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Easy Refrigerator Dilly Beans: A Crunchy Pickle Delight

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The first time I had dilly beans was around 15 years ago when my mother-in-law prepared them and offered them to me. Since I love pickles, I thought, why not give them a try? I can't say enough how much I enjoyed them. So, if you're looking for a simple, delicious way to preserve the summer bounty of fresh green beans, look no further than easy refrigerator dilly beans. These tangy, crunchy pickles add a zesty kick to sandwiches, snack platters, and salads, and they’re unbelievably straightforward to make.  Let’s dive into the world of refrigerator dilly beans—a delightful addition to your culinary repertoire. What are Dilly Beans? Dilly beans are a type of pickled green bean that gets its name from the inclusion of dill, giving them a distinctive flavor profile. Unlike traditional canned pickles, refrigerator dilly beans are quick to prepare and do not require a hot water bath for preservation. Instead, they are stored in the fridge and are ready to eat after just 24 hours of

It’s All About the Potato: The Humble Hero of Our Plates

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When we think of cooking staples, certain foods come to mind: rice, bread, pasta. Yet, among these heavyweights, there lies a humble hero often overlooked — the potato. This versatile vegetable has become a favorite around the globe. From creamy mashed potatoes to crispy chips, the potato has firmly established itself as an irreplaceable component of diets worldwide. A Brief History of the Potato Originating in the Andean mountains of South America, the potato was first cultivated thousands of years ago by the indigenous people of Peru and Bolivia. It wasn’t until the late 16th century that potatoes made their way to Europe, thanks to Spanish conquistadors. Initially met with suspicion, the potato gradually gained popularity, particularly as a reliable food source for the working class. Today, the potato is the world’s fourth-largest crop, following rice, wheat, and maize. Its ability to thrive in diverse climates and soils has made it a key player in global agriculture, feeding millio

Berry Good Eats: Blackberry Recipes

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What do you do when your husband brings you lots of blackberries?   I bake, of course. One nice thing about the summer is all the fresh fruit available.  My husband has planted strawberry, blueberry, and blackberry plants.  He recently brought an abundance of blackberries into the house.  So, I started looking up recipes using blackberries.  I needed something simple, so I found a recipe for blackberry crisp.  I love apple crisp, so I decided to make this.  This recipe comes from Allrecipes website.  I picked this one because it received 5 stars and only used 5 ingredients. I am a less is more kind of person. And here are the results:                     This recipe was easy and delicious.  It didn't take much time to whip together. I highly recommend the dessert. Blackberry Crisp - Allrecipes I also  made a blackberry cobbler.  I found this one on The Pioneer Woman's website. I altered the recipe a bit, due to the fact I do not have self-rising flour and I put nuts i

Strawberry Lemonade Cookie Sandwiches

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These strawberry lemonade cookies are effortless to make, allowing anyone, regardless of their baking experience, to whip up a delicious treat in no time. You can create a delightful combination of sweet and tangy flavors with just a few simple ingredients and minimal preparation. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy the process of baking these scrumptious cookies! Strawberry Lemonade Cookies by Sassy Silver Sisters NOTES :  I used a small ice cream scoop for uniformity.  When mixing the preserves, I combined the butter and preserves and whipped them together until there were no large chunks of strawberries to make it a smoother consistency then I added the confectioner's sugar.  I stored them in the refrigerator because the frosting was looser than I wanted. I suppose you can add more sugar but that would take away from the taste of the strawberry flavor. If you want the the frosting to be a bit more red in color, you could always add a

Frozen Lemonade Protein Shake

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Need a cool drink in this sweltering heat?   I don’t know about you, but I drink loads of ice water in the summertime. Since I am a type 2 diabetic, I need to watch what I eat and drink.   My assistant, Kayla, found a recipe for the Frozen Lemonade Protein Shake online and we decided to try it out. Here is the inspirational video below...  FatLossDietician Ingredients :   Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade, Vanilla Protein powder, and ice. Kayla happened to have the protein powder.  I am sure whatever vanilla protein powder you have will work. If you have lemon protein powder, that might work even better. We had to experiment since the video we watched did not have exact amounts.   We finally decided that what tasted the best was using a glassful of ice, a tablespoon of protein powder, and one can of lemonade worked the best. I have a blender that grinds ice very nicely.  So, we started with the ice, added the protein powder, and then the can of lemonade.   It frothed great and the fl

Chicken Potato Bake Recipe

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Forget your average casserole, because this chicken potato bake is a symphony of flavors: garlic, olive oil, golden-brown potatoes, and a blanket of melty cheese that will make you sing. The aroma of this chicken potato bake casserole, wafting through the house, is enough to make anyone's mouth water. This comforting dish, a symphony of textures and flavors, is a true crowd-pleaser. The perfectly cooked potatoes offer a soft, yielding texture, while the chicken provides a satisfyingly savory bite.  Whether you prefer a classic version with simple ingredients or a more elaborate one with the addition of vegetables like broccoli or green beans, this dish is a testament to the beauty of comfort food. It's perfect for a family dinner, a potluck, or simply a cozy night in, leaving everyone feeling warm and satisfied. There's a reason this casserole is a family favorite – it's simply irresistible. Give it a try! 🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔 CHICKEN POTATO BAKE PRE

Our Visit with Catherine Powers at BuddyLou's

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Recently, we had the opportunity to get together with Catherine Powers, author of The Spree of '83 , so it was decided we'd meet her halfway on June 13th, 2024, and would eat lunch together and of course, chat it up, our specialty 😉. We couldn't have asked for a better day to visit! Check out the view!  We met with Catherine at BuddlyLou's in Hancock, Maryland. When we entered the parking lot, our eyes were immediately drawn to BuddyLou's restaurant. It was like a beacon of joy, bursting with color and life.  As we entered we were greeted with antiques and more. The walls were decorated with whimsical items. It was impossible to not look at everything.  Entering the building, you see the same colorful and fun decor with antiques and more.  Of course, a visit to the restroom was made (many times ;) with a greeting from the shell lady. We enjoyed our visit with Catherine and learned much from her about her life on the road with Freddy and many other country artists.

Outer Banks NC Lighthouses Part 3

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  Continuing our journey on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, we stopped at two other lighthouses and the first was Cape Hatteras Light Station. In 1999, Cape Hatteras lighthouse was moved from its original location to save it from going out to sea. For more information on the lighthouse click the link >>  Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)   Currently the lighthouse is closed for restoration. The scaffolding is incredible to look at. Not only is there scaffolding outside but also inside the lighthouse.  Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Restoration Project - Cape Hatteras National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) The Park Service is preserving two other buildings.  The buildings are opened to the public where you will discover the history of the lighthouse and how the lighthouse moved.   I found the process of moving the lighthouse fascinating.   It was worth the stop. On our way back from Cape Hatteras we stopped at another location.