Summer entertaining

I don't know about you but sometimes for me the thought of entertaining family and friends can feel a little overwhelming.  I have been trying this year to have the kids out once a month, but that sometimes is challenging with everyone's family schedules.  I keep trying though.  I have settled on Saturday of the last weekend of the month.  It's casual and the menu is basic with a make ahead or crockpot main dish. The important things are the family visiting,  a craft or game time for the grandkids and laughter for all.

Find time to make special memories with those you love.

In June the family meal is instead a double baby shower for my daughter and daughter-in-law!  Can't wait for these new little ones to join the bunch.

~Connie

Black Raspberry Muffins

 

Our acres have numerous berry patches, with the birds spreading them to even more areas each summer.  The first we enjoy are the black raspberries in mid to late June.  So in honor of the upcoming berry picking I thought I would share a yummy muffin recipe for your breakfast and snacking pleasure.

Black Raspberry Muffins

2 large eggs

1/2 c vegetable oil

3/4 c sugar

3/4 c buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 c flour

1 and 1/2 c black raspberries

Streusel Topping

1/4 c flour

2 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 375 and butter a muffin tin or use liners.  Prepare streusel topping. Combine ingredients until crumbly and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together eggs, oil, sugar, buttermilk and extract.  Whisk in baking powder, soda and salt.  Fold in flour. When flour is well incorporated then fold in berries.

Fill muffin cups 3/4 full and add streusel topping.  Bake in preheated oven for 25-27 minutes.  Cool slightly before removing from pan.

Hope you enjoy these with your morning coffee.  I know I will.

~Connie

Summer Outfit Formulas

Well, the weather of mid west summer is here in central Iowa. 😓 Can you tell I am not especially a fan of hot summer weather??!  I don't really love myself in shorts anymore. Yes, I have one of those milestone birthdays coming up this year! 😕 But I certainly don't want to roast in jeans every time I have to head into town for errands.  So I have been working out some summer outfit formulas that can be my quick go to outfits this summer.

Formula #1 - A Jean Skirt and Top

 (This works for every top I would normally wear with jeans, so there are numerous combos in my closet.  So quick to grab and go too!)

Formula #2 - A Khaki Skirt and Top 

(Again this basic skirt works with most any summer top in my closet.  Another quick grab and go!)

Two other formulas that I wear often are a grey sport skort that goes with most tops I own and a couple of easy breezy tee shirt dresses.  Hope this info helps you create some go to outfit formulas of your own. 😉 Stay cool!

~Connie

Crockpot BBQ Ribs

 

My crockpot is a go to in the summer, as it doesn't heat up my whole kitchen in the hot weather.  This recipe for pork ribs is super simple and a summer favorite of mine and all the BBQ fans in the family.

BBQ Pork Ribs in the Crockpot  

2 pounds lean spare ribs 

1 cup beef broth

1/2 cup water

2 Tbsp maple syrup

2 Tbsp honey

3 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp BBQ sauce

1/2 tsp dry mustard

Broil ribs 10 minutes per side to brown or grill briefly to sear.

Cool and cut apart ribs into serving size pieces for the crockpot.

Whisk together all other ingredients and pour over ribs in slow cooker.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.  Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.

Enjoy!

NEW DESIGNS! Cards by PRAIRIE CHICK

I've been in kind of a funk this week... worrying about my widowed mother and in laws who have health issues. BUT since worries don't change anything I am trying to focus on making and sending fun cards! I have added some new designs, so if you are looking for cute mail to send to loved ones, please check out my handmade cards.

You can find my Etsy shop here - PrairieChickStudio

~ Connie

Teriyaki Pork and Pineapple Flat Breads

 

The other day I cooked up a pork roast and served that with rice and an apricot glaze.  There was obviously left over pork since the two of us can't eat an entire pork roast.

I remembered a restaurant years ago had a stir fried flatbread sandwich on their menu and so I decided to use my leftover pork in something similar.

Teriyaki Pork and Pineapple Flatbread Sandwiches

Stir fry diced onions, red peppers and any other veggies in a splash of olive oil and soy sauce until tender.  Add the diced up cooked pork, pineapple chunks and bottled teriyaki sauce to the veggies.  Warm thoroughly.  Top warmed flatbreads or pitas with the filling and enjoy!

An easy way to use up leftover pork or chicken.

~Connie

Sewing for littles

 

We are expecting two new little grandbabies this summer and fall.  Grandpa and I are sooooo excited.  We currently have 3 granddaughters ages 2,4 and 7.  Can't wait to have our first grandson and another granddaughter join in the family fun!  

John got me a new sewing machine for Christmas so I have been enjoying getting back into sewing.  When my girls were young I really enjoyed making little dresses for them.  So I recently completed theses two outfits for my two newest littles.  😍

Hopefully there will be time to sew up some other cute things later this summer.

Never too many projects around here!

~Connie