Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Slices

When I saw this recipe I thought it might be something my family would enjoy.

I was right.  They devoured it and there weren't any leftovers.

It's a little bit more work than just slicing some cucumbers

but definately worth the effort.

Ingredients

1 English cucumber

1 tsp pickling salt

1/4 cup rice vinegar, seasoned or regular

1/4 cup water

1 1/2 Tbsp sugar

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp minced red onion

Place cucumber slices in a colander sitting over a bowl,

sprinkle with salt and toss well.

Let sit for 1 hour refrigerated.

Toss the cukes a few more times while they drain as well.

While cucumber slices are draining, prepare marinade below.

Combine vinegar, water, sugar and red pepper in a small saucepan.

Bring to boil, reduce heat, cook until reduced to a 1/3 cup (about 10 minutes).

If for some reason you boil for too long,

just add a little water until you have 1/3 cup.

Remove reduction from heat and add onion.

Let mixture cool to room temperature.

When cucumbers are done resting, pat them dry with a few paper towels

and then combine with the vinegar reduction.

This can be served immediately,

but for best results refrigerate until well chilled.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...

Blessed with Grace for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
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Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Sunday, June 24, 2012

Outside my window... Cloudy and damp from the rain overnight.

I am thinking... That hopefully it won't be too wet to do some work in the garden later today.

I am thankful for... at least trying to be thankful for rain.

From the kitchen...
~Today:  Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Corn, Broccoli, Salad, Strawberry Angel Food Cake Trifle
~Monday:  Maple Balsamic Salmon, Herbed Pasta, Green Beans, Carrots, Salad, Chocolate Pudding Pie
~Tuesday: Beef 'n Broccoli, Rice, Baked Zucchini, Salad, Poppy Seed Cake
~Wednesday:  Simple Chicken Bake, Broccoli, Turnip, Salad, Strawberry Angel Food Cake
~Thursday: Italian Bow Tie Supper (Crockpot), Ceasar Salad, Garlic Bread, Chocolate Pudding Pie
~Friday: Cod Espano, Rice, Zucchini Cakes, Salad, Poppy Seed Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

I am wearing... Floral skirt, red top.

I am creating... A Forgotten Garden

I am reading... A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

I am praying for... My family.

Pondering these words... “Because of God's knowledge, you and I are always understood.”  ~Elizabeth George~

I am still hoping... To go camping.

I am hearing... Mourning doves cooing, the clock ticking softly, the dog shifting to find a comfortable spot.

Around the house... I need to do some tidying.

One of my favorite things... Family time!

A few plans for the rest of the week... A quiet week at home, hopefully able to work in the garden and get some projects done.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

Flowers in my yard.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Thank you Peggy for the The Simple Woman's Daybook {follow links to read more}.

Awkward Space Update for Summer

Do you remember my Awkward Space?

Well, it got a little update for summer

with a few yard sale finds.

First I changed the flowers

from the tulips to the lilies.

Then I added this cute little lamp which was a yard sale find.

And at the same yard sale I also found

this wonderfully long cloth that covered both bookcases

and gave it a softer look.

It always surprises me how just a few simple things can change a look.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...

A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesday

Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen for Share Your Cup Thursday

52 Mantels for Thursdays Are Your Days

A Ruffled Nest for Friday Pretties

A Cozy Firepit

When we moved into our home

there was a cemented area at the back.

We mostly ignored it until last year

when we ended up doing some repair to our patio

and moved the patio table to the cemented area.

It ended up being their for most of the summer

and I realized that I had premium space

that I was not utilizing.

So, this year we decided to use the space

to make a cozy little firepit area.

So hubby put the firepit in the middle and I put the chairs around it.

Then I realized that when we sat there

we needed somewhere to place our cups.

I knew what I wanted but they were way out of my price range.

When I saw these pots at JYSK I knew they would work.

I just turned them outside down

and covered them with an old vinyl placement.

They are just perfect for setting your cup on.

I put a planter along the edge of the cement and grass

and filled it with Livinstone Daisies and Night Scented Stock.

Which, as you can see, is beginning to fill out nicely.

It's the perfect space to spend a quiet Saturday evening

roasting marshmallows :)

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Rocky Road Cake

All I can say is that I got so busy making

and then eating this cake

that I didn't take too many pictures

but it is a delicious cake.

I found the original recipe at Cooks.com

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 cup hot coffee

Chocolate frosting

1 cup chopped pecans

1 1/2 cups small marshmallows

Sift dry ingredients together and then add

butter, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla.

Mix, blending well and then add 1 cup hot coffee.

Pour batter into well greased 9x13-pan.

Bake at 350F for approximately 30 minutes.

Frost immediately with chocolate frosting

and sprinkle top with pecans and marshmallows.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Island Picnic Tablescape

When Kathleen over at Cuisine Kathleen 

issued the June challenge of putting together

a beach themed tablescape I put on my thinking cap.

I wanted to do something different

but also play into my favorite memories from the beach.

The first thing that came to my mind

was how I would always head down to the beach

early with my friend.

And then, just before lunchtime

my parents would come down with a big lunch

for all of us - a picnic on the beach.

We would then spend the rest of the day together at the beach.

Even now when we go to the beach it still mainly involves food,

only this time I am the one bringing the food down to the beach.

So that's what this little island picnic tablescape is all about - 

a favorite childhood memory

and on keeping the tradition

of family picnics on the beach :)

I wanted to use the colors of the beach,

blue for the water,

yellow for the sun,

tan for the sand.

And you can't have a beach

without a few seashells.

Of course, to get to the island you need a boat.

And a lighthouse adds some character.

Have you ever sent a message in a bottle?

It's a fun thing to do!

So thanks for coming along and sharing with me

as I took a little trip down memory lane

to those fun moments of childhood.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am joining...

Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish
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Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
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Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays