Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Comfort Food

So, for the past few weeks we've been winging it around here. I haven't had much of a meal plan, so we've had our share of grilled cheese, pizza, peanut butter & jelly, and all things quick and easy. (More on that later.) But, tonight, I have a plan! I'm making this delicious dish of scalloped potatoes and ham. What's better, it is so incredibly simple. So simple, that there are no measurements in my friend's recipe- that usually makes me crazy, but right now, I appreciate it. Here's the plan...
  • Peel and thinly slice potatoes- lay in the bottom of a casserole dish
  • Add in chopped onion and pieces of ham (thinly sliced)
  • Top with shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper
  • Repeat layers as desired
  • Add in about 1" of milk
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour

Then, enjoy the potato, ham, and cheesy goodness! I'm ready- it's going in the oven right now! Throw together a side salad, or maybe some green beans... Dinner! My family will be so happy for something different than the sandwiches lately!

I'll post pics soon!

Happy June,

Aimee

www.tetonvalleyranch.com

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Feeding Frenzy for the Moving Help

We had some dear friends move away this week- to Chicago. It was a sad time, but a very busy time. Family and friends pitched in to help things happen quickly. Their entire 2000 square foot home was packed and loaded into a moving truck within a week and a half! It was amazing! We loved helping- because it gave us some last minute quality time together- and because they have helped us move several times (although just in-town).

On Tuesday, while the men loaded the moving truck, the ladies cleaned the house. I brought lunch over for all the help- and I must say, it was easier to feed 15-20 people than I imagined! I used a friend's pulled pork sandwich recipe which was so simply done in the crockpot overnight. Throw in some baked potato quicksides, and a big batch of brownies and fresh strawberries.... Wa Lah! I looked like a domestic goddess! Everyone raved about the food and were so grateful for a good lunch in the midst of the work. I was glad to do it- and I'll definitely tuck this secret away for next time I need to feed a big group!

And, by the way, evidently all I had to do was post about the cool weather, and it was whisked away. It's been in the 90's for several days now! The popsicles are being devoured!

Happy June- for a little longer!
Aimee
www.tetonvalleyranch.com

Monday, June 22, 2009

Cool

It has been so unseasonably cool here this June! My boys are begging for sprinkler time and popsicles and then, can't even enjoy them without shivering. I know the ultra hot days of summer are just around the corner, and I'll be plenty tired of them by the time August arrives, but for now, we are yearning to play in a swimming pool... Remind me later that I was begging for the warm weather. In the meantime, the popsicles are waiting in the freezer!

Happy June,
Aimee
www.tetonvalleyranch.com

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Green Envy

Both my grandfathers were avid gardners. I'm not talking a few plants to keep up with, I'm talking about row after tilled row of perfectly spaced vegetables. I didn't understand the passion for growing things when I was a kid, but I still helped out from time to time. And of course, I enjoyed the fresh vegetables every summer- you just can't beat a garden fresh tomato with a little salt and pepper.

A couple of years after we were married, hubby and I tried our hand at gardening. We built an above-ground bed and crammed as many different kinds of vegetables in it as we could think of. My grandfathers just laughed at how much we put into such a small plot...

But our little garden grew. And no one was laughing at our harvest. A pretty good return for such a small spot. I loved it. It was so exciting to cultivate- and to harvest- and to send pictures back home bragging about what we were able to grow in our amateur garden.

It's been a few years since we've grown anything around here- apart from a few pretty flowers- we've just been busy raising boys. I have several friends who have beautiful "square foot gardens" and I'm so envious. I really want to have some green growing around here again, so we're ready to try again. This time, though, we're trying container gardens. We don't have the space to put anything in the ground, and we may be moving, so this keeps our garden mobile! We'll see how it goes... but honestly, I'd be happy with just one garden fresh tomato- I have my salt and pepper ready!

Happy Summer,

Aimee
www.tetonvalleyranch.com