Thursday, July 22, 2010

An Old Fashioned Summer

Here are some fun, old fashioned features for summer! Be sure to stop by The Parlor and catch up with old friends, or make some new ones! Oh yeah, and you can "like" us on Facebook to keep up with us there too :)

Summer Fruit Salads

I hate to heat up the oven in the summer time, but I love to take advantage of the fresh fruit in season.

These are just a few fruit salad recipes you can serve this summer in place of dessert, on a buffet or for a luncheon treat.



A Summer Rose Tea 

According to the folklore of tea, once upon a time a lady was not allowed to socialize unescorted except in her rose garden.

It was here women met, unrestricted by social rules of etiquette, to speak freely amongst the roses.





Growing and Using Summer Savory

Summer savory, Satureja hortensis, is a nice herb to use when you are cutting back on salt-it's flavor is mild, a little bit similar to thyme, but with it's own unique flavor. To me, it has a slightly peppery flavor.

You can mince summer savory and combine with bread crumbs for coating fish or vegetables such as squash before sauteing.

Use it in potato dishes, tomato sauces, meatballs or vegetable juices. It's also great in egg dishes such as omelets and frittatas.


A Summer Harvest Tea Party

Before the cool weather sets in, enjoy the bounty of your herb, flower and vegetable gardens by giving a Summer Harvest Tea Party.

Plan your theme around the garden, invite friends and family. Don't make it a formal affair, but rather a way to celebrate everyone's gardens and share produce, flowers, seeds and advice.




Harvesting and Using Summer Squash

Summer squash is one of my favorite vegetables. I love the yellow summer squash in particular.

They should be harvested while still tender, when they have a "glossy" appearance and are still small. You will most likely need to harvest daily once they start to appear.



Seven Summer Snacks

These seven snacks are easy to make, fun for the kids and a few of them even sneak in some healthy ingredients along the way. Be sure to keep on hand some inexpensive plastic bowls and plates for outside snacking, plus small resealable plastic bags for those times you need to take these with you.

I don't know about your kids, but mine act like they need army rations for a trip to the nature center, which is 5 minutes away. These recipes are perfect for field trips, school lunches or after school snacks.

Stop by Old Fashioned Living a use our search, browse our sections, and visit our message boards! See you there :)