This and that.......

So, recently my son joined a group of friends for a float trip on the Chariton River. Think they had sooo much fun!

I haven't ever floated like this, but I did one canoe trip on a fairly bubbly, but brushy river, Jack Fork. I always planned to again, prepared with how to pack the supplies, what shoes to take... But now I think that won't be happening...

This looks more relaxed and more conducive to meanderings...  We had to paddle and drag our canoes... Filled with children...

I decided to use some of our Summer's bounty (from my sister/cousin's beautiful garden, our neighbor's bounty, and our Amish trips.  This has been an abundantly fresh and delicious summer. Mom and I appreciate such generosity...

Today I made up an original recipe for Paleo Stuffed Peppers. I may never go back! Instead of rice in the one pound of hamburger I used about a cup and a half of bagged coleslaw mix. And I chopped up a Granny Smith apple in tiny cubes... Sometimes I let the tv show called Chopped go to my head! However, today it worked! I really loved the texture of the stuffing... And no dry rice... I added about a big teaspoon of my new favorite mix of spice called "Soul Food." It's a blend of salt, pepper, paprika, red pepper, garlic and onion powder.... Gotta go easy, but I love it in very small doses... Added about a fourth of a medium large can of tomato sauce to the hamburger mix... And two eggs. I mixed it with my hands, but not over much...

I had par-boiled the pepper halves in lightly salted water for three minutes... Drained... Put the mixture inside the peppers and covered with my remaining sauce (to which I added a scant tablespoon of soul food spice and a big glug of true maple syrup shipped our way from Indiana.

Baked covered one hour at 350° and then uncovered until brown and bubbly.... Oh, my...

Had that, salad, sweet potato baked, crusty cheese bread (for non Paleo... And almond flour flatbread for Paleo).... and green bean bundles... They are easy and pretty, but... I like green bean casserole better. I made eight bundles. Snipped ends off 40 green beans and washed them. Boiled in lightly salted water about four minutes. Drained and added a couple tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper. Tossed. Wrapped in eight partially cooked strips of bacon. Baked on oiled cookie sheet 24 minutes at 350°.

Today... What a gift! 

Hugs and Whimsy!