Blackberry Cobbler We had some nice spring rain and our Blackberry bushes have really produced. The berries are sweet and juicy this year. I always look forward to the berries so we can have a fresh Blackberry Cobbler. I even freeze the berries from year to year so that I can make this family favorite any time of the year. Although we can have it in any season, the best one every year is the first one when we can take it to the porch just as the sun is setting on a beautiful summer day, that has to be a little bit of heaven.

Welcome Summer! We are beginning to harvest our garden, we are getting some really nice tomatoes, onions and peppers right now and our first black eyed peas will be coming any day. I love the garden vegetables and bringing them right to the kitchen and making a fantastic dish to share with friends and family. Lets get started on this weeks menu. Sunday Grilled Lemon Chicken with Lemon Mint Sauce   Zucchini Caramelized Onion Galette Gazpacho Salad Cottage Rolls Rice Custard with Fresh Strawberries Monday Summer Squash Quiche Tossed Salad Sliced Melon Tuesday Cheeseburger Casserole Tossed Salad Garlic Bread Lemon Meringue Pie Wednesday Mexican Pot Roast Tacos Miz Helen's Guacamole Taco Toppings Left Over Lemon Meringue Pie Thursday From Full Plate Thursday Deviled Chicken Drumsticks at Living The Gourmet Julie's Green Bean and Potato Salad at Julie's Lifestyle Fresh Corn On The ...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather Welcome Summer! I sure am glad to see all of you today, our cottage is really quiet now since our granddaughters went home,but their visits left me smiling from time to time remembering the wonderful times we shared. We are all headed out to the garden today to welcome summer in the Garden Patio, we have the tables all set up and I am excited to see what you have brought to share with us. I am sharing a Cheeseburger Casserole that is a great dish to have in the freezer when company comes in the summer. Cheeseburger Casserole This Is How I Filled My Plate Last Week Breakfast Easy Mediterranean Breakfast Sandwich at Crystal and Comp. Morning Snack Mango Avocado Smoothie at Upstate Ramblings Fresh Fruit Cinnamon Roll Ups at Lou Lou Girls Lunch Chilled Strawberry Rhubarb Soup at Memories By The Mile Lemon Rosemary Burgers at The Scent of Oranges Apple Pie Tacos at Spending with Pennies ...

My Granddaughter Lauren and Great Granddaughter Ella June have been at the cottage for a summer visit and we spent some fun times in the kitchen.  Lauren made us her special Jar Smoothie several times while she was here and we just love her recipe.  It is very refreshing and just loaded with wonderful fruits and vegetables. It is ready to serve in no time and served in cute little Mason Jars ready to transport outside to the patio.  Of course if you prefer it can be served in a pretty glass with a sprig of mint, either way it is awesome! Lauren's Jar Smoothie Miz Helen's Kitchen Lauren Simonsen Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup blueberries 2 cups strawberries, stemed and huled 1 handful spinach 1 banana 1/2 apple 1 cup plain yogurt or 1 cup peach yogurt 3/4 cup milk or 3/4 cup coconut milk 3 tablespoon Chia seeds 4 or 5 ice cubes Directions Combine all the ingredients into a blender and puree until smooth.  Pour into jars or glasses...

We have a lot of guest in the summer here at the cottage and the lake. One of the first places they head is to the kitchen to check out the menu for the week. I like to be able to spend as much time as I can with my guest so I like to have make ahead freezer meals and easy meals that are easy and kid friendly. One of the favorites is our Cheeseburger Casserole, a great dish that is full of flavor and ready for the table in no time. Cheeseburger Casserole Cheeseburger Casserole Miz Helen's Kitchen Ingredients 1 16 ounce package elbow macaroni,plain, GF or whole wheat 1 pound ground chuck,browned and drained 1 onion, chopped 1 bell pepper,chopped 4 cups small cherry tomatoes,whole 1/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 cup butter 3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce 3 cups whole milk 3 cups cheddar cheese, grated 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs Mustard for dipping sauce Directions According to package di...

Happy Fathers Day To All The Great Dad's! We are just enjoying some porch time this morning so come on out and join us. On Fathers Day this Sunday, I will be remembering my Dad. Of course he was the absolute greatest and although he has been gone most of my adult life, I still miss him today and find great joy in the wonderful memories I have of him. To all the wonderful Dad's out there hope you have a fantastic day. Sunday Country Ribs On The Grill with Bar B Q Sauce New Potato Salad Rancher Beans No Bake Lemon Jar Pie Monday French Cassoulet Texas Style Tossed Green Salad Crusty French Bread Strawberry Pie Tuesday Old Fashioned Steak Fingers Oven Fries Lettuce and Tomato Salad Left Over Strawberry Pie Wednesday Ranch House Casserole Salsa Tossed Salad Homemade Tortilla Chips Frozen Strawberry White Chocolate Mousse Squares at Kittys Kozy Kitchen Thursday Italian Chicken an...

Full Plate Thursday Where The Greatest Cooks On The Planet Gather We have been very busy here at the cottage this week, we have been having cooking school. I have been helping my Granddaughter Lauren with some recipes that she loves, we have had lots of fun. We are having a rainy week so we are coming into the kitchen today, I have a nice pot of Summer Soup with vegetables from the garden to share with all of you today. Lets get in your baskets and see what you have brought to share today. Summer au Pistou Lauren and I had Fun Filling Our Plates From Last Week Breakfast Strawberry Breakfast Crepes at Simply 123 Allergy Free Morning Snack Cinnamon Roll Sausage Breakfast Pudding at The Painted Apron Lunch Pesto Pasta Salad with Grilled Salmon at Healthy Ideas Place Watermelon and Feta Salad at Sweet Carolines Corner Strawberry Rhubarb Pie at Delectably Domestic Afternoon Snack Easy Ice Cream Cupcakes at Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Kid Friendly Pun...

Welcome to our tour of Food of The World, this month we are in France. We have wonderful memories of our time in France. Traveling through the country side stopping in the little villages and enjoying the local food of the people of France. The fresh vegetables and wines of the beautiful country and the rustic dishes created by the farm wives. France is the center of world famous cuisine and some of the food traditions we enjoy here in America come from France. I am happy to present two of our favorite rustic French dishes for the tour today. Summer Soup au Pistou French Cassoulet Texas Style Come Join Us On Our Tour And Link Up Your Favorite French Dish I Am Happy To Be Co Hosting This Party With These Great Blogs Diane: http://www.simplelivingeating.com Adelina: http://www.homemaidsimple.com Anyonita: http://www.anyonita-nibbles.co.uk Shey: http://justnotthecakes.blogspot.com Miz Helen: http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com Lisa:  h...

No Bake Lemon Jar Pie We love the lemon flavor and we especially love Lemon Pie. In the summer it is really nice to have a nice cool dessert to serve that can transport to the patio or picnic area. These No Bake Lemon Jar Pies are just great to transport outdoors and everyone has their own little pie. I get excited to receive my assignment for The Secret Recipe Club every month. It is just so much fun to go to someone's blog and look through all their recipes and decide what to present in the SRC reveal. I was thrilled when I saw my assignment this month, Deb at Cooking On The Front Burners. This is a delicious little jar pie that we really enjoyed and will make over and over!

I have a precious little helper here at the cottage this week. My Granddaughter and my Great Granddaughter are here for a summer visit. We are having so much fun and cooking some real special dishes for everyone. Come on back on the porch with us and we will catch you up with our week and we will plan that menu for next week. My Special Little Helper at The Super Market Sunday The Best Grilled Chicken Fresh Green Beans and New Potatoes Buttered Summer Squash Watermelon and Cantaloupe Slices Apricot Pie Monday Summer Soup au Pistou Crusty French Bread Left Over Apricot Pie Tuesday From Left Over Chicken Miz Helen's Chicken Salad Fresh Sliced Tomatoes and Cucumbers Dilly Bread Key Lime Cake Wednesday Stacked Enchilada Casserole Mexican Tossed Salad Miz Helen's Guacamole Salsa Left Over Key Lime Cake Thursday Two Way Pasta Crusty French Bread Tossed Green S...