A {summer} Table Winner!

With June nearing a close, the Tuesday at the {summer} Table event is officially over. It's been great fun to have many of you link up recipes and table-related projects, and simply chat about the table. Thank you!

Several of you responded to my invitation to make potholders along with me this last week. Look at this array of kitcheny goodness!

Source: patchworknplay.blogspot.com.au via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: gemini-stitches.blogspot.com.au via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: pieceful-lynne.blogspot.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: fabricmutt.blogspot.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: snippetsofsweetness.blogspot.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: craftyshenanigans.blogspot.co.uk via Debbie on Pinterest

Source: shecanquilt.blogspot.ca via Debbie on Pinterest

I love the variety of styles!

Sooooo, I guess I should announce the winner of the {summer} table prize, huh? Well, according to the random generator, it is . . .

Susan of the The History Quilter, who shared a recipe for Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate Pudding as link-up #32. Congrats, Susan! Susan is a frequent contributor to Tuesday at the Table, and in addition to quilting and  enjoying time in the kitchen (and garden), is a quilt podcaster. So get acquainted with her if you aren't already!

Hope to see you back next Tuesday, when A Quilter's Table will host a new event for the month of July! 

<a href="http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="A Quilter’s Table" src="http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/debjeske/TuesdayatthepicnicTable-175.jpg"/></a>

As always, even with a picnic theme, any recipe or kitchen/table project or story can be linked up! And July 4 (Independence Day for the U.S.) is next week, so if you have any holiday food/projects, that would be great! So the fun continues . . .

Tuesday at the {summer} Table

Wow. June has just flown by, Tuesday at the {summer} Table is drawing to a close, and summer hasn't even hit Seattle yet. That's beside the point which is you have through tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27 to post about a summer recipe, time around the table, or a table-related project and link it up right here. On Thursday, I'll choose a random winner from the link-ups and send them a box full of goodies.

Meanwhile, I've really been enjoying the recipes and projects that have been posted this month. And I even have a dessert to share. In all honestly, I seriously can't believe Tuesday at the Table has been running for over a year, and I've never shared this, my *most* requested recipe! (Hubby thinks cakeballs is the *most* requested, so I guess it's debatable.) Anyway, this is a great one for making ahead (it's even better!), and for a crowd, plus it's soooo easy. And it just happens to be our 'stand at the fridge & eat' favorite!

Easy Chocolate Toffee Crunch Poke Cake  

(commonly known as "Poke Cake")

  1 package  plain devil's food cake mix -- (18.25 ounces)
  1 1/3 cups water
  1/2 cup vegetable oil
  3 large  eggs
  1 cup  caramel ice cream topping
  1 container  frozen whipped topping -- (8 ounces) thawed
  1 cup  toffee-flavored chips

Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Lightly mist a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside. Place the cake mix, water, oil and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes more, scraping the sides again if needed. The batter should be smooth. Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with a rubber spatula. Place the pan in the oven. Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger, 32 to 37 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool. Poke holes, 1 inch apart, in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. Fill each hole with caramel topping. Let the topping settle into the holes, then go back and fill them once again. Using a rubber spatula, spread the whipped topping smoothly over the top of the cake. Sprinkle the toffee-flavored chips evenly over the top. Cover the pan and refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 12-15 servings if you're lucky.

Thanks for joining me for Tuesday at the Table's {summer} feature. Hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!
                                 

A {summer} Table Tidbit

You all know I'm following the Zakka sew-along, and our project for next week is . . . potholders! I was thinking that there's not quite a week left in the Tuesday at the {summer} Table celebration, so if you don't happen to be a foodie and don't feel like sharing table talk, then maybe a quick and easy kitchen project might be fun. So do you want to sew along while I make my Zakka potholders?

I'll be making potholders similar to those first ones in the mosaic below. But I've got lots of other ideas for you, if you don't have the Zakka book.

1. Potholders, 2. finished potholder button, 3. Potholders, 4. QAYG Potholders, 5. Spring Potholders Back

Here are the blog links to the projects above, some of which have tutorials:
Patchwork Potholder - Zakka Style by so happy to sew
Scrappy Potholders by Felicity Quilts on FairyFace Designs
Scrapbuster Potholders by Fresh Lemons Quilts
QAYG Scrappy Potholders by Texas Freckles
Oval Potholders by Marci Girl Designs

And here are some Pinterest finds . . .

Source: aprettycoollife.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Polka Dot Pot Holders by a pretty cool life

                                                   Source: ohfransson.com via Sang on Pinterest

Quilted Potholder Tutorial by Oh, Fransson!

                                                   Source: 33shadesofgreen.blogspot.com via Tina on Pinterest

Amy Butler Potholder by 33 shades of Green

                                                                    Source: prudentbaby.com via Chelsi on Pinterest

Pretty Potholders by Prudent Baby

                                                  Source: craftingdotdotdot.blogspot.ca via Debbie on Pinterest

Matching Potholders by Crafting . . .

                                                   Source: craftingdotdotdot.blogspot.ca via Debbie on Pinterest

Hometown Potholders, also by Crafting . . .

                                                  Source: mygirlthursday.com via Danialle on Pinterest

and Scrap Busting Pot Holders by My Girl Thursday

Whoa! That's alot of potholders! Find anything there that's tempting you? If so, whip up a set and link them up HERE. Due to a minor miscalculation on my part, the link-up will actually close next Wednesday night. So I'll be choosing a random winner Thursday, June 28. Sorry 'bout that!

If you forgot there were even prizes, you can check them out here. And do check out the recipes and projects already linked up. We've been having a good time gathered around the table!

Tuesday at the {summer} Table

The grill-master in our house has always been hubby. And honestly, I enjoy his summer help with the cooking. But lately, I've gone so far as to turn the barbecue on all by myself, and actually grill up something mighty tasty all by myself! And I've found it kind of fun! My most successful attempt has been using the marinade in this recipe for Chicken Gyro Sandwiches. I left the chicken in larger pieces, though, and placed them right on the grill. Then before serving, I sliced them diagonally. We didn't even make sandwiches, actually, but served all the components separately, with fresh pita and Tzatziki of course, some good hummus, and a big Greek salad in place of the shredded lettuce. Both ways, this recipe from our local Kafe Neo is awesome.

One of my absolute favorite summer grilling recipes is Summer Grilled Flank Steak with Kalamata Olives and Feta Cheese by Kathy Casey, one of Seattle's celebrity chefs. I have all her cookbooks and love her recipes in general. (And for those of you so inclined, she has a show on Small Screen Network called Liquid Kitchen. And boy does she know her liquids!) oh! Back to the recipe . . . it's amazingly good. With an oh-so-interesting kalamata (my fav) marinade, and topped with more kalamata (my fav) goodness and feta . . . well, it's extra special, and one of those dishes we love to make for guests.

Ok, one more thing . . . last night we grilled up some mixed veg and chicken marinated briefly in left-over 1-3-5, and it dawned on me to add a couple of lemon halves to the grill. (Cut in half cross-wise, cut off the ends so they're flat, and brush all cut edges with olive oil. Grill on cut edges till charred a bit. Thanks, Susan!)

I tell ya, squeezing one of these over, uh everything on my plate, gave it all some really good flavor. Will definitely do that again.

So what about you? Have a favorite grill recipe to share? Anything quilty for the kitchen or dining room? A story from your table? We're mid-way through June, believe it or not, and that means the Tuesday at the {summer} Table event is half over! So don't miss out. Link up right here to have a chance to win some fun prizes, and better yet, just share some good times around the table.

Tuesday at the {summer} Table

I think I've told you before that I'm the designated birthday-treat-provider for the staff I work with. Most of the time, when a birthday rolls around, I just make whatever strikes my fancy. But several of my coworkers have a favorite, and they have no qualms about reminding me in advance, "I want such-and-such."

And of course, even before she told me, I knew Colleen would want pie. And not just any pie, but a particular pie . . .

Berry Streusel Pie from bonappetit.com. She's asked for it before and I'm pretty sure she'll ask for it again. It's easy and tasty as far as pie goes - a perfect end to a summer meal - and of course, a mighty fine mid-day snack around the conference table.

Meanwhile, Tuesday at the {summer} Table is off and running! I've enjoyed all the link-ups and comments about the summer table and am looking forward to more of you joining in. Feel free to link up here - a recipe, a table-related project, a story from your table. A fun prize awaits one lucky linker-upper, but more important, we can just take pleasure in good food and meaningful times shared around the table.

Oh and I do have a favorite salad recipe to share! Though it is really tasty, it also has that fine do-ahead quality I especially enjoy for entertaining.

North Pointe Salad 
from Pacific Fresh by Maryana Vollstedt

2 Tb. vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tomatoes, seeded, drained, and each cut into 8 wedges
1 large head romaine lettuce
4 green onions, including some tender green tops, sliced
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2# bacon, fried crisp, then crumbled
North Pointe Dressing (recipe follows)

Combine oil and garlic in large salad bowl and mix well. Add tomatoes and stir to coat well with oil.

Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces and drop into bowl atop tomatoes. Scatter green onions, cheese, and bacon on top. Do not stir. Cover tightly and refrigerate up to 3 or 4 hours.

Just before serving, pour dressing over greens and mix salad thoroughly.

North Pointe Dressing
1/3 cup vegetable oil
juice of 1 lemon
freshly ground pepper
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crumbled

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Have a good day! Have a good week! Take some time to celebrate the table.

Link up here . . .

Tuesday at the {summer} Table

Welcome to Tuesday at the {summer} Table, a month-long event celebrating summer and the table! Just one linky for the whole month - right here on this post. Each Tuesday I'll have a link back so you can find it easily and I'll keep it front and center in the Tuesday at the Table tab under my header as well.

I'm suggesting some recipe topics for each week of June. Please don't feel that you have to stick with the topics I suggest at all, but if you want to join in and need some help, they're here for you. And you don't even have to post a recipe - are you sewing anything kitchen or table related? Placemats, table runners, a quilt that hangs in your dining room? Those kinds of items totally fit. And of course, there's table-talk . . . a story shared from around your own table. So see - lots of flexibility for you.

And there will be a prize at the end of the month . . . a little collection of fun stuff I'm still gathering up. To start, a set of large colorful potholders, made by moi.

Meanwhile, any time you post about a summer recipe, meaningful time around the table, or a table-related project, link it up for a chance to win. And at the end of the month, we'll all have some summer recipes to try, have shared some table-talk, and been inspired by each other's projects. Sound good? So here's the {optional} recipe categories for each Tuesday:

June 5: Beverages & Appetizers

June 12: Salads & Vegetables

June 19: Grilling

June 26: Desserts

To get us going, I have a summer recipe to share . . . Lemon Almond Iced Tea - an easy, make-ahead variation on iced tea. There's a base you mix up in a pitcher . . .

and then you mix it with some lemon-lime sparkly for a refreshing summer treat.

In case you want a blog button, there's one here, and a smaller one in my sidebar. Or if you'd rather just link back to A Quilter's Table, that's great too. Know some foodies? See a table-related project pop up in your reader? Feel free to spread the word and invite your friends to the table. (Non-bloggers - just share in the comments section, email me a picture, and I'll link you up!)

<a href="http:// http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="A Quilter’s Table" src=" http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/debjeske/TuesdayatthesummerTableREDO-175.jpg"/></a>

Tuesday at the Table

There's some exciting news from the table today! I'd like to announce a special event coming in June - Tuesday at the {summer} Table. It'll be the Tuesday at the Table that you already know with some change-ups to make it extra special and fun!

To start, I'm suggesting topics ahead of time for each Tuesday in June. Not that you have to stick with the topics I suggest at all, but if you want to join in and need some help, there ya go. But there will be just one linky for the whole month - posted on June 5. I'll include a link back each week so you can find it easily, as well as keep it front and center in the Tuesday at the Table tab under my header. 

And there will be a prize at the end of the month. Any time you post about a summer recipe, meaningful time around the table, or a table-related project, well link it up for a chance to win. And at the end of the month, we'll all have some summer recipes to try, have shared some table-talk, and been inspired by each other's projects. Sound good? So here's the recipe categories for each Tuesday:

June 5: Beverages & Appetizers

June 12: Salads & Vegetables

June 19: Grilling

June 26: Desserts

And here's a button, if you want to add it to a post. A smaller one is over in my sidebar if that suits you better. Or if you'd rather just link back to A Quilter's Table, that's great too. Know some foodies? See a table-related project pop up in your reader? Feel free to spread the word and invite your friends to the table.

<a href="http:// http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="A Quilter’s Table" src=" http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/debjeske/TuesdayatthesummerTableREDO-175.jpg"/></a>

To inspire you, I'll link back to a few posts containing recipes or links to recipes I will for sure be making this summer.

Iced Coffee
Hubby's Mojitos
Corn Relish Dip
Citrus Parmesan Farro Salad
Pavlova

So be thinking about summer and the table, and we'll begin Tuesday at the {summer} Table in two weeks.