Friday, October 29, 2010

Pomegranate

Pomegranates...I love them.  According to Eating Well Magazine, Pomegranates originated in Persia and were brought to California by the Spaniards.  To find the ripest fruit, judge a pomegranate by its weight, not its color.  The heavier ones contain more juice.   Pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than other fruit juices. To get the seeds, fill a large bowl full of water and cut, then peel out the seeds under water. You can freeze pomegranate seeds.  And the best of all, right now, they are in my local grocery store for $1.00 each.  I'm there...

Monday, October 25, 2010

Nancy's Team

We all arrived bright and early for the 7:30 start of the 3rd Annual Sarcoma Race/Walk on Sunday morning .  Nancy, on the left, is the inspiration and drive for 'Nancy's Team', a dear friend who's been fighting cancer for 6 years.  Donna, the main organizer and cheerleader for our team, with her 1st Place Medal .
NANCY'S TEAM    

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Fresh Steamed Florida Mussells

Check out these Mussels!!!!!!This pan is half of the 15 lbs of fresh steamed mussels we had for dinner. 
  I flew into Ft. Lauderdale the night before the 3rd Annual Sarcoma Race/Walk in Plantation, Florida.  There were nine of us that tackled this eating challenge.  Believe it or not, we couldn't finish them off.  Of course we had linguine and bread to dip into the butter, cream, garlic, parsley and white wine broth the mussels were steamed in.  We did our best to load up on protein and carbs for the next day's Fund Raising Event.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Dinner tonight

Who can't love Shrimp on the grill????Yum.  These are Key West Pinks, the shrimp.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

More Tomatillos..yeah!!!

Notice how the bottom of the tomatillo's are starting to split, that means they are ready to pick.  They'd better hurry up and ripen, we are expecting a low of 25 degrees next week.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Nearly a full moon

Right from my backyard at the firepit.  We are just a a couple of days away from a full moon. I just love pictures like this.  I think you are just in the right place at the right time with your little point and shoot camera.  Granted, it's not a prize winning photo, but when you are there taking it, it is a prize.. Being in the hot tub with a full moon...priceless

Monday, October 18, 2010

Mountain Ash

Our Kentucky Mountain Ash has changed colors for the season.This golden pallet is breathtaking
As we sat at the firepit just before sunset, we saw this white pigeon land on the fence line between our neighbors yard and ours.  Within seconds either a harrier or a small hawk swooped down and tried to take him away.  I took this picture after the entanglement and he was on the ground walking towards our yard.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Brussel sprouts & Soap

Brussel sprouts.....one of my favorite vegetables. They are at the local stores now, for $1.00 a lb.  Mine, in the garden, won't be ready for another two months.  Anyway, I've bought seven pounds of brussel sprouts in the past two days.  So I have been blanching and freezing them.  Today I made marinated brussel sprouts, because we have guests coming over for dinner tomorrow night!

Made a batch of Lilac Buttermilk  Soap today, it is one of my favorites.  I LOVE this soap.  Everything about it is heavenly.  It smells great, feels great, cleans great.  What's not to love?  Totally refreshing, no preservatives, organic.....again, what's not to love??
I made this batch of Oatmeal- Honey Soap yesterday. Cold processed soaps need to set in a  mold for 24 hours, wrapped in a wool blanket, then I take it out and cut it into bars, and let it set for another two weeks, so it can cure. They look great.  I love everyone of them:)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Mums

Aren't Mums the poster picture for fall flowers?  I don't know about you, but I always think of Fall when I hear the word 'MUMS'. I have mums all around my yard.  It's the only flower blooming this late in the season.  I've got most colors, although I am partial to the autumn gold color.  That truly seems to be the quintessential fall color.

Friday, October 8, 2010

What's for dinner?















These white Gretel dwarf eggplants are picture perfect with several Roma Tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Looks like it'll be an Italian night in the kitchen.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Deep Pink Roses

There is something about a rose, especially when it's lightly fragrant and not too over whelming.  This flowering bush is down my side yard just in front of the potting bench.  With fall knocking, I have been cleaning up some of my planters and storing items in the shed.  So I've been able to keep a constant eye as the flower has emerged.  There is another bud just to left, that I am anxious to see bloom as well.  We have moved this rose bush at least three times in the past eleven years.  Remember to rake up the old leaves under your rose bushes at the end of the season, bag them and throw them out with the trash, too many diseases can harbor over winter.

Friday, October 1, 2010

New grill space

My sweetie, Bob, AKA my husband, is busy working at making the perfect BBQ pit.  It involves a lot of digging, placing and replacing of flagstone.  This is the Before picture.  I've got to admit, that we use our grill year round, so the Pit Master deserves the best.  Keep digging Bob, the snow is on it's way.