9 easy summer flowers

Aster
Few plants can brighten a tired corner like these tough perennials. They thrive through summer and bloom nearly nonstop into fall if you keep the spent flowers picked.  Full article

Starting in June, you'll find the plants at nurseries, usually in 1-gallon cans (though the best selection of dahlias is available in spring, when you can plant them from tubers).
These daisylike flowers are available in lavender, pink, or white. Three varieties we like: A. cordifolius 'Cape Cod' (Sunset climate zones 1-10, 14-21), A. c. 'Little Carlow' (zones 1-10, 14-21), and A. novi-belgii 'Melody' (zones 1-24).

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Jimmy's Mexican Pizza

"Jimmy's specially seasoned ground beef, refried beans, salsa and cheese layered in a deep dish style. A tasty and easy Mexican-style pizza with a flour tortilla crust I whipped up because I had the stuff to make it!!" — Jimmy Simian 

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Dolphins 'call each other by name'

Research has revealed that the marine mammals use a unique whistle to identify each other.

A team from the University of St Andrews in Scotland found that when the animals hear their own call played back to them, they respond.

The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr Vincent Janik, from the university's Sea Mammal Research Unit, said: "(Dolphins) live in this three-dimensional environment, offshore without any kind of landmarks and they need to stay together as a group.

"These animals live in an environment where they need a very efficient system to stay in touch."

Signature whistles

It had been-long suspected that dolphins use distinctive whistles in much the same way that humans use names.

Previous research found that these calls were used frequently, and dolphins in the same groups were able to learn and copy the unusual sounds.

But this is the first time that the animals response to being addressed by their "name" has been studied.

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Most of the time they can't see each other, they can't use smell underwater... and they also don't tend to hang out in one spot”
Dr Vincent Janik
University of St Andrews
To investigate, researchers recorded a group of wild bottlenose dolphins, capturing each animal's signature sound.

They then played these calls back using underwater speakers.

"We played signature whistles of animals in the group, we also played other whistles in their repertoire and then signature whistles of different populations - animals they had never seen in their lives," explained Dr Janik.

The researchers found that individuals only responded to their own calls, by sounding their whistle back.

The team believes the dolphins are acting like humans: when they hear their name, they answer.

Dr Janik said this skill probably came about to help the animals to stick together in a group in their vast underwater habitat.

He said: "Most of the time they can't see each other, they can't use smell underwater, which is a very important sense in mammals for recognition, and they also don't tend to hang out in one spot, so they don't have nests or burrows that they return to."

The researchers believe this is the first time this has been seen in an animal, although other studies have suggested some species of parrot may use sounds to label others in their group.

Dr Janik said that understanding how this skill evolved in parallel in very different groups of animals could tell us more about how communication developed in humans.
more bbc.co.uk

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Shrimp Potato Salad

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 lbs potatoes, boiled and diced
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup green onion, sliced thin
5 -6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
2 tablespoons pickles, dill (optional) or 2 tablespoons sweet pickles (optional)
1 cup celery, chopped fine
1 lb shrimp, cooked and diced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
paprika
Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, mustard and lemon juice; set aside.
2. Combine all remaining ingredients, being careful not to mash.
3. Carefully stir in mayonnaise mixture until well blended.
4. Garnish with a dusting of paprika.

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Shanghai Noodles

papergoddess's Note: Wonderful oriental side-dish. So quick and easy! I serve this with chicken or pork tenderloin marinated in Teriyaki sauce (recipe 44750). Or you can add meat to the dish for a one-dish meal.

3 tablespoons oil
1 -2 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cups shredded cabbage (or Chinese cabbage)
1/2 cup chopped green onion
8 ounces angel hair pasta
2 -4 tablespoons soy sauce (to taste)
4 ounces sliced cooked chicken breasts (optional)
1 can bean sprouts, drained (optional)
Directions:

1
Cook pasta according to package directions;drain.
2
Heat oil and sesame oil in skillet.
3
Saute cabbage and green onion for about 5 minutes.
4
Add pasta and soy sauce (also chicken and/or bean sprouts if desired) and heat through.

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S'mores Ice Cream Cake

Don't spend National Ice Cream Month chasing after the ice cream truck. From homemade cakes and shakes to deep-fried delights, we've got a fun, easy ice cream treat to try every day this July.

"This is a delicious variation on an old favorite. The suggestion to dip the pan briefly in hot water to unmold it worked very well."

flower7's Note: This recipe is from Cook's Illustrated and sounded like a fabulous summer dessert. Cook time is freeze time

4 whole graham crackers
2 cups marshmallow cream
1 pint chocolate ice cream, softened**
1 pint vanilla ice cream, softened**
2 cups hot fudge
Directions:

1
Line a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, letting the ends of the plastic wrap overhang the pan by 6 inches. Break one of the crackers into 4 pieces along the dotted lines.
2
Spread one side of 1 whole graham cracker and 1 graham piece with 1/2 cup of the marshmallow cream and lay in the loaf pan, cream side up. Spoon the softened chocolate ice cream over the crackers and smooth the top.
3
Coat both sides of another whole cracker and 1 piece using 1 more cup marshmallow cream and lay over the chocolate ice cream. Spoon the softened vanilla ice cream over the crackers and smooth the top.
4
Spread the remaining whole cracker and 1 more piece with the remaining 1/2 cup marshmallow cream. Lay the crackers over the vanilla ice cream, marshmallow side down. Wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap and freeze until firm, about 6 hours.
5
To serve, unwrap and gently tug at the overhanging plastic wrap to remove the loaf from the pan. (If necessary, dip the bottom of the pan into hot water.) Using the plastic wrap to handle the loaf, invert it onto a serving platter. Peel away and discard the plastic wrap. Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with the hot fudge sauce.
6
**Note: To soften ice cream, scoop ice cream into a large mixing bowl. Use a large rubber spatula or wooden spoon to break up the ice cream. Stir and fold to create a smooth consistency.

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Orange Chicken Restaurant Style

Put down the takeout menu and step away from the phone. You can make your favorite dishes even better at home. Coming from family kitchens or inspired by top restaurant picks, these Chinese recipes are so good, so authentic, you'll never have to venture out to Chinatown or the local chop suey shop again.

Vseward (Chef~V)'s Note:

I have been playing with this recipe for ages. I think this comes pretty close to the orange chicken that I enjoy at my favorite chinese restaurant. Served over steamed rice or fried rice makes it a one-dish meal. I sprinkle chopped green onions on mine. Yum.

Sauce

1 cup water
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed
1/3 cup rice vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Chicken
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Read more: Food.com

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