The First Day of Fall

Today is the day........................, you know, the day that most everyone I know looks forward to, the first day of fall. Here we go, let's grab a slice of pumpkin pie and sip some Chai.

Even though summer is the ultimate for me, there are things about fall that I love:

*Lacy was born in November, a Thanksgiving baby, which just happens to be my favorite holiday. Having the people that I love here, all together, sharing a meal makes me happiest.

*The fall foliage. I love riding on the Parkway in mid October. The colors can be breath taking.

*Fall foods. Hot tea, hot cocoa, spice cakes, pumpkin anything and always turkey and dressing.

*Dark nights. I am one of the few people who loves the time change. I love the early dark nights when it is cooler outside. Perfect for snuggling.

*Elections. I am drawn like a moth to a flame to the TV on election night.

In keeping with the theme of fall I am posting one of my favorite cooler weather drinks. This is also a great mix to package in a cute little Christmas mug and give as a gift.

Instant Chai Tea Mix

1 cup Carnation nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer - French vanilla flavor
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer - regular flavor
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups instant tea - unsweetened
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp. ground clove
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. white pepper
1/4 tsp. regular salt
1/4 tsp. chili powder


Combine all ingredients in a large zip lock bag. Run through the blender 1 cup at a time to create a fine powder.
Add 2-3 Tbsp. to a mug of scalded milk.

**Note: I have omitted the blender step several times and I really think the difference is minimal.**

So, Until Tomorrow........
S~~~

Summer Soltice and Father's Day

The first day of summer!!!!! The longest day of the year.
After that very long, torturous winter I am looking forward to every moment of summer 2010.

Yesterday was Father's Day and I had the incredible luck of being surrounded by three fabulous fathers. My Daddy, as you know, I am certain he hung the moon, my uncle who has always been there for me, and my amazing husband, whom I become more thankful for everyday, the daddy to our daughter.

I wanted their day to be as special as they are to me, so I focused our Father's Day Supper on foods that I knew were their favorites. As I was puzzling over some foods that they would all enjoy, I happened to think of blueberries. All three of them are very fond of them, so I made a blueberry lemon tea. It turned out to be a favorite. It was also gorgeous in the glass. I wish I would have had made a photo to share, but it disappeared quickly. I used frozen blueberries but fresh would probably be even better.

Lemon Blueberry Ice Tea

16 oz. frozen blueberries (or 2 cups fresh)
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tea bags
1 cup sugar
water

Bring blueberries and lemon juice to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes. Pour into a stainer over your tea pitcher. Press with the back of a cooking spoon to crush all berries and make sure you get as much juice as possible. Make tea as usual for 1 gallon. (I use 3 family size bags and 1 cup sugar.) Once the tea has steeped pour it through what is left of the berries in the strainer to make sure you get all that blueberry goodness. Add sugar and fill 1 gallon pitcher with water. Stir and enjoy.

The rest of our supper went like this:

Shrimp Cocktail
Guava Lime Frosties (more on this in a future post)

Espresso Roasted Tenderloin of Beef
Potatoes Au Gratin
3 Bean Baked Beans
Tossed Salad w/ Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Honey Wheat Bread w/ Roasted Garlic Butter
Key Lime Pie
Lemon Blueberry Ice Tea

So, Until Tomorrow................
S~~~

It's Tea Time

It's tea time for me. Late October is the time I always make a batch of instant Russian Tea. I generally make enough to do until after New Year's and then make more to get me through the dreary cold days of January and February.
While I love the slow simmered kind that my Mother used to make on the range top, this fits my lifestyle much better.
So, grab a cup of hot tea and a book, curl up with that worn blanket and the doggies and think of me!!

Instant Russian Tea

1 7-oz jar of Tang
1 cup instant tea
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground clove
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 pkg. unsweetened lemonade flavor Kool-Aid
dash of salt

Blend ingredients together. Use 2 teaspoons per cup boiling water.
Garnish with sliced lemons or oranges.

**IMPORTANT NOTE: This is the ONLY time you will see this southern gal using instant tea.**

So, until tomorrow............
S~~~