The Good Ole Summertime ~What’s for Dinner ~Tuesday’s Tip of the Day

We all love the lazy, hazy days of summer. 

If you have been reading my blog, 

it appears that I spent my entire summer 

gallivanting around the countryside. 

Not true. 

There were plenty of weeks when we were at home...

and I spent my time cooking and cleaning...

and cleaning and cooking!

Photos of me cleaning, would not be interesting, 

but perhaps you like to see what we make for dinner.

Boneless Pork Loin Chops 

with Sautéed Mushrooms, Green Onion, and Garlic.

I have been experimenting 

with Homemade Rib Rub.

I cook them in my crockpot first, 

and they turn out so tender.

‘Tis the season for fresh Corn on the Cob.

Our new favorite is brushed with Coconut Oil and Lime Juice, 

then dusted with Smoked Paprika and roughly Chopped Cilantro.

Roasted Vegetables...so tasty!

A Massaged Kale Salad is the perfect side for BBQ Ribs.

The Beer Butt Chicken is 

another summertime favorite for us.

By now, you have figured out that 

we like to use our grill in the summertime.

It sure beats turning on the oven in the kitchen

when it is hot and humid outside.

These ingredients became 

a marinade for Chicken Breasts.

Overnight in a ziplock baggie, 

in the refrigerator...

Grilled to perfection.

Grilled Salmon is also such a treat.

Chicken Fajitas are a Quick Dinner 

for a busy weeknight.

Our Basil Plant is growing like crazy.

Here is my

Tuesday Tip of the Day:

After washing your herbs,

Use your Salad Spinner to dry them.

Homemade Pesto is so easy to make in a food processor.

Basil, garlic, toasted pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil.

Penne Pasta, Asparagus, Peas, Artichoke Hearts 

tossed with the Homemade Pesto.

Yum!

Check out my Pinterest Page 

if you are interested in any of these recipes.

Take care,

~Natalie

Vacationing in the Black Hills ~Hubby Working in Rapid City ~Our Trip Home

Monday morning, we woke to warm sunshine in the Hills.

You recall, this was our weekend weather, 

when we wanted to be tourists.

Hubby was up and out early to go to the office...

how do I entertain myself on his work trips?

That’s easy. 

For starters, I seek out the Fitness Center at the Hotel.

Google image

Then, back in the room, with coffee in hand, 

I get ready for the day while my ‘friends’ on the Today Show 

fill me in on what’s happening in the world.

Depending how long he is at the office, 

I sometimes go out to shop in nearby stores and boutiques.

With the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally this weekend, 

we drove through Sturgis and Deadwood to see how 

those communities are preparing for half a million bikers.

The early arrivals were lining Main Street with their bikes,

however, we found parking in this public lot.

We enjoyed walking in and out of the shops and casinos. 

Spearfish was next along our route.

Here, we found the Steerfish Steak & Smoke,

a great place for a late lunch.

We sat ‘at the rail’ so hubby could watch golf.

The server asked if we would like a basket of ‘bar muffins’?

They were cornmeal muffins, 

made with a box of yellow cake mix added. 

That is Maple Butter on the side.

For lunch, Hubby and I shared their mussels.

These were not just any mussels, they were the Roosevelt Mussels

They were made with smokehouse kielbasa, bacon, spinach, 

sweet onion and basil sauteed in garlic Black Butte Porter cream sauce.

On the side, sourdough garlic medallions.

Yes, we were dipping buttery toast in a cream sauce...

sinful, but so delicious.

Good thing it was our only meal for the day!

We each had a side salad. Hubby had the Classic Caesar, 

and I, this beautifully presented Caprese Salad. 

It was a great way to end our mini-vacation in the Black Hills.

Take care,

~Natalie

Vacationing in the Black Hills ~ We Went Back to Mount Rushmore ~Minor Brewing Company Provided Shelter from the Rain

Since rain had cut our time short the previous evening,

we wanted to pay another visit to those four presidents.

But not before a stop in Keystone. 

We checked out the shops...and I especially enjoyed 

watching them make Salt Water Taffy.

At Mount Rushmore, we walked the Presidential Trail...

...and found shelter during another rain shower.

This was the closest we could get, 

as part of the trail was closed for renovations. 

Notice the sun is finally shining!

It was time to get on the road and say goodbye 

to Mount Rushmore for another couple of years.

Next on our agenda was a little hike around Sylvan Lake.

But, you guessed it...more rain. 

We had made it only a quarter of the way 

down the trail before we retreated to the car.

By the time we got to Hill City, it was pouring.

We took shelter in the Miner Brewing Co.

On the left, my preference. I like a light beer.

This was the Mango Cream Ale...delicious!

Hubby likes a more robust flavor.

His is the Summer Red Ale.

They serve homemade pretzel bites 

with a Beer Cheese Dip.

That was yummy too!

We were “stuck” there for a while.

That wasn’t just rain...there was pea size hail.

Lake Pactola was on the way back to the city.

The geese weren’t afraid to check us out...

Hubby’s sunflower seeds were gone, 

but we had a package of peanuts!

Time to go back to the hotel, 

as hubby needed to be ready to go to work in the morning.

It’s always fun to spend time in the Hills.

Take care,

~Natalie