Peach and Blackberry Summer Salad with Goat Cheese and Walnuts

Subtle blackberries and creamy goat cheese temper the sweet peaches in this cool and refreshing summer salad, with walnuts adding a little crunch.  This light and easy salad will serve as the perfect accompaniment to your warm-weather barbecues.

Peaches may be my favorite summer fruit.  Sometimes, it can be difficult to find good ones.  I got lucky this year and have been enjoying some pretty luscious, sweet peaches...just like those I remember from my childhood.  I'm going to assume they are local; however, even those aren't always perfect.  Nectarines would be a great substitute for peaches in this salad.  In fact, I often use nectarines if I can't find the peaches I want.  Pears, too, would be a good alternative to peaches in this recipe.

Whether you choose to enjoy this sweet and savory salad as a side or light entree, it's a marvelous way to enjoy the fruits of summer!

                                     Refreshing and A Little Sweet...

                                                Just Like You!

Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast Casserole with Creamy and Crunchy Toppings ~ Plus An Easy Brunch Menu!

My son's new in-laws visited from out of state recently, for the first time since the wedding.  I entertained them at my home with a casual family brunch.  The highlight of the meal was the peaches and cream French toast, and everyone loved it!

I'm not a morning person...so this French toast casserole made the perfect entree, since it is prepared the night before and baked in the morning.  It was actually the only thing I cooked...I prepared an Easy Brunch Menu:  I just used a fancy trail mix and such for appetizers, cut up some fresh fruit and added bagels, along with flavored and plain cream cheeses from a good bakery.  Well, you get the idea...I had fun shopping!  For meat, I used a good sliced beef salami.  Oh, outside of coffee and orange juice, I offered bottled sparkling regular and pomegranate-blueberry lemonade...perfect for adults and children!  Dessert was brought by the new in-laws...an extra layer from the wedding cake!  I have to say, it was probably the best wedding cake I've ever had...an Italian cream cake with a true homemade taste (and beautifully decorated)!

Back to the overnight French toast casserole...since the recipe calls for canned peaches, you can serve it year-round.  It is an easy dish that makes a tantalizing presentation, so enjoy it during the holiday season!

                                                        
                                         So, What Are We Waiting For...

                                       I'm Starving...How About You?

Our Patchwork Peach/or Apple Cobbler, As I Remember

When we were children, my sister and I would throw together a wonderful, big cobbler (from memory) with a homemade crust.  We'd make apple cobblers during snow or ice storms in our gas oven when the electricity was out, and everyone would gather in the kitchen for warmth from the gas stove.  In the summer, we'd make peach cobbler, so juicy, and refreshing!  Sometimes we'd make homemade ice cream with the old hand-cranked ice cream maker to go with that cobbler.  Generally, making homemade ice cream was a social affair, with visiting relatives, and often it was peach ice cream.

My sister and I have racked our brains trying to remember how we made this cobbler.  I feel I've come close to it and made it even easier using prepackaged pie crusts.  I like it warm with vanilla ice cream or cold with whipped cream.  I prefer it cold, and I think it's actually better a couple of days later when served cold.  It keeps well in the fridge up to seven or more days.  It also freezes well.

Warm or cold, you'll find this cobbler delicious, satisfying and easy as pie!  Just in time for Memorial Day...make it a family or social affair!

Doesn't  Peach Cobbler Just Evoke Memories of Lazy Summer Days, Porches and Rocking Chairs...