July has been a crazy month, but summer classes are done, which means more time to dedicate to being a Modern Old Soul ;)

Here's a healthy and refreshing dip-type recipe that I received from a family member.

Texas Caviar

RECIPE

1 can black beans
1 can Pinto beans
1 can black eyed peas
2 (15 oz.) cans of white shoe peg corn (a white and yellow mixed corn will work well also)

1 chopped green pepper
1/2 chopped red pepper
I (2.25 oz.) can chopped jalapenos
1 chopped small red onion
1 cup chopped celery

Dressing:
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar (or less, if desired)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 T. water
1 t. pepper

DIRECTIONS

Mix the first four ingredients (beans, peas, and corn) in a large strainer and rinse the beans.  Mix the next five ingredients in a large bowl with the rinsed ingredients.  Next, boil the dressing for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously.  Allow to cool, then pour over the mix.

The great part about this recipe is that it can be altered in many ways.  Different beans can be used and the jalapenos could be eliminated, for example.

Just a warning, this recipe makes quite a lot, so it's perfect for taking to gatherings, etc.  It could be halved, but then a few half cans of beans would be left.  It does last a good amount of time in the fridge, though. 

These are my favorite crackers to eat with this recipe.. And once again, on the healthier side.

I hope you enjoy!

-Heidi

July 19, 2012

Catching Up

Hey Everyone! 

Summer continues to be busy and I apologize for missing a couple weeks of blogging.  I have been trying to make the most of 

{SUMMER}

and squeezing many fun things in.

I can't believe its getting to be the end of 

[JULY]

already :(

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This past week I hit up an 

antique store

 in Mankato and found some fun things to plant some flowers in.

.....an old recipe card box with succulents....

...a wire basket with mason jars...

...succulents, ivy, and violet...

...a primitive box that matched the color of my den perfectly...

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This upcoming week happens to be my 

Golden Birthday

and I received some early gifts from my wonderful

Mom & Nannie!

One of them included a 

Simply Said - Welcome sign that I displayed on my front door.

(  http://www.facebook.com/simplysaidjj  )

 I plan on hosting a party later in September!

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"A life without love is like a year without 

summer."

Swedish Proverb

Enjoy the rest of July!

-Molly

July 1, 2012

Happy Sunday and July!

Summer has brought another busy week with very high temps and humidity! I had a bridal shower this week and got to enjoy a brewery and winery tour. We took our nephew to Sea Life at the Mall of America and I was asked to be part of another wedding next summer. I have definitely been taking advantage of summer weather and long sunny days. 

Since it has been so hot and humid this week I thought I would share some tips about watering plants and keeping your greens alive during these hot days with little rain.

Without water, plants wilt and die. But too much water can be as bad for plants as not enough. If land plants are submerged in water for too long, even if just their roots are submerged, they may rot or drown from lack of oxygen.

• Apply water in the cool of the morning or evening when the wind is calm and water loss through evaporation is minimal.
• Avoid watering disease-susceptible plants at night. If water sits on plant foliage for hours, it can encourage fungal diseases to attack leaves, buds, flowers, and fruit. Plants susceptible to leaf spots, fruit rots, and flower blights are best watered in the morning, when the warming sun will quickly dry the leaves and discourage fungus development.
• Provide an inch of water a week for many plants and lawn grasses. The idea is to keep the soil lightly moist and to prevent it from drying out completely, whic­h would be damaging to most plants. But because plants don't always follow the rules, there are exceptions to this general guideline:
• More water may be necessary if you have hot­ weather, dry sandy soil, or crowded intensive plantings or containers.
• When the weather is cool, the plants are widely spaced, or the soil is heavy and moisture-
  retentive, less water may be required.
• Young or new plantings require more moisture
  at the soil surface to help their roots get established. You should water more often to accommodate their needs.
• Mature plantings with large root systems can
  be watered heavily and less often than younger plants. The moisture soaks deep into the soil and encourages the roots to thrive. ­
• Set a rain gauge in an open area of the garden to learn how much water the garden receives each week. You can purchase an inexpensive one at a garden center. After each rainfall, check the depth of the rain inside. A commercial rain gauge is calibrated and easy to read. Judge the need for supplemental irrigation accordingly.

--Molly