By Lori Jury

"Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
Those days of soda and pretzels and beer
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
You'll wish that summer could always be here."

Nat King Cole sang those words the best, but summer seems to be less lazy and more crazy with all the running around and garden chores we have to do. How often do you actually get to sit on the porch and enjoy a summer's evening? I think we should all heed these words and slow down ñ even if for just a day ñ and enjoy the weather and our families. Here are a few recipes that are good old-fashioned potluck and barbecue staples.

Calico Beans
Brown together with NO seasonings:
1 lb. hamburger
1/2 lb. bacon
1 c. chopped onions
Drain grease

Mix together:
1/2 c. ketchup
1 t. salt
1 t. dry mustard
2 T. vinegar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 T. dark molasses
1 lb. can baked beans
1 can kidney beans (drained)
1 can butter beans

Mix together with meat mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Then put in crockpot on low for 2 hours. I make this a day before and refrigerate it then I heat it in the crockpot about 3-4 hours before eating. Whenever I serve this I am asked for the recipe.

Vegetable Pizza
2 cans crescent rolls
1-12 oz. sour cream
1-8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 t. dill weed
3/4 t. parsley
1/2 t. garlic salt
Cheddar cheese ñ shredded (about 1 cup)
Chopped vegetables ñ broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, green onions, green olives

Open crescent rolls and spread them out on an ungreased cookie sheet (spread them flat, do not roll them into buns). Bake at 375 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.
Mix sour cream, cream cheese, dill, parsley and garlic salt with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread on cooled crust.
Chop enough vegetables to sprinkle over crust (about 2 cups) and top with cheese. Cut into squares and serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate.

Chinese Noodle Salad
1 (1 lb) pkg. broccoli coleslaw
1 c. sunflower seeds
1 c. cashews
2 pkgs. Ramen noodles (Oriental style)
1 c. chopped green onion

Dressing:
1/3 c. vinegar
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. vegetable oil
2 pkgs. dry seasonings from Ramen noodles

Mix dressing ingredients together and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Mix salad ingredients together; crush up the Ramen noodles into pieces before adding to the rest of the salad. Approximately 20 minutes before serving, add dressing to the salad and toss.

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