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Friday, June 29, 2012

Father's Day


We went to Andalusia for Fathers Day.  And enjoyed a much needed weekend around the pool.  Hope you had a great day G-Daddy!!



Cece and her babies



Big T lounging

Hot poodles!  Coco's 1st swimming experience

Summertime dog cookies

Happy Father's Day!

Lifeguard Louie!




Thursday, June 28, 2012

Hydrageas, Kiawah Island and Misc

June has passed me by and have many random photos to share.

Tim went on a golf excursion to Kiawah Island.  He had a great time and loved the courses.  It is home of the 2012 PGA Champoionship.



Gators Galore!


Hydrangeas from our yard!

He goes out of town but buys me roses and wine before he goes!  Cannot  get any sweeter!

Kiawah Island Ocean Course


This is SO random but we have had a racoon stalker.  And I mean a large raccoon he/she has to way 25lbs!  And it just looks at me, not caring or intimidated.   One picture of him on the bird feeder





Dinner at Cajun Steamer with two of my favs



Magic City Art Connection






Classic Tutu

10th Birthday!

Earlier this month we celebrated Lola's 10th Birthday.  It seems like yesterday we drove to "Bama Boulevard" to get her.  She was so small she could walk around a paper plate, 1.5lbs!  We celebrated with ice cream and cookies!  And I also found pink fur paint at the dog store and could not resist! Happy Birthday to the sweetest, quirkiest, funniest 10yr old Pom I know!

Birthday shopping

1yr old

10 yrs old! complete with body paint

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Raised Garden Bed

This month has flown by!  Hard to believe this time next week we will be celebrating the fourth!  I have many pictures to post.  Months ago we installed our raised garden.  So far we have had a few hits and misses.  Tomatoes and cucumbers GALORE!!  But if someone can give me suggestions on squash and onions, please do.  See pics below of our sweet little garden  
!

Pickles, anyone?



We wanted to see how large this one could get

Big T wanted to give perspective.  That is a roll of paper towels...



Spence was amazed and loved going to the garden each day to see what we could pick!


Monday, June 4, 2012

Easy Sauteed Kale

Kale has become my new fav veg.  Although I am a failure at making the chips, I have mastered another version ( its actually super easy ).  My good friend Valerie introduced me Glory bagged greens years ago for turnips or collards. It is so much easier that the process of cleaning and cutting at home.  Most importantly, they do not have that weird "bag smell" bagged lettuce has!   Now I have found they sell Kale as well! Bring them home and give them a quick rinse, you are good to go! Their website also shows the sell Rutabagas.  I love a Rutabaga but I never cook them.  Call me lazy but I would if my store sold Glory's.


I started with Bobby Flay's recipe and added a few ingredients


  • 1 1/2 pounds young kale, stems and leaves coarsely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small red onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
    2 garlic cloves, finely sliced ( I use as much as I like depending on size of cloves)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable stock or water
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or whatever you have such as balsamic


  • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Sautee onions to preferred color.
  • Add crushed red pepper flakes, if using, and let them sizzle a bit in the oil. Add the garlic and cook until soft, but not colored.  Raise heat to high, add the stock and kale and toss to combine.

  • Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

  • Remove cover and continue to cook, stirring until all (most) the liquid has evaporated. I like the kale to still remain bright-ish green.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and add vinegar.  So, so good, easy and good for you!  Enjoy!

  • Cajun Stuffed Bell Peppers






    6 large green bell peppers
    3 tablespoons olive oil
    1 onion, diced
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1/2 teaspoon dried oregano ( I used fresh)
    1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
    black pepper to taste
    3/4 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined ( Size is based on your preference or size of peppers)
     1 cup uncooked rice ( I used Quinoa)
    2 1/2 cups Vegtable broth
    1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
    1 lemon - cut into wedges, for garnish (optional)
    Louisiana-style hot sauce

    Directions:
    Preheat oven to 325 degrees .



    Spray or butter baking dish based on size of peppers. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Remove tops and seeds from peppers. Blanch in boiling water 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

    Heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute onion until translucent. Add garlic, and season with oregano, Creole seasoning and black pepper. Stir in shrimp and cook until shrimp turns pink, 5 minutes. Stir in rice, and cook 1 minute. Pour in  broth and tomato sauce. Cook until thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Fill peppers with stuffing mixture, and place in baking dish.




    Bake in preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes.  Use lemon on top or hot sauce for more heat!