Coconut tequila infused strawberries, drizzled with chocolate....

Last year I made vodka infused strawberries and this year I made coconut tequila infused strawberries to bring to a party.

These are quick and easy to make:

Wash and dry strawberries and remove greens.....

...pull out the tequila....

...and the mini infusers....

....lay the strawberries on a tray....

.......fill the infusers with tequila and insert into berries...

...drizzle with chocolate...

....and chill for a few hours.

To see Citron vodka infused strawberries with drizzled white chocolate go HERE

For the book lovers....

Today is National Book Lovers Day!

If you haven't read Elin Hilderbrand's books, run to the Library and get one!!  Her most recent is my favorite, however after reading them all, it is really hard to choose (Blue Bistro was also a fav).

Now I am on to this one that has been on the shelf for a while:

Hot Dogs wrapped in Bacon with Pineapple Salsa.....

Jenna @ The Painted Apron always inspires me with her quick and mouth watering ideas for dinner.  Recently she posted a recipe for hot dogs with pineapple salsa, wrapped in bacon.

This is my take on her meal, changing the salsa recipe:

I made my "salsa" with pineapple tidbits, bread and butter pickles and red onion....

...about 2 T of each:

I put it in the food processor and pulsed it a few times.

I set it aside to "marinate" the flavors a bit.

A few hours later, I slit the hot dogs and stuffed them with the salsa....

...wrapped them in partially cooked bacon...

...and baked them in the oven at 350' for about 10-15 min.

Our plan was to dine "al fresco", however it was much too hot outside...

...so, to the kitchen table we went!

Keeping with the"pineapple" theme, I served a side of baked beans in cute little pineapple dishes:

This sure was tasty and a quick and easy dinner to prepare!

If you are looking for some new ideas for meals, visit Jenna @ The Painted Apron

Homemade Salsa....

(let's Salsa)

With tomatoes in abundance at the market.....

....I had a craving for some fresh salsa - and here's how I make it:

• 2-3 medium sized fresh tomatoes (from 1 lb to 1 1/2 lb), stems removed, chopped
• 1/4 red onion, chopped
•  1 jalapeño chile (stems, ribs, seeds removed), less or more to taste, chopped
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste
• few leaves of fresh oregano cut into ribbons
• Small clove garlic, minced

Everything is tossed into the food processor and pulsed a bit (do not pureé)

(Serve with tortilla chips)

and I serve it in a pretty bowl with an engraved spoon, on a MacKenzie-Childs Flower Market charger!

I have been known to toss fresh salsa on top of angel hair pasta for a quick lunch, add leftover salsa to homemade soup and even add it to a grilled cheese sandwich!!

How do you salsa?

(patti)

Giddy Up, Boys....

National Day of the Cowboy is observed annually on the fourth Saturday in July. 

The era of the cowboy began after the Civil War in the heart of Texas. Cattle were herded long before this time, but in Texas, they grew wild and unchecked.

In honor of the "cowboy era", try this tasty recipe:

Who was your favorite cowboy?  

Mine was Lucas McCain from Rifleman!

Have you tried Frosé?....

If you like Rosé, Frosé is simple to make!

It is delicious on a hot evening and can be kept in the freezer for weeks. 

It can be garnished with a strawberry, a sprig of mint or a lemon slice...

...and served with a straw or spoon.

Frosé

Ingredients:

1 bottle Rosé

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

4-6 oz cut up fresh strawberries

1 oz fresh lemon juice

Directions: 
Pour Rosé into a large bowl.

In a saucepan, make a simple syrup by simmering sugar and water until sugar is dissolved.  Remove from heat and add strawberries.  Let sit for 30 minutes.  Strain strawberries and syrup through a sieve and add to wine.  Toss away strawberries.  Add lemon juice.  Freeze Rosé for a few hours.  

Serve Frosé in stemless wine glasses and enjoy!

A Quick Little Snack....

Here's a simple, quick snack, so easy to prepare....

...Simply mix 1/4 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup mustard and serve with pretzels.

Use a good maple syrup, not the "cheap stuff, for great flavor!!

And it tastes even better in a cute little "turtle" bowl from Anthropologie on top of a MacKenzie-Childs Parchment enamel plate!

Caitlin's Bridal Shower....

We celebrated my youngest daughter last weekend with a Bridal Shower at Lake Ontario Winery....

....We were served a delicious brunch and a variety of mimosas....

...I painted about 60 wine glasses and glass centerpieces for the favors.... and we had a dessert bar for the guests to help themselves while gifts were being opened...

We celebrated 4 generations as baby Callan is the newest member of our family.  There will be two Maids of Honor and 5 bridesmaids (one from Texas couldn't make it), and her future mother-in-law made most of the delectable desserts!

She giggled with embarrassment while opening a little negligee and received a unique hand painted platter with caricatures of the wedding party...

Caitlin received lovely gifts and was definitely "showered with love", especially when her Fiancé arrived with a bouquet of flowers:

We all look forward to the September wedding!