Greetings from Grammie on the beautiful Miramichi! 

Summer is "Get off the Rocker" time, so I'm here enjoying the beautiful morning as it unfolds with the secrets of the day.

During "The Lazy, Lazy Days of Summer” the little ones are out of school and it’s time to visit with Grammie. It's nice to see them come. Ah! But it's great when they leave. The dear little kiddies love their Grammie, but sometimes they’re too much for us old gals to keep up with.

I think they like to come visit Grammie, because I don’t make them clean off their plate, take a bath or comb their hair . . .

"You won't be staying too long, dear. Wait till you get home. Go see Grampie, dear. Take the hair off his chest and put it up on his head.”

Coming to visit Grammie should be a fun time — draw, read, sing, dance around the room, dress up in funny clothes, put Grammie's old jewellery on, wear a pretty hat and have a tea party.

Last month, I told you about watching Mother robin build her nest outside my office window. I can't see the nest now, as the trees are all in leaf, but I can hear delightful chirping, so mother is probably busy fetching meals.

Well, the lilacs are done now and I' m waiting for the peonies to open. Nothing like a beautiful bouquet of peonies to brighten the house.

I'm wondering how the berries will be this summer. They should be great, as we didn't seem to have any frost. The cherry tree was filled with beautiful blossoms.

The gardens are all up and looking great.

This is a good month for some summer salad recipes.

Broccoli Salad

bunch of broccoli, finely chopped

small onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp bacon bits

1 tbsp slivered almonds

1 tbsp small sunflower seeds

2 tbsp raisins

Dressing

3/4 cup salad dressing

1/2 cup sugar

4 tbsp vinegar

Combine dry ingredients - broccoli, onions, almonds, etc.

Combine miracle whip, sugar and vinegar to make a dressing.

Mix the dressing into dry ingredients - broccoli, onions, and almonds etc. Mix well. Refrigerate before using.

Did you know almonds are a member of the peach family?

A Bean Salad goes nice with a potato salad, broccoli salad and a BBQ.

Bean Salad

14 oz. each green & y yellow beans

1 can red kidney beans

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/2 green pepper

1'2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup vinegar

1/4 cup oil

Drain beans thoroughly. Combine beans, onions, celery and green peppers.

Shake sugar, oil, vinegar and salt together.

Pour over veggies.   Toss to coat.

Cover and refrigerate over night or for several hours.

If desired drain before serving.

Another salad that goes well at a BBQ is a Carrot Salad. This is a good make-ahead salad.

Marinated Carrots

2 lb carrots

1 onion

1 green pepper

Cook carrots (firm) and cool for about 10 min.

Add onions and green pepper

Add

1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cup oil

1/2 cup vinegar

1 can tomato soup

Salt & pepper to taste

Prepare about 8 hours before serving

Mix a few times.

If desired add:

1tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

1 tsp dry mustard

Something to think about . . . You spend the first two years of your children's lives teaching them to walk and talk. Then you spend the next 16 telling them to sit down and keep quiet.

Until next month, remember I made it especially for you.