Artists Association Show

I love taking photos and noticed that the culture center was having an art show and I hoped to see some great photographs. There was a few and one by a photographer named Arthur Anderson. My cousin knows him and I have admired his photos on facebook. He is extremely talented.
This first photo is Arthur's

This is the Ponquogue bridge in Hampton Bays. I have to mention that this is the new bridge and part of the original is still used for fishing. Divingabe and I have done a few dives under this bridge, one dive we actually saw tropical fish that somehow made it north.

                                              This photo was on canvas, very pretty.
                                                      Paul Dempsey-photographer
                                             

Perks

                                                                Sundays dinner!

Divingabe and 4 pound lobster

I steamed it for 25 mins.

Memorial Day

To the residents of the east end it's the start of the summer season. Many have forgotten the meaning of the day.

It started with the Civil War

Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which some 620,000 soldiers on both sides died. The loss of life and its effect on communities throughout the North and South led to spontaneous commemorations of the dead:
• In 1864, women from Boalsburg, Pa., put flowers on the graves of their dead from the just-fought Battle of Gettysburg. The next year, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in a Vicksburg, Miss., cemetery.
• In April 1866, women from Columbus, Miss., laid flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. It was recognized at the time as an act of healing sectional wounds. In the same month, up in Carbondale, Ill., 219 Civil War veterans marched through town in memory of the fallen to Woodlawn Cemetery, where Union hero Maj. Gen. John A. Logan delivered the principal address. The ceremony gave Carbondale its claim to the first organized, community-wide Memorial Day observance

It was first known as Decoration Day

From the practice of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths and flags, the holiday was long known as Decoration Day. The name Memorial Day goes back to 1882, but the older name didn’t disappear until after World War II. Federal law declared “Memorial Day” the official name in 1967.
The World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrea, inspired the Memorial Day custom of wearing red artificial poppies. In 1915, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael began a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to veterans and for “keeping the faith with all who died.” The sale of poppies has supported the work of the Veterans of Foreign Wars

If you would like to read more go to this LINK

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Brownies

I've made these quite a few times. They aren't the gooey box brownie,it's more of a cake consistency. The baking time will produce either. Hint: Add chips and a small amount of the flour to a bag and shake. Keeps the chips from sinking to the bottom.


2 large eggs ( I always let the eggs come to room temp before I mix)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup applesauce ( you can use equal amount of vegetable oil or cooled melted butter if you prefer)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups shredded zucchini ( grated it on the smallest side grate of the box grater)
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place the rack in the center of the oven

Line 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper so the paper hangs over the sides of the pan. I sprayed with nonstick spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, sugar, applesauce and salt until combined.

Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda and mix until dry ingredients are dissolved and incorporated. The mixture will be thick.

Fold in grated zucchini so it's well mixed into the batter.

Add the chocolate chips and fold in.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and tap lightly on the edge of the counter to release any air bubbles.

Bake the brownies for 30-40 minutes at 350. The center is set when the center comes out clean.

Cool the brownies in the pan on a rack.

The Path

The path is one of my favorites walks. Both of our dogs loved walking through the woods and this is also a short cut to get to the main road and the water. Gregory walked the path many, many morning to catch the school bus until he road his bike and parked it at a friends house.

The first picture is laurel. It's abundant in our area and every spring it's a different color. Sometimes it's pure white and other times it has pink mixed in. No matter what it's always beautiful.

I loved walking the path the winter when the snow first falls or when we had rain and it freezes the laurel leaves with a thin layer of ice. There are quite a few White Birch and the trees are very old. I hope that one day when the property is sold that they appreciate the beauty of the trees and the area.

Mosquito Bites

When we were in Florida I saw HUGE mosquitoes and made sure to squash them or make sure I got out of their way. Mosquitoes love me. They seem to know when I'm around and I end up with bites.
Now that we are back home it's going to be interesting because of the mild winter the ticks are abundant and sure the mosquitoes will be looking for me this summer.
Here are some tips I found on here

1. Rub a bar of soap over the itch. I just tried this (Ivory soap) and the relief was near instant. I used a dry bar of soap directly on the skin, but I also have notes that you can spritz bite with water and then run bar of soap over area–or use a wet bar of soap.
2. Place a piece of scotch tape on the bite; or dab rubbing alcohol or ammonia on the area first then stick on a piece of tape.
3. Hot water: Take a hot shower, or a hot bath, or apply a hot compress. As hot as you can stand it without burning you.( I've done this and it works)
4. Ice cube, ice pack or very cold water ( this works also)

This page has lots of recipes for homemade mosquito repellents. Since I like garlic will have to eat more!
Mosquitoes hate garlic and so when I saw this recipe in a magazine a few years ago I clipped it, tried it and found that it did a good job keeping me bite free.
Directions: Mince a few cloves of garlic then cover with mineral oil. Allow it to sit for at least 24 hours. Next you take a teaspoon of *just the oil* and mix it with 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Strain through a cheesecloth if you have any floaties then pour into a spray bottle. Shake before each use.
Another good one is
Avon Skin So Soft
Rubbing Alcohol
solution is 50/50
Some use spray bottle with Listerine (or equivalent) in it.
You can also to keep away Mosquitos and most bugs are dryer sheets. Tuck one in your belt but rub it on your arms and legs first. Works better than anything out there. Also great to put in tents and campers when camping.Not that I camp but for those who do.

Deep-dish Chicken Cordon Bleu

This was one of those recipes that kicked around my computer for awhile. I wanted to make it but somehow I forgot about it or didn't have the ingredients.
Pillsbury sends recipes to my email and that's where I found this one.
It's kind of funny, the cresent rolls came back with us from Florida. Winn Dixie had them on sale plus gas perks came with the deal (sure going to miss those gas perks). I knew Gregory would never use them so back to NY they came.
I tweeked this recipe. I had an oven roaster and used the leg and thigh meat. I also used swiss, which I like in a cordon bleu.
I don't think I would add the horseradish next time. It was ok but really didn't do anything for it. Didn't add thyme. I don't care for dry thyme and didn't have fresh. As the photo indicates I made it in a 8x8 pan, perfect for divingabe and I.

1can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent dinner rolls (8 rolls)
2tablespoons LAND O LAKES® Unsalted or Salted Butter
1tablespoon Crisco® 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Pure Olive Oil
1medium onion, thinly sliced
1clove garlic, finely chopped
1box (13.25 oz) frozen baked honey-battered chicken tenders, thawed, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, or 1 deli rotisserie chicken (2 to 2 1/2 lb), shredded (see note above)
16slices (1 oz each) Muenster cheese(swiss)
1/4cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
2tablespoons Dijon mustard
2teaspoons lemon juice
1teaspoon honey
1teaspoon horseradish sauce or cream-style prepared horseradish
1/2teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves or 1/8 teaspoon McCormick® Thyme Leaves (didn't use)
1lb shaved cooked brown-sugar or maple-glazed ham (from deli) (used deli ham)

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray. Unroll crescent rolls in baking dish; press perforations to seal. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until light golden brown.
2. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened. Remove from heat; stir in cut-up chicken tenders.
3. Place 8 slices of the Muenster cheese over baked crust. In small bowl, stir Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, honey, horseradish sauce and thyme until well blended. Spoon half of the mayonnaise mixture evenly over cheese on crust.
4. Spoon chicken mixture evenly over mayonnaise mixture on crust. Spoon remaining mayonnaise mixture evenly over chicken. Cover chicken evenly with ham. Top with remaining 8 slices Muenster cheese.
5. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and filling is thoroughly heated.

http://m.pillsbury.com/recipes/deep-dish-chicken-cordon-bleu/69f1b769-d361-4333-96d4-0a733b2caf0a/

Bridge Gardens

Peconic Land Trust acquired this property in 2008. Two guys owned the five acres as a hobby garden. They didn't have a fence around the gardens and it became deer food. The guys soon became bored with the gardens and didn't spend any time maintaining them and deeded the property to PLT.

The bamboo fence now protects the gardens. It's a unique way to use bamboo.The bottom part of the fence has wire incorporated into it to prevent unwanted guests.

Very Old Jade Tree

Beneath The Sea

Gregory took these photos awhile ago and I thought they are beautiful and wanted to share.

Lion Fish

Parrot Fish having a snack

Butterfly Fish

Knockoff Applebee's Oriental Chix Salad

I've always wanted to make this at home. I love this dish but I only get to Applebee's when we travel or have lunch with Rita. I looked up the calories and it has 714! I cut some of the calories by using plain non fat yogurt instead of the mayo. It doesn't have the same taste but it came out pretty good and will make it again.

Oriental Dressing
3 Tbsp. honey
1 1/2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
1/4 c. Mayonnaise ( I used Dannon plain low fat yogurt)
1 tsp. Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp. Sesame oil
Salad
2 pieces of Tyson's Crispy Chicken Strips( used grilled chix thigh)
bagged salad with romaine lettuce, carrots, and cabbage
bagged coleslaw cabbage
1 Tbsp. sliced almonds ( did not use)
1/4 c. Chow Mein noodles

1. Blend together all ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk or mixer. Refrigerate while you work on the salad.
2. Salad:
3. Bake the chicken strips according to the package directions. At the last few minutes, add the almonds on the pan that the chicken is on so they can get toasted. Remove and cool. Cut up the chicken.
4. Mix together some of each of the lettuce and coleslaw. Top with cut up chicken, almonds & noodles. Drizzle the dressing on top.

Note: The left over dressing does not keep well. Next time I'll make it with the mayo.

Found recipe on mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com

Hello Kitty Amigurumi

Divingabe has a friend whose wife had a baby girl in April. I don't know them but wanted to make something for the baby. I found this pattern and thought I would see how it came out.

Her face was hard to do. I couldn't add any buttons or anything that the baby might choke on so I had to wing it, and hope she came out ok. She's about 10 inches tall and very soft and I hope the baby likes her.

Gas Station Puppy

The people who cut Gregory's lawn own this cute little puppy. The owner said she is Australian blue heeler and Alaskan Malamute mix or so she was told.

She said she was getting gas and a person came up to her and asked her if she wanted the puppy. I can't fathom that! The pups name is Sissy and so cute and boy is she smart! I gave her a treat and after just one she had my number!

Mums in May

I bought the mums last November at Lowes. They were tiny, didn't bloom and survived the killing frost. As you can see they are blooming! I'm surprised because I thought mums bloom in the fall and it's been in the 90's here.
I have a lot to learn about gardening in Florida. Miz Martha, make room for me in the Garden Club!

Mexican Fish Fillets

                         Cinco De Mayo is tomorrow, May 5th, 2012

1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 cup shredded Monterey pepper jack or Mexican blend cheese
1 1/2 pounds halibut or other firm fish fillets ( I used Tilapia)


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking dish and the fish with nonstick spray. In a bowl, mix salsa, mayonnaise, lime juice and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Spread evenly over fish. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Very easy and very good!  Recipe from Taste of Home Bulletin Board

Good Eats

I love bbq! When we started coming to this area we were told that in Newberry,we had to try 
Backyard BBQ. The ribs were good and I inhaled the green fried tomatoes and baked beans. Something changed, either under new management or the economy hit them hard because the food wasn't something that we looked forward to any longer.
I found Daves. It was very good then again went down hill.
I saw a review of Pearls on tripadvisor. It's located in a beautiful little town outside of Micanopy.
It is the BEST bbq that Divingabe and I have had. The ribs are always tender and the coleslaw is excellent. The coleslaw isn't made with mayo, which I prefer. John Ducks cole slaw doesn't come close to Pearls.

This is a tiny resturant. You order from a counter,there are six tables,three booths and stools which you can sit at the counter. The below is a rib dinner, which you get a choice of 2 sides and garlic bread. Divingabe always gets mac and cheese and fries. The ribs plate is 9.95. We usually go for lunch and we are SO full  that dinner is skipped.

A Wave

I walk 2 miles everyday and I prefer the mornings because it's the coolest time of the day. My morning walks led me to meet Bill.

 The only people who wave to me back home are people I know but down here it seems most people wave and I always wave back.

Bill lives not far from us on what he said is "the back 40". His son lives in a trailer in front and they have a garden which he enjoys.He's been waving to me since I started my morning walks. I asked him if her liked cookies and that I would enjoy making some for him before we go back and he said he's not much into sweets. I mentioned banana bread but he doesn't like bread. I said what's your favorite food and he said vegetables!He does go to Dollar General for oatmeal cookies and said I could bake him a few. Told him I was going to put his picture on my blog and he doesn't know anything about a computer but his pastor told him about facebook. I'll have to get that pastors name so I can add a link from here to his facebook page and see that Bill made it to the world wide web.

When I said bye to him today he smiled and said that now he knows I'm from NY maybe he won't wave to me anymore. When I see his truck again, my arm will be up with a big smile on my face.

Morning Greeters

                                                                 Bella--owner Chris & Deb

Little Taylor-owner Ruth

Ruth adopted this little guy because his owner died. She didn't know what the pups name was when she took him to the vet.When asked she told them Taylor,after the man who first owned him

This is D, Cha's mom.

My turn around point is the end of this pasture where

there are around eight horse.

Crazy Horse-this is the one that got out and I had to hide by a truck so he wouldn't run me over.

 

Wildflowers along my walk