HOORAY FOR FRIDAY!
Presenting Friday’s post this June 21 – day 2 officially summer!
Summer has arrived and its gonna do what it wants for several months + 1 or 2.
Whether we like it or not. Ha.
Break out the tank tops, summer shorts, skirts, flip-flops…
And HATS:
Big Straw glamour hats!
Cowboy hats!
Caps!
Visors!
Little bit of shade that travels with us as we move about our days in the summer outdoor furnace.
We just do what we can – in cool style!
Outstanding line-up today!
BEGINNING WITH:
STACY’S WORLD
Fun, informative tips, tricks and how-to’s. Always!
I’m so gonna follow her lead of this particular DIY – especially this time of year.
Bet you will, too!
Thanks, Stac, for always keeping us “in” on the low-down of word on the street and in our backyards!
QUICK QUESTION
Do I know how to change a flat tire?
I haven’t changed one. But I’ve watched it done and pretty sure I could figure it out if I was out in the middle of nowhere with no help around. You?
NICKI
Hot-shot Hollywood dog.
GRILLED MOROCCAN VEGGIE SKEWERS + SPICED COUSCOUS
Hello Summer-time TDF stellar!
END OF POST QUOTE
Remembering brilliant actor Donald Sutherland
Thanks so much for joining us today!
Ready?
Set.
Here we go.
Enjoy!
STACY’S WORLD
BYE-BYE SKEETER
Hello Beautiful People!
So my very favorite time of day is from 8:00 – 9:00 in the morning.
That’s when I take my big mug of coffee and sit out on my deck. That is when I check my messages and emails and, of course, read the informative and entertaining Daymaker Readable Art blog.
The problem with being out on my deck this time of year are those little monsters we call mosquitos.
I decided this year to experiment with some organic, natural mosquito sprays that I can make myself. I can’t stand the sticky, stinky sprays I have used in the past.
I researched on-line several different natural concoctions. The first 2 I tried did not work.
I decided to try one more time … if this third time did not work either – it would be back to the stinky stuff – strike three … you’re out.
The third mixture is very simple. 10 parts Witch Hazel to 1 part Eucalyptus essential oil.
PIC 1 and PIC 2
Are the Witch Hazel and essential oil I used that I ordered on Amazon.
I made a mini batch using:
10 TBSP Witch Hazel
1 TBSP Eucalyptus essential oil
Then I added a little more oil because I just love the smell of Eucalyptus.
Both of these products are very good for your skin.
Witch Hazel is a wonderful toner, reduces pore size and removes impurities from your skin.
Eucalyptus Essential oil is the scent of choice for spas and gyms. One whiff can open up your sinuses and relieve muscle aches which is why you smell it in spas.
From what I read Eucalyptus oil is the smell mosquitos detest the most.
So now it’s time for the big test. I spray the mixture on my arms and legs. I made sure I sprayed on a heavy coating and then rubbed it in to make sure I covered all my skin.
Here we go …
I am a little nervous as I step out on my patio – I call the mosquito motel.
I sit in my favorite chair and wait and watch.
It took about 10 seconds before 4 of those little monsters were swarming around my legs waiting for the blood buffet. I could not believe they came in fast — and stopped — about 6 inches from my legs. They would hover there for a few seconds, then fly off.
I watched this over and over again for about 20 minutes. I was so excited. I started giggling to myself.
Then suddenly remembered a song from 1990, MC Hammer jumped in my head.
Bumbumbumbum. Bumbum. Bumbum. * click here to listen “Can’t Touch This” *
Next thing I know – I am out of my chair doing my Happy Dance on the patio to “Can’t Touch This.”
I glance over at my neighbor’s yard and am horrified to see my 80-year-old neighbor tending to his garden, standing there, staring at me. His head cocked to one side and a Stacy’s lost her flippin mind look on his face.
I shyly smiled and wave and say, “Good morning, Harry” and slink back to my chair in shame.
I am thinking to myself … We have got to take down that chain link fence and put up a privacy fence.
Having said that leads me to my “Meme” for the day.
Did you know that if you garden in your backyard naked, your neighbor will build you a privacy fence for absolutely no cost to you?
See PIC #3 for that visual. haha
“Bug Off” for now. See you in 2 weeks!
Happy Dance!
Happy Weekend!
((Little side note from Cheryl:
Should go without saying,
but I gotta say it – If your skin is sensitive
to either Witch Hazel or essential oils,
this recipe’s not for you.
For the mass majority – this recipe is totally for us!))
QUICK QUESTION
DO YOU KNOW HOW TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE?
NICKI
BY JERRY CLOWER
A dog I have known is named Nicki. I did a CBS special, the “Orange Blossom Special,’ with Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride, and Tom T. Hall. (Now Tom T. Hall, by the way, is a great dog lover, head of the humane society in Tennessee, and got dogs what live in castles. He sets that thermostat — all dogs are treated like a hothouse plant). Me and Tom T., Charlie Pride, and Loretta Lynn did the “Orange Blossom Special on CBS, ninety minutes. I remember the rating was 32. I recall Frank Sinatra had a special that same week and his rating was 16. I didn’t understand the ratings, but at East Fork Consolidated High School I was always taught that 32 was twice better than 16. So I remembered the rating!
Now, I was on this show, off and on, for ninety minutes, and I got nine letters. Fifteen days later, my manager, Tandy Rice, called me and said, “Come to Nashville, you’re gonna do a Purina Dog Chow commercial with a dog named Nicki.”
I done it in thirty seconds. That’s right — thirty seconds. The commercial run one week, and I got 109 letters wanting to know what kind of dog that was. I got to doing a little researching. I done found out back then that the dog was more famous than me. It was a bull terrier, the same dog that was in the movie Patton. Nicki was a heap more famous than me. That dog worked by the day, just like I did. Come quitting time he went back to Hollywood, and I went back to Nashville.
Copyright 1992
Jerry Clower, Stories from Home
reprinted with permission – University Press of Mississippi
GRILLED MOROCCAN VEGGIE SKEWERS
COMBINE:
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3 TBSP olive oil
- 1 TBSP garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- pinch cayenne and turmeric
- juice of 1 large lemon
ADD and MARINATE:
- 1 large zucchini, cut in 1″ thick rounds
- 1 large yellow squash, cut in 1″ thick rounds
- 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut in chunks
- 4 1″ thick rings fresh pineapple, cut into quarters
- 12 fresh asparagus spears, cut into 3″ lengths
SOAK:
8-12 – 12″ wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
COMBINE:
Parsley, oil, garlic, seasonings, and lemon juice in a bowl.
ADD:
Vegetables and pineapple; toss to coat. Let stand at least 10 minutes before skewering. Thread vegetables and pineapple onto soaked skewers.
PREHEAT GRILL:
To medium-high heat; spray grates with nonstick spray.
LIGHTLY COAT:
Both sides of vegetables with nonstick spray. If using a gas grill, turn off one side. On a charcoal grill – push the coals to one side.
LAY THE SKEWERS:
On the grate with the vegetables over the hot side, handles over on the cooler side.
GRILL, COVERED:
Until vegetables are cooked and lightly charred, about 3 minutes.
TURN, BASTE WITH ANY REMAINING MARINADE:
And grill 2-3 more minutes
SERVE WITH SPICED COUSCOUS
Recipe follows.
SPICED COUSCOUS
BRING TO A BOIL:
- 1/2 lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 3 TBSP honey
- salt and pepper to taste
SAUTE IN 3 TBSP OLIVE OIL:
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 TBSP fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tsp fresh fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin seed
- 1 cinnamon stick
ADD AND TOAST; STEAM:
- 1 cup dry couscous
- hot lemon juice, chicken broth, honey mixture
STIR IN:
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, seeded, diced
- 3 TBSP fresh mint leaves
BRING:
Lemon juice, broth, honey, salt and pepper to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.
SAUTE:
Onion, ginger, garlic, cumin, and cinnamon in oil in a sauce pan over medium-high heat until onion is soft. About 5 minutes.
ADD:
Couscous, stirring to coat with oil. Cook, stirring constantly, until couscous is lightly toasted. About 3 minutes. Pour hot lemon mixture over couscous, turn off the heat. Cover and steam at least 5 minutes.
GRILL VEGGIE SKEWERS:
While couscous steams.
STIR IN :
Grape tomato halves
Diced cucumber
Mint
FLUFFING:
Couscous with a fork to break up lumps.
Remove cinnamon stick.
SERVE COUSCOUS AND VEGGIE SKEWERS
On colorful plates with a frosty glass of beer, glass of white wine or iced tea.
~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box
FUNDAMENTALLY, PEOPLE ARE
SUCKERS FOR THE TRUTH.
~ Donald Sutherland ~
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Take it easy.
Catch ya Monday.
Same time.
Same place.
Love the Donald Sutherland quote and Jerry Clower is one of the greatest storytellers of all time. Thanks for making my Friday!
Grilled Moroccan Veggie Skewers! Yes Please!
I laughed out loud at Stacy’s hilarious column! She painted quite an amusing picture of the mosquito antics on her deck and of her happy dance reaction to successful defeat of the little buggers – Can’t Touch This – didn’t Emmitt Smith “get down” to this music on Dancing With the Stars way back when??? Loved the imagery. Well maybe not the naked neighbor. But definitely will try Stacy’s recipe for mosquito repellant.
Can I change a flat tire? No.
Happy weekend!
Love the tip on mosquito repellent gonna have to give it a try👍🏻 Another great Friday addition
Daymaker’s grilled vegetables are always a summer hit on our grill. Stacy’s experiment with the mosquito, our peaceful summer evening’s Number ONE enemy. Thank you. Now for today’s Quote; “FUNDAMENTALLY, PEOPLE ARE SUCKERS FOR THE TRUTH.” . Ok, here’s mine: “FUNDAMENTALLY, people today are not what they use to be.” I miss Mom and Dad, aunts and uncles, neighbors, teachers and in particular my memory thinks back on my dear friend that built WAR planes. Remember those stories of “Rosie the Riveter?” Yep, she was one and would tell the greatest stories from the Greatest Generation.