Of all of the flowers I grow, coneflowers seem to be the flower of choice for the butterflies. Just a couple of pics of two random visitors yesterday afternoon/evening.

I debated on posting a patriotic song for today’s Music Monday, but I like the upbeat feel of this song by Shooter Jennings (Yes, his dad is Waylon). Feel free to post whatever song you want for today, patriotic or not, it’s all up to you!

Hard to believe we are already into July. Where has the time gone? It won’t be long and the 4th will be here and people will be dragging out their grills to celebrate the summer and Independance day with assorted grilled meats, veggie salads, and all sorts of refreshing offerings to beat the heat. One usually thinks of strawberries and blueberries, and watermelon for imbibing in on the 4th. But today, today I feel like maybe this year, it should be pineapple. For some reason pineapple sounds like the refreshing change that is needed for this year’s 4th, maybe even for the whole summer.

So turn off the oven, and embrace pineapples! Forget pineapple upside down cake and try it in salads, jell-os, sliced and on the grill, and in dreamy dessert concoctions.

Below is a recipe I came across on Facebook and saved, I would make a few changes such as doubling it for a 9 x 13-inch pan and I would simplify the recipe a bit more. I would mix the pineapple, cream cheese, whipped cream (or cool whip) powdered sugar (I would personally cut the amount of sugar down), etc. all into one mix and spread it on top of the graham cracker crust. Maybe even sprinkle on some toasted coconut or mix it with more pineapple with the whipped cream in another layer.

That is thing about recipes. They are all a little different, edited by each cook, changes made for dietary or personal preferences or experimented on until one’s taste buds are satisfied. And if you don’t even like pineapple, you could use another fruit, but seriously, give pineapple a chance!

Recipe from Facebook

PINEAPPLE DREAM DESSERT

2 1/2 cups graham crumbs (2 sleeves)

1/2 cup unsalted butter

2 cups of powdered sugar, sifted

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 oz cream cheese, softened

8 oz container Cool Whip

20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained well

Preheat oven to 300 F.

Melt butter in the microwave and allow to cool. Combine the crumbs and butter and toss together until incorporated. Press 2 cups of the crumb mixture firmly into an 9×9 square pan and bake for 8-10 minutes. Place on wire rack to cool.

Beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Turn the mixer down to low and add the powdered sugar one cup at a time until incorporated. Turn up and beat well for a minute or so. Add a heaping tablespoon of the drained pineapple and stir in with a rubber spatula. Spread the cream cheese and pineapple mixture over the crust.

Fold the remaining pineapple into the Cool Whip and spread on top of the cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle the remaining graham cracker crumb mixture on top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Thanks Suzi for today’s Music Monday theme about picking a song with a flower in the title. There are a ton of songs about roses or have roses in the title, so I chose this song for something different.

(Just be glad I didn’t pick “Tiptoe thru the tulips”!)

Thanks to those friends of mine who are both.

Just a few chuckles for you to start your day off with a giggle.

A bit of music for Monday. Have a favorite tune? Feel free to post it today!

One of my brothers and his wife was over this evening and brought a “present”. They found it in their yard under one of their vehicles. They aren’t sure if it was dumped or somehow made the trip by crawling up in under one of their vehicles. I can’t imagine anyone dumping this cat. So, I may or may not have a new kitten. Trying not to get too attached in case someone posts about a missing kitten.

My sister-in-law said they would keep the cat themselves but the indoor cat they have absolutely hates the kitten and was very aggressive towards it.

I will be busting my hump later this morning in the garden. Have a good day folks!

For today’s musical selection… a little Snow Patrol. This song was hugely popular and if you were an early fan of Grey’s Anatomy, it was featured in Danny’s death scene with Lizzy. Feel free to join in and post some music on your own blog for Music Monday.