The kids around here went back to school today, but you can't make me start. No, sir. I need to feel the Fall-is-Coming-cool breeze before I begin homeschooling. (Not that we really quit during the summer-but sh!-don't tell the charges.) Fall is still many ice cream cones and days by the pool away. And what about summertime dill pickles? You need to make them while you can eat them with a grilled cheeseburger on the patio. One of my loyal readers requested that I kindly repost the recipe. They're so easy to make, even a seven year old can do it. Here's proof-this is my West making pickles on youtube. (Warning-it lasts seven minutes, so you may not want to watch unless you are struck by insomnia or you are eleven months pregnant, craving pickles, and relegated to bed rest. Or just because you feel like it.) Here's the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K027V7LTuLUIn
In other news, I'm still gushing about Food on the Table. (Hopefully there'll be stores in every neck of the woods, across the nation soon so that we can all gush together.) It's so fantastic to select sale items from my grocery store and have recipes and grocery lists generated for me. Look what's on my menu this week, thanks to Food on the Table.
Here's my grocery list. 
And this is how much I spent for my entire week's worth of groceries: $53.49!
I didn't just buy food for my recipes. I bought the usual stuff too, like cereal, milk, yogurt, orange juice, ice cream, baking staples and lunch foods. I had some produce in the garden and some staples on hand-but honestly, I'd say I saved an absolute bundle. I'm hopeful it will be a useful tool for all of my readers! Give it a try. Oh and one more thing-have you bought any Push Up popsicles this summer? 
(And in case you're wondering-no he doesn't brush his hair in the summer. Unless it's Sunday. And even then, not so much.) This is West's winning design on the package! You can't see it too well in the picture, but it's a little robot all made from Push Up popsicles. Oh wait-here's a better picture. 
Come by and have one at our house. 
They're all the rage with the whippersnappers that don't go back to school in August. Refrigerator Dill Pickles
Estimated cost: $5.00
Notes: The price will vary depending on the cost of your local cucumbers, but it's still going to be lots cheaper than purchasing pickles.
about 10 Kirby cucumbers, sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, sliced
fresh dill, about 10 sprigs
6 cups water
2 cups vinegar
1/4 cup salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon black pepperLayer cucumbers, onion, and garlic in clean glass bottles. In a medium saucepan, boil water, vinegar, salt and sugar. Let cool for five minutes. Pour over cucumbers in jars to cover and refrigerate. (If you run out of liquid, just add equal parts water and vinegar.) Cucumbers will be best after one week-but I can never wait that long. Good luck!
Coming Soon...(In no particular order, or as the mood strikes)
Mexican Grilled Corn, Chicken Fettucini Alfredo, Blueberry-Walnut-Maple Granola, Blue Cheese Rib Eye Steaks, Tomatillo Guacamole
Berries and stone fruits (cut in slices) can be frozen on cookie sheets (to prevent clumping) and bagged later for pies, crisps, and crumbles. Peeled bananas can be frozen in 2 inch segments or whole to be dipped in chocolate or baked in breads . Even pineapple, pears, melons, mangoes, papayas, and apples can be frozen for later usage in sorbets and granitas. And of course, there are always smoothies. Smoothies can be healthful, delicious, and darn right cheap-if you make them at home instead of running to Jamba Juice. For spring, its berry smoothies, but soon I’ll be adding slices of stone fruits as well. 
But here’s a tip on top of a tip. Make a big batch of any kind of smoothie and freeze the leftovers as creamy fruity popsicles. If you purchase little cups of yogurt, such as La Crème by Dannon, the empty container makes a perfect little round popsicle mold. Plastic or paper cups work well also. 
Favorite variations: Strawberry (or mixed Berry) with Orange and Honey
