Light Zucchini & Potato au Gratin

It’s zucchini season, boys and girls!

With the chilly, rainy June we had, my garden isn’t doing overly well.  Despite that, the zucchini is flourishing and I was able to have my first mini harvest (one zucchini – hehe) last week.

So what to make?

This is actually the first year I’ve planted my own zucchini, so while I’ve cooked with it before, I certainly don’t have a large arsenal of recipes.

After some thinking and a peek in the pantry, I decided to combine a few of my favorites: zucchini, potatoes, and cheese!  And since I almost never have cream in the house, I whipped up a light sauce using milk, so we didn’t have to feel bad for eating half the casserole in one sitting!

Angel Wings Wednesday #14

I have been in a major funk.

The house is a mess.

I’ve only been sorta cooking.

The laundry is piled high.

Though, I have read a ton of books, and gone on bike rides with the boys, and taken them to craft time and the library and the pool.

So I’ve been getting things done.  Perhaps the more important things, come to think about it.

And also sort of distracting things.

Colorful Crinkle Cookies: SRC

It’s SRC day!

This month, I was assigned the lovely Miz Helen from Miz Helen’s Country Cottage.  Don’t you just love her blog title?  I feel at home already!

Miz Helen has loved cooking since childhood when she cooked for her toys and dog!  Though eventually she started cooking for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren! 

There were so many delicious recipes to choose from, I had trouble choosing!  I have several cooler weather recipes pinned for the fall (I can hardly wait!)

In the meantime, I made Miz Helen’s Spring Crinkle Cookies!  Only I had to give them a slight rename, since it’s not spring and these gorgeous, delicious cookies can’t be limited to one season!

Healthy Carrot Cake Pancakes {Recipe Redo}

Okay, another recipe redo. 

This one didn’t have a ton of changes, but I like the change from all purpose to whole wheat flour in this updated version (I almost always use whole wheat flour in pancakes now).

Desserts & Drinks for the 4th of July

Ah!  Can you believe that tomorrow is already the 4^th of July?!?

It was such a chilly, rainy June that it barely feels like July!

So in case you forgot to think about treats for the 4^th (I know I did), here are a few yummy (and sweet) ideas!

Mini Cheesecake with Spiked Blackberry Sauce

4th of July Flag Cookies

Patriotic Fruit Pizza

Chocolate Covered Cheesecake on a Stick

Berry Basil Iced Tea
Patriotic Minty Watermelon Sangria
Roasted Blueberry Basil Margarita

S'mores Cupcakes {from Scratch}
Sittin' by the Campfire S'more Cookies
S'mores Brownies
S'mores Cupcakes
S'mores Bark

Chicken Wild Rice Soup...with Bacon

Gosh I love soup.

Seriously.  Any time of year, soup and I are besties.

Chicken and wild rice is no exception.  Especially since bacon is involved.

Ok – moment of truth –

I didn’t use wild rice, I used a rice blend because I was being a cheapskate and the blend was a quarter of the price…

Either way, it’s totally fabulous and highly recommended!

Angel Wings Wednesday #13

Dear Sarah Catherine,

Last week, June 18, was your 6 month birthday.

On June 18, we finally laid your sweet body to rest.

It was so special, Sarah.

All of your Great-Grandmas and the one Great-Grandpa who isn’t already in heaven with you, they all came.  They all came to say goodbye.

So did your Grandma and Grandpa, your Nana and Papa, your Uncles. And of course me and Daddy and your brothers.

Sarah, you were so loved.  Only a couple of us got to hold you and you were already gone by then.

Only I got to feel you move, when you were still within me.

We all miss you so much.  Especially your big brothers.  They’re so young and it’s so confusing to them. 

Spud, he’s three, he doesn’t understand.  He asked if we were going to take you from heaven so we could bury you.  Still, a week later, he’s confused.  He doesn’t understand how your body can be here, but your soul with out heavenly Father. No three year old should have to go through this.

Dude is doing better.  He was a pallbearer at your burial, along with your uncles.  He was so proud to help and to carry you, just once.  He’s only six, but he understands a bit more.  Thank God for Catholic school.  Even so, he broke down into tears today, because he misses you so much.

I know you know all this Sarah, because you’re watching out for us.  I know because of my faith and because you gave me the most beautiful sign.

My peony, with its hundreds of buds was on the cusp of blooming for days, but none opened.  That is, until the day of your burial.  That morning, one, just one bud opened.  Thank you Sarah, it was such a beautiful gift.

I cut that first bloom and it was the first flower that was laid on your tiny little coffin.  Did you know it’s barely larger than a show box?  I think my boots came in a larger box, Sarah.