Catalina Salad

This has been a family favorite for close to 30 years. I don't even remember where it came from. I've served it as a side dish for barbecue and grilled chicken, but we often just make a meal out of it. It was requested on Sunday and made a perfect addition to our fried fish dinner.

And, no, it does not photograph well, but I promise it tastes better than it looks. 😂

Catalina Salad

I large hd Iceberg lettuce, torn into pieces

Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

Diced tomato

1 can Ranch-style beans

Fritos

Catalina dressing

*And yes, I know that there are no measurements. This is one of those recipies where you just measure with your heart. 😉

This can't really be made ahead of time because the beans and deessing will make the Fritos soggy so only make as much as you think you will eat.

Father's Day Fish Fry

 On Sunday I wanted to celebrate the incredible Dads in our family and DH suggested a fish fry. A few weeks ago he had gone to visit his younger brother in Texas and he took him fishing

We figured Sunday was a good day to taste test their catch. Our son and his family came in the morning so the boys could work on fence. Yes, they worked on Father's Day. LOL. My in-laws came too and then we put the boys to work as the official fish fryers

E kept everyone entertained as we put the finishing touches on dinner

Around here it's all hands on deck to keep everyone fed

The menu included fried fish, hush puppies (my 1st attempt was successful), corn on the cob, cole slaw and Catalina Salad 

with Summer Berry Pie for dessert.

I got busy and forgot to take more pictures, but I'm always so grateful for time spent with family.

Jungle Jam Quilt

 Today I've got a baby quilt finish to share. It started with this bright jungle print I've had in my stash for over a decade. 

It's a magical jungle with unicorns and dinosaurs and walruses and horses mixed in with typical jungle animals, but when you're little, anything goes and I thought it was a cute print with fun primary colors. Plus, I remember it was in the clearance bin of 1 yard cuts at the local quilt shop. The backing stripe also came from the same bin.

I just pulled fabrics from my stash for the coordinating fabrics. Sandy used a fun variegated thread and quilted it using a design called Quirky.

I actually pieced the top probably 6 or 7 years ago, but I wasn't thrilled with the design and it sat in the back of the closet until last month. When I packed it as we moved last fall, I decided it was time to finish it.

It's 40 x 40, smaller than I usually make.

Our little local library is staffed entirely by volunteers and supported 100% by the thrift store next door, but they welcome donations that they raffle off so I'm thinking I'll donate this little quilt to them.

Nachos

 I cook quite a bit, but living an hour from town, it's kind of a necessity if you want to eat. And I like to cook, but sometimes I need a break. I love a good sandwich, but we hardly ever eat them. On occasion, we love a good Reuben, or a Philly Cheese Steak, or a BLT, but for the most part, I cook. We eat our big meal at noon and then DH will eat something small at night.

However, a few years back I was visiting our girl and she made these nachos one night and they became an instant favorite for a treat at night once in a while or as part of a Mexican dinner when we have friends or family over. It really is a meal all by itself though. And if we eat it with an avocado, it's healthier. 😂

They are too good not to share.

Nachos

Tortilla Chips

Freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

Hot breakfast sausage, cooked

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Tbsp of diced red onion

Pickled jalapenos

*Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Top with tortilla chips. Sprinkle liberally with freshly grated cheese. It just melts better than the pre-grated cheese. Sprinkle with sausage and black beans. Add red onion, pickled jalapenos, and cover with more grated cheese. Pop into a pre-heated oven (250) for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and dig in!

Jumping into June

 Our son has been out the last 2 days, helping DH build fence

They're making good progress

And that means I've had a special helper in the kitchen 

She was so intent on helping, but was not about to relinquish that cookie. 😂

We introduced her to the new barn kittens

That are settling in nicely

We collected special rocks 

for the 'soup' she makes every time she visits

She's also my library buddy

Having them closer has been such a blessing

 and we're both really good at wearing each other out. 😉

 

I managed to recharge overnight and sneak in some sewing time

And progress is being made on my Land of Enchantment project

On the Bookshelf

 I am a voracious reader. We are a family of avid readers. I always have one audio book, one physical book, and one Kindle book going. 

I read a variety of books. I love memoir, biography, historical fiction and non- fiction and mystery / thriller (no gore please), and literary fiction. I'm not a big fan of fantasy (but loved The Ten Thousand Doors of January) or Science Fiction (but loved Project Hail Mary).

A few of my recent (the last 5 or 6 years) favorites off the top of my head are Cold Sassy Tree, Ordinary Grace, Whistling Past the Graveyard, Half Broke Horses, The Nightingale, The Lake House, and The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery.

A few years ago, I read The Dry, by Jane Harper and loved it. I love Harper's writing and that along with a good story that transported me to Australia made for a great reading experience.

So I popped into the library the other day and checked out The Lost Man - also by Jane Harper - and read it in two days - another great read for me.

Yesterday I started The Survivors...another promising page turner. I probably ought to listen to these via Audible just for the Australian accent, but if I can get them from the library then I save an Audible credit for something else. If the writing's really good I often prefer a hard copy of the book so that I can savor the carefully crafted words. Other times, like with Project Hail Mary, the audio version brings the story to life for me. I don't think I would have enjoyed that one in book form.

Okay, DH is off helping friends brand today and I've got a deck and a good book calling my name. 😉