did anyone realize how hot it is? i mean, really HOT!

ok, it's hot.

so hot, i can think of nothing better than sitting in front of a fan eating a popsicle.

the problem?

by the time i drive 15 miles home from the store, all the popsicles are belted. i meant to get some of those cheapo plastic tubes of liquid you freeze to make po' kids popsicles. i forgot.

so i am making poor kids slurpees by sticking cups of kool-aid or soda in the freezer.

the only thing worse than it being this hot, would be if i were wearing layers of petticoats and pantaloons and a big ass hoop skirt.

for once, i don't envy laura ingalls wilder.

swag!

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picnics in the moon light

i ended up making 2 thing for the picnic:

• a jell-o and frozen fruit granita kind of thing. i was told later i was supposed to enter it in the contest but i screwed up and just stuck it on the table with the food. it was all eaten.
• i opened 2 small cans of collard greens in one side of a divided pyrex dish and put a big can of turnip greens on the other side. it was all eaten. 

they had some great bbq meat which we turned into nachos. plus they had tons of side dishes, homemade ice cream, tons of desserts and ice cold watermelons. we help set up, so we left when the fireworks started and beat the crowd home. i want to join the church but something is holding me back. could it be...satan?!?!?!?

i had one of my favorite dinners tonight: rosemary and olive oil triscuits, sharp cheddar, sweet grape tomatoes and thinly sliced cajun fried turkey. i didn't have to cook. i just had the adult version of lunchables. all i needed was a capri sun and an oreo to complete the meal. i ate on the patio, it was so beautiful and overcast, not sunny, so i didn't haul the umbrella out. we have same patio umbrella 11 years. we only bring it in or out when we are entertaining or having a cook-out. i think i got my $30 worth.

i have a recipe for you, from a friend whose grandmother has been making for it years. i can't wait for my tomatoes to come in good, i'm SO making this savory delicious pie! thanks, SRC!

Grandma's Garden Tomato Pie

1 frozen pie shell

2 medium size tomatoes, cored & diced, chunky

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup mayonnaise

salt & pepper

Fresh Basil, 10-15 leaves, torn or cut up (more or less to your personal taste)

Heat oven to 350. Put tomatoes in a colander, salt really well, let drain. It's really important to remove as much water/liquid as possible from the tomatoes. You can squeeze or blot w/a paper towel if you want to. Mix fresh chopped basil in the draining tomatoes & pepper. After tomatoes have been drained, line the bottom of the pie shell. Mix cheeses & mayo together (you can put some basil in that if want to) & spread on top of the tomatoes. Bake for 30 minutes, until crust & top of pie is browned.

if only i were a little girl...

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independence

we were originally supposed to eat at church tonight- they always have a fellowship dinner the first sunday of every month. we were going to cook out tomorrow- hotdogs, porch chops, steaks (stuff from the freezer).

the picnic at church has been postponed until tomorrrow evening. then i found the coupon for bogo at logan's steakhouse and i really want to go. so we may have to cook the meat then refreeze it and eat it next week-end.

i need to make something to take to the church picnic. i realized today that all my go-to recipes are oriented to being winter dishes, although i live in the south and it's fall/winter only 4 months of the year. i need to learn to make some wonderful summer dish that travels well.

i usually make something italian and in bulk, like pans of stuffed shells, lasagana, or a crockpot full of pasta de fagiole soup or chili.

which doesn't sound very appetizing in 100 degree weather.

and i will get the reputation as "crazy lee who brought chili to the fourth of july picnic."

so i'm off to wal-mart to cruise the aisles in my special cart, looking for something tasty, summery and easily toted to a picnic.