Monday, July 28, 2008

We need addresses!




For any of you who have dropped off the face of the earth or who haven't talked to me in a while, I am getting married August 30th! So.......if you think you need to be invited, leave me your address in a comment, or you can email it to me at:
meridithtaylor@mac.com


Only four more weeks!

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Fishing, Roasting, and Getting Dirty!

This weekend was so much fun.  We took the kids up the canyon and went fishing, roasted hot dogs and smore's and had a blast!  


Maddie just wanted to play around in her car:
This is what Maddie did most the night.  She just wanted to sit in her chair and eat Bugles.
Hailey and Austin throwing rocks.


As you can see, Maddie got pretty dirty by the end of the night, but discovered she really likes marshmallows!
This is the kids fishing with Cody.





Hailey saw a little squirrel on the trail.









Friday, July 18, 2008

I love Summer!

I love cooking in the summer with all the fresh fruits/vegetables.  Last night I made an absolutely delish dinner and couldn't help  but blog it!  First I grilled asparagus on the BBQ which is one of my favorite things in the world.  Then I made a fresh tomatoe/mozzarella pasta salad which was to die for, and then I finished off with dessert which was an apple dumpling yummy goodness!  I got the recipes for the pasta salad and apple dumplings off a popular website called extreme dinner makeover which is now one of my links.  Here's the recipes:




Fusilli Alla Caprese :

1 pound fusilli pasta 
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pints)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (about 1 1/4 cups)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.



Apple Dumplings


2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew (i use abt. 6 oz.)

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.



For the asparagus I just coat the spears in olive oil, and salt and pepper and place directly on the grill for about 10-15 minutes depending on how crisp/soft you like them.  


Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Happy Fourth of July!
















We had a great 4th of July weekend, and here are the pics: