Winter Park

We spent some time in Winter Park on Saturday. What a lovely town! Park Avenue is awesome with all the fine shops, restaurants, and yes....the Wine Room.

My Richie!

Sarah!!!!!

It is so fun to people watch also. Lots of people walking dogs. Most shops have water bowls on the sidewalk for the doggies. The funniest was seeing a couple walk their bird ( it was a big pink parrot or something like that)..... for real....walking it in it's cage in a stroller.

Lots of money in this neck of woods.....check out these cars.

Fine Cadillac

Yes....it's a Rolls Royce

We tried to stop at the French Bakery but they had closed for the day. It's fabulous they say. The Pastry Chef/ Baker is straight from France.

We wound up the day by attending Erik's concert at Winter Park High School....it was the all county honors band concert. It was very, very good. Congratulations Erik....great percussion!  Picture forthcoming.

What a fun day we had.

Sunday Afternoon

My nephew Drew had us over for a cook-out today.  He made brats on the grill with cider onions and apple.
They were very good.

They other kids enjoying each others company - Sarah, Adam, and Erik......I love how they interact with their technology.

And, of course, Aunt Barb had to make their favorite, "Robert Redford Dessert". 

A fun afternoon!
TTFN - Babs

Vroooom!

When in Orlando, you have to do the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Disney, right?

My hot Nascar hubby!

Some of my favorite things

There are so many stops to make:  for example:

I really like HomeGoods.  Nice selection of decorator stuff....pillows, lamps, mirrors, furniture.  I eyed a real cool lamp for our bedroom.

Five Guys:  yum, yum, yum!  Been there once already and will probably make a few more visits while we're here.

Parchment:  This is a great little gift shop.  Nice stationery...cards....gifts...jewelry.

I made a little sweet treat for the guys today:  my favorite - Chocolate No -Bakes - easy,peasy!  If you want the recipe, leave me a comment.  I think most everyone in the world knows this one.

And last, here is Toby.  He's really hard to photograph.  He's so black and he doesn't like to have his picture taken.....he barks when I try to do so.

back to some sun for a while.
TTFN -
Babs

Fabulous!

This was yesterday!

                      

The Sky......amazing blue .... not a  cloud.  Hit 75 degrees. Yes!

Dinner Tonight

Deep Dish Mexican Meatloaf

Deep-Dish Mexican Meat Loaf Pie
1 1/4 lb. ground beef (90% lean)
1 cup finely crushed tortilla chips
1 envelope onion soup mix
3/4 cup bottled taco sauce
2 eggs, lightly beaten (divided)
1 8.8 oz. pouch cooked Spanish-style rice (Uncle Ben’s ready rice)
1 15.5 oz. can golden hominy rinsed & drained(OK, I used canned whole corn instead)
1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained (Rotel is great!)
1 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese (4 oz.)
1 medium fresh Anaheim pepper, seeded & chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, I didn’t add it)
Tortilla chips on the side
1.  Preheat oven to 350*.  Combine beef, crushed chips, soup mix, 1/2 cup of taco sauce, one lightly beaten egg, and 1/2 tsp. black pepper.  Press into bottom & sides of 10-inch deep dish pie plate.
2. Heat rice according to directions. In bowl combine rice, hominy (or corn), tomatoes, cheese, Anaheim pepper, cilantro & the remaining 1/4 cup taco sauce & egg.  Spoon into meat shell.  Place on a baking sheet.  Cover loosely with foil.
3.  Bake 40 minutes.  Remove foil, bake 20 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer registers 160* F.  Cool 15 min.  Top with chips, jalapeno & cilantro.  Makes 6 servings.

Recipe courtesy of SouthernHospitalityblog.com

A nice green salad would make a perfect side for this dish.

Enjoy.
Babs

Celebration!

Happy Birthday Barb last Monday and Happy Birthday Carl last Thursday!

We celebrated together last week.  Hope we both have a happy, healthy year.

TTFN

Checkin In

Yes I am still alive and very well.  Had to head to sunshine!

I understand home is buried and freezing.  My weather.com says it's 0 degrees at the moment.  I guess I shouldn't whine as it is 43 here but....no snow and total blue skies.

More soon.

Getting Ready

Won't be long now.

It's so hard to pack.....short sleeve, long sleeve, short pants, long pants.  All I do know is it has to be warmer than 19 degrees, (smile).

TTFN

Babs

Snow Flakes Falling so lightly from the sky.....all day.....so.......

what else does one do but stay in and bake!  Bake heavenly, moist, wonderful brownies!

I had found a brownie recipe on a blog that looked delicious but had to switch gears as in the translation something was array.  So I found a recipe from one of my favorite chefs....The Barefoot Contessa and followed hers (somewhat).  The result.....divine.  How could one go wrong....butter, bittersweet chocolate, espresso powder, lots of pecans!  Yum.

Stop over for a sample!

Babs

Peat Pots

I came across this idea from one of my favorite blogs French Larkspur.  I think they are so sweet.

 

Because they are so lightweight and if you use them for decorating as Tracey did, you would want to fill them with dried flowers.  How cute sitting on the mantel or just about anywhere.....adding the hope of spring to a room.  If you get a chance. check out French Larkspur.

TTTFN - babs

What is this world coming too?

Pl

Please let us each say a prayer for Gabby's recovery!  This just isn't right!  So many innocent people lost their lives.....the nine year old little girl.  Why?  Where's the justice in all of this?

Babs

I'm Getting There!

I'm a terrible texter.  But it wasn't my fault.....it was the phone.  I was one of those that hit the ABC keys one at  time.  Half the time my words wouldn't spell out if I used T9.  So....it was time I did an upgrade.

Say hello to Violet!

Isn't she high tech for me.  Mind you it's a touch screen but.....I didn't get the fancy plan because I have my iPad.  I had to have Leah teach me how to use it.  Maggie, Leah and I all have the same phone.  It will be fun but if you call and I don't answer right away it's because a) I can't find the phone b) I can't unlocki the screen fast enough after I find the phone.  Sorry.

Richie got a new phone also but his is (of Course) no frills, no thrills, no texting.  Just ring and answer for my man!

Have a good week.  Still cold.....it was 9 degrees when I left the house this a.m.
TTFN - Babs

Posies

Pretty posies made from ribbon. These belong to an acquaintance. her sister made 150 of these for a nurses reunion. She wore the black/pink/green one on a black sweater when I saw her. of course I commented. She offered to let me borrow them to figure out how to make them. I think I've got it.

What do you think? Cute?
 Babs

OMG

 

Oreo Truffles/Cake Balls

1 (16 ounce) package OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, divided
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 (8 ounce) packages BAKER’S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate, melted
Directions

1. Crush 9 of the cookies to fine crumbs in food processor; reserve for later use. (Cookies can also be 
2. finely crushed in a re-sealable plastic bag using a rolling pin.) Crush remaining 36 cookies to fine crumbs; place in medium bowl. Add cream cheese; mix until well blended. Roll cookie mixture into 42 balls, about 1-inch in diameter. At this point add a toothpick in each ball. Put on a plate, or baking sheet (make sure it fits in your freezer) and freeze for 15 minutes.
3. Dip balls in chocolate; place on wax paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover chocolate can be stored at room temperature for another use.) Sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
4. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator

Do I dare?
TTFN - Babs

Things are brewing

The new year.....a clean slate.....and now time to work on projects.

I have a few in the works:  on my needles:

Estate Sale find:

This is the before......can't wait to show you the after.

And this is another before shot -( not a good one) - sorry I forgot to take one before the work really began.
It's a cedar chest.  Wait til you see the after.  It will be worth the wait.  I promise.

So many things to do to stay busy in this cold, snowy season.

Have a good week and watch for my progress on the above.  OK?
TTFN - Babs

My new favorite game

Words with Friends

Like scrabble, you can have mulitple games going on at once.

My favorite iPad app right now!

Babs

To Heck With Resolutions

Do you actually know anyone who has made a New Year resolution and stuck to it?  I know I have never done so nor do I know anyone who has done so.

My thought......pick one little word for the year and make a concerted effort to work on it this year.  Examples:
patient, thoughtful, commited, present, encouraging, positive, etc.....

I believe mine will be:  thoughtful and awareness.  My intent is to reach out to those who I can help in some little way at the moment (i.e.) the elderly woman I saw walking with no gloves, no scarf, no hat and it was about 9 degrees out.  This year I will be aware ..... turn around and offer her a ride.

Let's us each be mindful of our intention this year, start out with a clean slate and be thankful we have a new year to celebrate.

Between you and me

 Happy New Year and thank you all for following my blog. 

TTFN - Babs

Happy Birthday Dad!

I miss you, Dad!   On your birthday, I remember all you did for me and how you loved me. 
May you Rest in Peace.  January 1, 1917 -2006

I love you Dad - Barb