Summer Fun Foods

Let's face it-----Summer is so miserably hot at times---we just long to cool off.
Part of that includes what we eat....
I just made the most scrumptious salsa which I want to share-along with some other recipes.
I was at a picnic and this was so refreshing......and easy to make:
I used:
6 small to medium size tomatoes ( on the vine-don't ask me why-but they just hold their firmness better and were beautiful)-Kroger.
2 avocados-(organic hold up better).
I small red onion
1 clove of garlic
1 lime
salt and pepper to taste.
Chop up the garlic and red onion-place in bowl.
Cut up the tomatoes and avocados and add to garlic and onion.
Add fresh squeezed lime, salt and pepper.....
Mix it all up-----chill for 1 hour......add chips and YUM!

I also love simple pasta salad:
I think we all have our own version of this easy staple.

Cook an  entire box of rotini pasta-I like the Bertolli brand. (8 mins.)
Rinse with cool water and place in fridge to cool.
Chop up 2 med. size tomatoes.
Thaw a package-small-of frozen broccoli.
Mix all together and add:
Ranch dressing to half and Italian dressing to half.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle with a package of cheese ( your choice) before serving.
(You can also add cooked-baked-chicken, if you like).

Another choice for pasta:
Angel hair pasta--takes 4 minutes....to cook. Put some olive oil in water while pasta cooks. ( 1 teaspoon)
Use a jar of white sauce.( same shelf as spaghetti sauce) ( Alfredo)
Add a pound of cooked shrimp.
Fold shrimp and sauce in after draining the pasta.
If shrimp is frozen-throw in the last two minutes, with the cooking pasta. Drain together.
Add mushrooms or if the white sauce has mushrooms---add broccoli ( frozen, as you cook the pasta)
Sprinkle with nicely fresh ground pepper.
Is good!

I got this one from Arthur's, when I worked downtown.

Cook a box of long or short pasta. (Some are as fast and easy as 8 minutes).
Use ranch dressing ( like a sauce)-fold into cooked pasta.
Add sliced avocado.
Sprinkle with crumbled bacon bits.....ie: fry the bacon crisp and then crumble over the pasta dish.
This is delicious alone or you could add cooked/baked chicken to this dish also.

I like to sprinkle hot pepper flakes over the dish-after cooked. Adds a nice spice to it.
You can add Crescent rolls-Pillsbury---fast and easy in dairy case with biscuits----I like to fold in a square of pepper cheese-before I bake them. Delicious.

Where all of the recipes call for cheese---try different ones-fun and delicious.
These are just a couple of easy dishes to make for dinner.
Fresh fruits--- cut up-add cool whip or vanilla ice cream or yogurt and you have a wonderfully easy desert.
Bon appetite!

Conceal Carry in Ohio......

I have been thinking that it is time to get myself to a class for Conceal Carry.
After seeing all the crazy stuff that goes on.....I have come to the conclusion..that being armed versus helpless...is preferable.
One thing I know, is that there are alot-alot of laws governing this issue and they need to be observed.
I know there are many people who scream "gun control".
The plain fact is:
The police are so scarce on the ground-due to budget cuts, that they arrive after the fact.
The criminal element are not going to observe these gun control laws.
Where does that leave us?
Any thing as serious as carrying a firearm---should require training........it puts a great responsibility on the shoulders of the person with the gun-legally holding the gun.
It also evens the odds when someone is trying to harm you----and they have a gun.
You have to be able to effectively use the weapon to protect yourself.
TRAINING..........being OBSERVANT......and very very responsible.
Very difficult decision........but very necessary for our current climate of criminals and violence.

Brain scan or Faith!

I was in the manufacturing plant-that is attached to the home-that I share with my Fiance', the other morning---walking to the laundry room, and saw the most amazing sight. ( more below)
He has a really cool space.
However, said Fiance', has asserted, that since he moved in, ( he built the place about 10 years ago) he has heard a low 'humming' sound, in the shop part, of the building.
I, being a little receptive to these things---have seen lights-shapes-etc. A wittle more.....and then some.
To the point of praying and announcing that I claim this space....blah-blah-blah...
I feel certain that we would qualify for a Ghost busting program.....maybe.
So,  I am walking thru to the living space---and out of the corner of my vision---there.....big as life-okay bigger-much bigger---a swish and a wing---with a skirt-slatted like the gladiators wore-----in a dusty black color.....this Angel---was huge!!!!!!!
No ,I do not do recreational drugs and No, I do not drink at 9am.....and no, as far as I know---I am not going crazy......or hallucinating.......I feel instead blessed........but then:
I realized that this being was black---okay,dusty black--but black......was he here for me?????
I believe he was and I was meant to see him.
Well, a small part of his majestic being.
It was the feeling I had, after, he was out of my line of vision---that I got.
A very humble feeling.........and warmth.
But, also a feeling of strength...
I have been way too stressed of late.
 This was a nice thoughtful feeling.....realizing,what I had seen......and yes, believing.
I do believe in Angels and welcome them into my life....and am so grateful for them.
I have faith in them.
God bless them and I actually love that they are here with us.
We do not have to 'go it alone'......Thank You, God!
 And, Thank you! Wonderful Angels.

Stressing stuff.......Where are the Keys?????

Yesterday I went to Mt. Orab, a town about 10 miles from us, to run various errands.
I live in the country-a rural area-that has a lovely view and perfect silence at night, but is a bit isolated.
I believe in the winter-time you can hear the snow fall. It is lovely.......the skyline is breath-taking.
So, I am in Mt. Orab-go to the Library-Post Office-Dry Cleaner----and then to the Grocery, and took my time.....it was dark when I come outside to my car with the groceries.
I go out to the car and unlock the door, and  start unloading  the groceries and....then...... I  sling the keys in my hand, into a large bag, that I had used for the books and movies I had gotten at the library.
It is dark by now......even with a flashlight and the interior light from the car-I cannot find the keys.
The two young men-gathering carts---come over to help---going for a cart and xtra  grocery bags---to unload each bag and see if the keys are inside.
No luck....Frustration is building.....building.....building......
I call my fiance' who is waiting for me to get home......and he states that our business partner has left already.
So I call said biz partner-and he is 1/2 hour away. So he sets out to come and take me, to get the extra key at home, and I go through the movie/book bag again---AND....there they are.
It was the most stressing evening---I have had in a while.....I was so aggravated.
It was nice to have help and it was good not to have all of my perishable food destroyed by the heat.
But, I realized----I was at a near panic when it was all said and done.
I knew-having opened the door with the keys---that they had to be there somewhere-in a car with tons of stuff in it..........it was nerve racking......so why couldn't I calm down and just find them?????
It is called stress. And exhaustion.......it can zap you......if you let it.
Needless to say---the drive home was in relief----total relief.