What Month Are We IN?

What month is this again?  July?  Um, back track a bit, as I am pretty sure it is still May with 30* Celsius temps without the humidex????  As I sit here with sweat threatening to drop onto my laptop, with a slight breeze causing the curtains on our windows not to sway even the slightest .... *Phew* it is HOT !

Actually when the day first began it wasn't too terribly hot and humid, with a lovely breeze.  Rob headed down to Southampton to pickup up his friend, Mike, who was coming on up to give him a hand with a few things he couldn't manage on his own, nor with my help (not that I offered by any means, lol).

"I busied myself with getting lunch preparations on the go, as I had other more pressing matters needing my attention, namely the "pack" and the "Spectacular Six" puppies, of course."

"Rob and Mike spent the morning assembling the two kennel runs we had purchased the prior Sunday through a private sale."

"The Aunt and Uncle from Port Elgin arrived just before lunch.  Perfect timing so the guys could take a "time out" and relax a bit in this heat before we all went in to eat."

"This patch of Iris' are my most favorite of all, hence not being able to resist a photo in passing."

"Homemade beets, however the pickles were not.  Thought the theme of the serving forks could hopefully cool us down a bit.  Mentally at least ... ?"

"Ahhhh, got everyone seated for lunch, I was a "hungry hippo" today."

"Grilled Balsamic-Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin, served alongside new potatoes, grilled marinated zucchini, steamed cauliflower and sliced tomatoes."

Recipe please?

Grilled Balsamic-Garlic Crusted Pork Tenderloin ~ from the kitchen of Cindy Masterson-Roth
Recipe Courtesy of Kitchen Confidante

4-5 garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pork tenderloins (about 1¼ pounds each)
2 tablespoons canola oil (if preparing in oven)

Stir together garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub the paste all over pork. If you like or have the time, marinate overnight. If not, no worries, it will still be great!

Grill preparation:

Sear the tenderloins on all sides, then grill for about 20-30 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees. Try to let it rest before slicing.

Oven preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat canola oil in a large, heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, add pork, and brown all over, about 4 minutes.

Transfer pan to oven. Roast pork, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature is 160 degrees, about 20 minutes. Transfer pork to a cutting board, and try to let it rest 10 minutes before slicing.

I do enjoy this grilled tenderloin, as did others on Cindy's Recipe Exchange on Facebook.  It was so popular it warranted "Recipe of the Month".

After lunch was cleared, tea and coffee served, Auntie and Uncle took their leave and the guys got back to work.

"Finally this "eyesore" was moved.  Rob never did have help with it when he brought it home 2 years or more ago, so it was great incentive with the help here today."

"Bandit and Lexus could not let the tractor get put away with out first checking it out, since it hadn't been out for quite some time around these parts .... lol."

"Bandit and Lexus patiently waiting for me to refresh the water pail."

Rob and I took Mike back home, then made our own way back home, but not first without stopping in to check out our van we had dropped off earlier this day at our mechanics.

"Our mechanic, Jim, who along with his wife, Lisa, are also friends of ours.  Jim and Lisa so happen to have a couple of "pet" pigeons in their garage.  These same pigeons also have two babies, who I never got to see today."

We did finally get home, but I didn't realize how late it was until I looked at the clock to see it was already after 6:00 pm !!!!

"Rob had to put some finishing touches on the one kennel run in the way of a tarp to ensure it keeps shaded throughout the whole of a day, and any rain off should this ever be the case."

"Nosy Lexus had to give it the "Seal of Approval"."

"She seemed quite pleased with all the work which went into it."

"Ha, Buddy got placed into the run next.  He was also quite content with it, although he does look rather small in it, does he not?"

"Rob and I were enjoyed a Yogurt Cone when we heard the Sandhill Cranes calling.  I was able to capture them way off in the distance over in our neighbours field by zooming in as far as I could.  Trust you, me, they are there plunk right in the middle of the field."

Rob took himself inside the house, as he was pretty tired from all the work, not to mention the heat, while I fed the "Spectacular Six" puppies and cleaned out their run."

"Mercedes and Bandit could not wait until Rob got himself into his easy chair so they could lick, lick, lick all that delicious salty sweat from him, much to Rob's delight ... lol, what a crew I have !"

All in all it was a very enjoyable productive day, regardless of the July weather we are having in, what month?  oh yes, the Month of May, "Just North of Wiarton & South of the Checkerboard".