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Friday, December 17, 2010

Flashback Friday ~First Day of Summer?


This coming week is the first of winter although it feels like its been around for a while! So I thought I would flash back 6 months to the beginning of official summer to give us something to look forward to weather wise.


This morning here is in the 20s. And I bet this bee whereever it is, is freezing his little toosh off.


But when June rolls around we will have roses in bloom


Peonies popping


The dogwoods will already be fading


And we will have a whole summer of daylilies to look forward to


For now we do have some reminders of summer. Why is it that oranges scream summer, but we get the best ones in the winter. Like this pretty one that came in my organic fruit/veggie box this week.


For another flashback how about a recipe I've been using for about 10 years now to make Pralines. My grandmother had another great recipe that didn't use milk but this one is very good too. I think it may have originally come out of Southern Living. These made it into my goodie plate this year and most years.

Pralines

1 1/2 cup sugar
3/4 c firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 T butter
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups roughly chopped pecans

Coat a length of wax paper with spray. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to boil stirring constantly until temperature reaches 220°. Remove from heat and beat by hand with a wooden spoon 4-6 mins or until it begins to thicken. Work quickly at this point and spoon out individual pralines by the tablespoon full. If you don't work fast enough the sugar will begin to crustalize and they won't be as pretty but will still taste great.

If you have a flashback to share add your link below.

I'm joining in with Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum this week HERE and Flaunt your flowers at Tootsie Time HERE

7 comments:

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Oh, how I wish the first day of summer were here instead of the first day of winter!

I remember the first time I had praline in New Orleans back in the 80s! I was hooked :) They look delicious, Suzy.

Carol said...

Love pralines! My mom brought some back when she went to NO! Good stuff!

I do miss the pretty summer flowers, but not the heat. I love this cold weather! But you are right about the oranges!

Marsha said...

I needed this breath of summer :) What fun to see these peeks of summer in what seems like a long winter to me and it hasn't officially even started.

You grow such beautiful roses in your area they always seem so lush. I agree about the oranges, how wonderful to have fresh organic fruit each week.

I've only tasted a praline once and that was last year in Texas. It was good - I should try making yours but I'm hoping to make the divinity first.

Donnie said...

Loved starting out with those lovely flowers. SO pretty. That praline recipe looks great and I hope to try i after we get over the sugar rush ride we're on right now. They would be lovely for Valentine's Day.

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Hi Suzy! These glimpses of summer, and beautiful roses will get us through the winter!

I betcha my mom would love the pralines :-)

Just remember...we are closer to spring and summer than we were in September!

Kathy Walker said...

Pralines! Yum. We needed the summer pictures on these cold days!

Amy said...

You have such a beautiful site. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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