Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Summer Fun

It is already Tuesday!  Time is going by so fast lately.  I have been enjoying some fun outings and visits with friends!  Last Friday was my turn to host The Knitty Biddies.  We had a big turnout, with a tight fit around the table. 
Everyone isn't in this photo, but there were 8 that day.  I served a taco salad and everyone brings goodies.  It is usually a food fest more than a knitting and crocheting session.  We laugh and have the best time.  I love these ladies!!!
Here is Jen modeling her scarf all finished.  It is made out of the same yarn as I am using, and showed in my previous post.
Last night, I went to a party at my friend Viki's house.   Where we enjoyed a relaxing evening and had facials!!!!  So nice!
No  pictures, but they would have been pretty funny with our faces void of makeup and our hair slicked back into headbands!!
Today, I had some friends here for a day of swimming and lunch.  It was so much cooler today that I was worried it might be too chilly to go in the pool. But it was just perfect.  Warm and sunny, with a slight breeze.  We even ate outside and it wasn't too hot.  I didn't take photos while they were here, but I did take them as I made the salad. This is a salad that my Mama has been making for years.  It is a family favorite, and every time I make it, it is enjoyed by all.   I hadn't tossed the croutons in too well here yet.
You will need:
1-2  heads of Romaine Lettuce
1 rotisserie chicken
1 8oz. package of penne pasta
Two generous handfuls of good parmesan cheese
Grape tomatoes, or in my case, cherry tomatoes from the garden
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 to 2 handfuls of either pine nuts or roasted and salted sunflower seeds
I wash my lettuce the night before, removing each piece, and then laying onto a large tea towel to drain.
Blot dry, and then starting at one end of the tea towel, begin to roll the lettuce up into the towel, forming a sort of burrito.  Tuck sides in, and place into fridge over night to crisp.
This morning, I cooked the pasta, al dente, and then drain it under cold water to stop the cooking and chill.  Drain well and add pasta to large bowl.  Remove meat from chicken, and tear into bite sized pieces and add to bowl.
Cut romaine, add parmesan, and halve the tomatoes.  Toss all, and chill until ready to serve.
Just before serving, add sunflower or pine nuts, and salt and pepper to taste.  Toss in a good creamy caesar salad dressing, and top with crunchy croutons.
I like to use pine nuts in this salad, but last night when I was picking up the things I needed, I refused to pay 7.99 for a tiny bag of them.  I really do like sunflowers seeds in this just as well.  But if you use pine nuts, lightly toast them just before adding them to the salad.  This really brings out their flavor.  I sometimes add fresh basil to this as well.
I served it with fresh buttery croissants, and a big bowl of chilled watermelon.
We had a really fun day, that would have been absolutely perfect if my next door neighbor were not having  his gigantic sycamore tree cut down today.  We normally have such quiet yards, and today we had to listen to chain saws and "TIMBER" all day long.  Sorry gals.  Next time, I promise it will be quieter!!!!
For the rest of the week, I have Knitty Biddies tomorrow at Joyce's house.  And then probably going to head up the hill for some fishing this weekend sometime.
What is going on in your neck of the woods?
XO  Kris

26 comments:

Unknown said...

Looks like a fun day. I just saw this yarn at Joann's today. I can't believe how long it's been since I've looked at yarn. Lots of new fun stuff. Need to find my hook again. By the way, I'm drooling over that salad. I was looking very closely for the dressing too. Oh no, now I'm hungry and it's bed time here. Can you believe the price of pine nuts. I have to switch too for my homemade pesto. Which by the way, is still alive and not burned, but barely.

Nighty-nite sweetie,
Kate

Kelli said...

Looks like a fun time. Once again your food looks so yummy!

Patty Marker said...

We had such a good time today Kris. Andrew is wondering when we are going back and still obsessing over that train...You'll have to find out what the name of the store is that you purchased it at. He made me check on line for one just like it as soon as we got home! The weather was absolutely perfect and yard has something to please everyone. I am so mad I forgot my avocadoes. Thank you and Noah again for letting us invade your turf. Patty

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Looks like such a fun girls' day...good food, too!

Gracie Saylor said...

Sounds like good busy days and a yummy recipe! I had a great time apple picking at the Mac Store with Teresa and Dayle this afternoon ! Now I am gearing up to drive down to northern CA on Friday to meet up with my niece. Happy fishing, Kris :)

pembrokeshire lass said...

Sounds lovely having all your friends round to knit and gossip...pity about the chain saw! I loved the look of the salad too....just my sort of food! It's pouring with rain here again today...it has just been so wet this summer. I intend to have a go at my new hobby of crochet or I may pick up my new tapestry.....we'll see. Joan

Zoe said...

Your chicken pasta salad looks very delicious especially for the summer season.

Greetings from Melbourne, Australia. There is no much sunshine now at our wintery weather but I do feel very NICE reading your lovely blog. I'm now your latest follower :D

Zoe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Holly said...

That salad looks sooo yummy. I'm going to make it next week.

Mereknits said...

How lovely to be spending so much time with wonderful friends, what we gals would do without our friends I hope to never find out.
Hugs to you,
Meredith

Kerri said...

Your salad sounds so yummy...I am making it for SURE! I will even serve it with chilled watermelon and buttery bread too!
We've been super busy...I haven't been a good blogger this summer. :(

priscilla said...

That salad looks so good..I will have to try it. Love that scarf !

Debbiedoos said...

Yummy! I think I want to be part of the knitty bittie group! Looks like you all had fun!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You are luckey to have so many nice friends to have fun with, Kris! This salad looks perfect for a hot day like we are having today. I love all the ingredients. I stopped buying pine nuts as most are manufacture din China and I've heard of people getting sick form eatuing them! Google 'pine nut syndrome' to read what I mean. I've been using walnuts or pistacchios instead.

Diane said...

You forgot the..............

Basil
Green Onions
Parsley

Pam said...

What a fun day. That salad looks AMAZING!

Robyn said...

It looks like you have such a good time with your knitting buddies..I have tried so hard to learn to knit but I can't seem to get the hand of the jargon and pattern following.. Wish I could though and oh, that salad looks delicious!
Robyn :)

corners of my life said...

I'll put this salad in the queue for sure. Thanks.

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

Fun day and that salad looks delicious!

Jody

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, AS always, you are the hostess with the mostest! What a fun week you've had and so busy. I always love seeing what you serve; your food always looks like a magazine photo. We are headed down the road this afternoon to have dinner with some friends. It is enjoyable, except for the travel time(1 hr.normal but could be 2.5-3 hrs if there is road work). Hope you had a great day today and have a fun evening.
Hugs, Noreen

Teresa Kasner said...

Won't you be my neighbor? You're the Hostess with the Mostess! We had a similar salad today - romaine, roast chicken chunks, smoked ham chunks, grated Tillamook cheese, sliced black olives, ranch dressing and topped with honey roasted pecans and dried cranberries! Yum!!

Nicolle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nicolle said...

I love this group of women that you have in your life. I think it's so awesome to be surrounded by such good friends.

Your salad looks yummy. I love pasta and lettuce together!

Laughing about the pine nuts. My mom recently watched Boyd while I had a day off and went to Trader Joe's. She asked me to look for pine nuts. I bought them for her, at $8.99 for a tiny bag. Goodness! I had no idea they were so pricey. Was going to get some for myself, but decided not to. :) I love sunflower seeds too, and we always have them in the fridge.

Hope you have a great weekend.
xo

~Niki~ said...

i really should get in a crochet group like this. looks like so much fun!

R.Punitha said...

Hi Kris ,

I love your kind heart:))

Excellent Clicks !!!

I too a garden freak :)

Really Your click is my Wall paper :)

Keep on Dear...

www.southindiafoodrecipes.blogspot.in

Katie Mansfield said...

I pinned this to my food board.
I'm trying it tonight.
Katie