Swiss Vegetable Medley

This is a recipe that I got several years ago from my dear cousin, Charlotte.  At the time she said it was her daughter's favorite side dish.  It is a nice twist on the more typical green bean casserole.  We made it for the potluck.

Swiss Vegetable Medley
16 oz. bag of frozen broccoli, cauliflower, carrots (California Blend)

1 can condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted

⅓ cup sour cream

4 oz. diced pimientos, drained

¼ tsp. pepper

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded swiss cheese, divided

2.8 oz. French Fried Onion, divided

Combine first five ingredients.  Stir in 1/2 cup cheese and half of the onions.  Spoon into lightly greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish.  Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.  Uncover and sprinkle with remaining cheese and onions.  Bake for 5 more minutes.

Cabbage Roll Casserole on left,
Swiss Vegetable Medley on right

More tennis

Summertime always seems to be filled with tennis.  Jonathan is loving his private lessons with Tyler.  He is learning so much and looks forward to his lessons.  So thankful for opportunities like this.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

These were yummy!  I used fresh blueberries but like that I can use frozen blueberries in the winter months.

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup 2% milk

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. grated lemon peel

2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

dash of salt

2 cups fresh or *frozen blueberries

Glaze:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. butter, melted

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Beat in milk, lemon juice, and peel.  Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; add to creamed mixture just until moistened.  Fold in blueberries

Fill paper lined muffin cups 3/4 full.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in muffin comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.  

In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, butter, and vanilla; drizzle over warm muffins.  (Note, I felt this glaze needed more liquid or at the very least needed to be warmed in the microwave to pour.)

Yield: 11 muffins

*If using frozen blueberries, use without thawing to avoid discoloring the batter.  

Storm Damage

Remember just a few weeks ago we had a Derecho storm come through wreaking havoc on our town?  Well, we had another one Monday night.  Basically, a hurricane on land.  We had 67 mph winds (or more) and it lasted for quite awhile.  The next morning when the sun came up we could all see the damage the storm left behind.  Thankfully, nothing was too bad, but it sure has been a mess to clean up!

The underneath of our north porch came down in the high winds.  It took Marvin quite awhile to repair it.  

Then all the fellas got to work cleaning up around Willis Creek Ranch.  Mama and Daddy's yard was hit pretty hard - since they have all those beautiful, big, old trees there were a LOT of limbs that came down.  

Mama and Daddy's front yard

our neighbor's back yard

the poor garden!

the garden was pretty devastated

Jackson working on a tree that came down between Julie's house and Mama & Daddy's

Jonathan

I think one of the saddest parts of all for us was to see what happened to the 'climbing tree'.  That old tree has been the climbing tree for every single grandchild over the years.  What a shame.  At least there is some of the tree left.  

Hoping for a quieter rest of the summer... but I am not holding my breath.  Seems this is a stormy year!  

Dinner with Mitch and Jan

Sunday evening we enjoyed a family meal with Uncle Mitch and Aunt Janice.  They stopped for the night on their way to Mayo Clinic for Uncle Mitch's surgery, scheduled for Wednesday.  So glad to have this special time with two very special people.

Doggone Jonathan always manages to slip out before a photo is taken!  :)

Mitch, Jan, and Jackson 

Daddy and Mitch, brothers

Update:  We are so thankful that Mitch's surgery, a very dangerous and tricky procedure, went well.  Hallelujah!  However, he has been having some difficulty in recovery and we sure would appreciate your prayers.  

July 5 at Chris and Wanda's

My dear cousins, Chris and Wanda, put on the best party year after year!  They celebrate Independence Day by inviting friends and family to come to their home for an incredible meal and an incomparable fireworks show!  I wouldn't miss it for the world!

This year Mama and Daddy pulled the horse trailer over to camp next to Uncle Charles and Aunt Ilene.  I think this could become a tradition!

Jackson loaded up a car full of friends and we all convoyed over to Chris and Wanda's house to join in the fun.  The kids played Ultimate Frisbee for awhile before being joined by little Noah and Cole in some friendly football.  :D  

Jackson, Aaron, Joey, Katie, Jonathan 

Jackson and Grandma Sue 

Charles III played music for us prior to dinner.  It is always a joy to hear him play.  He is so gifted!  Chris and Charles played a duet and then Addie joined in for a song.

Charles III playing beautiful music

Chris and Charles played a duet!  :)

Charles III and Addie

We sure got tickled at the reaction Chris's dog had to Joey.  She just fell in LOVE with Joey and wouldn't leave his side!  It was pretty funny to watch.  :)

Then it was time for the meal (incredible BBQ chicken cooked by the pros!!) accompanied by the music of the Busted String Band, a local favorite.

fantastic BBQer's!  

Busted String Band - they are awesome!

There was plenty of time for catching up and visiting.

Joel and Charles III

Wonderful to see these 4 brothers (my cousins).  So bittersweet to miss 5th brother Steve who passed away May.

Chris and Brian 

Melissa, Mama, Wanda, and McKinley

Playing pool

Joel, Laura, and Chris (cousins)

Joel, Laura, and Brian (cousins)

Chrissy, Aunt Ilene, Joel, Brian 

Jonathan and Mason 

Joey, Aaron, Katie, Chris, and Jackson 

Brothers - Charles and Daddy 

setting up for the fireworks show

Jake and Vanessa

2 sets of brothers - Charles and Jack, Mason and Joel II

Aaron, the dog, and Joey  :D

After dinner, some went fishing, but Joey and Aaron took some kids out on the pond in the pedal boat.  I joked with them that they didn't realize there were jobs that came with attending the party!  What truly great kids.

Aaron, Cole, Joey, and Noah 

Chris and Wanda's place

Then it was time for the fireworks show.  Every year they outdo themselves and this year was no exception.  Amazing!!!  And I have to say that I flat out cried at the end when they had an entire fireworks sequence dedicated to the memory of Steve (Chris's brother) and Shirley (Wanda's sister) who both passed away this year.  What a beautiful and touching tribute.  

lighting luminaries for lost soldiers

fireworks!

What a fun time with family and friends.  I am already looking forward to next year!  :)   You can see an entire album of photos (and some video clips) by clicking here.