Author: amykins100

A Bumper Crop

~ amykins100 ~ 17 Comments

We have had great luck with our tomatoes this year and as a result have bowls of them on our counter in all their red glory. Now, I love a good salad and cherry tomatoes make the perfect snack, but there is a limit to their deliciousness. I needed a solution fast. So armed with my slow cooker and immersion blender, I created enough tomato sauce to last all winter. The bounty of summer will live on well past Labor Day!

Usual Cast Of Characters.

  1. Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes
  2. About 5 cloves of garlic, also from our garden
  3. ¼ cup red wine. We freeze the last few inches of wine after enjoying a bottle. It works out perfectly.
  4. 3 tablespoons of white sugar
  5. About 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano, also from our garden
  6. Any small pieces of Parmesan cheese close to the rind
  7. Optional: 3 tablespoons flak seed.

The Steps To Glory

  1. Quarter and chop as many tomatoes that will fit into your slow cooker with the lid closed, skins included.
  2. Cook on high for 1-2 hours to soften tomatoes and release their juices.
  3. Press tomatoes and scoop out hardened skin at the top of the slow cooker.
  4. Turn the slow cooker to low and add other ingredients.
  5. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours pressing tomatoes and removing hardened skin that floats to the top. Mix well.
  6. After 3-4 hours remove lid and, using an immersion blender, blend until smooth. Scoop out any remaining hardened skin but blend soft skins into the sauce,.
  7. Continue to cook on low with the lid propped open with a spatula handle to reduce sauce about 1 hour.
  8. Unplug slow cooker and let sauce cool to room temperature.
  9. Scoop 3 cups (or more) into plastic gallon sized plastic bags. Freeze bags flat for easy storage.
  10. Enjoy all year long!

A few more days before school starts and soaking in the summer fun.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Chickpeas In The Airfryer

~ amykins100 ~ 18 Comments

Are you looking for a healthy yummy snack or a way to spice up that simple summer salad? Try some air fryer chickpeas! This has been a staple in our kitchen this summer when we crave a little salty crunch. Inexpensive, healthy and delicious…what could be better?

The Usual Cast Of Characters

  • 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • Extra virgin olive oil spray
  • 1 teaspoon dried spices of your choice, such as Cajun seasoning, garlic salt, blackened seasoning, montreal steak seasoning, zatar, etc. I am using everything bagel spice mix today!

The Steps to Glory Start with dry chickpeas: Make sure the canned chickpeas are air dried on paper towels before you cook them for best results. Chickpeas that are wet or damp won’t crisp up, and if they do, they won’t stay that way into the next day. Spread the chickpeas out on dry paper towels. Place another towel on top of them, and move the towel across the chickpeas or do as I do and dry them in a salad spinner!

Transfer the dry chickpeas to the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry 380F about 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket every 5 minutes until crunchy on the inside, not moist and golden brown on the outside.

Transfer the chickpeas to a medium bowl while still hot, spritz all over with olive oil and immediately toss with the spices. Eat at room temperature as a snack or over your favorite salad.

Enjoying our last summer movie matinee! How can it already be back to school time?

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri full plate. What’s for dinner

More Summer Touches

~ amykins100 ~ 14 Comments

Nothing beats a little getaway weekend with the family. A few hours away is the beautiful Western part of Maryland where it touches Virginia and West Virginia. The scenery was gorgeous and the vibe, very chill. A little antique shopping, a few Civil sites, great ice cream…we were all happy. It was a good trip but I’m always glad to return to my cozy house in Annapolis. A few more weeks until school starts. You can almost feel the change in the air, or maybe just the cooler temperatures after 90 degrees + we have had lately. Either way , I’m relaxing on the porch!

The bench in the foyer.
Sea-glass bottles with happy Gerber daisies
A newly rescued quilt!
Greeting guests at our front door
Happy Getaway!

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday .You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri

Slipping Into Late Summer

~ amykins100 ~ 10 Comments

It is time to put away the bright, patriotic decor of early summer and embrace the muted colors of August. I love faded hydrangeas and summer roses against a white background. I love the sight and sound of the birds outside my window and I love the fresh produce so readily available. Simple and beautiful is the world in August…and a little humid. It was a great day to spend inside adding some touches to my home while the temperatures were blazing outside. How is your summer going? Are you loving it or looking forward to the crisp fall temperatures?

Summer display of flowers, cloudy vintage bottles and ironstone.
Beautiful birds and a carved watermelon bowl make me smile
Pretty as real lemons…they make me crave lemonade.
Floral grain sack pillowes on the couch add a summer touch.
I really want to go back to the beach with my Princess and Hero…maybe next year.

Metamorphosis Inspire me Monday. Inspire me Tuesday . You’re the Star. Tuesday with a twist. Wonderful Wednesday. Keep in touch. Beautifully made. Wednesday blog hop. Share your style. Grandma’s House DIY. Vintage charm.Friendship Friday. Funtastic Friday. Grace at Home Thursday favorites. BFF open house. Morning Cup Of Joe. Home matters.Create bake grow. Happiness is homemade. Create with joy. Creatively crafty Senior salon. Turn about Tuesday Saturday Sparks Farmhouse Friday All About Home Flaunt it Friday Pink Saturday encouraging hearts and home Wednesday Centerpiece. Dare to share. heart and souls simple sunday silverado. The Fabulous Party. homestead blog hop traffic jam busy Monday. Love your creativity inspiration party share the wealth Karen’s kottage. Crafty creations sunshine Sunday potpourri