After a dreary, wet week in the Midwest, today is absolutely glorious. Warmer, but not hot, and sunny. The plants seem to be saying, "A little sun on this leaf, and here too!" I like seeing the sun outside the kitchen window -- it is like a natural pep pill.

DH is out in the yard, his favorite place. He mowed and is trimming.

After church I fixed brunch of scrambled eggs, sausage, and pancakes with fruit. I cleaned up the kitchen and then put together dough for rye bread, cooked some pasta for a cucumber dill pasta salad, and thought I better use up some cherry tomatoes.

I remembered having a recipe for marinated tomatoes so I dug around and found it. I didn't have as many tomatoes as the recipe called for, so I used less of everything else too, but look forward to enjoying this dish. DH has planted herbs and green onions so I'm thrilled to be able to use some fresh ingredients.

We normally have sloppy chicks on Sunday night, but unfortunately our Aldi has been out of ground chicken. So, tonight I'm fixing a pork roast and will use the leftovers for pulled pork sandwiches. I thought the pasta salad would be good with it as well.

The pasta salad is easy. I don't have a true recipe because we had it a year or so ago at a tea room and I tried to recreate it. I cook some pasta and normally use whatever I have on hand. Depending on how much pasta, I thinly slice a cucumber. If you like cucumber, lots and if you can take it or leave it, less. I then toss with some mayonnaise and some dried dill and chill.

The marinated tomatoes:

4-6 large tomatoes cut into 6 wedges each
2-3 green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon sugar
3 tablespoons of fresh basil
3/4 cup vegetable or olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar

Mix the vinegar and oil together with the sugar. Pour over the tomatoes, onions and herbs. Refrigerate.

I'm sure if you like other herbs you can use them. I don't use a lot of salt so I don't add it, but if you like salt, you can probably add it while you are mixing it up.

I also made some sun tea. I like taking it in a Thermos in my lunch for a refreshing drink.

Another sunny Sunday in my kitchen!