Thursday Thoughts
Hi all! The end of the week is in sight, and I’m here to share a few Thursday thoughts with the I Like Thursday group over at Not Afraid of Color. This week, we’re going to talk a bit about summer cooking, but I’ll share a few other things first.
The proof is in the ice cream, or the ice cream is in the cozie. Just showing you how well the pint fits in my new ice cream cozie. I was a little disappointed at so few white chocolate chunks in my ice cream, though. I guess I’ll have to get another pint soon and see if it’s better.
One of the books I read in July was this one, The Art of Mending by Elizabeth Berg. I think Bernie (Needle & Foot) recommended this one. I had to get it from the library because it was hard to find. It was worth the wait.
Okay, summer cooking – our topic this week for I Like Thursdays. Here at Pieceful Thoughts, summer cooking is often on the grill. I’ll tell you a little tidbit – I don’t even know how to turn on our grill. It’s BigJ’s gig and he enjoys it, so I just find the recipes to try, and I help out with the prep work, etc.
One meal we enjoy are kabobs. I picked up these skewers at the grocery store a few years ago. They are nice and sturdy. I think they were recommended by Cooks Illustrated, if I recall correctly. I don’t remember the brand, but I still see them at the stores. Anyway, they work great.
I like making kabobs because we can each choose our veggies. I like peppers, BigJ doesn’t. So it works great for that, and it also makes a nice portion for each of us. I usually serve rice with them. This week we tried Greek Chicken Kabobs and thought it was really good.
We also like to sip on iced tea during the summer, so I decided to try this recipe for Cardamom Plum Iced Tea. The plum simple syrup is easy to make and really good. It makes a good pint of syrup. (After making the syrup, the plums are very good over ice cream or yogurt.)
Summer is the time for trying new things, so this week I’m going to try pickling jalapeƱos using this recipe. Since BigJ doesn’t eat spicy or hot foods, I’ll get these babies all to myself! Yum!
I’m thinking of trying a low country boil for dinner on Friday. I found this crockpot recipe and I want to give it a go. I’ve never had a low country boil, so we’ll see how well I do with this. The comments on the recipe are all favorable, so I think there’s possibilities for success.
Meanwhile, back in my quilt room, I’ve been whipping up a little squirrel project. It’s been a fun one, and I’ve had help . . .
Somebody has been especially clingy this week, and when he saw me working on this project, he was all over it. Haha. More on that in tomorrow’s post, if I get the project done!
And that leads us to —
The Weekly Wilbs
When he can’t be on my lap of wrapped around my neck, he chooses this spot. Really he is waiting for me to pay attention and give him some treats, and he’s figured out that this spot is right in front of my face.
And that’s a wrap for my Thursday thoughts, my friends! If you are cozy and sipping tea or coffee and want to read a few more posts, pop over to Not Afraid of Color and read the I Like Thursday posts from the others! That’s where I’m headed!
Enjoy your day!
Wendy
Paddlin' Along
25 Comments
Cindy Pieters
Wilbs looks like he is saying enough already it’s ME time..
texasquiltgal
Nothing like the tail and the Weekly Wilbs to start my day just right. He is such a sweetie. Were there not enough white chocolate chunks? Looking forward to seeing your squirrel. Thanks for the recipe links – we are stuck in a sandwich/chips rut!
The Joyful Quilter
Greek Chicken Kabobs? YUM!!!
Karen
I’m going to print that chicken kabob recipe out sounds good.
Vicki in MN
That Wilbur is a smart one for sure, LOL. I am so glad you managed to get your pint of ice cream! OMG I don’t know how to use our grill either and don’t want to learn, that’s hubbys job and I also do the prep work and side dishes.
Cheree
Would love a full report on that low country boil!! Have made Similar recipe as a sheet pan dinner and loved it. Ha Wilbs! Chloe does the same thing! āPay attention to me! Give me treats!!ā
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
It looks like Wilbs has found a nice warm spot on top of your machine!!!
Cathy
I am beginning to hatch catnapping plots, he’s very handsome. I shall look out for that book.
Danette C Stankovich
Love your ice cream cozie! Plus, of course, Wilbs! Kitties always like to help.
Barbara J Stanbro
Kitties are such good sewing helpers. Iām especially glad to have a tail crossing where I want to cut.
marissthequilter
Wilbur is a very clever cat. Enjoy your summer foods. I am starting to make soups and stews as our weather turns cooler. Odd, isn’t it?!
Carol in Texas
Wendy, Iām stopping with your reading! Cooking in the summer is NO FUN! I looked back at my records and I read this Berg book in 2004! I counted and I read 16 books by her over the yearsā¦.she was my favorite writer for the longest timeā¦..why did I stop? She didnāt! The last book of hers I read in 2014ā¦.I need to read some more. She is a lovely writer as I remember. While Iām at it Iāll recommend another favorite of mineā¦.Kate Atkinson. Iām currently reading āBig Skyā from our library. I love her writingā¦.it is funny, sarcastic in places and always a pleasure. This is a Jackson Brodie book. He is a character in many of her books. My quilting bug has gone into hibernation since I discovered Flosstube! I am once again a crossstitcher and video watcher. My latest video to discover is Jane and Julie in Running With Scissors. They are a delight!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I really like how kabobs allow each person to customize to their tastes. Give Wilbs a scritch for me!
rl2b2017
Aww, Wilbs! Staying right in front of her face will definitely earn you the treats, buddy. Little sewing can continue with you laying on the thread! Boy, that shrimp boil sounds fabulous. We had a spot nearby that used to do a weekly fish boil and it was SO GOOD. I think you’ll love it! And the jalapeƱo pickling sounds yummy, too! Happy Thursday, friend. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
LA Paylor
I remember making kabobs with marinated shrimp, years ago, for family and my nephew who hated everything loved them!
Wilbur…it’s so good when the pawrent pays attention to you isn’t it? I’ll go look for that book
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
Kabobs – yum! Anything on the grill is good in the summer. I love shrimp boil, too – didn’t know you could make it in the crockpot! I have always liked Elizabeth Berg’s books, and haven’t read one in awhile. Wilbur is pretty obvious about his feelings about the sewing machine, isn’t he?!
Katherine Duquette
Got to love that Wilbs. I might try your pickled jalapeƱos recipe. My son has been bugging me to try and pickle green chile coins for sandwiches.
Happy sewing.
Colette
Oh the ice cream cozie looks fun, and the ice cream looks yummy. The book sounds good. I love trying new recipes, especially during the summer when veggies are fresh
Sally
Ooh – an ice cream cozy – why have i never thought of that?!? Never heard of a low country boil. Those recipes look good. I love Wilbur’s tail against the black fabric.
Carol Andrews
Wendy you have some intriguing recipes in this post. I had forgotten about kebabs. I do enjoy them and since I do the grilling I can manage them. I love Wilbs post. Itās too hard to ignore him when heās there, Iām sure, looking forward to the squirrel reveal. š
Kathleen McCormick
Well, the kabobs are perfect for each getting to choose what they want! I so need to up my cooking game, but it is fun hearing everyone’s ideas. I love that Wilbs knows just how to get your attention.
Helen
It’s peach season, and we’ve been having our ice cream with with blended up fresh peaches on top… mmmmm…. My ice cream cozy is pretty much a plain old dish towel… ha ha ha!
Jocelyn Thurston
I’ve been here at your blog for ages as I followed the links first. I have peaches and was thinking I could use them in that syrup recipe as I do love to make my own version of iced tea. I don’t eat ice cream (though I love it) but enjoy Greek yogurt so I think it would go great with that. I also love the boil up recipe…think I could find similar seasonings to make the broth tasty. I am also an Elizabeth Berg fan and have read all her books. How wonderful that your cozy fits a pint of ice cream…perfect! š Love that Wilbs.
Cathie J
You have given me another book to read. Thank you. This looks interesting. I make kabobs a lot in summer also. I used to do a lot of the grilling, but my husband has mostly taken over lately. I like your ice cream cozy.
Emily
The ice cream caught my attention! I’m intrigued by the slow cooker low country boil. I have made a sheet pan version of low country biol but some days you just can’t beat the convenience of the slow cooker! Hope you are doing well, Wendy!