Hello dear friends

Just a quick note to let you know that I appreciate all your kind comments about Mr. Bloomers. I miss him every morning when I open the door and he's not there to greet me... also, I've been kind of down and out, feeling kind of blah and semi-depressed - I think I need a vacation or at least a change of scenery. When I get that way, I usually draw into myself till it's over, so please don't think I've deserted you because I haven't. I know I'll be back to "normal" soon - also, I've been having blogger problems lately. It's too frustrating for me to deal with that computer issue right now, so I'm just letting it go till I feel energetic enough to deal with it. Also, my car's been needing one expensive thing after the other and every month I think I can take a ride to the beach or up north and then I have to come up with a few hundred dollars for the car, but hey, at least I have a car. Autumn starts next week and I'm hoping to take a ride to the beach next month to enjoy a little outing somewhere else. I'll probably take my friend and neighbor Terri along. I also have had some manager/tenant issues - not big, but just irritating - and I just have been keeping to myself.

Gizzy is doing well, but he's getting on in years and sleeps a lot, but we walk every morning and when I miss a walk for some reason, we go at night. It's nice in the mornings, but still too warm at night and pretty hot during the day...we both can't wait for it to cool down. Blessings to you and I'll be around soon to visit!

Have a good day and we'll be back soon!

R.I.P Sweet Prince

I'm very sad and discouraged for my world feels a little more empty and lonely. Turns out the video I showed you was our last Sunday Morning Stroll together.

I had not seen Mr. Bloomers (aka, The Blue Prince) for a couple of days. You have to understand that he thought he was my cat for he came to my front porch every night and every morning to get his meals and often came inside and even slept in the bedroom during cold nights in the winter. He was part of my life.

When I didn't see him for two days I knew he was seriously injured or dead because he visited me like clockwork. I found him in the bushes yesterday morning and I suspect that the free-roaming hunting dogs have been at it again - like last year when they came through here killing several of our community cats - and now Mr. B is one of them. I tried making him a housecat, but he would not have anything to do with that, especially with Gizzy in here who hates cats.One time, when I lured him in with food, he jumped through the screen window and popped the screen right out. He felt trapped indoors and was simply not happy being inside. I know when you love strays, there's always a good chance you will get your heart broken more than once because strays simply don't live that long, especially not here where dogs roam free, especially dogs who are trained hunting dogs who work in teams. My friend Bobby-Jack came and took Mr. B. to bury him for me. I am not a happy camper today...I suspect there may be some more cats missing since I only saw the three young ones at feeding time ...

When I told my neighbor Terri about Mr. Bloomers, she told another neighbor (that's how it goes around here) and that woman who is a known cat hater, said really loudly, so that I could hear it "I've been praying about those cats - and that's God's way of taking care of things!" Those are the kind of "Christian" people I live with - she's not the only one. My next door neighbor hates cats and dogs too and there is no reason for it. Mr. Bloomers was smart and he never, ever came to their apartments...he only came to mine briefly and he was out of sight all day because he was afraid of people and very shy. Can you believe that woman said that? Wonder what God she was praying to because my God loves his creations and he would never answer a prayer like that! Apparently she also possesses no compassion, because when you know someone lost a pet or something they loved, you don't tell them that you prayed about it being gone? I'm really ticked off at that woman now! I know two wrongs don't make a right, but sometimes it sure would be nice to get some "instant gratification" (if you know what I mean!)

National Honey Board Recipes

The National Honey Board’s
Most Loved Recipes

Well, folks, our favorite month is upon us – a month to enjoy and appreciate one of life’s simplest pleasures – honey. That’s right! September is National Honey Month and we want to celebrate by sharing with you some of our favorite honey recipes.

Not only is honey diverse in its use – energy booster, skin moisturizer, cough suppressant – but it’s also diverse in its culinary applications. This one, simple ingredient can be used in a multitude of ways, and the recipes below showcase a few that make honey so unique.

Take a moment this September to savor the “sweetest” ingredient of all and to appreciate the humble honey bees that make it all possible.

Harvest Pumpkin Muffins
(makes 12 muffins)

Start your day off right with these delicious muffins sweetened with honey. Honey acts as a humectantand retains moisture in baked goods, which results in an incredibly soft, moist muffin. And because of its antimicrobial properties, honey gives baked goods a slightly longer shelf life. Who knew one ingredient had so much functionality?

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1 cup solid pack pumpkin
• 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter until light; beat in honey, egg and pumpkin. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just blended; stir in walnuts. Spoon into 12 greased or paper-lined 2-1/2 inch muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Honey-Curry Vegetable Dip
(makes 6 servings)

This dip pairs perfectly with fresh, crisp vegetables or even sliced sausage and other grilled meats. Honey acts as an emulsifier in dips and sauces, binding ingredients together to make for a smoother texture and more blended flavor.

• 1 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 Tablespoon curry powder
• 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
• Assorted fresh vegetables (celery, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli)

Combine mayonnaise, honey, curry and vinegar; mix well. Refrigerate about 1 hour to allow flavors to blend. Serve with vegetables.

Chicken Fajita Grill with Avocados
(makes 4 servings)

No matter the weather, this recipe is worth a try! Honey is used as a marinade and basting sauce, giving the chicken moisture and unbeatable flavor. As a bonus, the recipe for Honey Corn Cakes is included and is the perfect accompaniment to this smoky fajita grill.

• 1 to 2 lemons
• 1/4 cup honeySweet and spicy is the name of the game! Honey sweetness is the perfect balance to a firecracker dish. Here, honey is used as a saucy glaze to impart the most robust flavor while keeping the shrimp moist and tender.
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 cup snow peas, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1-1/2 lbs. shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 6 cups cooked white rice, optional
  In small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, vinegar, cornstarch, orange peel and red pepper flakes until thoroughly mixed and cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside. Heat oil in wok or large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic and ginger; stir-fry until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add bell pepper and snow peas; stir-fry 1 minute until crisp-tender. Add shrimp and green onions; stir-fry until shrimp just turns pink, about 1 minute. Stir in reserved soy sauce mixture; cook and stir until sauce boils and thickens. Serve over cooked rice, if desired.
  
  Asparagus with Honey Garlic Sauce
  (makes 4 servings)
  
  
  
• 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 avocados
• 12 honey corn cakes, recipe follows
• cilantro, optional
• sliced red pepper, optional
• citrus slices, optional

Grate lemon to get 2 teaspoons peel. Squeeze to get 2 Tablespoons juice. Mix lemon peel and juice with honey, cumin, salt and cayenne. Place chicken breasts in bowl. Pour mixture over chicken, turning breasts to coat; cover. Marinate in refrigerator for 8 to 10 hours. Place chicken over medium-hot coals or under broiler on foil-lined pan. Cook 5 to 8 minutes on each side, basting with marinade, or until cooked but not dry. Halve, seed and skin avocados. Slice lengthwise. Slice chicken breasts crosswise and serve with avocado slices and honey corn cakes. Garnish with cilantro, sliced red bell pepper and citrus slices if desired.

Firecracker Shrimp
(makes 4 servings)

Each of the flavors in this dish are bold and distinct, but when combined they create a harmony of taste – and honey plays a predominant role. Honey’s naturally occurring organic acids enhance and balance the flavors of other ingredients.

• 1 lb. fresh asparagus
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup dark ale or dark beer
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Add asparagus to boiling, salted water (about 1-inch) and cook, covered, about 2 minutes or until barely tender. Drain. Combine mustard, ale, honey, garlic, thyme and salt; mix well. Pour over cooked asparagus.

Honey Macaroon Dessert Pizza
(makes 6 servings)

This is a terrific dessert to make with your kids – easy (and fun!) to make, loaded with fresh fruit and kissed with honey’s sweetness. To see a video demonstration of this recipe, visit our YouTube Channel here!

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 tube (10 oz.) refrigerated pizza dough
• 1/2 Tablespoon butter, softened
• 1/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut, lightly packed
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
• Whipped cream, for garnish
• Fresh fruit, such as berries, for garnish
• Mint sprigs, for garnish

Whisk together cream and honey. Reduce over medium low heat by about 1/3, until mixture thickens and develops a light caramel color. Reserve. Shape pizza dough according to package directions. Spread butter over pizza shell. Sprinkle with coconut and almonds. Drizzle with reserved cup honey mixture; spread gently with a rubber spatula shell. Bake at 450° F until crust is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool to warm or room temperature. Cut into 6 wedges. Garnish with whipped cream, fruit, and mint sprigs.

Smoked Honey Ice Cream
(makes 1-1/2 to 2 cups)

If you want to make a fancy, melt-in-your-mouth (literally) dessert for your friends, this is the recipe for you. The smoked honey gives this sweetener an even deeper flavor profile while also giving the ice cream a smoother mouthfeel. Ice creams using honey generally have a lower freezing temperature, which results in an ice cream free of grainy ice crystals.

• 5 eggs
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split
• 1/3 cup smoked honey, or to taste*

To prepare ice cream base, beat eggs and sugar together in a bowl; reserve. Combine milk and heavy cream in a saucepan; scrape vanilla seeds into mixture, then add whole vanilla bean. Bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat to low. Temper egg mixture with a little of the hot liquid. Slowly whisk tempered egg mixture into the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Cool. Remove vanilla bean. Pour ice cream base into ice cream maker, following manufacturer’s instructions for freezing. Add smoked honey after the mixture begins to thicken. Notes: Yield will depend upon the amount of air a particular ice cream maker incorporates into the ice cream. *Smoke honey over pecan chips at a low temperature for about 1-1/2 hours.

Honey Iced Tea
(makes 10 servings)

There’s nothing more refreshing than a glass of iced tea, especially when it’s sweetened with honey! Because honey is 17% water, it dissolves quickly and easily in most beverages. Plus, since honey isslightly sweeter than granulated sugar, you can use less honey to achieve the same level of sweetness.

• 1 quart boiling water
• 12 tea bags
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 quart cold water
• Mint sprigs, if desired

Add tea bags to boiling water and allow to steep 3 to 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and add lemon juice and honey. Stir to combine. Add cold water and refrigerate. Pour over ice cubes in tall glasses. Garnish with mint if desired.
If you need any clarifications on the above recipes, just go to National Honey Board online and verify that I have copies this correctly for you. Enjoy! 

Sunday morning stroll

I hope you enjoyed this video I made this morning and pray that everyone is safe in light of the hurricane and the bad weather. Blessings for a wonderful day!

Toad in basket

As I opened my front door at 11 pm to look for Mr. Bloomers, I find Mr. Toad sitting in the cat's basket while Mr. B is under the chair looking inconvenienced.

.... the nerve!

This toad who lives under the slab of cement near the bushes by my front porch is so sassy...he loves to sit outside his hole in the ground when I water the plants. He just sits there blinking into the stream of water and enjoys getting wet.

I've also seen him several times sitting smack dab in the middle of the cat food bowl (with kibbles in them) and now, he's taking over Mr. Bloomers' basket... what's next? If he knocks on my front door, he's getting a big, fat kiss and then I'll know for sure... or get a wart!

Cat Spay and Neuter Day

was very disappointing for me.

Today was the day when I was going to take one of our feral "community cats" to have them spayed or neutered since the city absorbs the cost for one stray animal per month. I put out the trap last night, placed a can of cat food in there, but this morning, the food had been eaten and the trap remained open...meaning I got nothing, zilch, zip, nada, zero...and I'm very disappointed because now I have to wait another month to try again to capture one. I wonder if the trap is faulty or if the animal in there was extra light - or maybe it was a mouse or rat that ate the food...oh, well...I will just have to wait and try it again next month. I was so looking forward to getting this spay/neuter thing started.

I'm going to make the rounds now and visit some of you because I've been facebooking instead of blogging. I like playing one of the games on there called 'Gardens of Time' that I find very addicting.. Shame on me! I hope to get over it pretty soon because this is not how I want to spend my days permanently - glued to the computer screen. I need to get out of this rut that I'm in. I know it's not healthy.

Gizzy had a shower with me this morning and now he's resting in his pink bed all clean and content in the cool air conditioning. It was kind of hot by the time we got out, so we didn't walk very much. I don't like to see him pant, but tomorrow is another day for getting up early  and walking around the lake.

Bye for now - see you on your blogs!

August morning walk

I want to share some photos of our early morning walk around the lake. It's been quite pleasant out in the mornings for the past two days and I actually wanted to stop, linger and photograph instead of huffing and puffing towards home. They're all from Lake Irma yesterday.

If you click to enlarge this picture, you might see a Great Blue Heron sitting near the peninsula.

Here it is a little closer (cropped):

Gizzy having a drink and enjoying the view.

That little dot in the preceding photo is an alligator, yes we have a 4' Alligator in the lake and we're all worried about our ducks and the goose. The city said they'll remove him as soon as they find someone who is certified to do that job. Alligators are endangered and it's against the law to kill them here, even though many people do. My friend, Sandy Olsen, who runs the Banks Lake Outpost informed me that any gator 4 feet or more is considered a nuisance animal and will be removed and destroyed or donated to a gator farm for food - yes, gator tails are very popular here. I've never had one and am not the least bit interested.

Here's a bit closer of the little alligator:

I don't want him eating our ducks, yet the thought of him being killed makes me sad.

Look, I photographed the moon in the water...it was about 7:30 am and the moon was still out. You need to look hard - it's very faint, but it's located in the center of the photo where the weeds form a V-shape.

The Great Egret stalking his breakfast. I love to watch him hunt.

Here I played around with the effects a little bit...

I always enjoyed that palm tree - it stands out because it's the only one around the lake of its kind! I think it's a Sago Palm.

Looking up through the fronds of the palm into the blue sky, reminds me of a vacation I once took in Key West, Florida!

This is how to get around the lake Gizzy-style!

The Water Hyacinth are invasive plants to this region, but they sure look and smell nice.

I love the way the morning light casts interesting shadows on things.

An abandoned barn near my apartment (special effects with Picasa.)

  

Crepe Myrtles in pink and white

(with a honey bee on the blossoms in the center)

I hope you enjoyed the photos and have a wonderful weekend everyone!