Strawberry Festival & Carlisle GM Nationals Car Show

We had so much fun these past two weekends!  Every June (it always falls on Father's Day weekend) we go to the Mattituck Strawberry Festival.  It is such a fun time, filled with rides, snacks, games, and of course STRAWBERRIES!  Tom and I went Friday night and Saturday during the day and between the two days, we had our fill of festival treats: chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry daiquiris, funnel cake, ice cream, corn dog (I had my first one ever), and sausage and peppers.  Yes we ate a lot at the festival, but between the two days, we were there a lot of hours... ok it's pretty inexcusable.  But we also watched the Strawberry Queen get crowned, went on the Ferris Wheel, played games, met a News watched the fireworks, and enjoyed all of the strawberry themed fun.

We also bought a pint of strawberries and I made homemade strawberry pie for Father's Day.  It was super yummy!

Ingredients 

1/4 cups white sugar

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

4 cups fresh strawberries

2 TBSP butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Place one crust in a nine inch pie pan.
2. Mix together sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix lightly through the berries. Pour filling into pastry lined pan, and dot fruit with butter or margarine. Cover with top crust, and cut slits in the top. Seal and flute the edges.
3. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is slightly browned.

We also had a fun Father's Day.  During the day, we took Tom's dad to Joe's Garage in Riverhead for a fun lunch.  Then we all went to see Godzilla at the movies.  We met up with my dad and my sister-in-law and her family for a Mexican dinner at Don Quixote.  It was fun to celebrate the two dads!

The following weekend it 

was off to Tom's favorite car show, The GM Nationals in Carlisle, PA.  This was my 5th time to this car show. 

 At my very first trip to this show, I got covered in tire rubber at the burnout contest and a toothless, Pennsylvanian car show guy said to me "Is that ruuuuubbber?  as he examined my blackened self.  Too funny!  We had a lot of fun with my sister-in-law and nephew and I know this is one of Tom's favorite days of the year.

After all of our terrible eating at the fair, we are trying to eat healthier.  Tonight I made Roasted Zucchini Flatbread with Hummus, Argula, Goat Cheese, & Almonds. It was really good and we felt healthy!  You can try it if you visit: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/roasted-zucchini-flatbread-with-hummus-arugula-goat-cheese-and-almonds-recipe.html

Oh and here's a baby sweater I made for one of the teachers I work with!

Dessert & Dinner of the Month Club

Just a quick post tonight to tell of some new recipes that  I've tried and I also wanted to post the recipe for last post's raisin cookies!

Last night I made the Pioneer Woman's "Shrimp Stir-Fry" recipe.  I am relatively new to the seafood world, but it was so good!  We loved all the fresh veggies that were in it, like corn and zucchini!


Tonight I used my Amish cookbook from Stevi and made chicken salad sandwiches that included grilled chicken, cheddar cheese, celery, mayo, and crushed potato chips!


I decided to try something unique for Father's Day this year.  My dad will be receiving a Dessert of the Month Club and Tom's Dad (TD) will be receiving a Dinner of the Month Club.  Shh..don't tell them!  I think this will be fun and hopefully not too overwhelming!  I would probably make this stuff for Tom and I anyway, so why not gift the dads with some home cooking!

Dessert of the Month Club

This entitles you to one dessert the first weekend of each month.  Please fill in which month you would like to receive each item.   You also have 2 free choice items that you can pick anything of your liking!

Dessert	Month
Sesame Seed Cookies
Pineapple Nut Cake
Lemon Squares
Poppy Seed Cake
Amish Crumb Apple Pie
Chocolate Raspberry Cookies
Pumpkin Cookies
Peanut Blossom Cookies
Cherry Cream Pie
Deluxe Brownies
Free Choice
Free Choice

	Dinner of the Month Club This entitles you to homemade dinner each month.  Please fill in which month you would like to receive each item.   You also have 2 free choice items that you can pick anything of your liking! Dinner Month Eggplant Parmesan Chicken Pot Pie Beef Stew Mexican Night Chicken with Red Rice Bobby Flay Steak Ravioli with Homemade Sauce Broiled Tilapia Chicken with Artichokes Pasta Primavera Free Choice Free Choice

I've also been receiving a lot of recipes for my "Cooking for a Cure" cookbook.  Keep them coming and thanks to everyone who submitted so far!  Let's fill that book up!

Lastly, here's my mom's raisin cookie recipe:

1 cup raisins
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Bring raisins and water to a boil.  Simmer, uncovered for 5 mins, then set aside.  Cream sugar and butter together until light.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until mixture is fluffy.  Stir in raisins.  Combine remaining ingredients and stir into creamed mixture.  Drop dough by tablespoons 2 inches apart.  Bake at 375 degrees or until golden brown.

Camping, Housewarming, & More Cooking!

We have had a really hectic past few weeks over here!  First, we went camping with some of Tom's family.  My sister-in-law unfortunately wasn't feeling well, but it gave Tom & I some quality time with our nephews.  We camped at Hither Hills in Montauk, which is beach camping at its best.  I am not the best camper, seeing as I don't love the public showers and such. But I did enjoy roasting marshmallows, taking my nephews on the playground and for bike rides around the campsite, and looking out at the stars with Tom!  I know Tom and our two favorite little guys really enjoyed being one with nature, so that was enough to make me happy!

                                                                                                                                                             Tom and I also had our housewarming party.  We had a big BBQ Memorial Day weekend!                                        I wanted to invite everyone who has ever rooted for us regarding our house, reads my blog, or who has ever thought kindly towards Tom & I.  Unfortunately, I couldn't really invite everyone (Tom mentioned that my guest list was approaching wedding size), but for anyone who I couldn't have, I intend to have lots of visitors this summer.  

We cooked the usual hot dogs and hamburgers, but we tried to change it up with a salad bar (Pioneer Woman inspired!)  I was also so appreciative of everyone who brought appetizers, salads, desserts, and all of the the thoughtful gifts!  I made party favors filled with homemade cookies, including my mom's famous raisin cookies!  I hope everyone enjoyed these tasty treats!  We had so much fun and Tom & I couldn't be prouder of our house. 

                                                                                                                         

Also, one of my gifts from Stevi was an Amish cookbook!  I made the taco pie and an apple cream pie from it tonight.  The taco pie was fabulous and I can't wait to dive into the apple one in a little bit!  I also made a steak on the BBQ the other day with a Bobby Flay inspired marinade.  It was yummy!  I love the BBQ because it means Tom can help me cook.  He really enjoys being in charge of the grill!

                                                                           

 I am happiest just sitting outside eating dinner with Tom looking out at our backyard.  We also started a garden which we are having so much fun watering and watching and hoping things will grow.  We are probably weeks or months away from actual "crops" but we are enjoying being farmers!

                                                                                                                                                   

I also have a prayer request to ask of all of you.  A friend of mine from when I was a student staff worker at St. Joseph's College recently suffered a tragedy.  His wife lost their baby to a tragic cord accident and they have been in my thoughts and prayers everyday since hearing this sad news.  I sent them some homemade cookies in the mail and I hope it brightened their day.  If you could close your eyes and say a little prayer for them and their family, I would be so appreciative.

                                           

Finally, I got a lot of recipes at the housewarming party, but I need so many more for my "Cooking for a Cure" cookbook (a percentage of the profits go to the American Cancer Society).  Can you email or Facebook message me one?