Pesto!

I've been loving pesto lately!

I made a batch last year, and I pretty much only used it on salmon (which is delicious) and tomato soup (also good). This year I wanted to make some more, especially since I had access to fresh basil this year (as in go and pick it yourself then make pesto that night) and it's free. I also have a food processor this year which makes everything so, so much easier. (Last year I used a blender. Lemme tell you, it was a pain!)

I've been mixing regular basil with lemon basil. Oh my. Lemon basil smells so good!

I've made three batches so far.

It's so easy! Pick it, de-stem it, assemble it, mix it. I freeze it in ice cube trays after in blobs with my cookie scooper so I have easy portions to store in my freezer. (The blobs aren't quite as neat-looking but way easier to work with.)

Now I can try it on all sorts of things - like pasta and chicken, I hear it's great with those.

The Necchi

Here's another trivial tid-bit:

I got a new-to-me sewing machine probably a year and half ago, and probably took it out of the box once before a month ago. Don't get me wrong, I like to sew, I've been doing it since middle school, but I figured nothing could compare to my mom's Bernina. So I always did my sewing at her house. 

By the way this machine came from my grandparents house, it hadn't been used in years. 

I got this photo off the internet, but mine looks exactly the same.

So lately here I've been wanting to break it out and sew from home. I have a bunch of little sewing projects to get done (and it's nice to not have to tote my supplies around). 

It seems to be in pristine condition, besides a few little nicks in the paint. And it still had all the little tools and attachments, plus a separate serger attachment! I read through the owners manual, and started 'er up!

It works great! I'm pretty thrilled. Granted, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles my mom's Bernina has, but so far its been fabulous. And it was free. :) I'm so blessed! 

Thanks again Mom for snagging it for me!

Kabobin'

This last weekend was my 10-year high school reunion. Yikes. I feel old. But it was nice to see some folks from high school days.

On another note: I made kabobs!

My husband has a hard time liking squash in any form. I've been trying a few different things. The garden was putting out plenty, so I needed something to give. Also, I wanted to make kabobs, I never have. That's right, never. I had always thought they were too much trouble. Now it was time.

I had read once that you need to soak your sticks (if using wood) before you grill them so they don't burn up. I soaked mine for about 30 hours. Then I marinated some steak chunks. (I didn't plan ahead well enough here, I should've prepped the meat yesterday) I used the marinating attachment for my foodsaver, it saved my bacon. I cut the meat into chunks first (so more surface area for marinade) then let it do the rest. While waiting, I cleaned and cut my squash and onions.

After I put it all together!

They cooked up really well.... 

(I also brushed them with some reserved marinade while grilling).

Aren't they beautiful?

I'll definitely be doing this again. Oh yeah, and they were delicious! Blake even said he liked the squash!  :D

Happy Sunday, and first week of August!