Veggies, Veggies, Veggies

The veggies are just everywhere. Our garden is still succeeding, and our best ever. 

We couldn't be happier. 

I didn't get any photo's of our full cauliflower heads, as when they hit, the kitchen got very very busy! We had 5 heads of cauliflower, which totaled 19 pounds! We only got to eat one of them, the rest had to get into the freezer ASAP!

After the cauliflower, we have had so many Banana Peppers.... They are very happy this year. 

As are the bell peppers. So many.

The Red and Yellow Bell, just aren't turning colors very fast. 

This was in the only glimmer of hope we have in seeing something other than Green.

Pea's were off to a rough start, but they pulled through. 

Only enough to enjoy as a snack with our lunches, but they are delicious.

This is what's left of our Kale. The squash and pumpkins are taking it over. 

At least I still get enough kale to make chips when I am in the mood.

By the time I get back to the house, and look over everything, I can't help but smile.

And plan what I am going to do with it all!

What's your favorite summer recipe to enjoy with garden fresh veggies? 

Sour Cream Lunch Box Cookies

It's time to "Fill The Cookie Jar" and the theme is "Back to School". I had a great idea for a cookie for this month, but I have been so busy with the garden and keeping up with all the veggies, I kept putting off any and all baking. Believe me, Truckin' Man has been monitoring very closely the lack of cookies in the house. He is by no means going hungry, but sweets have been lacking. Especially cookies. On the rare occasion I have baked, I have made bars because well... they are faster. And, now that I think about it, the last bars I made were no-bake. Yikes.

Well, by Tuesday evening, I had come to terms with the fact that I was going to miss my first ever "Fill the Cookie Jar" post. Then Wednesday morning, I get to work, and the first thing I hear from my co-worker is "Don't you bake anymore?" So... Here we are, for the sake of my cookie baking reputation, I am pulling out all the stops and clearing the veggies off the counter and baking cookies for all the guys. I sure hope they aren't disappointed!

I LOVE this cookie, and will be sure to make it again. As is usual for my cookies, it's a soft cookie. The vanilla shines through, and reminds me why I love vanilla so much and always get a good quality vanilla. You certainly don't need to do this, but I wanted a little more cinnamon kiss on the cookie, so after "smooshing" the cookie, I sprinkled a bit more cinnamon sugar over top each one.

If you are interested in joining Fill The Cookie Jar group on facebook, fill out the form that can be found at Fill The Cookie Jar. Each month we bake a different theme for the cookie.

We bake, we share and we enjoy our cookies!

Sour Cream Lunch Box Cookies

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1 egg
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon


In a large bowl, cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg, mixing well. Next, add the sour cream  and vanilla, mixing until completely combined.  In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add dry ingredients to butter mixture, mixing until flour is completely combined.  Chill cookie dough in refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. In shallow bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar, and cinnamon; stir until combined. Roll dough into 1", and place a couple inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Dip bottom of glass into water, then into cinnamon sugar mixture. Press glass onto each cookie to flatten. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until just turning golden. Cool on sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to cooling rack.

Enjoy :)
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The Remodeled Kitchen

I just realized that in my attempts to keep up with the garden and all the veggies, I am seriously lacking on my internet and blogging time! Sorry for that.

How about an update on the remodeling project we started last winter?? Sound good? Well, if you remember, things got a little messy and walls were missing. The Destruction post, was my recap of the chaos that occurred during Truckin' Mans time off from trucking. 

We are by no means done, and will resume with finishing and a lot of the missing components and details this winter.

We now enjoy one open space between the dining room and kitchen. 

I had to take odd angles on these photo's due with the light coming in the windows. But, you get the idea. No, more boxy square rooms. Open space now!

So much more room to work and move. It's a much more enjoyable space to be in.

Now, time to get back to my veggies! 

Back to the 50's

Back to the 50's is an annual event held in Minnesota at the State Fairgrounds.

I attended my first Back to the 50's 20 years ago. 

Yikes! Really??? Hardly seems possible, but it's a fact.

This year was the 42nd year of the event.

Only the 2nd year attending for Truckin' Man.

I think he is hooked on it.

There were almost 12,000 cars that were 1964 or older. 11,816 to be exact.

Truckin' Man wanted to try to see at least 11,000 of them. (We didn't)

This event seems to always be on the hottest day of the year, but this year the temps were on our side.

Truckin' Man has dreams of building a Rat Rod, so I snapped this picture for him.

This truck was up next to the diner we stopped at for lunch. Had to do a double take on the logo!

Have you ever been to Back to the 50's? 

If you are even in St. Paul, on Father's Day weekend, I highly recommend checking it out!