fast food salad

Recently we bought fast food salads to 

take on two different last minute picnics.

First ones were from McDonald's ($5), second ones from Wendy's ($6.99). 

For the record, we think the McDonald’s salads were 

tastier and far fresher than the Wendy’s salads.

Do you have a favorite fast food salad?
Reader suggestions:
Christine - Subway Chopped Salad
Dayle - Chick-Fil-A
Cindy - Zaxbys house fried salad

america the beautiful - senior pass

America the Beautiful - National Parks

Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass

Currently $10 but increasing to $80 on August 27, 2017. 

Do you have yours?

America the Beautiful Senior Pass Link

airbnb

I have a friend Airbnb-ing his way through Spain and France.

This is the latest photo he posted.

I want to be there . . .

I think I need to step up
my hosting skills at our Airbnb.

Adams House {near SUNY Brockport}

wine corks

Who needs toys when Grandma Mary has wine corks.

{Opal Josephine}

crisscross credit card wallet

I have had fun making

CrissCross Credit Card Wallets

by Gena Cunha at Craftsy

You can download the free pattern from the link listed below.

I did make two changes.

I only put the fusible interfacing on the 

cover and the four squares

not on the other inner pieces.

I added the first snap (female) to the cover before sewing any pieces together.

{I also put the snap in backwards one time so be careful}

I was able to make four wallets from two fat quarter pieces.

Hint: The cover and inside pieces are about 1/8" larger than 4 1/2 ".

That makes a difference when fitting in the credit cards.

I made one at just 4 1/2 and it was a too tight.

The free pdf pattern can be downloaded here:

www.craftsy.com/sewing/patterns/crisscross-cards-tutorial/468998

summer bowling

We just purchased a Summer Bowling Pass 

to our local AMF  bowling alley

$15.95 gets us three free games every day 

through September 4th.

{$9.95 for children 15 years and younger}

A pretty good deal I's say.

Find a location near you . . .

bowlsummergames.com

For our Venice friends, you may want to consider

joining our league in November.

{details here: ccebowlingleague.weebly.com}

penne with sausage, spinach, chilies, lemon

Penne with Sausage, Spinach, Chiles & Lemon
{my favorite new recipe this spring}

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 lb. penne rigate pasta
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 oz can diced green chilies
2 cloves garlic, chopped
12 grape tomatoes cut in quarters
Lemon zest from 1 lemon
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 bunch spinach
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup crumbled feta or ricotta salata

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook until al dente (about 11 minutes). Drain, reserving about 3/4 cup starchy cooking water.

2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onion, chilies, garlic, tomatoes, lemon zest and oregano. Cook, stirring often, until the onion softens, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the starchy water and spinach to the sausage mixture; stir; remove from the heat. Toss in the pasta, cheese, and lemon juice.

florida 2017

Recently we were blessed to spend a week
with our four children and five grandchildren

When you are just learning to sit up a basket can help {Silas}

This little one loved our morning porch sits {Selah}

Here is one cute bathing beauty {Opal}

Just hanging out by the palm tree waiting to go to the beach {Ezra}

An evening at one of our favorite waterfront restaurants - Pops {Cedar}

A family that plays together . . .

Grandma Mary's quilts

The baby quilts are finished and delivered.

Opal's Critter Pathways

Selah's Crazy Quilt

Silas's Catnap Quilt

They really were so much fun that now I am making one for napping on the couch.

Tuesdays

Always in search of the deal - 

Tightwad Tuesdays at Frank's Movie Galleria ($6) and 

Hooked on Tuesdays at Bonefish Grill ($15-$18). 

{Includes salad and dessert}

Two weeks in a row. This may be a new trend . . . 

Hooked on Tuesday menu