July 2026 started off slowly and calmly with me painting the guest bedrooms and passage. But, by the middle of the month, my social life had taken off full steam. I had friends visiting from Germany with their kids. We spent an afternoon catching up which was really wonderful. My friend came from the UK to see her parents, and we spent time together. We are in regular contact, but it is not the same as sitting across from one another having a heart-to-heart. She also brought my shopping with that I did online in the UK which was lovely. I celebrated my birthday with dinner out, and a day spent watching motor racing at the race track. And last but not least, my closest friend came to visit from Australia with her mother. We were together in April so this was really a bonus visit.
Recipes from my blog in July 2026
From my own creative mind, I created a recipe for purple sweet potato soup. And from my favourite Curry recipe book, I made a hot and sour prawn curry. Thanks to Angie, sourdough dinner rolls featured for a few meals. This month I tested recipes from Simple Suppers, and shared the ones for lemon and herb spatchcock chicken and chicken and leek pie. I finally cracked the secret of my Aunt’s recipe for tzimmes, and made chocolate orange pots after Dave watched Jamie Oliver make them on TV.
2026 International Scone Week
No matter where you are, or what style of blog you have, you are invited to take part in the 2026 International Scone week #ISW2026. Please follow this link to find out how to do so.
This is my August submission for July 2026 recipes, to the #IMK series hosted by Sherry. Each month bloggers around the world gather to share what is new in their kitchens.
See the links below for blog posts I published on August 4:
- 2024: The Housemaid Is Watching
- 2021: July 2021 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2017: Gluten-Free Soft Chocolate Cookies
- 2016: Kneidlach
- 2014: Bara Brith
- 2013: The Dying Hours
- 2012: Date Bars
- 2011: Hake With Anchovy Butter And Caper Berries
- 2010: Chicken With Shitake Mushrooms, Sundried Tomatoes And Peas
Your recipes this month all suited me but more so I am so glad you had time to be together with people who matter in your life . . . a belated ‘happy Birthday’ wish for a year which will please and I am pea green you had a day watching motor racing . . . I have to assuage my passion on the big screen these days . . .
It was a lovely way to spend my birthday! We go to a lot of local motor racing which is amazing 🙂
You have been enjoying some really good food :-))
Thanks!
I can’t believe July is already behind us. I don’t remember it happening at all! At least you have this delicious evidence.
This year is going way too fast!
Happy birthday Tandy! Glad you had a wonderful day!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for joining in Tandy. Your IMK post has not come across to the IMK post on my blog. Did you want me to add it for you? The linky has been fixed so entries are coming across again to me. Purple sweet potato soup sounds very – colourful! And interesting. Hope you have a great month.
cheers
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
Hi, I had not yet added it! I have been snowed under with work and not had time for blogging. But I will get to it today 🙂
thanks for that. Inlinkz wasn’t working there for a bit but they told me how to fix it thank heavens!
sherry
That must have been a relief!
people matter so much don’t they? especially as we get older and life evolves, having a catch up with a dear friend face to face is just about priceless! I feel like it was not long ago that it was scone week, how could it have rolled around again? I was totally obsessed with date scones from baker’s delight for a long time… I should make them again!
Please do! I am intrigued just by hearing the words date scones!
What a great month! Happy (late) Birthday to YOU! You always include such a well rounded variety of recipes you have cooked, but I have to say, that Purple Sweet Potato Soup really caught my eye. I have Purple Sweet Potatoes I am slipping to grow in my garden. I have finally learned how to slip the potato to grow more potatoes. Yes I do confess the first year, I threw the tiny potatoes into the ground, we did get a few potatoes, but that of course is not how it works the best. I also just planted the tan fleshed Japanese Sweet potatoes. Have a great month ahead!
That tan fleshed sweet potato sounds very interesting! Thanks for the wishes 🙂
A belated happy birthday to you. I’ve never heard of Tzimmes, so went down a rabbit hole to learn some more. I’ve diarised to link up a scone post… I seem to forget each year!
I look forward to your scone recipe Jo 🙂
How lovely that you got to see so many overseas friends – we are very lucky that technology keeps us connected with our long distance friends but nothing beats seeing them IRL! Also Happy Belated Birthday! Everything looks really delicious as always – especially the tsimmes!
Thanks Sammie 🙂
I belated happy birtbday to you. We share the same birthday month. Visitors do enrich our lives.
and belated birthday blessings to you too!