Strawberry Nachos and Strawberry Soup

Last Thursday the Red Hats ladies

went on a tour of a strawberry farm....Meadow Lane Farm..... We tasted 14 different kinds of strawberries.
Each of the rows had a decorative sign listing the name.. the variety of berry had their own unique taste, Early varieties are Vee Star , Sable and Annapolis, mid season, Cavendish, Jewel, Kent Brunswick and Honeoye, late season,Governor Simcoe , bred for the sandy soil of this area and Sapphire......
we then picked a basket of our favourite........mine was Sapphire.

The early variety I liked was Vee Star and the mid season Honeoye.
Part of the tour included 3 desserts made with the berries we picked to be enjoyed in the tent at the field but due to a storm threatening with tornado warnings.
plans quickly changed and we moved to the family room at the farm house...........
We made it to the house just as the rain started. What a feast of berries we had everything from Strawberry slush, Strawberry pizza,Strawberry Lemon streusel muffins to Chilled Strawberry soup and Strawberry nachos....
I made the Strawberry nachos Friday......This recipe serves 6 tho I think more like 4.
3 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup amaretto or 1 tsp. almond extract

3/4 cup sour cream
2 TBSP. sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon or more to taste

6 6inch tortillas
2 TBSP melted butter
2 Tsp. sugar
1/2 Tsp. cinnamon
2 TBSP. toasted sliced almonds(used pecans)
1 TBSP. shaved semi-sweet chocolate
Combine strawberries, sugar and almond liqueur in bowl refrigerate for 1 hour. Combine sour cream, sugar and cinnamon in small bowl stir well, Chill.
Preheat oven to 400. Using pastry brush lightly brush one side of tortilla with butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon , cut into wedges.
Bake for 6-8 minutes til crisp.Cool.
Place 6 wedges on dessert plate, top with fresh strawberries, a little of sour cream mixture, sprinkle with almonds and chocolate.........

Heavenly!
The other treat was the strawberry soup, this would be delightful as a starter for a cool summer supper.
4 cups of strawberries
1/3- 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup sour cream
2 cups ice water
1 cup dry white wine
Puree berries, add sugar and sour cream, mix well, add water and wine, chill for at least 1 hour. Garnish with mint leaves and dollop of cream.......
Quick , easy and delicious.....
By the way a tornado did touch down in the area destroying a home but everyone was safe......

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Sugared Pecans

With an abundance of strawberries this season made this delicious salad.This recipe is from Food TV, Just One Bite show.
The dressing slightly sweet mixed with the combination of sugared pecans and strawberries, quite decadent...

Serves 4
1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans (50ml)
2 tbsp granulated sugar (30ml)
2 tbsp water (30ml)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (15ml)
1 tbsp liquid honey(15ml)
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard (2ml)
pinch salt (pinch)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (50ml)
4 cups baby spinach (about 4 oz/100g) (1L)
1 cup sliced strawberries (250ml)
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced (2)
1/4 cup soft black pepper cheese, (50ml)
such as Boursin or crumbled chevre (used feta) (optional)
Place pecans, sugar and water in a small saucepan set on medium heat. Stir to dissolve sugar. Simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until golden and pecans are coated, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and cool.
In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar with the honey, Dijon and salt. Slowly whisk in the oil until well combined. To serve, divide spinach among salad plates and top with strawberries, kiwis and sugar pecans. Drizzle with vinaigrette and garnish with the crumbled cheese.

Brianne's Secondary School Graduation

Granddaughter Brianne graduated last night from Secondary School.
The ceremony was held at Centre in the Square.

A tiny bit of rain did not dampen our spirits..

Proud Mom, Dad, Brittany and Jesse

Brianne received 3 awards last night.........

1st, Governor General's Award for the student who achieves the highest grade average in all grade 11 and grade 12 courses. 94%.
2nd, Edna Haviland Chemistry award for the student that has attained the highest score in a university entry Chemistry course,
and the 3rd Award of Excellence in Core French.......

Grads cheering.

This was a very proud moment in Brianne's education , shows her dedication to her studies......In September she is attending university taking an honors course in Math.

Mug Monday on Thursday!

My favourite mug is large Portmerion holds 2 cups filled with Columbian black coffee.....
Check out Raphsto see what mugs are in fashion in Giraffe World.

Brittany's Grade 8 Graduation!

My youngest granddaughter Brittany

graduated from Grade 8
last night.
She won an award in History......... Way to go Brittany!

Photo op in garden

Proud Mom , Dad and sister

Friends, Brittany was going to the graduation dance with.
All the girls had their hair done, wearing lovely dresses, looking so grown up...

Brittany looked so pretty .

Congratulations Brittany!

Graduation candy caps

Both granddaughters are graduating this week, one from grade 8 and one from secondary school.Found cute candy graduation caps made by Bakerella.
Followed Bakerella's directions and using peanut butter cups, chocolate squares, tangy zany strips and mini M and M's.

Here are my creations.


Made 12 caps for each granddaughter.

These chocolate treats were fun to make.

Happy Birthday Sherry! Sunday afternoon!

Spent Sunday afternoon at Sherry's( Sherry is celebrating her birthday today!) enjoyed a delicious brunch , interesting conversation with Brock and Brayden,
the sun, the patio , pool and gardens,
and a few cool ones!Willie.
A nice afternoon..

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to all Dads.

My Dad.

It's Saturday and it's raining!

Some how nature has it wrong, it is supposed to rain only at night or on Mondays !
Still one ray of sunshine is my new rose Secret , it is everything described.The fragrance, the shape, and the colour........
To be productive I have done housework, laundry and made a gift box......

Sometimes rainy days are good.

Lilies

In this area we are lucky to have lots of farmers market stands, one I am particularly fond of is a tiny flower stand. Bunches of flowers only $5. Love having fresh flowers in the house....
Here are the 2 bunches purchased on the 9th of June.

So fresh . This bouquet lasted 10 days , just getting rid of it today, petals just starting to drop.

Wonder what colour she will have today?

Bits and Pieces

This post is bits and pieces what I have been up to lately;
Monday, this is the new technique window box card made at card class.

Tuesday, warm sunny day went to St. Williams to pick some strawberries.Yum!

Wednesday, finished my beginner bunka picture,called Lookout Point; sending it off to get framed, love this needlework already started the next one.

Raining so decided to try Tunisian Crochet dishcloth pattern found at Cher's blog. It is Cher's new favourite dishcloth pattern and now mine. The video link is very helpful.
Closeup;
This dishcloth was done in less than 2 hours.
The forecast for the next 2 days , RAIN, wonder what I can find to do.............