Friday, January 30, 2015

Flavorful Chicken Salad

I’m going to share some healthy recipes and easy dishes on my blog this year. We eat really good meals but it requires a bit of planning ahead. Sometimes people eat the wrong foods because they wait until the last minute to decide what to have, especially for lunch.

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When we grill chicken we always make extra. Hubby puts natural spices on the meat for flavor.

Then with what is left over, I make chicken salad, enough for more than one lunch.

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Diced chicken and celery with a generous dollop (or 2) of Real Mayo.

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Then I add boiled eggs and a few Craisins.

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When I’m ready to eat a serving (there are about 3 servings in this bowl), I sprinkle sliced almonds on top. Sometimes instead of Craisins, I put grapes in the salad when I’m ready to eat it. (If you put the almonds or grapes in early, they will get soggy.)

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I store it in this Corelle bowl with it’s very own lid.

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Enjoy with a few Multigrain Wheat Thins for a yummy and satisfying lunch.

Now what should we have to drink?

Thursday, January 29, 2015

A not so good Fence and no photo of the birds…

How’s that for a title?

We were hiking at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve and got ‘off the trail’ to see this old broken down fence.

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(we look for fences everywhere now don’t we?)

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And we scared up a covey of Northern Bobwhites!

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The first bobwhites we’ve ever seen here in Florida.

I swung my camera around and got this photo.

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Most of them ran off in one direction, but one flew right in front of me.

There were probably a dozen or more.

So that’s my story…

and I’m sticking to it!

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I’m joining Tex for the

Good Fences party.

(if she’ll let me)

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Slumber party in the Library “Wednesday Wee Ones”

I decided for a couple of weeks, I would allow the dolls to take over the library.

They wanted to have a slumber party so what could I say?

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Do you see we have a ‘new girl’?

Her name is Zeta and I made her a pretty blue robe and pjs for the party.

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Two of these girls are Madame Alexander dolls and my new girl in the blue robe is an 18 inch doll from Walmart called My Life.

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They have a little table set up with cake and tea

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and books…lots of books.

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Have a wonderful Wednesday and remember,

Take Time to PLAY!!!

AND if you are joining in today, please let me know and I will add a link to your dollie post!

Visit JoAnn HERE to see her pretty dollies dressed for winter weather!

HAVE FUN!!!

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Are you organized?

I love to organize. I like to work on projects that require putting things in order.

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So over the weekend we took ALL of our DVDs and put them in order.

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(they are in the hallway between the kitchen and the living room)

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(VHS on a folding table to sort)

Then we bought more of these simple shelves for our odd bunch of VHS tapes and I put them in alphabetical order.

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(putting the back on)

Movies are something we enjoy almost every night. We ‘plug one in’ and watch part of it while we relax in the evenings. Then we read before bedtime.

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Don’t you love these little Adirondack chairs on top of the shelves?

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Sweet JoAnn sent them in my box of birthday goodies.

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The rest of the box was filled with handmade items for my dollies!

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Can you believe the precious things she makes?

Thank you JoAnn!

Time to organize my doll clothes!

Do you like to put things in order?

Monday, January 26, 2015

Downton Abbey continues….

I miss our Downton Abbey discussions on Monday morning. Are there any blogs discussing the shows?

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Are you watching it?  Or reading about it?

Vee at a Haven for Vee had some wonderful posts last year! Read them HERE!

We've looked forward to the season all year.

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And there are lots of plots and stories going on…lots to talk about.

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About the only criticism I would have is about the lighting. Have you noticed how dark many of the scenes are and what deep shadows the characters have on their faces?

I’m joining Roses of Inspiration.

Well, let me know if you are discussing the shows on your blog. I’d love to join in!

Happy Monday!

Sunday, January 25, 2015

A Good day to see Manatees!

And a great day to visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Even the park ranger said there were more manatees near the observation deck than usual.

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It was a beautiful day in the mid 70s and they were giving us all a show.

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All of those huge dark spots in the water are manatees! (and one was almost white!)

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I love seeing the flamingos and swans but the manatees really ‘steal the show’! (or at least until you get to the flamingos…OH MY!)

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Last Spring we even saw a Mama with a baby swimming alongside her. So hubby stopped at the gift shop and bought me a new toy.

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Well, after all…it was my birthday!

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I’m joining Beautiful Sunday

Amaze me Monday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Readin’ and Writin’ and waitin’ for Rain!

The sun is out bright this morning but I would love to spend the day inside and we do have a ‘chance of rain’! I’ve had such a wonderful (and active) week!

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And look at the books I’m readin’ right now.

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I love love love the Jacqueline Winspear mysteries with Maisie Dobbs. I found this one at a book sale so I’m still reading them ‘out of order’ but that’s OK.

And when my hubby shopped for my birthday on Amazon, he used my wish list for ideas and bought me this book.

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Do you recognize the author? It’s my blog buddy and dollie friend, JoAnn from Scene through my eyes!!!

I can’t wait to read it!

She sent me some dollie pressies for my birthday too that I’ll share in another post.

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I also got my giveaway win from Gina at The Gentle art of Homemaking. She has started a new blog so visit her soon! You’ll love her!

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She sent me an April Cornell tea towel in a pretty tote bag and this amazing journal.

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I’m going to really enjoy it and use it for some special writing this year.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day, too!

Do you think it will rain?

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Good Fences at the Wildlife Park

Respect the fences at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

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And whatever you do…

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DON’T GO SWIMMING in the alligator pond!

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Thanks for all of the sweet birthday wishes!

We spent the day at the park and saw some amazing sights! (like the flamingos in my new banner)

I’m joining Tex for the

Good Fences party.

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Wednesday Wee Ones “Birthday Fun!”

I’m going to buy a paper doll that I can call my own…

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This is a photo of my 6th birthday party.
The little cutie in the background is my sweet sister.
I have just opened a gift and it is the 45 record
" Paper doll”. I had the piano music that I learned to play, too.

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What fun to find the old sheet music at an antique store a few years ago.

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Now if I just had the record sleeve with the paper dolls! Wouldn’t that be fun?

I’m not sure what I’ll be doing today

but I’ll be sure to make it a ‘play day’!

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It’s my birthday! Birthday cakeGift with a bowBirthday cake

 

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Florida at the beach….in January!

We’re enjoying temps in the 70s, perfect for a day at the beach.

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And when you drive to Canaveral National Seashore, it’s a good idea to stop at the visitor’s center and walk out on the dock on the river side. (the Atlantic Ocean is on the other side of the road)

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A tour boat was pulling up at the time.

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But the dophins at play were getting my attention.

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It’s always a thrill to watch them.

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Doesn’t this one look like a submarine coming toward us?

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I’m joining Beautiful Sunday

Amaze me Monday and

Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

And if it’s too cold where you live,

come on down!