Tomato Macaroni Salad

This is a family recipe.

You know the kind that is written on a scrap piece of paper

and handed from one relative to the next.

Not only is it delicious but it is great for picnics

and lasts well in the fridge.

Ingredients

2 cups rotini noodles (cooked)

 2 tomatoes

1/2 green pepper

1/2 cup cucumbers

green onions

2/3 cups sugar

1/2 cup oil

1/3 cup ketchup

1/4 cup vinegar (I like to use my Basil Vinegar)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp pepper

Mix together and pour over cooked noodles and vegetables.

Mix and let stand 24 hours.

This allows the sauce to thicken and stick to the noodles better.

And that's it!

Such a quick, simple and delicious recipe :)

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today... Sunday, August 19, 2012

Outside my window... Blue skies with some wispy white cloud.  It is going to be another hot day.

I am thinking... Of everything that needs doing this week between the garden and helping my daughter shop and pack for college.

I am thankful for... Time with my daughter.

From the kitchen...
~Today: Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Buns, Salad, Garden Veggies, Turtle Cheesecake
~Monday:  Asian Chicken Hot Slaw, Chow Mein Noodles, Sweet and Spicy Cucumbers, Oreo Pudding Pie
~Tuesday: Mushroom Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Garden Veggies, Toasted Butter Pecan Cake
~Wednesday:  Salmon Burgers, Garden Veggies, Turtle Cheesecake
~Thursday: Chili (crockpot), Buns, Salad, Oreo Pudding Pie
~Friday: Oven Baked Chicken, Italian Parmesean Potatoes, Garden Veggies, Toasted Butter Pecan Cake
~Saturday: Leftover Smorg

I am wearing...  Wine/pink/brown colored skirt, wine colored silk sleevless top with a ruffle along the top, tri-colored heels in tans.

I am creating... To do lists, shopping lists and packing lists.

I am reading... Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

I am praying for... My daughter as she heads off to a new college.

Pondering these words...  Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happines; it is generally the by-product of other activities.  ~Aldous Huxley~

I am still hoping... For a day completely to myself.

I am hearing... The fans running, a dog barking, the shower running and birds chirpping outside my window.

Around the house... A whole lot of chaos.

One of my favorite things... Lazy mornings.

A few plans for the rest of the week...  Gardening, shopping, packing.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

~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}.

 

Cross-Border Kayaking

On our holiday we drove up to Cameron Lake

to do a little kayaking.

Both of the kids love kayaking.

They decided to kayak all the way around Cameron Lake

which means they crossed the border into Montana

as the other end of the lake is part of Glacier National Park.

They did go all the way to the end,

right up to where the snow pack was.

(see the little red arrow)

It was a great way for them to spend a hot afternoon.

And while my hubby, daughter and son were being ambitious

I enjoyed lounging by the lake with my parents.

This butterfly landed on my leg and stayed there for the longest time.

And just to prove that they did make it to the other end of the lake

they brought back some ice from the snow pack.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...

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

Goat's Haunt

While we were in Waterton Lakes National Park

we decided to take the boat tour that crosses the border into

Glacier National Park.

We were with my parents and since it had been 15 years

since the last time we took the cruise

and we were celebrating my mom's birthday

we thought it would be a fun thing to do together.

We decided to take the sunset cruise hoping we would see some wildlife.

Unfortunately, we didn't see any but it was still a beautiful evening cruise.

They took us down the shoreline along both sides of the lake

and we had some stunning views.

My daughter, son and dad enjoying some time on the front of the boat.

We passed a backcountry camping site which you can hike to from the townsite.

If you look closely you can see the cut line indicating the border crossing.

To the left is Canada and to the right is the United States.

We arrived at the Goat's Haunt Ranger Station

and disembarked for a short stroll before reboarding and heading back.

If you take a morning cruise you can spend the day hiking in Glacier Park.

My dad, mom and daughter enjoying the view from inside the boat.

My daughter has always been Grandpa's girl

and this is one of my favorite pictures of them together :)

We had a great time just relaxing, spending time together

and enjoying the views!

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



Confetti Squares

I love this recipe, especially in the summertime.

Not only do you have the wonderful flavor combination

of peanut butter and chocolate

but it is quick and simple to make

and it doesn't heat up your kitchen.

I think this recipe originally came from the

Company's Coming Squares cookbook.

Ingredients

1/2 cup margarine

1 cup peanut butter

2 cups chocolate chips

400g bag colored mini marshmallows

Line a 13x9-inch pan with waxed paper.

Melt together the margarine and peanut butter in a large pan.

Stir in the chocolate chips until melted.

Remove the pan from the heat and cool

so you can hold your hand on the bottom of the pan.

Stir in the colored marshmallows.

Pack into pan and refrigerate until firm.

Enjoy while they last :)

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...

Something Swanky for Sweet Treat Thursday
Simple Living with Diane Balch for Foodie Friday
Walking on Sunshine for Foodie Friends Party
Just Us Four for Pinworthy Projects Party
Crazy for Crust for Crazy Sweet Tuesday

Outdoor Dining

Our weather has finally been nice enough to enjoy some outoor dining.

I picked some flowers from the garden

and used the tealight holder as a flowervase.

I found these plates on clearance for $4.00 for the set.

I put the plates on these rust colored chargers.

I added the orange napkins which complemented the flowers.

And we had a simple outdoor table to enjoy.

~Finding the amazing in the simple~

Thanks so much for stopping by!



I am joining...

The Style Sisters for Centerpiece Wednesday
Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday