C MILK—2 1/2 C FRESH CORN OR 2 CANS CREAM STYLE CORN————MIX ALL TOGETHER–BAKE IN GREASED CASSEROLE DISH IN 350 DEGREE OVEN 45-60 MIN
I do have an awesome spoon bread recipe! I’m planning to make it this week! As soon as I get it blogged I’ll let you know :)
My husband and I love the Garden Salsa SunChips, but our new favorite is the BBQ ones. They’re sweet and spicy, yum!
I became hardcore addicted to Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips a few years ago thanks to Subway.
As for grilling, believe it or not grilled veggies are my favorite thing…unusual veggies like radishes, carrots, green beans…I grill them with olive oil, salt/pepper, along with peppers, onions, asparagus, zucchini and squash. Chop everything small, add white balsamic vinaigrette and feta. Best summer salad and it lasts for days! Great for picnics, warm (my fave), cold or room temp.
My favorite corn recipe is this:
Corn Souffle
Corn Souffle Casserole
1 can (15oz) creamed corn
1 can (15oz) whole corn kernels, drained
1 stick butter, melted
1 C (8oz) sour cream (reduced-fat works great, too)
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 box (8oz) Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
————————-
Whisk together all ingredients. Pour into a greased
2 qt. casserole. Bake @350 for 1 hour
until puffed and golden. Note: I usually make this in a 8×8 pan. Ingredients can be doubled and baked in a 13×9.
My current favorite grilled recipe is the Chicken Kabobs from Annie’s Eats. I made them for Father’s Day and they were an big, big hit. It helps that the avocado cream is so good that it can be eaten with a spoon! Here is the link: http://www.annies-eats.com/2013/06/12/chipotle-chicken-kabobs-with-avocado-cream-sauce/
My friends and I make this recipe as well,but no eggs. It’s amazing and worth every calorie!
This is the one we make every Thanksgiving. I love it too!
i make this one but without the eggs. even my brother the chef who has had a lifelong hatred of corn will eat this with a smile on his face – and ask for seconds. :)
My latest favorite thing to grill is Green Beans with Lemon Oil. You can get the recipe @ Weber.com. It’s a very weird recipe because it calls for crushed up Vitamin C tablets. I was afraid to try it, but my curiosity got the best of me, so I did it. They are fabulous. I call them crack green beans, because I could eat the whole batch in one sitting. You do need a grill pan for this recipe though. Also, have you ever grilled on a cedar plank? I do salmon with a spice rub. No need to turn the salmon over, and the cedar plank (available in the fish department of some stores) imparts a wonderful smoky flavor.
I think the same thing about Robin Thicke!! I always think about the Growing Pains dad.
I thought that Alan and Robin were the same person, too.
I’m 44, so I guess that makes sense.
My husband and I love cornbread! I have two recipes I use. For the two of us, I use a recipe from PW Tasty Kitchen http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/breads/cake-like-cornbread/ it’s good and we like the cake-like texture. I also have a recipe from a girlfriend that I use that makes up a 9×13 pan. Enjoy your new grill, we’re grilling pizza this weekend.
I have an easy and awesome corn pudding recipe that includes sour cream, corn, cheese, and corn bread mix. How can you go wrong? I am willing to share it with you although, I know you do not like using store bought mixes, maybe you can modify it. Either way, happy summer!
Hey Michelle!
Grill your choice of veggies ( zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions…etc) THEN pour over marinade and let sit while you grill meat. The cooked veggies absorb the flavors much better than raw veggies. I use evoo, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic and fresh basil. Simple and simply delish! Serve leftovers cold the next day.
Yummy cornbread… You know, I’ve only had moist delicious cornbread once in my life. It was served with this buttery brown sugary pecan sauce. I was hooked. Haven’t ever been able to find or make cornbread like that one.. So it’s been rather disappointing. Trust me tho, it doesnt stop me from eating the whole piece!! I hope you find a recipe!!
As far as the magazines.. About two years ago my kids bought me a nook for Mother’s Day.. And all of my magazines are delivered and stored on there. Yeah, I was one of those people who used to say.. “Oh I need the book in my hand, I need to be able to turn the pages” … It didn’t take me long to get used to my nook.. And I have my magazines with me all day everyday now. A recipe book is a different story tho. While I have a few on the nook, nothing could replace the books that I own.. And I continue to buy the actual recipe books.
Enjoy your grill!! I’m going to try a peach tart on our grill this weekend..
Have a lovely day everyone.. :-)
I have an easy corn pudding recipe from nana. Let me know if you want it!
Love your golden :) I have one too, Gus! They’re just the sweetest, arent they?!
Ha! about the magazines – we’re in the process of moving from Switzerland back to Chicago and I put at least that many in our shipment. I’m sure our movers thought I was insane given the quantity of them (and the cost to move them – luckily my employer is paying the tab) but I couldn’t bear to throw them out unread. You’re going to love the new grill – we’ve had this one for the last 5 years and loved it. Try the fajita recipe in this cookbook – http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Grill-Owners-Outdoor-Cooking/dp/0811849643/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1371806668&sr=8-15&keywords=grill+master – amazing!
Doesn’t Robin Thicke look exactly like his dad? That was my first thought when I saw him. He’s married to the actress Paula Patton. His song is so catchy and every time I hear it on the radio, my boys (ages 4 & 5) can’t help but dance! :)
Wow that sunset pic and those colors are stunning!
I try to do that with the clear baggies of things for healthy snacks and solid colored containers with lids for the unhealthier things in my pantry :)
Ya for the first day of summer! Oh and that grill is awesome. Perfect way to ring in summer!
That is a boss grill! I love burgers, potatoes wrapped in foil… and corn on the cob! MMM!
I love Sun Chips, they are crazy addicting.
Love that picture of the pup!