You'll notice I didn't end that statement with an exclamation point, as one would do if saying this with some sort of joy or excitement.
No, I ended it with a plan ol' period... because the fact that summer is here is just an obvious observation... one, I should mention, that I am not thrilled about.
I loathe summer.
As a side note, I love the word "loathe"... it's so much better than "hate". Loathing consists of more of a burning hate... it says it all and then some.
Back to summer.....
My friends and family know that the arrival of summer also means the arrival of my hibernation period. I do not sunbathe... mostly because I do not enjoy being burnt to a crisp or uncomfortable sweaty.
Thus, I usually spend the summer working on home projects... reorganizing closets, rearranging and reorganizing the homeschool room... things like that.
This summer, however, has been slightly different. By slightly, I mean completely.
Yes, I have a plethora of projects I should be working on. But really, all I want to do is read. I have a stack of books lined up that I have been meaning to read all year and just haven't gotten to... so all I aspire to do is sit and read.
One does not cross things off one's To Do List whilst sitting on one's tushy, reading.
It's rather easy to get caught up in a good book. Fortunately, my daughter is exactly the same way. So the other day, it was quite the normal afternoon... with the two of us couched out in the living room, reading. My 4-year-old son was happily entertaining himself with some Legos.
Have you ever noticed how time slips by much faster when you are caught up in a good book? Frankly, I think it's an insult to an author to stop reading at the climax of the story just because, say, it's time to make dinner. Consider this... the author poured him or herself into this story, spending countless hours getting the facts straight and the plot perfect. Who am I to put that book down at its peak just because I have a family to feed?
It is at times like these, friends, when you need to have a plan. A dinner-on-the-table-in-30-minutes plan.
I've got one for you.
With this recipe, you can make hot sticky rice, steamed broccoli and the main dish in 30 minutes. I kid you not.
It's summer. It's time to pick up that book, sit that tushy down in your most comfy chair (in the air conditioning!) and get engrossed in your favorite book.
Oh, but first... you may want to print out this recipe. Might just come in handy later today... around 5:00 PM.
Gluten Free Barbecue Smoked Sausage
1/2 of a medium onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp butter
1 lb smoked turkey sausage (or kielbasa), cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 cup ketchup
1/3 to 1/2 cup brown sugar
1-2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, lightly brown sausage. Lower heater to medium and add sliced onion and saute until onion is soft. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a light boil. Lower heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes until sauce is thickened and all flavors have combined, stirring occasionally.
Serve over hot rice. Makes 4 servings.
