Summer Time = Grill Time

*information for this post was in part supplied by Hormel Foods through their Hormel Extended Family Blogger program. No compensation was received for this post.

One of my favorite smells of summer is the smell of dinner cooking on the grill. When we are outside playing and I smell a neighbor cooking their dinner on the grill, it makes me want to change up my menu plan (if I didn't plan grilling) or get dinner started if I am grilling.

I used to not be very adventurous about grilling. I pretty much kept to simple things like hamburgers and hot dogs and chicken breasts.

After a while, I started grilling vegetables when I discovered how delicious they can be. I love to cut up peppers, onions and squash and grill them with a touch of soy sauce.

I expanded the proteins we grill to include fish - usually Marlin or Tuna. I also started using 'recipes' for grilling instead of just making "plain" seasoned chicken or hamburgers.

One of the first recipes we tried was Citrus Balsamic Grill. The citrus inspired me to explore some fruit on the grill. I discovered how delicious grilled pineapple rings are. I always have loved warm pineapple in recipes, but this took it to another level and makes a delicious side to a chicken breast seasoned with a bit of Teriyaki sauce and grilled.

We also really enjoy our shrimp and pineapple kabobs.

They have a great flavor and are relatively low in calories too.

If we decide to really mix it up this summer, maybe we will explore some of the ideas shared with me by Hormel.

Bacon - this was the first on their list. According to Hormel, grilling bacon gives you the perfect mix of crispy and chewy, making it a tasty accompaniment to any meal. You can find a lot of recipes for Hormel Black Label bacon on their website. If you are planning to grill it, you will want to buy the thicker cuts, because they will be easier to handle and less likely to fall through the grates. You will want to heat your full grill and then turn off the one side (or set the coals to the one side if using charcoal), so that you can cook on the side opposite the heat - otherwise the dripping grease from the bacon could cause the fire to flare up.

Pizza - I have tried one pizza on the grill before. I think the most important thing is choosing a dough that will not fall through the grates. Top your pizza with sauce, cheese, Hormel Pepperoni and your other favorite pizza toppings. I am thinking that grilling my onions before putting them on the pizza would be a great flavor addition (or maybe some of that grilled bacon?).

SPAMBURGER - Check out their website for a grilled SPAM and pineapple burger.

What are some of the different things that you make on your grill?

No compensation was received for this post. All opinions expressed are mine or those of my family. I am completing this post as a participant in the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger program. Hormel Foods provided some product and some of the information for this post.

Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg

A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

I have been doing a lot of reading lately. It has been simply glorious. Fortunately, I have had a steady stream of choices to get me geared up for summer reading.

I recently finished reading Here to Stay by Melissa Tagg. This is her second novel and follows Blake "Blaze" Hunziker, who we met in Made to Last, back to his hometown.

In Here to Stay, similar to her first book, Melissa Tagg tells the story from two vantage points. That of Blake Hunziker and Autumn Kingsley. Blake, who we met in the last book, has been traveling and working around the world for the past few years, trying to escape the shadow of his brother's death. He returns home hoping to finally settle down, but unsure how his family and the town will accept him. Autumn is trying desperately to keep her family's inn in good repair and wanting to take off on her own adventure.

The two find themselves working together, each seeing the opportunity as a means to an end, but as you might expect, their feelings for each other begin to evolve. The story explores their evolving relationship and even includes visit from Miranda Woodruff from Made to Last.

I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Blake's story and his 'mysterious' history that he had made references to in the earlier book. The characters in this book are nicely developed by Tagg and as such, are easy to relate to and I found myself cheering to help them along. The characters come to find strength in their faith and it helps shape their story.

This was a nice, sweet romantic story that was a great way to kick off my summer reading experience this year. If you are looking for a fun, romantic story, this is a book that you will want to check out.

Of course, I am ready for the sequel already, so I can find out what happens next.

About

After playing nomad for five years, Blake Hunziker has finally had enough of adventure. Not sure what reception he'll get from everyone back in Whisper Shore, he's stunned at not only a warm welcome from his hometown but also a job offer. The job is his if he can successfully pull off the annual Christmas Festival. If only he knew the first thing about coordinating events...

If there's one thing Autumn Kingsley knows, it's Whisper Shore. For years, she's been stuck running her family's inn when all she wants is to see the world. Now she has a visit scheduled from a potential investor who could take over the inn, as well as a dream job offer in Paris. But with just two weeks to whip the inn into shape, her chance at escape is a long shot.

The Hunzikers and the Kingsleys may not get along, but Blake knows Autumn's the only one who can help him. She agrees to a trade--she'll help with the Festival and he'll help with inn repairs. But what was meant to be a simple deal quickly becomes much more than that when the guy who's done running away joins forces with the girl who can't wait to leave.

You can learn more about Melissa Tagg and her books at her website.


No compensation was received for this review. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. A complimentary review copy was provided to me.

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