Fried Okry!

Yes, you read that right! 

Straight from my 'Southern roots' we have fried okry!

 I'm sure there are healthier ways to cook okra but there's no better taste than the early crop of okra, cut in small rounds, rinsed and shaken in a bag filled with a mixture of yellow corn meal and white flour...with salt and pepper. And then fried in canola oil until crispy. (and eaten with your fingers! hahahaha)

I couldn't believe it when I found it at the Farmer's Market last week. The first Florida crop of tender okra.

 The tomatoes have been amazing. I made BLTs this week and had a glass of iced tea in a vintage glass.

 I even found Swiss Chard which is one of our favorites. You cook Swiss Chard just like Spinach in a very small amount of boiling water just a couple of minutes. (no pics...we ate it)

  Corn on the cob is delicious and I cut it off the cob one day just for the fun of it!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and the 100th Cooking and Crafting with J & J HERE !

What are you looking forward to finding 'in season' this week?

Let's make a list! Critters List!

Are you a 'list maker'? I am! And after a hike we enjoy hooking the camera up to the TV to look at our photos and talking about what we've seen. We don't get photos of everything, so I like to make a list in my journal.

 Green Heron

 Limpkin

 Egret in Flight

Sometimes I know it must sound like I exaggerate when I talk about what we see here in Florida! I can see quite a bit just on a walk around my neighborhood (and to the pond nearby).

So I wanted to share the list I made for Hike # 21. It took place at Blue Run in Dunnellon, FL. We were on the trail for 1 hr 45 min, it was in the 70s and according to my journal, Beautiful! 

This trail runs through woods, along a river with some swamps in the low lying areas. We also view a pond along the way.

Can't read my 'hen scratching? Here's the list:

River Otter
Northern Parula
Green Heron
2 Limpkins
Mississippi Kite
Swallowtailed Kite
Pileated Woodpecker
Red bellied Woodpecker

Ibis in Flight
Cattle Egrets
Great White Egret
Blue Heron
Comorrant
Hawk
Songbirds

One Alligator BIG!
Turtles
Big Fat Fish jumped out of the water at the bridge

And that's all we could remember! lol

And now what did we NOT SEE:
A mosquito, fly or any kind of gnat
A spider, snake or anything scary

And we don't always see an alligator and when we do, it's off the bridge and a long way away.

 Pileated Woodpecker

So that's our list for this hike! WHEW!

 Let's go AGAIN!! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

'Mile a Day in May' Challenge!

My blog friend Carol at Buttercup Counts her Blessings gave us a challenge to walk a mile a day in May and I DID IT! Yay! I'm proud of myself and everyone that took part! And a special thanks to Carol who inspired and motivated us!

 (this doesn't have anything to do with walking but my hubby made it for me so it's here for a laugh and you KNOW it's TRUE!)

I don't wear a device to measure my steps or distances but I always write down my hikes and walks and how long I walked. 

 (an evening walk to the pond near my house)

So in May I took 8 hikes that were approximately 3 to 4 miles each, 3 walks at the park that are about 2 miles each, and the other days, I walked around my neighborhood.

So I'm pretty sure I walked at least 40 miles!!! 

It was a HOT month and we only had ONE day of rain. But I love to walk and feel great when I do!

To celebrate I'm going to have my hair cut short! lol I've let it grow out for months now and I'm SO tired of it! So the next time you see me...I'll look more like my profile pic! heehee!

 I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

 

I'm so blessed to have beautiful places to walk!

 

 Do you enjoy walking too? 

A Barbie Doll Dream!

When Barbie dolls were introduced in 1959, I was a little girl that loved dolls! (link HERE) I remember getting some of the very first Barbie dolls and going straight to the Barbie clothes at the Dime Store to see what new outfits were there. My Aunt Wilma made Barbie doll clothes and I had quite a few of those too. I don't have dolls from my childhood but as all of you know...I have dolls! heehee! And I hit the jackpot last week when I made a quick stop at the Hospice Thrift Store.

I bought 2 Barbie Doll cases! No dolls or clothes but I'll be happy with these for now!

I have a few reproduction Barbies and of course I'll keep a look out for vintage finds.

I even called the Thrift store the next day and told the manager Jeff how pleased I was to have them! (and casually asked if they found any dolls or other Barbie things after I left. It doesn't hurt to ask! heehee)

Do you remember Midge (link HERE)

or Skipper? (link HERE)

 I've had fun doing a little research since I bought these cases!

Don't forget to take time to PLAY!!! 

I thought this would be fun for Wednesday Wee Ones

and I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Happy Memorial Day!

Today we are remembering those brave young men and women who paid for our freedom.

I was looking in my archives for a photo of a flag and found this mosaic to share.

Inverness, Florida

And these are flowers I saw on my walk at Sholom Park yesterday.

 Let's all count our blessings and have a beautiful day.

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

God bless America!

The 'Not so Polite' Critters!

Everybody's talkin'!

They know they shouldn't.

But it's going all around...

all around the pond! (right along the edges)

At Sholom Park of all places!

It's Froggie mating season.

But you didn't hear it here!

Whatever you think you heard...

you didn't hear it here! 

HAHAHAHA!!!

An added note...it was SO noisy! It sounded like machinery was running at the pond! The frogs were THAT LOUD! And that's a Little Blue Heron, Cattle Egret and Cormorant.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Thankful for Roses

Even though it's been hot and dry, our 'knock out' roses are blooming like crazy.

And now I have more! Hubby invented this handy dandy cart to carry plants, tools and mulch from the front of the house to wherever he is working. Isn't it great? We have thick grass and it is easy for him to pull. 

 And he is feeling really good now. Thanks again for all of the prayers. He has decreased his medication and 'so far so good'!

He planted more roses in the back along the wall that is our lanai. 

We have roses on the side of the lanai and the courtyard is on the other side.

(back of the lavender cottage, with lanai on the right of pic)

So I'm thankful for roses and my sweet hubby this week.

What are you thankful for?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Southern Magnolias

The Magnolias are in full bloom here in Florida!

They have such huge blooms, fragrant and beautiful!

These were taken at Shalom Park. I walk there every Thursday morning after I shop at the Farmer's Market.

It's dry here but everything is green and lush...heat and humidity! 

How's your weather?

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE.

Cuteness ALERT!!! Baby Hawks!!!

Sit back and relax because I have some cute photos to share with you today!

We heard them first...crying !!

Then we looked up into a TALL TALL TREE....

and saw a nest with TWO baby hawks!

Hubby had his camera....

and I had mine...

 Click....

 Click....

Click!

 And we saw Mama (or Papa) all along the trail! (yes we finally got back to hiking)

 She even perched on a tree near the bridge.

 Looking for something to catch to feed those babies.

 Because they are CRYING! They are LOUD! And they are HUNGRY!!!

 Gotta FLY and find MORE!!!

 Aren't babies the absolute cutest?

 Red Shouldered Hawks seen at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon, FL.

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Too Busy? Too Bright?

I put the bold and bright comforter on the back of my sofa. (I spent less than $6 on it last week at the thrift store. See post HERE )

And then I put all the necessary things back in place. I sit in the center and put my computer on my lap when I blog. This is our lanai...or Florida room and it's bright and cheery. What do you think? Too bright and cheery? heehee!

Something to be thankful for today is this sweet young lady who is a new vendor at the Farmer's Market. 

(taken with my phone, sorry about the shadows)

I've been using the Mint Julep soap all week and I love it! So fresh and nice! The lemon bar is wonderful too! So sweet and fragrant!

Isn't it cute the way she packages everything?

And 2 of the presents I got for Mother's day are blog inspired!

(the item at the bottom of the pic is something to color)

Helen Phillips is one of my best blog buddies and wrote Pretty Patchwork Gifts! Her blog is HERE. She designs and makes the most beautiful quilts and softies. All the pretty colors that I love! I'm so pleased to get one of her books!

Our sweet Stephanie mentioned these journals on her blog HERE and I found the Gratitude journal on sale at Amazon so it went in my wish list. Hubby was sweet to shop on my wish list this year. Thanks honey!

Lots to be thankful for this week! How about you?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.