7 Quick Takes Meat Friday: Sts. Peter and Paul

--- 1 ---

The total lack of geography knowledge is not mine alone.  The Chef had to google Harper's Ferry today.  Peter is away on a cross-country Civil War trip and the email update today mentioned that he is in Harper's Ferry.

I saw the movie Gods and Generals, but I didn't remember where Harper's Ferry was located.  The Chef guessed it was South Carolina, but the town is actually in West Virginia.  Harper's Ferry is also a National Park that includes some Virginia and Maryland parts too.  I don't think I've ever been to a National Park.  I'll just have to watch Ken Burn's mini-series to see what I'm missing.

--- 2 ---

Peter will also get the opportunity to attend the Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the 4th of July, followed by viewing fireworks that night in our nation's capitol.

Unlike my experience with National Parks, I've been to loads of basilicas, including that one and many in Europe.  My personal fave is the one in St. Louis with the largest collection of mosaics outside Byzantium.  It's where I graduated from high school, and it's commonly called the New Cathedral.  You must check it out.

And then go find that place in the Lou that serves beignets and tell me if they're anything like the real thing.  I've got to know.

--- 3 ---

After living in this frozen wasteland, I stopped complaining about the heat years ago.  As I've said before, it takes several days of high temps to thaw out my inner core each year.  But for those of you who aren't loving the three digit highs...and for myself who is partially deaf with the noise of cooling devices indoors...I lifted this pic from a friend's Facebook page.  Something to think about.

--- 4 ---

What To Serve for Dinner on Very Hot Days

If you're not going to make the no-cook Asian Chicken Salad I posted here, then take a little jaunt to Costco or the supermarket with the best deli selection. 

Then, purchase large quantities of their chicken salad, tortellini salad, quinoa salad, shrimp salad or whatever floats your boat.  I shopped hungry yesterday, so we had all of the above.  

Next, grab a pack of flour tortillas for your meaty salads, or a tub of mixed greens as a backdrop for any of the above.

Another option is to pick up one (or in my case, two or more) rotisserie chicken(s), the tub of greens, and a nice baguette.  This option must be served with a crisp white, such as one of my constant companions for the last several years,  the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, also available at Costco or the Sauvignon Republic from Trader Joe's.  The Chef requests that I note that we have been drinking Kim Crawford since way before it was popular.  We are the trend-setters.

Speaking of setting trends, we predict the rapid rise in popularity of Mulderbosch Cabernet Rose.  It's pink, it's dry, it's from South Africa, it's available at Costco.  You'll love it.  It will increase your cool factor, both physically and socially. 

--- 5 ---

We've been serving copious amounts of Mulderbosch, or as I like to call it, Balderdash, at some backyard dinner soirees.  I even remembered to take pictures and uploaded them for your viewing pleasure.



Nothing in this photo is home-grown. 


Here, you can see our guests brought pesto pasta.  With the help of my first god-daughter, I threw together a caprese salad.  I made a version of the cucumber salad in this issue of Cook's Country, the version with bacon of course.  And the Chef grilled some split chicken breast and thighs.  I loved that platter that the chicken is on.  It broke in half the next day. 

Edmund and I made PW's Tres Leches cake for dessert.  Susan made it a few months ago and it is outrageously delicious.  I bought this tray especially for Tres Leches cake.  It's melamine, so it's still around.



This is what dining al fresco looked like in May.  These peonies are home grown, but they came with the house.  Thirteen years later, they are still alive.



And for everyone who wants to know how our yard fares after a winter under the ice rink, there you go.

  --- 6 ---

Ehh.  Brave.  Not impressed.  Could have used at least one really great male character.  And perhaps a really triumphant ending of some sort.  I'm disappointed in you, Pixar.  I will have to go see Finding Nemo 3D to remind myself how awesome you have been.

--- 7 ---

Hosted three soon-to-be-sophomore girls for a sleepover last night.  The older they get, the louder they squeal.  These extra-noisy window unit air conditioners are good for something after all.

I picked up some movies for them at the library:  To Catch a Thief, Pirates of the Caribbean the first, and Marley and Me, which I didn't let her watch until now.  They wanted Sweet Home Alabama from Netflix streaming, but it's no longer available.  

After so many good recommendations last week, I would love to know what good movies for teens do you recommend on Netflix? 

And don't forget to get your Meat on this Friday night!

  

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