Peacock State Park

Peacock is about an hour from the house. It's a state park and the admission is four dollars to cave dive. It's a very popular place but Divingabe can not dive alone. He needs a buddy so he doesn't get to dive there as much as he would like. January 28th he did a three hour dive in the above cave,they entered at one location and exited at another. They swam about a mile in three hours. Notice how large the cave system is, a diver can spend many hours exploring.

                                                   

Dan Wright was very kind to share his photos with us. Gabe was his model for the day.

Pinch that Penny

The Only Spot Remover You Will Ever Need

Mix one part Dawn plain dishwashing liquid, with two parts hydrogen peroxide, pour it directly on the stain, and watch it disappear like magic. If it's a big stain on a large garment, you can mix the same equation and add it to a bucket of hot water and just dunk the entire garment in there. This works on almost any stain and will even get rid of chocolate, red wine, and barbecue sauce




Tub Cleaner - vinegar and dish soap, no scrubbing! Heat 1/2C white vinegar in m'wave for 90 sec, pour int spray bottle. Add 1/2C BLUE Dawn dish soap. Shake gently to mix. Spray on surface, let it sit 1-2 hours. Just wipe it away then rinse with water. Should also take soap scum off shower doors!



Homemade Fabric Softner in 5 Easy Steps:

Here are the items that you will need:

1 cup Baking Soda

... 6 cups White Vinegar

6 cups Hot Tap Water

2 cups cheap hair conditioner or 2 cups of your favorite store bought fabric softener

Here are the 5 Easy Steps:

Step 1. In a 4-5 gallon bucket add 1 Cup of Any Brand Baking Soda.

Step 2. Add 1 Cup of White Vinegar (you will be using 6 total cups of white vinegar for this recipe.)

Step 3. Add 6 Cups of Hot Tap Water

Step 4. Add 5 Cups of White Vinegar

Step 5. Add 2 cups of low cost Hair Conditioner or 2 cups of your favorite fabric softener.

Follow the above steps. Stir, fill your containers and give the container a shake or two before you use it. Use the same amount of your homemade softener as you would normally use the store bought brand. I made two batches and it cost me under $4 for both of the pictured containers! This will last the two of us for at least 4 months.





Clean grout with the following recipe: 7 cups water, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 ammonia and 1/4 vinegar...spray on and leave for an hour or two!

Strawberry -Yogurt Bites

Another VERY easy recipe. Here's the original recipe.


3 containers (6 oz. each) strawberry low-fat yogurt
1 pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin( I used sugar free jell-O )
8 fresh strawberries, halved

Mix yogurt and dry gelatin mix in 1-1/2-qt. microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 2 min.; stir. Microwave 2 to 3 min. or until gelatin is completely dissolved, stirring after each minute.

Spoon into 16 paper-lined mini muffin pan cups. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.( I used foil baking cups,not lined with paper and it peeled off without a problem)

Remove yogurt bites from liners; top with strawberries( had to add some cool whip!)

MM 28 Weeks

Max is still limping. I hoped his leg heals soon and he's back to being pesky little Max.

He has one more week on the medication and then if he's not better, another visit to Dr. Devlin for and X-Ray.

Sleepy Max

Gabe took this with his phone. I was baking peanut butter cookies and someone wanted a taste!

My Divingabe!

                                                                            Gabe

                                  The star in the video.

He dives this cave ever other day. Ginnie Springs is about 15 mins. from the house unlike some of the other springs which are a half hour or more away.


BTW- if you can't see this, click on full screen button which is on the far right. The video is about  11 mins.
 

Green Onions

This is a fabulous tip! You will never buy green onions again!

Once you cut the greens add the bulb ( the white part) to water in a small glass and sit it on your window shelf.

                                                              This is 10 days after the cut

Cauliflower Popcorn

I wanted to make this for awhile. I picked up two heads of cauliflower in Publix when it was on sale.

Cauliflower is one of my favorites but my guys won't eat it.

No, this does not taste like popcorn but it is very, very good.

I adapted the recipe just a little. I love Tony Chachere and it was perfect on this.
 
1 head cauliflower

3T extra virgin olive, grapeseed or coconut oil (warmed to liquid state) I used EVOO

1/2-1t salt, or to taste didn't use

3T grated Parmesan -optional this was so good I never got to the Parmesan, I WILL next time!

I sprinkled the Tony Chachere's over the cauliflower after it was coated with evoo and placed it on the sheet lined with parchment paper .

Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Cut the florets into small pieces- not to small, they do shrink up some.
Toss the florets in a bowl with oil and salt. Make sure they are all coated . Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Recipe calls for it to roast for an hour but I cooked mine about 20 mins. with the oven on and then I turned the oven off and kept an eye on them so they wouldn't burn. I tossed the florets two or three times.
Once you remove the florets add the parmesan.

 

Amigos

This is Divingabe's go to dive shop. Wayne sells diving gear, anything you need, he has. Gabe can get fills for his tanks 24 hours a day, self service. 

Every year Wayne has a party to celebrate the day he opened the shop and this party was his sixth year anniversary.

He had a blue grass band that played all day, hamburgers, hot dogs, fried fish,bbq pork. People also bring something and my contribution this year was the Do Si Dos.

Last year there were two guys making "pop ems". They would take cresent rolls and break off tiny bits and fry them and then add powdered sugar. Boy were they good!

 Wayne gave out tickets for door prizes and believe me, I don't win anything! I met two very nice ladies and I was having a wonderful conversation about consignment shops and Wayne called my number. I won a dive knife! Me with a knife-LOL!!!!
One of the ladies I was  talking to won a tee shirt so we swapped. Divingabe won a cap, which is now mine.


Wayne

I made extra cookies for Wayne. I'm glad I did since there wasn't one cookie left. I made the first batch on sunday and made another batch monday morning.

Thank you Wayne for inviting us! We had a nice time and I came home with a tee shirt and cap:-)

 

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies AKA-Do Si Dos

I found a recipe for the above, but wasn't sure of some of the ingredients. I copied the recipe and emailed my cooking guru about what she thought of the recipe. She sent me this link and I knew just looking at the recipe I would be making them.

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened( used unsalted)
1/2 cup peanut butter( used chunky)
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup quick cooking oats

Filling
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter( used skippy honey roasted)
2 1/2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

I added the 1/2 cup butter,1/2 cup peanut butter, the white sugar, brown sugar,and vanilla into a large bowl and creamed all ingredients. I then added the egg and mixed again until  blended.

In another bowl I added 1 cup quick oatmeal, the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mixed  with my whisk and added it to the creamed mixture in the bowl.

Once combined I lined my cookie sheets with parchment paper and rolled the dough into balls. I don't have a small cookie scoop so measured about 1 teaspoon for each ball. Once on the parchement paper I flatten them with the bottom of a glass that I ran water over. When the dough began to stick I would run the water over the bottom again so no sticking.

I baked them for about 10 mins.

When the cookies come out of the oven they are VERY soft. Be careful lifting onto the cooling rack. Used a metal spatula and did a quick one motion lift. One didn't make it so I had to taste it, just to make sure they were good ( wink).

I don't have a pastry bag so used a knife that was dipped in warm water to add the filling to the cookie.

I made one batch and Divingabe said that these are so good that I have to make another batch, which I brought both to Wayne's bbq. I swear, I didn't even get them out of the container and the hands were grabbin away. Not a crumb was left! I loved them and I am NOT a peanut butter fan. That's why I always make peanut butter cookies for Jake ( our little neighbor in NY). Peanut butter cookies are the only cookies I won't eat but these are a different story.




 

Stephanie Romanov

I was honored to take care of this marvelous lady for almost 11 years.

When I was told about the job I wondered what I would have in common with a lady who danced in the ballet.

At my interview I liked her right away and knew before I left the house that I would get the job. We shared a birthday and she asked me if I could cook, never mind my nursing abilities she wanted something beside frozen meals. I told her that she would never ever  get a frozen meal from me and I love to cook. She looked at me and said " when can you start?".

What a learning experience! So many things I never knew and she wanted to share. She spoke Russian- where she was born in 1900 and would read Russian newspapers well into her late 90's. She was an avid reader but made sure to get french books, because she loved the french language. She also spoke German fluently and some Spanish.

Her husband passed before I met her and he was a famous clothes designer in NYC . He designed clothes for Helen Keller, Henry Fonda's wife,the Sulzberger's and  many others that I've forgotten. She was his "Barbi" . He would design new clothing and they would go out and she would be his model.

She loved dogs and when they lived in the city ( their townhouse was next to Governor Rockefeller) she owned Borzois. Her husband bought a borzoi from a breeder in Germany. Nicki wasn't a puppy, but was young and all commands were taught to him were in German. They brought the dog back on the boat with them to their home in the city.The dog shared their cabin. This was during WWll. She would walk  Nicki on the streets of NY and commands were in German. People would stop and stare at her. She was a tiny lady, about 5'3'' and maybe 115 pounds. Here she was, walking a huge dog, speaking German and not a care in the world. Gotta love it.

She lived close to Central Park and took another borzoi -Sasha for a walk. As they walked Sasha just stopped. She would not move an inch. Princess noticed a man with a raincoat walking towards them and Sasha would not take her eyes off of him. As he got closer every single hair on Sasha stood on end. At the time the guy opened his raincoat and flashed her. You know what she did? She laughed.  She told the guy she needed a good laugh and walked on with Sasha.

Her Husband was part of the royal Romanov family. He played with Anastasia and she told me stories about his family. What a job! A history lesson everyday. Her husband was titled, any member of the royal family was called prince or princess. He was always addressed as prince. When we met I asked her what she would like me to call her. I have never been comfortable calling an older person by their first name and Mrs. Romanov was way to formal and princess was the perfect fit.

She would of loved that her photo is on the web for all to see.
So here's to you Princess- You would of been 113 today. Everyday I thank God for bringing you in my life.

She was around 95 when I took this photo. The sun NEVER touched her skin and you can see that she did not look her age. Gregory was about 12 and gave her balloons which she tied to her walker .

MM 27 Weeks

Our little Max has a problem with his front left leg. We took him for a walk in O'Leno State Park on New Years Day and he was bitten by a tick. Naturally that was our first thought- Lyme's.

When Gregory was home they played, and Max plays hard, he takes no prisoners. Maybe he hurt himself then.

Divingabe and I were concerned, and made an appointment to see Dr. Devlin. They are so nice at Hilltop Hospital and we were able to get him in right away.

Dr. Devlin thinks he may have Panosteitis, which is growing pains in dogs. There is a slight predisposition of males over females and larger breeds are affected. It can last one to three weeks but will recur,often changing legs, until he outgrows the condition.

The bone's marrow cavity contains two types of marrow. One produces blood cells and the other fatty marrow. In panostetis the fatty marrow is replaced with fibrous tissue. The fibrous tissue is then replaced by a type of bone called woven bone.Eventually, the normal cells involved in the bone remodeling finally take over, building new bone where it should be.

He's on an anti-inflammatory, and when we finish giving him all the pills, if he's not better then he needs an x-ray and we will go from there.

Please keep a positive thought that he will be ok after he finishes his meds.

Thanks

Zucchini & Sweet Potato Latkes

                                                           Recipe adapted from here

1 cup shredded zucchini
1 cup shredded sweet potato
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbl coconut flour( didn't use)
1/2 tsp garlic powder( added tsp minced garlic)
1/4 tsp ground cumin(didn't use)
1/2 tsp dried parsley (added 1/2 tsp fresh cilantro)
Salt & pepper to taste( didn't add)
1 Tbl ghee or clarified butter(didn't add)
1 Tbl EV olive oil
In the food processor I shredded the sweet potato and added it to the egg which I had beaten in a medium size bowl. I then shredded the zucchini and add it to the sweet potato egg mixture. I had some cut up cilantro and  added to the above then seasoned the mixture with a few shakes of Tony Chachere.
Mixture is thin so you have to take care when forming into latkes. I fried in EVOO till they were browned on both side.

Every saturday I ride my bike to the flea market. I met a very nice lady that sells limited produce. She usually has sweet potatoes, tomatoes and green peppers. The sweet potatoes are 4 for a dollar and I always have a very ample supply of sweet potatoes. Zucchini was on sale and you might of noticed I have a thing about little vegetable pancakes.

I really liked this, next time I'll add some cheese to the recipe for the cheese lover in my life.

Biscoff Crescent Roll Cookies

Gregory's drive back to work is nine hours and I wanted to make a little something for him to nibble on along the way. He liked the Biscoff Cookies so thought he might enjoy these also.

WOW, are these good!!!!I had a few and Divingabe came into the kitchen and said he thought I made them for Gregory, otherwise I would of finished them. When they first come out of the oven, you don't need the icing.

1 (8oz) can Crescent Rolls

3/4 C Biscoff Spread

1 C powdered sugar

2-3 Tbsp milk(used skim milk )




I rolled out the tube of crescent rolls. I spread the biscoff with a knife dipped in hot water so it was easy to spread. The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of Biscoff but I add a little less. Rolled the crescent and into the fridge for an hour. Cut  into 10 pieces and placed on parchment paper.Baked in a preheated 350 oven for 11 to 15 min or until the crescents start to get golden.

If you can let them cool, add the icing. I think about 6 had the icing, they are that good.

Recipe adapted from Here. Lots of great photos  of these with the icing!

MM 26 weeks

                              Max thinking- why do you have to go back to work?

                                Discovering that rides in the car aren't that bad after all!

                                     DUCKS! I'm a LAB, let me at them!!!!!!!

Cheese Crisps

My honey LOVES cheese.  BJ's had a special cheddar from Cabot that he would try to sneak  while Rip was sleeping. Rip would hear the refrigerator open, shoot out of bed and be next to Gabe-drooling.

Max is a little garbage can. We don't give him much, tiny amounts of selective food but cheese? Come on, I'm not evil Gruella!

The recipe is easy and we both liked it. Gregory gave me Silicone Baking mats for Christmas and they came out perfect.

7 tbsp. butter, at room temperature
8 oz. Gruyere or cheddar cheese, shredded(used cheddar)
3.5 oz. all purpose flour (about 2/3 cup)
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper( Added a bit more)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup crispy rice cereal

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat together the butter and cheese until combined. Add the flour, cayenne, and salt and beat until you get a crumbly dough. Add the rice cereal and I mixed by hand(don't over beat or you might break up the rice crisps).
3.  Portion out 1 tbsp amounts of dough, and place onto a sheet pan (it will look like a pile of rubble). Use bottom of a glass  and compact it down. Bake for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned

                                                          Recipe adapted from here

BISCOFF COOKIES

I discovered Biscoff Spread last winter when we were in Florida. I was driving around and stopped in a very small store in Branford. One thing I can not resist is checking out grocery stores that I have never been in and seeing what new goodies I can find and the spread was one of them.

One of my friends birthday is coming up and this is one of the fabulous cookies being sent to her.

A friend made a cookie tray for her family and was very generous to share her recipes, this is one of them. Thanks Carol!

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup Smooth Biscoff Spread
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon caramel extract ( didn't use)
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Granulated sugar for rolling

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a large bowl, cream butter & Biscoff spread with Kitchen aid mixer or an electric mixer for 30 seconds on medium speed.

Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla & caramel extract, beat until well mixed.

Combine the flour,baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture, beating until well mixed.

Shape into walnut size balls and roll in the sugar.

Place 2 inches apart on a ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 7-9 minutes.
(Source: adapted from Stephanie @ Plain Chicken)

 Carol's cookies weren't flat. They were round and she placed a chocolate star* in the center of each. She also refrigerated the dough for a few days . I didn't. I made them and on the sheet they went. Needed to get them boxed and mailed off.

 Tip from Carol- freeze the candy- *chocolate stars or Hershey kisses before you place them on the cookie. THIS is done when the cookie is baked and comes out of the oven.

I had about a dozen left. My divingabe who might eat a peanut butter cookie here and there got into the bag and had a few and liked them. My neighbor Jean also said they were good and Gregory didn't say anything- just ate them!

Cedar Key Florida- Honeymoon Shack

I wasn't sure what the shack was used for. I googled shack in Cedar Key and saw the key word honeymoon shack and wanted to know more about it.

From these , I noticed in the first photo it was a cottage in the water, then became fishing shack.

I took this photo last year in the Cedar Key Library. The door was open to a meeting room and I noticed the shack and wanted  a photo of what it use to look like.

We spent a few days in Cedar Key last winter. This is one of the photos I took of the shack

We went back January 7 , 2013 and this is what it looks like now.

MM 25 weeks

                    While making the bed my little Max found a cushy place to rest.

 

                                   There was someone walking their dog and Max sat and
                                watched until they were no longer in sight.

The Koreans

Before we left NY,Divingabe downloaded all of my photos to my laptop.

So many memories and would like to share some with you.

We were very lucky. Divingabe and I would go on diving trips.
I wanted to see new places but I had a problem with air and sea sickness. When we traveled it was always to places I had never heard of and boats I lived on for a week. Someone told me about triptone, which was a miracle -no more motion sickness!

The photo below is my Korean gang. Mr. Kim, the head of the group spoke some English and the man in the red shirt also spoke some but otherwise it was Korean.

We hooked up with their group in Jakarta . Our plane was a tiny, it only had 20 seats. When you get air sick believe me you don't want to sit in the back of the plane, and even with the triptone I didn't want to take a chance. Being a pushy New Yorker I made sure we got in the front but the Koreans had the same idea. I was able to get the second row with Gabe but just looking at them, they needed those front seats more then I did!

They brought all their own food. Boxes and boxes of kimchi and rice and seaweed, etc. I asked if I could try the kimchi and loved it.

They guys were excellent divers and whenever I had a chance I would talk to Mr. Kim. The guy on the right hand side, with the R on is shirt, never smiled! I was shocked to see he had a small one in the photo. He reminded me of a enforcer.

This picture was taken in 2005. I can't remember the captain of the boat and only remember a few people in our group but will never forget the Koreans.

Good Luck Black-eyed Pea Patties with Moamback Sauce

I'm always on the lookout for a black-eyed pea recipe to make on New Years. Who doesn't need some added luck. I found a few recipes and decided to try this one.

If I made this years ago when I was a vegetarian I probably would of loved it. I ate my share of veggie burgers and as a veggie burger it would be pretty good. One thing about it, in my opinion it does not stand well on it's own.

The night I made it Gregory and I were both cooking in the kitchen. I should of made the sauce to go with it but to many cooks in the kitchen, so I forgot about it.

I knew Divingabe and Gregory might try it but Gregory made so much food that there really wasn't room for something as filling as a black-eyed pea pattie.

The recipe made up 9 large patties. Plenty for leftovers and to experiment with. I added pineapple salsa on one, Depo's jalapeno relish on another. It also made sort of a pizza base. I added tomato sauce and mozzarella to it and you know what- it was really good!

It comes down to the sauce or whatever topping you want to add. This has plenty of fiber and is a healthy meal.

2 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound fresh black-eyed peas
1/2 cup green onions, minced
1/4 cup celery, minced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon sage (didn't add)
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (didn't add)
Dash cayenne or to taste
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup half and half
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cups bread crumbs
1 cup corn meal
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning for flour



Moamback Sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup salad oil
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup Duke’s® mayonnaise
1/4 cup whole grain or Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
Dash garlic powder
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon chives, chopped (optional)

2 tablespoons honey

1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Add peas and enough water to cover by 2 inches. Simmer for 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain peas. Transfer half the peas to a large bowl, and mash them coarsely. Add the remaining peas, minced garlic, onion, peppers, parsley, basil, cayenne, salt and cream. Mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. With damp hands, form the mixture into 12 patties, about 3/4-inch thick. Set aside.
2. Mix egg and buttermilk and put in bowl. Put flour mixed with poultry seasoning, salt and pepper to taste in another bowl. Put bread crumbs and corn meal in another bowl and mix. Coat each pea patty with flour, then dip into egg mixture and then into the bread crumb mixture. Gently press crumbs on patty. Set them aside when finished. In a skillet over medium heat, heat butter and olive oil. Working in batches, fry the patties for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Place them on paper towels to drain and cool. Serve the cakes with Tomato Marmalade or Moamback Sauce.
3. Combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate before serving. Sprinkle with paprika before serving if you like.

 

A Walk In The Woods

We are so very lucky to be only 15 minutes away from O'Leno State Park. It has quite a few trails and we took Max on one of the shorter ones on New Years Day.

It was almost 70 degrees, sure don't miss the snow and cold weather!

                              Loved the look. He's thinking what are you doing back there?

2013

                The Empire State Building at Midnight-2013

                           LED lights and it was actually animated, with the lights flashing in sequences