Our Good Life: July 2017

Posted by Terri Steffes / 31 July 2017 / dinner

Grilled Chicken Recipes plus Tips for Grilling Chicken!

Grilled chicken is our go-to weekly meal. It can be rather boring if you don't mix it up and these recipes are anything but boring!  Give your grilled chicken a boost in the flavor department!<br />
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We love to grill chicken using our gas grill but my husband is a big fan of the Big Green Egg.  How many of you have one of these wonderful grill/smokers?  When he fires it up, we do a mountain of meat at a time and eat all week on one grilling.  It is the way to go! <br />
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<span lang="EN-CA">15 Grill Approved Chicken Recipes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://thissillygirlslife.com/2015/04/mustard-grilled-chicken-sandwiches-with-creamy-mustard-sauce/2/">Mustard Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Mustard Sauce</a> by This Silly Girl’s Kitchen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.handletheheat.com/grilled-chicken-caesar-salad/">Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad</a> by Handle the Heat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://delightfulemade.com/2015/06/22/spicy-verde-grilled-chicken/">Spicy Verde Grilled Chicken</a> by Delightful E Made<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.pinkwhen.com/seasoned-grilled-chicken-avocado-salsa/">Seasoned Grilled Chicken with Avocado Salsa</a> by Pink When<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://homemadehooplah.com/grilled-honey-balsamic-chicken/">Grilled Honey Balsamic Chicken</a> by Homemade Hooplah<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://paleomagazine.com/grilled-chicken-drumsticks-with-garlic-marinade/">Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Garlic Marinade</a> by Paleo Magazine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/grilled_cilantro_lime_chicken/">Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken</a> by Simply Recipes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://asouthernfairytale.com/2012/08/30/honey-chipotle-grilled-chicken/">Honey Chipotle Grilled Chicken</a> by a Southern Fairytale<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.itisakeeper.com/4046/grilled-schezuan-chicken-skewers/">Grilled Sticky Chicken Skewers</a> by It’s a Keeper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://stupideasypaleo.com/2014/04/03/strawberry-chili-grilled-chicken-beyoutifully-delicious/">Strawberry Chili Grilled Chicken</a> by Stupid Easy Paleo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.paleonewbie.com/easy-bacon-chicken-skewers-recipe">Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers</a> by Paleo Newbie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.callmepmc.com/citrus-marinated-grilled-chicken/">Citrus Marinated Grilled Chicken</a> by Call Me PMC<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://homecookingmemories.com/zesty-grilled-wings/">3 Ingredient Zesty Grilled Wings</a> by Home Cooking Memories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.thecookierookie.com/pineapple-habanero-bbq-chicken-kebabs/">Pineapple Habanero BBQ Chicken Kebabs</a> by the Cookie Rookie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/03/very-greek-grilled-chickenfrom-recipe.html">Very Greek Grilled Chicken</a> by Kalyn’s Kitchen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">Here are some of our favorite tricks for keeping grilled chicken from drying out.  It's no secret that many people think you cannot get a good chicken dinner off the grill.  With these tips, you will be able to get a great chicken every time!  How do you get these wonderful tips?  Sign up to receive my newsletter and the tips will be sent to you via email!</span></div>
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<b><i>Get your free "How to Keep Chicken Moist While Grilling" tips here!</i></b><br />
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Grilled Chicken Recipes plus Tips for Grilling Chicken!

Grilled chicken is our go-to weekly meal. It can be rather boring if you don't mix it up and these recipes are anything but boring! Giv...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 30 July 2017 / lunch , tailgate

The Rachel {kin to The Reuben} Sandwich #SundaySupper

August is National Sandwich Month and we at #SundaySupper didn't want you to be caught without some new sandwiches to try!  What do you love about sandwiches?  It it that they are portable? Or easy to make?  We love both!<br />
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We love Reubens in this family, but we only have corned beef around on a special occasion.  The Rachel, however, is made with sliced turkey, which we tend to have around a lot. The secret to this sandwich is to not skimp on the sauerkraut or pickles. Both add that needed zip to this sandwich!<br />
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The Rachel {kin to The Reuben} Sandwich<br />
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for two sandwiches<br />
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1/2 lb deli sliced turkey<br />
1/2 c sauerkraut, drained<br />
4 slices Swiss cheese<br />
2 T 1000 Island Dressing<br />
12 Bread and Butter pickle slices<br />
4 slices multigrain bread<br />
1 T butter<br />
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Lightly toast bread.  Spread dressing on both slices.  Heat a skillet with a little butter.  Add turkey slices and heat through.  Add cheese on top of the turkey and melt.  On one slice of toast pile on the turkey slices and cheese,  pickles and dressing.  On top of the other slice of toast arrange the sauerkraut.  Carefully place the kraut bread, kraut side down on top of the turkey bread.  Slice at a diagonal.  Serve with crispy potato chips.<br />
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Simple Sandwich Recipes That Will Make You Love Lunch #SundaySupper</h2>
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Any day 'Wiches</h4>
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<li><a href="https://adayinthelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Breakfast Burrito Sandwich on the Go</a> by A Day in the Life on the Farm</li>
<li><a href="http://www.basicndelicious.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Choco Sandwich</a> by Basic N Delicious</li>
<li><a href="https://bitesofwellness.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whole30 Sundried Tomato Turkey Sliders</a> by Bites of Wellness</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bottomleftofthemitten.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ham & Spinach Breakfast Sandwich</a> by Bottom Left of the Mitten</li>
<li><a href="https://www.lowcarb-ology.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Low Carb Breakfast Sandwich</a> by Lowcarb-ology</li>
<li><a href="http://ninjabaker.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matcha Ice Cream Teatime Sandwiches</a> by NinjaBaker.com</li>
<li><a href="http://www.piesandplots.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maple Almond Ice Cream Sandwiches</a> by Pies and Plots</li>
<li><a href="http://positivelystacey.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicken Spiedies</a> by Positively Stacey</li>
<li><a href="https://thecrumbykitchen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dark Chocolate Cherry Dessert Grilled Cheese</a> by The Crumby Kitchen</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Any time 'Wiches</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.akitchenhoorsadventures.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BLFGT Sandwich (Bacon Lettuce Fried Green Tomato)</a> by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures</li>
<li><a href="http://www.alittlefishinthekitchen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sausage and Pepper Hoagies</a> by A Little Fish in the Kitchen</li>
<li><a href="http://dailydishrecipes.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dijon Mustard Glazed Juicy Pulled Pork Sliders</a> by Daily Dish Recipes</li>
<li><a href="https://gourmeteveryday.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Southern Sweet Tea Brined Chicken Biscuit Sandwich</a> by Gourmet Everyday</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Muffuletta</a> by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks</li>
<li><a href="https://ourlifetastesgood.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">California Club Sandwich Recipe</a> by Life Tastes Good</li>
<li><a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Rachel</a> by Our Good Life</li>
<li><a href="https://palatablepastime.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smoked Salmon on Croissant</a> by Palatable Pastime</li>
<li><a href="https://www.restlesschipotle.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chicken Salad Sandwich</a> by Restless Chipotle</li>
<li><a href="https://www.soulfullymade.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Authentic Cuban Sandwich</a> by Soulfully Made</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Anywhere 'Wiches</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://authenticallycandace.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Utlimate veggie sandwich</a> by Authentically Candace</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tuna Bacon Salsa Wrap</a> by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings</li>
<li><a href="http://cricketsconfections.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Peanut Butter and Pepperoni Sandwich</a> by Cricket’s Confections</li>
<li><a href="http://www.fantasticalsharing.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dill Pickle Bacon Grilled Cheese</a> by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes</li>
<li><a href="https://www.healingtomato.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich</a> by Healing Tomato</li>
<li><a href="http://www.mysavoryspoon.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grilled Eggplant, Zucchini and Mushroom Sandwich</a> by Mysavoryspoon</li>
<li><a href="http://www.simpleandsavory.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich</a> by Simple and Savory</li>
<li><a href="http://sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Italian Pressed Sandwich</a> by Sunday Supper Movement</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brie, Jam and Salami Sandwich</a> by That Skinny Chick Can Bake</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chipotle Chicken Sandwich</a> by The Freshman Cook</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunday Supper Movement" height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8386732081_f232fda104_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><strong>Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday!</strong> We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sundaysupper" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#SundaySupper hashtag</a> and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great <a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Recipes</a>, visit our website or check out our <a href="http://pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a>.  <strong>Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement?</strong> It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: <a href="http://community.sundaysuppermovement.com/join-the-community/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Movement</a>.<br />
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The Rachel {kin to The Reuben} Sandwich #SundaySupper

August is National Sandwich Month and we at #SundaySupper didn't want you to be caught without some new sandwiches to try! What do you ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 27 July 2017 / MoBot

Garden of Glass #MoBot

Some of you might know how much my husband and I love St. Louis' Botanical Gardens. We decided to become members of the the Gardens last year and it has been a decision that we truly love. We recently attended the Garden of Glass: The Art of Craig Mitchell Smith and it was amazing.  I am going to show you a few highlights,<br />
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When you exit the visitor center you will be greeted with music and the opportunity to purchase a drink. Take advantage. I got this yummy Drunken Dragonfly. Super tasty and it kept me cool while walking through the Gardens.</div>
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The exhibit is in the Climatron. Remember, this is where the orchids and rain forest type plants are located. So it is humid and a bit warm. Dress accordingly.  When you walk in, you will be greeted by glass immediately, and it sets you up for what you are going to see, amazing works of glass by artist Craig Mitchell Smith.</div>
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The artist is a St. Louis resident and was "discovered" by HGTV when they came to do a piece on his beautiful home kitchen.  Trained as a painter, he quickly became enamored with fused glass.  He created techniques to bring life to his work and he surely did.</div>
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Let me share a few pieces with you...</div>
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This is just a sample of the work that you can see at the Missouri Botanical Gardens. If you are a St. Louis resident, GO. If you are a visitor to the area, GO.  In some cases, it is difficult to believe these are made of glass.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climatron at night.  Used with permission by <a href="http://amandamarkel.com/tag/garden-of-glass/" target="_blank">Amanda Markel</a></td></tr>
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Our tickets were for the evening.  You can attend during daytime hours, but the lighting at night is special. You can go into the gardens at any time, then go into the Climatron at the time of your ticket. The 8:00 ticket is a good one!  Be sure to take your time and enjoy the show!</div>
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The event runs through August 13, so you still have time!  This is a perfect date night, so plan away!</div>
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Garden of Glass #MoBot

Some of you might know how much my husband and I love St. Louis' Botanical Gardens. We decided to become members of the the Gardens last...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 26 July 2017 / chewy.com

Pawster Treats by Rachael Ray #ChewyInfluencer

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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>We were given the treats to review, but all opinions are my own, well, with a little help from Truman and Wilson!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Truman and Wilson have had a lazy July, particularly due to the high temperatures we have experienced here in the Midwest.  A couple of days were over the 110 degree mark, so what's a dog to do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They were super excited to see our latest Chewy box come in the mail. They greeted the UPS man with a lot of barks and excitement (they love the UPS man!) and when we opened the box there were a lot of tail wags and small barks of excitement!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And no wonder! Look what was in the box!  </span><br />
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Rachael Ray was in the box!  We love Rachael in our house and these treats, made with real, farm-raised beef as the number one ingredient, this savory and smoky snack tastes like it came fresh from the grill, and it also includes wholesome chickpeas, potatoes and a hint of rosemary. And since it’s free of grains, artificial flavors, and meat by-products, you can feel confident that your pup is getting all the yum without any of the stuff you don’t want him to eat. And it’s all safely cooked right here in the USA!  I love that there is NO corn or wheat used in these delicious treats!<div>
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This product is very reasonable as well.  Less than $3 a bag and both dogs were crazy about them. They are a two bite treat, which is nice, because they take a little time as they eat it.</div>
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After treats, they do like all dogs do in the heat of the summer:</div>
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Check out all these delightful Rachael Ray treats at chewy.com and tell them Truman and Wilson sent you!</div>
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Pawster Treats by Rachael Ray #ChewyInfluencer

We were given the treats to review, but all opinions are my own, well, with a little help from Truman and Wilson! Truman and Wilson have ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 23 July 2017 / dinner

Burrito Dogs #SundaySupper

Who loves hot dogs???<br />
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We seriously love our hot dogs in this house.  One of our favorite things to do is to get a hot dog from the hot dog cart here in our community when leaving our local Wine Bar.  Seriously, it is about as good as getting breakfast at midnight after a band gig (did you know my husband is a drummer, too?)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Featured!  <a href="http://www.walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/2017/08/garden-fresh-veggie-recipes.html" target="_blank">Walking on Sunshine</a></td></tr>
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We created this recipe just for the fun of it and we really enjoyed it.  It was fun to make and pretty doggone good, too.  Serve it up with some sliced avocados, fresh salsa and chips and you have a fun and festive meal!<br />
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Burrito Dogs<br />
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4 burrito skins<br />
4 regular hot dogs (we used a spicy hot dog from Aldi's)<br />
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese<br />
1 c salsa<br />
1 c refried beans<br />
1/4 c chopped onion<br />
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Separate the four burrito skins.  Spread 1/4 c of refried beans over the top of the tortilla.  Spread 1/4 c of the salsa over the beans, then use 1/4 c of the cheese on top of the salsa.  Place the hot dog in the center.  Continue on the other three burritos.<br />
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This next part is the fun part, bring the sides of the tortilla over the ends of the hot dog, then continue to roll like a burrito.<br />
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Place each rolled burrito in a rectangle pan. <br />
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After all the burritos are in the pan bake at 350 for approx 20 minutes.  Remove from oven, sprinkle on remaining cheese, and bake until cheese melts and is bubbly.<br />
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Rest for a minute before serving.<br />
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Sunday Supper Creative Hot Dog Recipes</h2>
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Cheesy Dogs</h4>
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<li><a href="http://amindfullmom.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cheesy Pretzel Dogs</a> by A Mind “Full” Mom</li>
<li><a href="https://ourlifetastesgood.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jalapeno Popper Hot Dogs</a> by Life Tastes Good</li>
<li><a href="http://dailydishrecipes.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queso Kielbasa Dogs</a> by Daily Dish Recipes</li>
</ul>
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Meaty Dogs</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs with Fruit Salsa</a> by That Skinny Chick Can Bake</li>
<li><a href="http://xhomesweethomesteadx.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BBQ Hot Dogs</a> by Home Sweet Homestead</li>
<li><a href="https://www.soulfullymade.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot Dog & Hamburger Cowboy Beans</a> by Soulfully Made</li>
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Regional Dogs</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All American Hot Dog</a> by The Freshman Cook</li>
<li><a href="http://cricketsconfections.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Banh Mi Hot Dog</a> by Cricket’s Confections</li>
<li><a href="https://thecrumbykitchen.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Buffalo Hot Dogs</a> by The Crumby Kitchen</li>
<li><a href="https://adayinthelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Copy Cat Detroit Coney Dogs</a> by A Day in the Life on the Farm</li>
<li><a href="https://palatablepastime.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hawaiian Hot Dog</a> by Palatable Pastime</li>
<li><a href="http://ninjabaker.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Matcha Ochazuke Hot Dog Rice</a> by NinjaBaker.com</li>
<li><a href="http://bottomleftofthemitten.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Memphis Hot Dog</a> by Bottom Left of the Mitten</li>
<li><a href="http://mylifecookbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Philly Mushroom Swiss Dog (Low Carb)</a> by My Life Cookbook</li>
<li><a href="https://gourmeteveryday.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sauerkraut Stuffed Dogs</a> by Gourmet Everyday</li>
<li><a href="http://myblissfulmess.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">South of the Border Hot Dogs</a> by My Blissful Mess</li>
</ul>
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Tex Mex Dogs</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chili Cheese Dog Baked Potatoes</a> by Food Lust People Love</li>
<li><a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Burrito Dogs</a> by Our Good Life</li>
<li><a href="http://recipesfoodandcooking.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot Dog with Chili Sauce</a> by Recipes Food and Cooking</li>
<li><a href="http://sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Taco Hot Dog is Nacho Regular Dog</a> by Sunday Supper Movement</li>
<li><a href="http://www.piesandplots.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot Dog Breakfast Tacos</a> by Pies and Plots</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunday Supper Movement" height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8386732081_f232fda104_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><strong>Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday!</strong> We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sundaysupper" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">#SundaySupper hashtag</a> and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great <a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Recipes</a>, visit our website or check out our <a href="http://pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a>.  <strong>Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement?</strong> It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: <a href="http://community.sundaysuppermovement.com/join-the-community/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Movement</a>.

Burrito Dogs #SundaySupper

Who loves hot dogs??? We seriously love our hot dogs in this house. One of our favorite things to do is to get a hot dog from the hot dog...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 20 July 2017 / side

Salat Olivier (Russian Potato Salad) #cookthebooks

<span style="font-family: inherit;">The selection for Cook the Books Club was <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Anya von Bremzen's </span><strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;">Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food & Longing.  </strong><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;">I can't say I loved the book, I kept losing the story of interest to me in the deluge of Russian history as seen by the author as a child, teen and grown up. What I did love, however, was the role that food, or the lack of it, played in her life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;">What I loved about the book was the apparent deep connection that the author has with her mother and how they developed their relationship over food. This resonates with me, as I am often asking my mom to share recipes from my childhood with me.  I give kudos to Simona from <a href="http://www.pulcetta.com/" target="_blank">briciole </a>for this book selection!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The food descriptions in the book were detailed and delightful.  During the period she describes, however, there is almost nothing eatable to describe.  She describes that "classical Russian food culture vanished."  Then she does what I love best about memoirs, by talking about childhood memories of foods that make up her childhood, such as the salat Olivier that I recreate here.  </span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I added the mayo details that were described in the book!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: inherit;">I eagerly race to the end of the book, hoping to see that Putin had brought back the Soviet food scene, but she devotes little time to Putin in her book.  I had hoped she would have an opinion on where the food culture is now in Russia and where it might be headed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">It was an easy choice for me to choose this dish.  First, my maiden name is Oliver and our family loves my mom's potato salad.  It has a similar base of potatoes, boiled eggs and mayo.  We like our mayo on the tart side as well, so we use Duke's.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">Salat Olivier (as envisioned by Terri Steffes)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 lb new potatoes, boiled and quartered</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">4 hardboiled eggs, quartered</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 can peas, drained</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 can petite shrimp, drained</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">1/2 c mayo (Dukes or other tangy mayo, not sweet)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">2 T chopped dill pickle</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">2 T chopped cucumber</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">salt and pepper</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">1 T dill weed</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">Combine ingredients and taste for seasoning.  Salt and pepper as desired.  Refrigerate until well chilled, taste before serving, adjust seasoning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;">We loved this with our dinner of pork roast and summer tomatoes and corn.  I was happily surprised at how good this odd combination of foods was.  I would definitely make it again.</span></span><br />
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Salat Olivier (Russian Potato Salad) #cookthebooks

The selection for Cook the Books Club was Anya von Bremzen's Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A Memoir of Food & Longing. I ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 19 July 2017 / #PBColorOurWorld

Color My World Red and Blue #ColorMyWorld

I think a summer garden needs to have a little red and blue in it!  Take this little garden from <a href="http://rosecottagegarden.blogspot.com/2007/07/red-white-blue.html" target="_blank">Notes from a Cottage Garden.</a>  The white fence, with a little red bee balm, white daisies and blue bachelor's buttons is as charming and summery as it gets!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feature here:  <a href="http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2017/08/foodie-friday-and-everything-else.html" target="_blank">Rattlebridge Farm</a></td></tr>
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Another summer charmer uses red flowers as the mainstay and alternates the blue and white pots and still comes off as completely charming!  The <a href="http://www.armstronggarden.com/pages/red-white-and-blue-summer-entryway" target="_blank">Armstrong Garden </a>blog uses red salvia and petunias to create this summery scene!<br />
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Blue is a hard flower to find, so maybe you will want to use the blue in the physical sense, as in a fence or a door or a planter, like this house did.  I think a blue door is simply adorable.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://japaneseflowergarden.tumblr.com/post/4364501523/agoodthinghappened-chelsea-flower-show-sloane" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
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So which was your favorite? How do you like to use red and blue in your summer garden?  Any suggestions for those of us who are still looking?  Let us know in the comments!<br />
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This post is in conjunction with a fabulous group of women bloggers called Project Beautiful. We blog about gardening and food and crafts.  Please visit their blogs to learn more about their areas of expertise!<br />
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<a href="https://www.daytodayadventures.com/" target="_blank">Day to Day Adventures</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.daytodayadventures.com/" target="_blank">The Garden Frog</a></div>
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<a href="http://landscapedesignbylee.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Guide to Northeastern Gardening</a></div>
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<a href="http://tikkido.com/" target="_blank">Tikkido</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/" target="_blank">The Freshman Cook</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.bloomingsecrets.com/" target="_blank">Blooming Secrets</a></div>
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<a href="http://mixedkreations.com/" target="_blank">Mixed Kreations</a></div>
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<a href="http://gardenchick.com/" target="_blank">GardenChick</a></div>
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<a href="http://sensiblegardening.com/" target="_blank">Sensible Gardening</a></div>
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All the links below come from our Project Beautiful bloggers!  That means that you can know that the crafts have been made, the recipes eaten, and the gardens planted before it hits the blog. Enjoy the wonderful red and blue posts below!<br />
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Color My World Red and Blue #ColorMyWorld

I think a summer garden needs to have a little red and blue in it! Take this little garden from Notes from a Cottage Garden. The white fe...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 16 July 2017 / Dessert

Blueberry Hand Pies #SundaySupper

We love to picnic and have always had a few picnics over the years, especially during the summer and football season, although we call them tailgate parties then!  We look for foods that are easily portable and delicious.  No scrimping on the delicious, please!<br />
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I adore hand pies and even though I don't make them often, I always think of them for my go to dessert for picnics. Who can resist a pie that you can hold in your hand?  I also love these funny little pies for savory dishes, too.  More on that on a later date.<br />
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Fresh fruit is so easy to use to make these pies.  Change up the blueberries for whatever is in season, using the same recipe as below.  Our favorite is blueberry, but strawberry and blackberry pies are crazy good, too.<br />
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<br />
Blueberry Hand Pies<br />
<br />
2 c blueberries, stemmed<br />
1/4 c sugar free granules<br />
1 T cornstarch<br />
1 T lemon juice<br />
1 sheet of puff pastry<br />
1 t sugar<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
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Preheat oven to 425.  Defrost puff pastry.<br />
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In a microwave safe bowl, smash berries with the granules, juice and cornstarch.  Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and then microwave for 1 more minute, stir and then microwave for 30 seconds.  Let mixture set until cool and thick.<br />
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Unfold pastry.  Using a pastry wheel, cut dough into four equal parts.  On two of the squares, use the pastry wheel to make an X in the center of the square. This is to let steam escape.  On the squares with no X, spoon filling into the center and spread to within 1/4 inch of square (there will be some filling left over.  Top with one of the X squares and crimp all edges with a fork.  Brush top with beaten egg and sprinkle it with sugar.  Bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from heat and let cool.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love our foodie faces!</td></tr>
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These are large pies, one will serve two people.  I cut mine diagonally to make a triangle that is easy to hold and eat.<br />
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<h2>
Best Picnic Recipes to Enjoy at the Park #SundaySupper</h2>
<h4>
Starters, Skewers, and Sandwiches al Fresco</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.soulfullymade.com/antipasto-skewers/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Antipasto Skewers</a> by Soulfully Made</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/buffalo-chicken-dip-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe</a> by That Skinny Chick Can Bake</li>
<li><a href="http://bottomleftofthemitten.com/recipe/cream-cheese-slider-sandwiches/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cream Cheese Slider Sandwiches</a> by Bottom Left of the Mitten</li>
<li><a _blank="" href="http://www.wendyweekendgourmet.com/2017/07/best-picnic-recipes-sundaysupperfeaturi.html" rel="noopener">Italian Layered Portable Picnic Jars</a> by The Weekend Gourmet</li>
<li><a href="http://cricketsconfections.com/2017/07/16/low-carb-ham/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Low Carb Ham Pinwheels</a> by Cricket’s Confections</li>
<li><a href="http://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com/2017/07/patatas-bravas-chorizo-sausage-rolls.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Patatas Brava Chorizo Sausage Rolls</a> by Food Lust People Love</li>
<li><a href="http://mylifecookbook.com/2017/07/16/refrigerator-pickled-ratatouille-vegetables/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Refrigerator Pickled Ratatouille Vegetables</a> by My Life Cookbook</li>
<li><a href="https://thecrumbykitchen.com/tuna-salad-lettuce-wraps/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps</a> by The Crumby Kitchen</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Stow-and-Go Sides and Salads</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://sundaysuppermovement.com/authentic-german-potato-salad-weekdaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Authentic German Potato Salad</a> by Sunday Supper Movement</li>
<li><a href="http://dailydishrecipes.com/avocado-bacon-loaded-pasta-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Avocado Bacon Loaded Pasta Salad</a> by Daily Dish Recipes</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cookingwithcarlee.com/2017/07/bbq-ranch-pasta-salad-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">BBQ Ranch Pasta Salad</a> by Cooking With Carlee</li>
<li><a href="http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com/broccoli-slaw-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Broccoli Slaw</a> by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.com/2017/07/jalapeno-popper-macaroni-salad-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jalapeno Popper Macaroni Salad</a> by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks</li>
<li><a href="http://www.carolinescooking.com/marinated-zucchini-summer-squash/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Marinated Zucchini and Summer Squash</a> by Caroline’s Cooking</li>
<li><a href="https://ourlifetastesgood.blogspot.com/2017/07/old-fashioned-potato-salad.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Old Fashioned Potato Salad</a> by Life Tastes Good</li>
<li><a href="http://familyfoodie.com/roasted-cauliflower-salad-2/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Roasted Cauliflower Salad</a> by Family Foodie</li>
<li><a href="https://gourmeteveryday.net/2017/07/16/summer-picnic-fare-grannys-southern-cornbread-salad-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Southern Cornbread Salad</a> by Gourmet Everyday</li>
<li><a href="http://simpleandsavory.com/summer-quinoa-salad-recipe//" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Summer Quinoa Salad</a> by Simple and Savory</li>
<li><a href="http://takeabiteoutofboca.com/2017/07/new-recipe-watermelon-and-feta-summer-salad-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Watermelon and Avocado Salad</a> by Take A Bite Out of Boca</li>
<li><a href="https://bitesofwellness.com/whole30-cauliflower-potato-salad/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Whole30 Cauliflower Potato Salad</a> by Bites of Wellness</li>
</ul>
<h4>
Drinks and Desserts for Outdoor Dining</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.akitchenhoorsadventures.com/banana-snack-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Banana Snack Cake</a> by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures</li>
<li><a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/07/blueberry-hand-pies-sundaysupper.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Blueberry Hand Pies</a> by Our Good Life</li>
<li><a href="https://palatablepastime.com/2017/07/16/cantaloupe-mint-lemonade/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cantaloupe Mint Lemonade</a> by Palatable Pastime</li>
<li><a href="http://piesandplots.net/cherry-poke-cake-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Cherry Poke Cake</a> by Pies and Plots</li>
<li><a href="http://www.turnips2tangerines.com/2017/07/chocolate-caramel-layer-bars.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chocolate Caramel Layer Bars</a> by Turnips 2 Tangerines</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/2017/07/chocolate-cherry-no-bake-bars.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Chocolate Cherry No Bake Bars</a> by The Freshman Cook</li>
<li><a href="http://basicndelicious.com/recipe/mixed-fruit-drink-sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mixed Fruit Drink</a> by Basic N Delicious</li>
<li><a href="http://ninjabaker.com/rice-krispie-sushi-sundaysupper" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rice Krispie Sushi</a> by NinjaBaker.com</li>
</ul>
<a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="noopener" style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Sunday Supper Movement" height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8386732081_f232fda104_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><strong>Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday!</strong> We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sundaysupper" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#SundaySupper hashtag</a> and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great <a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Recipes</a>, visit our website or check out our <a href="http://pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/sundaysupper/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a>. <strong>Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement?</strong> It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: <a href="http://community.sundaysuppermovement.com/join-the-community/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Sunday Supper Movement</a><br />
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<br />

Blueberry Hand Pies #SundaySupper

We love to picnic and have always had a few picnics over the years, especially during the summer and football season, although we call them ...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 15 July 2017 / Soup

Chilled Coconut Milk Soup with Herbs #SoupSwappers

Just because it is summer, it doesn't mean you have to give up soup!  Cool and creamy, this soup will be a wonderful addition to your summer meal. This savory soup uses fresh, raw cucumbers and radishes for crunch and texture and the sweetness of the coconut offers a nice contrast.  I like serving chilled soups for a first course in the summer for a lovely beginning to a meal.<br />
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Cold soups are traditional in many countries, but the United States really hasn't grabbed onto this cuisine as much as others.  Cold borsch from Russia, gazpacho from Spain, and a wonderful lemony soup from Greece are favorites here.  We've also made a <a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/05/meyer-lemon-and-blueberry-soup_20.html" target="_blank">delicious cold fruit soup </a>that is delicious as a precourse or as a dessert.<br />
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This chilled soup is a remake of a Danish buttermilk soup, lightened up but still as refreshing as the original. It is simple to make, just be sure to chill the soup all the way through.<br />
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Chilled Coconut Milk Soup with Herbs<br />
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4 c coconut milk<br />
2 c loosely packed herbs (I like thyme, basil and mint)<br />
4 radishes, cut into matchsticks<br />
1 cucumber, 1/2 juiced, 1/2 fine chopped<br />
salt<br />
2 T horseradish<br />
2 T hot mustard<br />
2 hard boiled eggs, cut into halves<br />
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Add the juice of the cucumber (throw away the solids), the mustard, the horseradish to the coconut milk.  Mince the herbs and add to the milk.  Season the milk with salt.  Chill in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled, about 4 hours.  Into 4 bowls add 1/2 egg, the chopped cucumber and radish sticks. Pour the soup around the egg and veggies.  Serve.<br />
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Find more delightful chilled soups in the recipes below.  Which one do you want to try?<br />
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Chilled Coconut Milk Soup with Herbs #SoupSwappers

Just because it is summer, it doesn't mean you have to give up soup! Cool and creamy, this soup will be a wonderful addition to your su...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 13 July 2017 / side

Strawberry Spinach Salad #ImprovChallenge

Summer is such a good time for salads. The vegetables are fresh picked and the fruits are the sweetest and juiciest. The combinations for this salad are endless.  We often substitute the strawberries for whatever fruit is readily available at the farmer's market.  Peaches, blueberries, watermelon and cantaloupe have all been used to replace the strawberries with a delicious result!<br />
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The vinaigrette dressing is one that I have used since learning about <a href="https://www.facebook.com/craftsdiy/posts/1583141308372589" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vom Fass </a>here in St. Louis.  We head to the shop a few times a year to stock up on our favorite balsamic vinegars.  The recipe is ultimately the same, but substituting flavored vinegars gives the dressing a fresh, new taste each time!<br />
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Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette<br />
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4 T very good olive oil<br />
2 T balsamic vinegar<br />
2 T fresh herbs, finely chopped<br />
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Whisk the oil and vinegar together until emulsified.  Stir in the chopped herbs.  I like to use what we grow in our garden, usually thyme, mint or basil.<br />
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Strawberry Spinach Pecan Salad<br />
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4 c spinach leaves, stemmed<br />
1 c sliced strawberries, stems removed<br />
1/2 c sunflower seeds (walnuts, pecans, croutons)<br />
1/2 c sliced cucumber<br />
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Toss ingredients together in a bowl.  Separate onto four salad plates, making sure all the ingredients are equally distributed.  Drizzle on salad dressing.  There will be left over salad dressing.<br />
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If you would like to serve this as a full meal, divide the salad between two plates and topped with <a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/02/lime-shrimp-cups-sundaysupper.html" target="_blank">lime grilled shrimp</a> or grilled lime chicken.  Both are fantastic on this salad.<br />
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If you are a big fan of balsamic and fruit, check out these other amazing dishes!Blogger: <br />
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Strawberry Spinach Salad #ImprovChallenge

Summer is such a good time for salads. The vegetables are fresh picked and the fruits are the sweetest and juiciest. The combinations for th...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 12 July 2017 / cocktail

Blackberry Arnold Palmer #UltimateRecipeChallenge

Another summer iced tea creation!  Using my tea chart that I introduced here, I created this tea using herbs from my garden and fruit from the farmer's market.  I love using what is local and I feel good about having supported my local farmers.<br />
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As a part of the Ultimate Recipe Challenge, I am joining many bloggers to bring to you summer drinks that are refreshing and cool!  There are two types here, ones with alcohol and those without. Sometimes you just want a drink that cools and refreshes you, like this Blackberry Arnold Palmer.<br />
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Blackberry Arnold Palmer<br />
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For one drink<br />
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5-6 blackberries<br />
3 oz lemonade<br />
3 oz prepared tea<br />
2 mint leaves<br />
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Muddle the blackberries with the mint.  Add several ice cubes to a glass, then add lemonade and tea and stir well.  Garnish with additional blackberries.<br />
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This is such a good drink and gives you a little get up and go when you are finished.  But don't be finished too soon, enjoy the day! <br />
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<b><i>Here's the tea chart I made, feel free to download it and use it all summer long!</i></b></div>
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Blackberry Arnold Palmer #UltimateRecipeChallenge

Another summer iced tea creation! Using my tea chart that I introduced here, I created this tea using herbs from my garden and fruit from t...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 08 July 2017 / cocktail

Raspberry Limoncello Blush #SundaySupper

It's those hot days of summer when a refreshingly cool cocktail sounds wonderful.  This is the cocktail you will want to make, as the naturally sweet raspberries and the tart lemonade make a delightful and thirst quenching drink.  It is so simple and the directions are for one, even though you could easily make a pitcher to share!<br />
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Raspberries are ripe this time of year and surprisingly not too expensive.  I like to make a cocktail that doesn't break the bank.  This one features my homemade limoncello <a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2015/03/homemade-limoncello.html" target="_blank">which is posted here </a>and is so easy to make that you will want to go get some lemons and start now. <br />
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The original Raspberry Blush is made with Sangria but I did change it up a bit so I could use my yummy limoncello. I hope you like the change as much as I do!<br />
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Raspberry Limoncello Blush<br />
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5 raspberries<br />
4 oz light lemonade<br />
1 oz limoncello<br />
3 oz soda water<br />
1 lemon curl for garnish<br />
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Muddle raspberries in the bottom of the shaker.  Let sit for two minutes to create juice.  It won't make a lot.  Add some ice to a shaker and add lemonade and limoncello and shake gently.  Pour into a glass.  Slowly add in the soda water, stir gently. Garnish with lemon curl.<br />
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If you are a limoncello fan like I am, here are some more posts with cocktails made by me using the homemade limoncello posted above.  Enjoy!<br />
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<h2>Sunday Supper Simple Mixed Drink Recipes</h2><h4>Classics with a Twist</h4><ul>  <li><a href="http://www.akitchenhoorsadventures.com/blackberry-gin-mule/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Blackberry Gin Mule</a> by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures</li>
  <li><a href="http://mylifecookbook.com/2017/07/09/boozy-root-beer-float-2-ways-low-carb/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Boozy Rootbeer Float 2 Ways</a> by My Life Cookbook</li>
  <li><a href="https://www.restlesschipotle.com/frozen-banana-daiquiri/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Frozen Banana Daiquiri</a> by Restless Chipotle</li>
  <li><a href="http://adayinthelifeonthefarm.blogspot.com/2017/07/frozen-strawberry-daiquiris-for.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri</a> by A Day in the Life on the Farm</li>
  <li><a href="https://sewyouthinkyoucancook.com/2017/07/09/pimms-cup/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pimm’s Cup</a> by Sew You Think You Can Cook</li>
  <li><a href="http://hardlyagoddess.com/spiked-arnold-palmer-cocktails-sundaysupper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spiked Arnold Palmer Cocktails</a> by Hardly A Goddess</li>
  <li><a href="http://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/st-germain-gin-tonic-cocktail/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">St. Germain Gin and Tonic Cocktail</a> by That Skinny Chick Can Bake</li>
</ul><h4>Make Mine a Mocktail</h4><ul>  <li><a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/2017/07/dreamsicle-mocktail-sundaysupper.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dreamsicle Mocktail</a> by The Freshman Cook</li>
  <li><a href="https://bitesofwellness.com/watermelon-mint-mocktail/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Watermelon Mint Mocktail</a> by Bites of Wellness</li>
</ul><h4>Simply Different</h4><ul>  <li><a href="https://gourmeteveryday.net/2017/07/09/refreshing-summer-cocktails-florida-cider-caipirinha-sundaysupper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Florida Cider Caipirinha</a> by Gourmet Everyday</li>
  <li><a href="http://www.terristeffes.com/2017/07/raspberry-limoncello-blush-sundaysupper.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Raspberry Lemon Blush</a> by Our Good Life</li>
  <li><a href="http://www.foodlustpeoplelove.com/2017/07/screwmosa-cocktails.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Screwmosa Cocktail</a> by Food Lust People Love</li>
  <li><a href="http://positivelystacey.com/2017/07/skip-and-go-naked/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Skip and Go Naked</a> by Positively Stacey</li>
  <li><a href="http://simpleandsavory.com/spiked-spa-water-sundaysupper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Spiked Spa Water</a> by Simple and Savory</li>
</ul><h4>Tasty and Tropical</h4><ul>  <li><a href="http://www.chefnextdoorblog.com/2017/07/blackberry-mojitos.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Blackberry Mojitos</a> by The Chef Next Door</li>
  <li><a href="http://thecrumbycupcake.com/fresh-cherry-margaritas/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Fresh Cherry Margaritas</a> by The Crumby Cupcake</li>
  <li><a href="http://piesandplots.net/frozen-peach-margaritas-sundaysupper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Frozen Peach Margaritas</a> by Pies and Plots</li>
  <li><a href="http://myimperfectkitchen.com/perfect-pina-colada/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Perfect Pina Colada</a> by My Imperfect Kitchen</li>
  <li><a href="http://www.hezzi-dsbooksandcooks.com/2017/07/pineapple-margaritas.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pineapple Margaritas</a> by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks</li>
  <li><a href="https://palatablepastime.com/2017/07/09/prickly-pear-margarita/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Prickly Pear Margarita</a> by Palatable Pastime</li>
  <li><a href="https://www.soulfullymade.com/strawberry-sunset-lemon-drop/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Strawberry Sunset Lemon Drop</a> by Soulfully Made</li>
</ul><h4>Very Vino</h4><ul>  <li><a href="http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com/boozy-watermelon-slushies-sundaysupper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Boozy Watermelon Slushies</a> by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings</li>
  <li><a href="http://familyaroundthetable.com/2017/07/09/cantaloupe-wine-slushie/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cantaloupe Wine Slushie</a> by Family Around the Table</li>
  <li><a href="http://www.carolinescooking.com/cava-sangria/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Cava Sangria</a> by Caroline’s Cooking</li>
  <li><a href="http://cricketsconfections.com/2017/07/09/spiced-peach-sangria/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Easy Red Wine Sangria with Spiced Peaches</a> by Cricket’s Confections</li>
  <li><a href="https://www.baking-sense.com/2017/07/09/pink-lemonade-sangria/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pink Lemonade Sangria</a> by Baking Sense</li>
  <li><a href="http://www.books-n-cooks.com/2017/07/09/sparkling-chambord-sangria/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sparkling Chambord Sangria</a> by Books n’ Cooks</li>
  <li><a href="http://amindfullmom.com/watermelon-sangria/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Watermelon Sangria</a> by A Mind Full Mom</li>
</ul>For even more inspiration check out these <a href="http://sundaysuppermovement.com/simple-mixed-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Simple Mixed Drinks for a Refreshing Summer</a> by Sunday Supper Movement<br />
<a style="clear: left; float: left; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://sundaysuppermovement.com/simple-mixed-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img alt="Sunday Supper Movement" height="100" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8386732081_f232fda104_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><strong>Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday!</strong> We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sundaysupper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">#SundaySupper hashtag</a> and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great <a href="http://www.sundaysuppermovement.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sunday Supper Recipes</a>, visit our website or check out our <a href="http://pinterest.com/thesundaysupper/sundaysupper/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Pinterest board</a>. <strong>Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement?</strong> It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: <a href="http://community.sundaysuppermovement.com/join-the-community/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Sunday Supper Movement</a>.

Raspberry Limoncello Blush #SundaySupper

It's those hot days of summer when a refreshingly cool cocktail sounds wonderful. This is the cocktail you will want to make, as the na...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 07 July 2017 / Garden

In the Garden ~July #ProjectBeautiful

July is a tough month for most gardens.  Whether you are in a hot July or a temperate one, the garden has been working hard all summer to provide beautiful blooms or fruits and vegetables and needs some TLC.  Most of what the garden needs can be found here on the July sheet.  In addition, it is time to deadhead, feed, water and give your plants some extra love.<br />
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Enjoy your July, summer goes so fast and we must take each and every day to do something we particularly love. For me it is ice cream, the water, my garden, and being with friends. How about you?<br />
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In the Garden ~July #ProjectBeautiful

July is a tough month for most gardens. Whether you are in a hot July or a temperate one, the garden has been working hard all summer to pr...

Posted by Terri Steffes / 03 July 2017 / Dessert

Red and Blue Oatmeal Squares #TasteCreations

We are celebrating the first of July with Picnic Foods here at #TasteCreations!  We are also linking up to our favorite picnic past posts so you will have a great assortment of recipes to dig into when you want to go on a picnic. Be sure to pin this page for future reference!<br />
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Our July serving to you is an assortment of <b>picnic foods</b> that you can use now and until the time when the weather isn't quite conducive to eating outside.  For us here in Missouri, that could be in September or the middle of December.  Who knows.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Featured!  <a href="http://www.walkingonsunshinerecipes.com/2017/07/back-to-school-breakfast-recipes.html" target="_blank">Walking on Sunshine</a></td></tr>
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The Taste Creation bloggers, Nikki, Teri, Rosemary, Lauren and myself work with a monthly theme and post our creations on the first Monday of the month.  If you are a food blogger and would like to join us, we'd love to have you!  Contact me at terri@terristeffes.com<br />
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We always want a dessert after a picnic but it isn't always easy to bring one along. Cookies are always good and we do bring cookies along for the fun, but this time I wanted something a bit more decadent for our picnic.  These Red and Blue Oat Squares are the solution!<br />
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Strawberries and blueberries are in season here and are plentiful which makes this an inexpensive treat to make.  These healthy treats make a great ending for your summer picnic!  Strawberries pack a punch in the nutrition world and go with anything!  I add strawberries to brownies, cakes, smoothies and cheesecake!  I made these gluten free, so that you can share them with your friends who are gluten sensitive.<br />
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The base of these squares can be used in other cookie recipes, too.  Try adding a cup of mini, sugar free chocolate chips and see what that does to you. (wink)<br />
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This makes a small batch, which is fine for our family of two.  We don't need a lot of extra goodies hanging around, we'll just eat them up. <br />
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Red and Blue Oatmeal Squares<br />
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For the filling<br />
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1 c smashed strawberries<br />
1 c smashed blueberries<br />
2 T cornstarch<br />
2 T water<br />
1/4 maple syrup<br />
1 T granulated sugar free substitute<br />
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Oatmeal base<br />
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2 1/2 c quick oatmeals<br />
1 c cashew or almond butter<br />
1 t Cake Spice from Penzeys (cinnamon will do)<br />
1/4 c maple syrup<br />
1/4 c apricot butter (apple will do!)<br />
1 egg<br />
1/2 c slivered almonds<br />
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Make the filling by mixing the cornstarch with the water until it dissolves.  Set aside.  Combine the strawberries with 1/2 the sugar free substitute and combine the blueberries with the other half. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and microwave for 1 more minute, stir.  Add 1/2 of the cornstarch mixture to each bowl of fruit, stir and set aside to cool and thicken.  (you can skip this step and use reduced sugar blueberry jam and reduced sugar strawberry jam to save time)<br />
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Heat the oven to 325 and line an 8 x 8 inch pan with nonstick aluminum foil with overhand for easy removal.  Set aside.<br />
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In a large bowl, combine the oatmeal, cashew butter, maple syrup, apple butter and egg and mix until the mixture is fully combined.  Reserve 1/2 c of the mixture.  Press the remaining on top of the nonstick foil. Press with the bottom of a drinking glass to make sure it is firm.  Spread the blueberry jam and then the strawberry jam on top.  Mix the reserved oatmeal mixture and the sliced almonds together and press the topping down on top of the jam. Make sure the topping is sticking to the jam.   Bake for 20-25 minutes, checking after 15 minutes.  The topping will be slightly browned.  Cool completely before cutting.<br />
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To store: cover with airtight container at room temperature.  Can be refrigerated and frozen.<br />
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Look for these new recipes, too:<br />
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From <a href="http://tikkido.com/blog/peanut-butter-bar-cookies-recipe" target="_blank">Tikkido</a>  Peanut Butter Bar Cookies<br />
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And from <a href="https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/tuna-corn-salad-2/" target="_blank">An Italian in my Kitchen</a>  Tuna Corn Salad<br />
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<a href="http://www.thefreshmancook.com/2017/07/fresh-fruit-salad-tastecreations.html" target="_blank">From A Freshman Cook</a>  Fresh Fruit Salad<br />
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Posted by Terri Steffes / 31 July 2017 / dinner

Posted by Terri Steffes / 30 July 2017 / lunch , tailgate

Posted by Terri Steffes / 27 July 2017 / MoBot

Posted by Terri Steffes / 26 July 2017 / chewy.com

Posted by Terri Steffes / 23 July 2017 / dinner

Posted by Terri Steffes / 20 July 2017 / side

Posted by Terri Steffes / 19 July 2017 / #PBColorOurWorld

Posted by Terri Steffes / 16 July 2017 / Dessert

Posted by Terri Steffes / 15 July 2017 / Soup

Posted by Terri Steffes / 13 July 2017 / side

Posted by Terri Steffes / 12 July 2017 / cocktail

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Posted by Terri Steffes / 07 July 2017 / Garden

Posted by Terri Steffes / 03 July 2017 / Dessert

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