At home this week.....

Thursday already?  this week has been flying by.....

We have been getting lots of rain.  I went out this morning to see if my pots of plants needed watered, they didn't, but I did find about  dozen cherry tomatoes ready to pick.  They would not all fit in my hand so I put them in my apron pockets.  

On Tuesday,  I did a little shopping.  At my favorite thrift store,  I found this back of the door rack for $4.  I had been looking at them online and they sell new for $25 or more.  This one is very sturdy and my husband will add some anchors to the top to make it secure to the door. 

I've read about Dukes mayo but have never seen it for sale in Oklahoma.  Well,  Dollar Tree sells it now, in little 8 ounce jars,  for $1.  It really is the best tasting mayo I've ever tried so I bought more.  I made pimento cheese and deviled eggs with it Saturday - 

Tuesday was a primary election day in Oklahoma.  For 2 of the races,  I liked both leading candidates.  But 2 other races,  I didn't care for any of the candidates.  At least for now,  the negative political  ads are taking a break on TV and online

the first zinnias planted are most all in bloom and just look so happy!

I've been reading a book called "all you need is less" and learned that the Downy fabric softener I have used for 30 years has some ewwwwww ingredients.  So, I bought some Mrs Meyers, both liquid and sheets, in lavender.  They smell so clean and soften the laundry just as good as the ewwww products.  

They do cost more but I don't care.  

yes  I have tried vinegar and the Diy softener made from hair conditioner in the past but was not happy with the results.  We have hard, full of lime water in Oklahoma, that famous homemade laundry soap does not work for me either.

I ended up having today free as one of my grandson's is sick so I decided to do a thorough cleaning of our 2 fridges from top to bottom, inside and outside.   I took everything out and put it in ice chests, then I removed the shelves and drawers to wash them and I sprayed down all the surfaces and wiped them until they were clean.
I also took of the papers and photos on the fronts and left nothing on the top but 2 baskets.  One basket holds washcloths to clean up grands when they are messy and the other holds zipper bags that get reused.

yes, there are a dozen ice trays.  the ice maker quit about  a month ago so I just make ice the old fashioned way.  I empty and refill every morning and it is not much effort at all.  We like lots of ice!

I sorted the condiments- all the peppers are in one door basket, 

 and salsas in one, salad dressings in another. 

trust me, both appliances needed cleaning and I am so happy they are sparkling clean, for now anyway. 

bye for now......I hope you are enjoying this first official week of summer 2014.

Oven roasted vegetables - easy and delicious

Have you tried oven roasting vegetables?  I know it is summer and turning on the oven sounds too hot, but these are a no-tend side dish. Once you put them in to cook, leave them alone and come back in 30 minutes and your side dish will be done.

Going in the oven.....

I usually line the baking tray with foil for easier clean up but it is not essential. 

Spread a small amount of oil on the foil - for one big zucchini, a quarter of a red diced onion and 1 potato, I used 1 heaped up teaspoon of coconut oil- any oil you like to cook with would work. 

 Just cut your vegetables into bite size-ish pieces. Those potatoes are in thin wedges, long but not really thick. 

Put the vegetables on the tray and toss them around to get the oil spread around.  

Season with salt and pepper as desired and then just bake in a preheated 450 degree oven for 30 minutes.  You can stir them halfway through but it is not necessary. 

Coming out of the oven.....

Squash and zucchini bake up with some caramelization. Potatoes are almost like fried fries.

Broccoli and cauliflower get crispy. 

This has become our favorite way to cook vegetables, especially when my husband cooks the main course outside on the grill and I have prepared a tossed salad earlier in the day.