Death and Beauty

Even in death, this bluejay is amazing. Look closely and you will see the intact rib cage.

DOT--An Unexpected Outing

I had the day off work on Wednesday, so we decided to take the pup to Fort DeSoto to enjoy some sun, surf, and sand. Ginger made a new "friend", and I use that term loosely because when it comes to sharing her Frisbee, Ginger has no friends. Alas, it is our fault for taking her out of obedience school prematurely because I didn't like the teacher because she kept yanking Ginger collar and "choking" her. Really, if you met Ginger, she is a well behaved dog. Okay, she doesn't always come when called, but heck, neither do I. Since being diagnosed with arthritis, we try to limit the amount of impact exercise Ginger receives. Swimming seems to be the answer to giving her exercise but not making her limp too much after a dose. Matt found a giant mussel, but Ginger wasn't interested. I had visions of mussels in a white wine sauce dancing in my head. Hmm, maybe I'll make that for dinner on our "fish" Friday. After a couple of hours at the beach, we were all hungry and tired, so it was off to McDonald's for some 49 cent hamburgers and fries for "you know who". I can hear Ginger saying, "keep the fries coming". She has not met a french fry she doesn't like, as a matter of fact, there isn't much out there that makes her turn up her nose.

The 37 Practices of All the Buddha's Sons

Verse Seven

The gods of this world are not free yet from sorrow,

For caught in Samsara, some day they must fall.

If they're bound as we are, how can they protect us,

How can someone in prison free anyone else?

But, Buddha, his teach hings and those who live by them,

Are free to give comfort they'll not let us down.

Go to the three jewels of Refuge for shelter

The Sons of the Buddhas all practise this way.

Bound himself in the jail of cyclic existence,

What worldly god can give you protection?

Therefore when you seek refuge, take refuse in the Three Jewels which will not betray you.

--This is the practice of Bodhisattva's.

(memory of this verses device is Refuge.)

Snoballs in July

Do not, I repeat, do not keep your Snoballs in the car in Florida in July. The marshmallows literally melt off the cake. Of course, this gooey mess didn't deter me from savoring this tasty treat, and the flavor was just the same but a little like a warm chocolate cake too. Don't worry, no Gingers were feed snoballs. FYI, Publix also makes a yummy version of Snoballs using whipped cream frosting instead of marshmallow.

Rainy Days are for Cooking at Home

It's been a while since I made Frank's mother's homemade spaghetti sauce, so I decided that this rainy day would be the perfect opportunity to stay at home and make a huge batch of sauce. I prefer to brown the meat first and then make the sauce. It seems to work for me. Here's the recipe (don't tell F.):

3 large cans 15 oz tomato sauce

1 large can tomato paste plus 1 small can

1 Tbsp oregano

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 Tbsp Tabasco, to taste

1 tsp basil

1 1/2 tsps baking soda

1 28oz can whole Roma style tomatoes, drained of juice

1/2 green pepper chopped

1/4 cup shaved carrot

1/4 cup celery minced

1 small onion minced

1 garlic clove minced

1 cup olive oil

chicken or other meat

In a saucepan saute garlic in olive oil, add onions, carrots. After 2 minutes add celery, after 1 minute add green peppers. Add sauce, tomatoes, crushing with the back of a spoon, add tomato paste, spices, and baking soda (will foam).

In separate pan, add 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 clove garlic, minced. Brown chicken or other meat. Add to sauce but do not add drippings.

Cook low at least 3 hours, stirring occasionally.As the sauce simmered, I felt the desire to make a tasty dessert for Matt, so I thought I'd try making Pineapple Meringue Pie as the boy likes pineapple. The recipe is in the Good Housekeeping cookbook, and it's really easy to make, even the meringue. Matt sampling the finished product. Mmm....at least he thought so...as did Ginger.

Smashing Rays

I'm a sucker for a two for one deal, so when the Rays play a home game on Saturday they also have a concert after the game. Tonight it was Smashmouth. Unfortunately, we lost the game. It was a disaster, but there were ten strikeouts and therefore...free Papa John's pizza for anyone who downloads the coupon from the Kane's website. Yes, I snuck my knitting into the game because I'm on a deadline and need to complete this not so secret project by the end of the month.

You can move closer when the concert starts, but up here, it isn't nearly as loud, but still very loud. The band played their hits and then some Van Halen songs, and it was over and we left, a little dejected that our team lost but with visions of pizza in our head.

Munch for Lunch

Old diners are a rare find in these days of Bennighan's, Applebee's, and Panera Bread, so when I find one, I have to check it out. Munch's in St Petersburg did not disappoint me.

The booths are littered with pictures of Lakeview Elementary School in the 1960's. We sat wondering where these kids might be in the world now.As it was a diner, I had to get some sort of breakfast, as that is how I judge these establishments. I chose something I think was called Enda's Dish, a buttermilk biscuit with thin slices of ham, two eggs over easy, topped with SOS, and side of home fries. Mmmm, It was as tasty and filling and probably artery clogging as it sounds. I noticed the guy at the next table was munching on homemade waffles, so I know what I'll be ordering the next time I go, and I plan to sit at the counter instead of a booth, for that authentic diner feel.

If you go, everyone recommends their famous fried green tomatoes. They are like vegetable hush puppies with ranch dressing dipping sauce. The locals know where to go and what to eat, and I wasn't disappointed by this choice. I couldn't finish my meal, as you see Matt had no problem with his, but I knew someone who likes leftovers...

Thank Heaven for 7/11

...and free 7.11oz Slurpee's on this day every year to celebrate their birthday. I forgot how much I like the Coke Slurpee. I think I'm addicted again.

Barefoot on the Beach

Tonight Matt and I are off to Sarasota for a wedding on the beach. Matt is wearing a linen guayabera shirt with khaki shorts and I'm dressed in a summery black and white 1920's inspired Max Studio dress. This picture was taken from my iPhone using a new camera app I downloaded called CameraBag. It converts or takes pictures in these cool formats such Infrared, Fisheye, Helga, Lolo, Instant, etc...this one is 1962, hence the fuzzy nature.
Valerie and Ricky hired a bagpiper to play as she walked from the Moose Lodge on Anna Maria Beach to Ricky and the guests who were standing by the shore. What a cool and fun idea!

Here is the bride and groom.

In keeping with their beach wedding, they had the cutest cake made from Publix decorated with edible shells and starfish. It was also very yummy marble cake. Matt was very pleased.
As a wedding gift, I gave the happy couple crystal flutes and this drink tub filled with three bottles of barefoot bubbly champagne. I was also trying to continue along with the beach theme.

A "special" guest. This guy looks just like President Obama.

As we didn't have time for dinner before the wedding, we stopped by a nearby restaurant called The Bridge Tender and had a late meal of Shrimp Etouffe and Pasta Primevera. The etouffe wasn't nearly as good as Ricky's, the groom, so I was disappointed, but they have a delicious wheat bread and honey butter. Mmmm.

If you are into late night swims, I highly recommend going to this Moose Lodge on the beach. There are no light, so it is very dark and intimate and a little spooky. Okay, I confess I was a bit worried about sharks. Don't tell the Moose people I sent you.

DOT--Underground Shelter

With the scorching hot summer days upon us in South Florida, Ginger has found a spot that keeps her cool and safe...under the backyard deck. Yes, she looks like she is in the midst of digging us a basement, we could use the space. Ginger will spend hours outside under the deck. Periodically, I will check on her to ensure she is doesn't want to come inside to the cool air conditioned house. Oddly, she seems much happier outside. Eventually, dirt dog can be convinced to come out of her hole. Usually by promises of treats or the jiggle of keys which indicate that we're going for a ride somewhere...maybe the beach?

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