Summer's Coming!

It's starting to heat up in Phoenix and while we've been in the pool since March, the thermometer approaching triple digits has me thinking about the beach.  Those of us who live in the blazing Arizona heat, enjoy an escape to the glorious beaches of Southern California in the summer.  So with breezy beach towns on the brain, I thought I'd post a few of my summer finds today.

My kids, La Jolla, CA, 2009

First off, I'm excited to share my new summer sneakers.  Although I generally live in flip-flops during the hot summer months, a great pair of tennies are a must have for outdoor playtime with the kids.  This pair of shoes from Landsend are not only cute and cheap (my favorite combination) but dry quickly, which makes them practical as well.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/WaterShoes~217799_253.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::BIB&CM_MERCH=search-_-water+shoes&origin=search

Next up, the fabulously fun and trendy beach cruiser!  Those of you who follow my blog know that a few months back I was on the hunt for a new bike. 

While I love my Electra OM 3i cruiser, I still enjoy surfing the Internet in search of bike cuteness. 

Check out Lily Pulitzer's new Printed Cruiser for summer! *swoon*

http://www.lillypulitzer.com/view-all/printed-cruiser/invt/999845/

This bike just screams beach to me.  How fun would cruisin' down the boardwalk be riding this beauty?

Of course, every girl's bike needs a good lookin' basket.  I found mine at PeterBoro Basket Company.

http://www.peterborobasket.com/p-1268-peterboro-original-regular-bicycle-basket.aspx

They even make a matching basket for kids and I have to say that my basket gets even more compliments than my bike when I'm out riding around. *grin*

Finally, it's fun to wear a little flair when dining at some quaint coastal restaurant.  Since I believe that arm candy will continue to be a popular trend this summer, I just know this little gem will get lots of wear on my summer vacations.  My sweet friend Laurel (http://petalpusheraccessories.blogspot.com/) spotted this gorgy bracelet made by Dana at Apple White on Etsy.  The moment she emailed me the photo, I knew it needed to come live with me.

http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade/jewelry?includes%5B0%5D=materials&search_query=apple+white&search_type=all&noautofacet=1

Hope I've inspired you with a few fun summer ideas.  Commence the Popsicles and homemade ice cream!

~The Lemonista

Cinco de Mayo Ideas!

Today is May 1st and you know what that means?  This Thursday is Cinco de Mayo!  Whoot!


I live in the Southwest and I love Mexican food, so I'm really lookin' forward to this Thursday.  Mm...mm, I can already taste the margaritas. *grin*

So to kick off those fiesta grocery lists, I thought I'd post three of my all time favorite Mexican recipes from the blog.  So here we go...

#1
Kristi's Chicken Enchiladas

http://thelemonista.blogspot.com/2011/02/who-loves-mexican-food.html


#2
Guacamole Tableside

http://thelemonista.blogspot.com/2011/02/guacamole-tableside-super-fast.html


 


#3
The Lemonista’s Prickly Pear Margaritas

http://thelemonista.blogspot.com/2011/02/lemonistas-prickly-pear-margaritas.html


Make one, or better yet, make all three!  (You won't be sorry) And, if you decide to be the Cindo de Mayo team drinking captain, find a sober amiga/amigo to drive ya home. *winks*

Have a great week!

~The Lemonista

$10,000 Cupcake Challange

Just in case you haven't heard of this, Jelly Belly is offering up ten grand to the person who decorates the cutest cupcake with their jelly beans!  What a fun kid-friendly project.  You have until the end of July to enter, so don't miss giving this one a try.
http://jbcupcakechallenge.com/landing/

Thanks for those that left a comment on my strawberry pie photos.
Since there were ten comments, I gave the number 10 a whirl on random.org and the winner is...

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:
2
Timestamp: 2011-04-30 03:50:31 UTC

So Ms. Mary Kathryn, send me your address at
thelemonista@yahoo.com
and I'll send you some lemons. :-)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

~The Lemonista

Mom's Blue Ribbon Strawberry Pie

Looky what's starting to ripen in my garden...




Finding these pretties got me thinking of strawberry desserts, so I decided to make one for Easter Sunday.


My Mom's Strawberry Pie *sigh*

This blue ribbon winning recipe came from a local Pittsburgh newspaper in the 1960's.  I only have a handwritten copy of it now, so I do not know who to credit this one to.  However, my mother has been making this pie since before I was born.

Growing up, I requested this pie for my Birthday every year instead of cake. 
Today, I love it more than my morning coffee. (For reals!)

Just look at this beauty cooling on my stove...


Now, because I fully admit what a foodie super nerd I am. 


I thought I'd share some of my insanity by posting my strawberry pie photo shoot.  Yes, I actually served up the pie on all of these different plates to decide which one looked the prettiest. (Mental...I know). 

#1


#2


#3


I'd love it if you'd indulge me with your favorite in the comments.  I'll randomly pick a comment this Friday and send you a little treat. *winks*

Mom's Blue Ribbon Strawberry Pie


1 9 inch pie shell - baked ( the Marie Calender brand in the freezer section is good if you don't want to make your own)
2 16oz containers of fresh strawberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
a drop or two of red food color if berries are not very red.

Crush about 1/2 the berries and combine with sugar, add salt, cornstarch and water. (mix the cornstarch with the water first to dissolve it). Cook over medium heat until thick and clear, stirring constantly. Add food coloring to intensify color if needed.

Place the remaining fresh berries into the baked pie shell, cutting larger berries in half.  Pour cooked mixture over the berries. Chill. Serve with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

*TIP:  When separating the berries, I save the biggest and prettiest ones to slice in the pie and the less ripe/attractive berries I crush for the filling.

Enjoy!

~The Lemonista

What Happens When Deviled Eggs Meet Guacamole?

Dawn's Deviled Eggs, of course!

A la Dr. Seuss, I'm servin' up green eggs & ham this Easter. *grin*
I've ordered my ham from Honey Baked Ham but I'll make the green eggs from my favorite Deviled Egg recipe.  This recipe is published in Suzanne Somers', Eat, Cheat, And Melt The Fat Away cookbook and it's delicious!  According to Suzanne, this recipe was created by Barry Manilow's wonderful cook named Dawn. Since many of us will have extra hard boiled eggs to use up after the weekend festivities, I figured this would be the perfect time to post this spin on a classic gem.

Dawn's Deviled Eggs

5 hard boiled eggs, halved lengthwise
1 tablespoon minced scallion, white and light green parts
1 large jalapeno pepper, seeded and mined
1 whole mashed avocado
juice from 1 lime
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
red chili flakes for garnish (optional) *I use fresh cilantro leaves

Remove the yolks from the whites.  Set the whites aside. Mash the yolks in a bowl with a fork.  Add the mashed avocado, scallion, jalapeno, lime juice, mayonnaise, and salt.  Add more mayonnaise to reach desired consistency.  Mash with a fork until blended.  Using a teaspoon, carefully stuff whites with yolk mixture, mounding the tops.  For extra heat, garnish with red chili flakes. *Or I like to garnish with fresh cilantro. 

Enjoy!

~The Lemonista

Chinese Chicken Salad

I love this Chinese Chicken Salad!  It's so light and yummy and always seems to hit the spot. The great thing about this salad is that you can pretty much use any kind of chicken you choose.  Whether it be homemade chicken strips as posted here http://thelemonista.blogspot.com/2011/03/loaded-fried-chicken-salad-cutest.html, a family order of Popcorn Chicken from KFC, a family order of Chicken Nuggets/strips from Chic-fil-A, meat from a rotisserie chicken, or chicken on the grill--it will work great in this salad.

You will need:


I get this dressing at Safeway (Vons) but if you can't find it at the grocery store, you can order it here.
http://soyvay.elsstore.com/view/product/?id=28400&cid=1251


Finely slice half a head of iceberg lettuce.


Combine in a large salad bowl with 4oz shredded red/purple cabbage, 1/2 cup sliced carrots and 3 sliced green onions.





Sprinkle drained Mandarin on salad (I do half of the big container, but you can add a much or little as you like).


Layer on Chow Mein Noodles, cashews and bite size chicken.


Toss with desired amount of Toasted Sesame dressing.


Enjoy!

Chinese Chicken Salad

1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely sliced
4oz shredded red/purple cabbage
1/2 cup sliced carrots
3 green onions, sliced
drained Mandarin oranges, I do half of the large container.
1 cup Chow Mein noodles, or desired amount
1/2 cup Cashews
Cooked chicken, such as: KFC popcorn chicken, Chic-fil-A nuggets or strips, rotisserie or grilled chicken, use desired amount.
Soy Vay Toasted Sesame Dressing, desired amount.

Combine lettuce, cabbage, carrots and green onions in a large salad bowl.  Layer on drained Mandarin oranges, chow mein noodles, cashews and chicken.  Toss with toasted sesame dressing.  Serve.

~The Lemonista

The Most Amazing Banana Pudding!

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding


I just love Paula Deen. I love her humor, I love her candour and I love her good lookin' boys! (sorry, honey. Insert halo *grin*). As far as Banana Pudding goes, this one is simply perfect ~and down right dangerous.  I've been making this Paula Deen winner since the kids were babies and it never disappoints.  I sooooo wish that I had come up with this recipe, because it really is out of this world!

Here's the link so you can make it too.  I'm off to serve myself another bowl. *snort*

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/not-yo-mamas-banana-pudding-recipe/index.html

Enjoy!

~The Lemonista