Gator takes all on Hilton Head Island...

Please click on photo to view larger.

Now why do I feel the urge to go shoe shopping?

Down by the beautiful sea...

The sun finally came out here on Hilton Head, S.C. so we headed out to the beach for some beach fun.

 

 

 

 

To quench our thirst on the hot beach we drank a southern favorite "Sweet Tea" with lots of ice and a piece of mint. I hope you enjoy the recipe too.

Sweet Tea

Ingredients:

1 part water
1 part sugar
unsweetened tea
peaches, strawberries, or raspberries (to add flavor)

Directions:

Dissolve equal parts sugar with water by boiling the mixture, until it coats your spoon.

To make a flavored simple syrup, cook peaches, strawberries or raspberries with simple syrup. Strain into a pitcher, and add desired amount to your tea, or you can freeze flavored simple syrup in an ice cube tray. Add desired amount of ice cubes to your tea. (This prevents your ice tea from being watered down.)

Ship Ahoy Mates...

Are you enjoying your tour of Hilton Head island this week? It has been raining on and off all week but when the sun does peak out we are delighted to be outside. We love to ride our bikes over to the dock after dinner and sit and contemplate the end of a wonderful day on Hilton Head island.
(click on photo to enlarge)

What's growing on the farm on Hilton Head Island...

 

Small individual plots of land are rented to those who have a love of gardening (click on photo to enlarge). Some people grow vegetables or a combo of vegetables and flowers. There is a tiny farmers market on Saturdays where you can purchase some of these delicious healthy vegetables and colorful flowers when in season.

Notice the Vidalia onions (top left). Vidalia onions are being harvested right now and should be available in your markets. They are sweet and are a southern staple this time of the year. The Peach trees on Hilton Head are starting to produce ripe fruit. The sweetness of Vidalia Onions and peaches is best in recipes that are not overloaded with other ingredients. Please enjoy the following recipe featuring grilled Vidalia onions. It is simple and packs a burst of flavor. Remember to come on by tomorrow for some more Hilton Head island views.

VIDALIA ONION & PEACH SALAD

Ingredients:

* 1 cup baby leaf lettuce
* 1 Vidalia Onion, sliced into 1/2 inch rings
* 1 peach, sliced in half
* 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled

For the Dressing:

* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Prepare grill (medium-high heat). Brush sliced Vidalia Onions with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Grill onion slices and peach until tender, about 4 minutes per side. Thinly slice peaches.

For the dressing, simply whisk together all ingredients in a bowl.

In another large bowl, toss together the salad, freshly grilled sliced peaches and Vidalia Onions. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle goat cheese on top.

Serve immediately.

Surrey with the Fringe on top ...

 

Seabrook Farm

Established 1832

Location – Skull Creek (a branch of the Chechessee River), Hilton Head Island, St Helena Parish, Beaufort County, South Carolina

I am staying on Hilton Head island this week and walk past this old restored Surrey each morning. I took these photos to share with you and will share other photos all this week so please come and tour along with me.

What could be better than bread & butter?

Bread & Bloggers!

Last week Sue from rue-mouffetard.blogspot met me for lunch.
What a fun time we had eating Pizza (or course it was diet friendly).
We talked about Jersey and NY and how much fun we both enjoy blogging and meeting new blog friends.
Sue was gracious to bring me a loaf of her signature homemade bread.
Talk about a slice of heaven on earth!
So, if you have not already visited Sue's blog please stop over to experience her humor and wonderful travel adventures in France & view the photos of our fun lunch.

Do you have any plans to meet up with new blogging friends in the near future?
Inquiring minds want to know.
(click on photo to enlarge)

Let your tastebuds fall in love with Roasted Sprimp and Orzo...

Company coming this Memorial Day weekend? Don't want to stand over the hot BBQ when it is almost 100 degrees outside? Then try this refreshing recipe from Ina Garten's cookbook Barefoot Contessa at home. This Roasted Shrimp and Orzo can be prepared a day in advance leaving you free time to relax before your company arrives.

The recipe requires time in the kitchen but the end result is so worth all the chopping. It makes a large amount and would serve 4-6 easily. If I was making this recipe for two I would cut the recipe in half. I served this with a loaf of french bread and a bottle of white wine.

I would definitely decrease the amount of dill. I used half the amount of dill the recipe called for and it was still very strong. Salt seems to be heavy handed in this recipe so I decreased the amount of salt because the Feta cheese is salty enough.

You can find this recipe on foodnetwork.com if you do not own Ina's cookbook. If you enjoy cooking then I recommend that you purchase this delightful cookbook.

Would I make this again?
YES, because it was so colorful & tasty & can be prepared ahead of time.

Mangia!

Getting ready for Memorial Day...

In a stirring tribute to mark Memorial Day each year, all available soldiers of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry (known as The Old Guard) gather at Arlington National Cemetery to perform a special task. Just before the Memorial Day weekend, they place American flags, one foot and centered, in front of the gravestones and columbarium niches of every service member buried or inurned at Arlington Cemetery.

This tradition of honor, known as Flags-in, has taken place ever since 1948 when The Old Guard was appointed as the ceremonial unit for the U.S. Army. During the Memorial Day weekend, members of The Old Guard patrol the cemetery to make sure each gravesite remains decorated and honored with a flag. In addition, sentinels for the Tomb of the Unknowns place flags at each of the unknown servicemen graves.

The flags are removed after the three-day Memorial Day weekend.

(I have to give credit for this information from Sheridan Alexander from About.com)

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert...book review

With summer quickly approaching I like to have a list of good books to toss into my beach bag. I recently read the historical novel Moloka'i and want to share this book with you. The story is set in Hawaii more than a century ago. It is the story of a young girl, her family, and community all effected by leprosy and their human spirit to overcome so many obstacles. This book is beautifully written and the author did his homework researching documents of this time period in Hawaii. This story will touch your heart as you walk along with these characters on their journey to a normal life.

You can order this book and check out more reviews online. I would like to leave you the following sentence from this book to entice you to read this amazing story:

" The ache she'd felt for fifty years was gone and she could feel again what life was like without it: sweet, like a slice of cake from Love's Bakery, or a cold glass of Tahiti lemonade on a hot day."

I hope you put this book into your beach bag this summer and enjoy this book as much as I did. Remember to pass along your copy to a dear friend when you finish this wonderful book.

What books do you plan to read this summer?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Pucker up for Ina's Lemon Yougurt Cake...

Do you enjoy the taste of lemon as much as I do? I wanted a refreshing dessert to serve to my cooking light group. I chose Ina Garten's Lemon Yogurt Cake recipe from her book Barefoot Contessa at Home. I searched and found so many positive reviews on this recipe. There is no butter so this recipe fit my cooking light criteria. I found the recipe to be quick and easy to prepare and you do not even need a mixer to make this. I did not make the glaze and thought it was fine without it. Next time I will try the glaze. So pucker up and have fun making Ina's lemony yogurt cake.

The following Recipe is courtesy of foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

For the glaze:

nocoupons

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease and flour the pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into 1 bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the yogurt, 1 cup sugar, the eggs, lemon zest, and vanilla. Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. With a rubber spatula, fold the vegetable oil into the batter, making sure it's all incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a cake tester placed in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Meanwhile, cook the 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small pan until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully place on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is still warm, pour the lemon-sugar mixture over the cake and allow it to soak in. Cool.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and lemon juice and pour over the cake.

ENJOY!

He thinks it's a new toy...

Who am I to tell him otherwise?

Train Wrecks for Foodie Friday...

Thank you to our hostess Gollum for hosting this Train Wreck party.

Haven't we all had our share of baking bloopers over the years? My cooking light club theme for February was food on a stick. I was so excited to try out Bakeralla's cupcake pops on a stick. I read all the reviews and hints. Some bakers expressed some minor problems. As suggested, I adjusted the recipe by adding a bit less frosting when mixing. I made sure I cooled the cupcake pops long enough prior to dipping into the melted chocolate. Talk about a train wreck. I kept hearing something fall onto my kitchen floor. A distinct plop followed by another plop. I wondered if my kitchen sink was leaking? Not the case. What could that sound be? To my horror, a good percentage of the cupcake pops were now resting on my kitchen floor. The remainder of the cupcake pops were ever so slowly sliding down the sticks, cracking in half, and resulting in a painfully slow death. These little cupcake balls certainly had some major concussions and required cosmetic surgery before making their debut onto the red carpet to compete for the coveted "Food on a Stick " award. Unfortunately, no amount of sprinkles could help save these little cupcake pops. May they rest in Peace or in this case in my mouth!

Will I make them again?
Only if my floor is clean and I can implement the five second rule.
Which means, if your food lands on the floor you have 5 seconds to pick it up and serve it before the germs and dirt attack!

Magnolias are in bloom on Hilton Head...

Atlanta Braves / Houston Astros Baseball...

Take me out to the ballgame.

Buy me some peanuts or popcorn or some finger licking good chicken.

Batter up!
It's Matsui at bat and the crowd goes wild.

The wind up!

The arm twist!
OUCH!
The pitch!

Is he safe or is he out?

You be the umpire and decide.

What's baseball without cheering Fans?

Isn't this young man the cutest?

Who is your favorite baseball team?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Let's discuss my dieting...

Why is it that when I am trying to diet I keep dreaming that I am being held hostage in a bakery surrounded by wonderful, delicious, sweet tasting, chocolate, carrot, lemon, angel food, strawberry, cream filled CAKES?

Don't even think about calling in the Keebler Elvs to negotiate my release
as I don't want to wake up from this wonderful dream!

Blue Monday...Bike To Work Week...

The League of American Bicyclists is promoting Bike-to-Work Week
May 11-15.

Bike-to-Work Day Friday, May 15.

Are you planning on riding your bike to work?
Inquiring minds want to know.


Sally is hosting Blue Monday so please head on over to similingsallyblogspot.com to participate or view other wonderful Blue Monday posts.

The Bond between a Mother and child...

Happy Mother's Day to all my friends. To celebrate Mother's Day Barb at foleysfollies.blogspot is hosting a tribute to Mothers and Grandmothers this weekend so come on over and share some heartfelt stories.


There is no bond stronger then the bond between a Mother and a child. From the time of the birth of the baby, to the end of the Mothers life and beyond, the bond exists. It is stronger then steel and therefore can never be broken.

I watch my grandsons look at their Moms with such adoration. Mom is the sun and the moon and all good things in life. She is saint like in their bright eyes. She can almost walk on water, is prettier then a movie star, and she never has a bad hair day. They will defend the honor of their Mom and shout to the world that their Mom is better then your Mom. The bond continues.

As the teenage years begin, children believe they know more then Mom. The bond begins to stretch a bit. Mom tells you, with a knowing smile, to wait until you have kids of your own some day. They think what does she know? A wise Mom lets you stretch the bond even further and fly away from her nest because she is as wise as her Mother. She loves you with no strings attached. The bond continues.

You marry and have kids and all of a sudden you become your Mother. Oh, did I just admit this? You now ask for your Mothers guidance to help you raise your own little hooligans. The bond continues

Last week I was touched when I viewed a film about Mothers who had to hide their children from the Nazi's. One Mom was forced to put her baby into a suitcase. She placed one silver spoon with the child as a token of a bond between her and her child. All the Mothers in the film cried when their children were removed to go to a safe hiding place. How brave these Mothers were to be separated from their precious children and knowing that they may never see their children again. The children probably grew up searching for their Moms. The bond continues.

Recently I was asked me to share the best memory of my Mom . My Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I was living on the opposite side of the country so visiting my Mother was sporadic. I could see my Mother slipping away each time I went to visit her. Soon my Mom had no recognition of me. A few months later I went to visit. As I was holding her hand, she turned and smiled, and said my name. In that brief moment all the wonderful memories of all the things we shared came flooding back to me. I know that she was experiencing the same magic by the smile on her face. It was the best moment of our lives.

My Mom passed a few days before Mothers day but the bond of our souls will continue forever.
~I love & miss you Mom~
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Chocolate Cake & Aunt Mary...Foodie Friday

This weeks theme is Cake and since I love to play with flour this was a fun theme for me!
Please visit Designs by Gollum to view more delicious cakes.

This week I was watching the movie MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING. The part where the Mom brings her bundt cake to meet the in-laws reminds me of my Aunt Mary. Aunt Mary loved to bake bundt cakes. Each week she would bake several for family and friends. She did not drive and she loved to have company. Being Italian, she knew that the way to entice you to visit her was through your stomach. Every Saturday morning, my brother and I would scramble to the telephone while it was ringing . We would make a bet with each other to see if the call was from Aunt Mary. If the call was from Aunt Mary, she would casually ask if we would like to come over to pick up the special bundt cake that she made just for us. Since Aunt Mary had twelve brothers and sisters, and a ton of grown nieces and nephews with children of their own, it was truly like winning the Italian lottery in our family if you received "THE CALL".

Aunt Mary's Chocolate Bundt Cake

Preheat oven to 350

Grease and flour bundt pan (serves a dozen Italians)

1 box of devil's food cake mix
1 package chocolate instant pudding mix (3.9 small size)
4 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Place cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, warm water, and oil in a large mixing bowl. Blend on low speed with electric mixer for 1 minute. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
Increase speed to medium and beat 2-3 minutes scraping down the sides if needed.
Fold in the chocolate chips. Batter will be thick.
Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan.
Place in oven on the middle rack.
Bake cake until it springs back 45-50 minutes. Oven temps differ so test with a toothpick.
Remove pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes.
Invert cake onto a rack to cool completely for 20 minutes or more. You may need to run a knife around the edge of the pan should it stick to the sides.
When cake is completely cool sprinkle with powdered sugar.

So bake Aunt Mary's Bundt cake and make "THE CALL" and entice someone special to share this chocolate treat. I promise you that you will both feel SPECIAL!

MANGIA!

Barefoot in the Park...good food & good friends...

I belong to a cooking light cooking group. We meet once a month. The hostess decides the theme, buys the wine, soft drinks, and sets her table. We participate by cooking or baking an item that fits the chosen theme. This months theme was "Barefoot In The Park". Our wonderful hostess supplied the park which was conveniently located adjacent to her home. She even found wine that was labeled BAREFOOT (click on photo to see). How cute was that?

Do you belong to a fun cooking group or take cooking classes?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Fresh Strawberry Pie...

Strawberry Pie

1 Pastry shell, cook and cool & set aside

Filling:
1 1/2 quarts (6 cups) strawberries, hulled
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

Bake Pastry shell as directed.

In a small bowl, mash enough strawberries to measure 1 cup.
In a 2-quart saucepan, mix sugar and cornstarch.
Gradually stir in 1/2 cup water and mashed strawberries.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils.
Boil and stir 1 minute; cool.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese and lemon peel until smooth.
Spread evenly in pie crust.
Top with remaining strawberries.
Poor cooked strawberry mixture over top.
Refrigerate until set, about 3 hours.
Store in refrigerator.

I found that this Betty Crocker recipe was light and refreshing. It would be perfect on a hot summer day with a glass of lemonade. The lemon peel gives it a nice taste but it is not overpowering. This should be made and served the same day as it tends to get a bit runny the next day. Did I like this? You betcha. I made 3 this week for my neighbors and they all gave it thumbs up!

MANGIA!

Icy treats for Blue Monday...

This is my first Blue Monday hosted by smilingsally.blogspot.com.
Head on over to see what other refreshing "TREATS" are in store for you today.

It was very hot at the Atlanta Braves gave yesterday and all the kids in the stadium were having these treats. They looked so refreshing. The kids were having so much fun sticking out blue tongues at the opposing team. The Mom's were all discussing how to get the blue stains off of the new baseball shirts the kids wore to the park. The Braves lost and the Astros won but a fun day was had by all the fans. Now I can't wait for a Yankee game as I am a big Yankee fan. What is your favorite treat at the park and who is your favorite team?

Inquiring minds want to know.

"It's all in the hands"...

Tears of joy!

What an amazing race!

What emotions were you feeling while watching this magical race?

Inquiring minds want to know.