Grilled Smoky Cheddar Potatoes

**Courtesy of Ms. Betty Crocker
**We used this recipe as a side to Grilled Portabella Mushroom Sandwiches

~ 4 medium potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
~ 1/2 teaspoon salt
~ 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
~ 1 cup shredded smoked or regular cheddar cheese
~ 2 tablespoons bacon bits
~ 2 medium green onions, sliced

1.  Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat.
2.  Place potato chunks on 30x18-inch piece of heavy-duty foil.  Sprinkle with salt.  Cut butter into small pieces; sprinkle over potatoes.  Sprinkle with cheese and bacon bits.
3.  Wrap foil securely around potatoes; pierce top of foil once or twice with fork to vent steam.  Cover and grill foil packet, seam side up, over medium heat 45 to 60 minutes or until potatoes are tender.  Sprinkle with onions.
*Personal touch - JP and I did not add the green onions.

** JP and I rate this recipe 4 out of 5 stars.  It was difficult to tell when the potatoes were tender and it took longer to cook than we liked.

Grilled Portabella Mushroom Sandwiches

**Courtesy of Ms. Betty Crocker

Lemon-Herb Basting Sauce

~ 1/2 cup olive or vegetable oil

~ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh (or 1 teaspoon dried) thyme

~ 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

~ 2 tablespoons lemon juice

~ 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Sandwiches

~ 4 fresh large portabella mushroom caps

~ 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4 inch slices

~ whole wheat hamburger buns

~ lettuce leaves

~ tomato slices

1.  Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat.  In a tightly covered container, shake all basting sauce ingredients.

2.  Brush mushrooms and onion slices with basting sauce.  Cover and grill mushrooms over medium heat 5 minutes.  Add onions.  Cover and grill about 5 minutes, turning and brushing mushrooms and onions with sauce occasionally, until vegetables are tender.

3.  Brush sides of buns with remaining sauce.  Fill each bun with lettuce, mushroom, tomato and onion.

*Personal touch -  We added a slice of pepperjack cheese to each mushroom while on the grill.

** JP and I rate this recipe 5 stars.  (out of 5)

Karlie - 8 months old!

 Our little Karlie-bean is 8 months old today!  Happy birthday sweet pea!

1 day old

4 months old

8 months old

My oh my, how time flies.  It seems like last week we were spending all our time on the floor, trying to teach her how to roll over.  These days, we're still on the floor, but this time we're encouraging the crawling process. 

Her 8-month birthday has proved to be a very exciting day.  Today we noticed her first tooth breaking through her poor little gums!  Once it's really coming through, I'll get a picture of it. 

She's still loving her big-girl food.  Since this list, we've added:

~ kiwi

~ cucumber

~ pluots

In an attempt to spice things up here on the blog, I'm going to start posting some DIY projects, maybe some housework progress/tips, and our new recipes that JP and I are adding to the ol' cooking notebook. 

First up, recipes for the grill, to go along with the hopefully upcoming cooler weather!