It's August WHAT?

Wow, I have no idea how we got to the middle of August already, but I ain't complaining. The more we move along, the closer we get to Autumn, glorious Autumn! I'm such a whiner. =) There have been events, big and small, good and otherwise, that have pushed along the time, and I'm working to enjoy the things of summer (like the pool!).

I also thought I ought to report that the summer meals I set out to try were big hits! We didn't end up trying a couple of them, and I'm not even sure if I could tell you quite why. Trouble finding ingredients for the right price, not having the right ingredients at the right time (i.e. poor planning), etc. But the ones we did try were fantastic! Quick run-down of the big winners:

(Rating system in our house: 1 = I'm getting myself a grilled cheese instead; 5 = best meal ever, ever, ever. I'm generally pretty happy when I get a 3 from the fam, and I'll even serve 2.5's as staples when needed.)

*Antipasto Salad (idea from Everyday Food)
- Lettuce, salami, fresh mozzarella balls (cheap at Fresh and Easy!), prociuto, olives, roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, shaved parmesian.
4!!

* Tortellini Salad (Thanks, Susan!)
Added chopped raw zucchini instead of tomatoes... we're not a tomato family.
4!!

* Mini baked potatoes, stuffed with goat cheese & bacon, with grilled Steak sandwiches (Inspired by both Everyday Food and Rachael Ray)
4!!

* Lemon Chicken with Pesto Dipping Sauce (thanks, Jamie!)
4!!

* Chicken Pasta Salad w/ Fried Shallots (Rachael Ray, Summer 08)
4!!

* Shrimp Quesadillas w/ avocados (RR, Su 08)
4!!

* Bacon, Avacado, and Turkey sandwiches on homemade whole wheat bread (using Artisan Breads in 5 minutes a Day)
3.5 - Sadly the whole-wheat I made was a bit too much for this sandwich. A bit brick-ish.

* Southwestern Chili Mac Salad (RR, Su 08)
4!!