I actually made bread

This was so easy and looks so professional.  Thanks for my friend, Penny, At Home in English Valley, remarked about this in her blog so I thought I would give it a try.

Dutch Oven Bread, easy, delicious and gorgeous!


Recipe here:
http://talefromthecoopkeeper.blogspot.com/2011/02/dutch-oven-bread-tutorial.html
Babs

Words can't describe

The goodness!
I talked about these in a previous post and mentioned I would give them a try when I returned home. Well I did today.....and WOW!

They are moist, chocolate-y, hint of coffee in the creamy frosting and totally delicious when you reach that bite of Caramel. They look pretty too.

 I highly recommend these little morsels of goodness!
TTFN ....Babs

Dreamy Weekend Escape

Wouldn't it be fun to snuggle on this couch...with your knitting or crocheting, a good magazine and simply relax.  I'd add a few candles to the table.

Love the look.  Ahhh....dreams.

Babs

Saturday Dinner in Orlando

We decided to cook in - one of our final dinners and almost everyone was there.  Mike went to Fresh Market (Gosh I love that store - hope you have had the opportunity to visit one) and he picked up a six pound beef tenderloin.  We decided to marinate it in olive oil, fresh garlic and herbs.

Also on the menu was the Pioneer Woman's Twice Baked potatoes:

 Grilled veggies from the Winter Park Farmers Market:

One of my favorite salads made with mixed greens, fresh strawberries, mandarin oranges, red onion, sliced almonds and a honey dressing.

This is Sarah making everyone think she is helping with the cooking:

The tenderloin grilling!  It was delicious!

We also had fresh strawberry shortcake (Plant City berries) with real whipped cream.  I can't believe I forgot to take a picture, they were beautiful and delicious.

Another great evening - sitting outside in the marvelous FL weather.  It was still 74 degrees at 8pm.  Great dinner, good wine, Beatle's music in background, family gathered around.  Bliss~~

Babs

Farewell to our Florida Home

We said goodbye on Tuesday morning to this!

A beautiful home that welcomed us for a month.

Azalea bushes blooming in the yard.

Perfect skies

Yes this was taken in the backyard on our last day.
A great goodbye dinner at Cantina Laredo

Gucamole made tableside - yum

I had chicken tampico - superb~

Mexican Brownie with ice cream and sizzling brandy butter sauce.

Our host and great brother - Mike!

Erik, me, and Drew (Adam had to work)!

Thanks for a great month.  We'll miss you Orlando!

Babs

Home Sweet Home

I'm back home.  Lots of catching up to do.  Lots more pictures to load.  Will catch up with all of you real soon.

TTFN
Babs

Daytona 500

Richard, Mike, Drew and friend Derrick were fortunate enough to attend the first Nascar race of the season.
They had passes to a hospitality tent thus, they were able to tour the pits and walk the track.  You can also see my darling signing the finish line.....his personal message to me, I'm sure.  They had a great day.

More pics to come.

Ahhh. the beauty and the fun at Downtown Disney

Renniger's Antique Extragavanza Mt. Dora

There was 331 acres of antiques and treasures and over 1000 dealers.  We didn't even get a chance to make a dent in it.  But it was great fun and a gorgeous day.  I think when we got in the car (after 6 hours) it said 84 degrees.

I really liked this idea:  an old cement urn turned upside down and a china plate affixed to the top to use as a cute little patio table. 

I liked this white bird cage also with the ferns inside.

Lots of buildings with stalls filled with surprises
Lots of open air vendors as well.

I had the pleasure of meeting two bloggers that I follow.  They are such warm, interesting people.  I met SassyTrash and From My Home to Yours.

We just bought a few little things.  Not much room in the car for too much more.
Another beautiful day here in Orlando.
TTFN
Babs

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Detroit Red Wings

The family is off to Tampa for the Red Wings Hockey game tonight.  They were all so excited!
L to R:  Sarah, Mike, Marlene, Adam, Erik, Staci and Drew (seated).  Go Red Wings!

Gourmet Croissant - Winter Park

Francois first pursued the art of making pastries when he was 16 years old.  He apprenticed with a master chef in his hometown in northern France.  He received diplomas in pastries, bread, chocolate, ice cream and candy making.  He moved to Paris in 1991 and worked in several restaurants along the famous Champs-Elysees.  Francois bought a bakery in his hometown a few years later.  His brother, Philippe shared his passion for baking thus, they opened another bakery in a neighboring town.

Francois nurtured a dream....he always wanted to open a bakery in America.  He was lured to warm weather and beaches and began to take holidays with his family, visiting several cities across the state of Florida.

In August 2008, Croissant Gourmet opened its doors in Winter Park.  It immediately was a success and you can see why!

And this was our box for home!

The crust was the flakiest, the custard so smooth and delicious and the fruit.....sweet and melt in your mouth deliciousness.

I think we need to make one more trip to Winter Park before our departure back home.
Babs

Valentine's Dinner at Ruth Chris

We had the pleasure of having a lovely dinner with Mike and Marlene for Valentine's Day.  This was our first experience at this fine restaurant....I hope you won't be my last.

I started out with a delicious Pomegranate Martini!  It was so good.  The rim of the glass was dipped in sugar and flamed orange peel.

 The lovely couples!

Our steaks and salads were superb!

And then Chocolate Lava cake with White Chocolate Sauce and Raspberry Sorbet.

As if that wasn't enough, Marlene and I just had to have Ruth's Coffee.

We had the decaf version - oh it was delicious.  Just a little Bailey's Irish Cream, Frangelico and Kahlua in it.
Mike ordered his favorite - a flight of Grand Marnier.

The 100 year old was the best.

All in all we had such a great evening.  A perfect Valentine's celebration indeed.  Thanks Mike and Marlene for inviting us to join you.

Babs

All You Need is Love

It was always John's dream that his art be shown and accepted for what it is.  Nice exhibit held in Winter Park this past weekend.  We enjoyed it.

Happy Valentine's Day

XXOO to all my friends and family!
Babs

Have you missed me?

Sorry, just been so busy plus my camera batteries died.  I am one of those who really prefer blog updates with pictures.

You can see it's raining so this was a perfect way to spend the day.  After this picture my camera died.
I did manage to do a little bit of damage in this store.

We were busy this weekend doing chores for Marlene.  She was a slave driver.

Painting, trim work, replacement of light fixtures and one happy lady when it was all said and done.
The rewards were worth it.