Things Loved in June

1 ) Our Cuisinart Soft Serve Icecream Maker

I have to say it took me a little while to come around to this machine but now I love it.  So far we've made:

Fresh Strawberry

White Mint Chip

Coffee

Fresh Blueberry

Orange Creamsicle

Fresh Raspberry

and

Chocolate Hazelnut Gelato 

2) Pinot Grigio..what is it with me and wine? The warm spring/summer nights have enticed me to drink this cool crisp white variety. Barefoot Vineyards makes a good one.  Eco Domani is my favorite.

3) Reality TV

Those NY Housewives were back (and yes I'm watching NJ too but not as into that one) and Coo-ca-doodle-dooin' it up!

Photo Bravo tv

4) My Hydrangeas

Gracing my yard and home...

5)Being Outside:
For book club...

and Italian Night

and birthday parties....

6)The last day of school! My babies are growing up!

What did you love in June?

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{Recipe} 4th of July Shortcake

For Memorial Day weekend, I posted my all-American New England Clam Chowder recipe.

Here's something sweet for your 4th of July. I made this last year and took the photos pre-blog.  I make my shortcake the way my grandmother did (no spongey store bought shells for us).

It's basically a sweet baking powder biscuit*. Cut the warm biscuit in half and add your fruit. We used a mix of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries.

Even better with homemade whipped cream!

Somebody's pretty happy with it!

What's your favorite 4th of July recipe?

Recipe:

4 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 TBS baking powder

1/2 tsp of salt

1 stick of butter

1 beaten egg

1 1/4 cup milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.  Chop butter into little pieces and cut into the flour mixture until it gets crumbly.  Beat in the egg and milk.

Grease two baking sheets and drop four biscuits onto each sheet. Bake @ 400F until golden brown (about 15 minutes).  Try to eat them while they are still warm. Add fruit and whipped cream. You can enjoy them whole or slice the top off and have two shortcakes! Makes eight large shortcakes.

Linking up with:

Point of View-June Patriotic

Patriotic Parade

4th of July Crafts

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Italian Night

What's not to love about Italian Night?

A beautiful setting...

Chandeliers hanging under the canopy of trees....

Fabulous food....

artfully arranged (who snuck one out before I got my photo?)

Lovely table setting...don't you love that wine barrel candle holder?

Flowers and chianti bottle candleholders...

Did I mention the food?

Cool shot...

Our gracious and talented host and hostess....

                                          Refreshing beverages like our watermelon fountain.

Some card games and good conversation...

Just for fun....

The sun went down and the trees lit up as the fireflies twinkled.

A truly magical evening....

Linking up with:

Outdoor Wednesday @

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/

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X Layer Cake

I'm participating in Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday and this week's letter is X.

Our friend made this 10 layer cake for his wife's birthday.  Get it, X=10?

To see lots of other X photos click on the button below.

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