simple lifestyle...happy family

The Farmer's Market Motherload

2012-03-31T13:22:00.000-04:00

All this for $5.50

I really enjoying going to the farmer's market. Sometimes I linger a little longer with my son walking around...pointing to and naming all the fresh fruits and vegetables.

We always come home with a bit more than what was on the shopping list. But at these prices it's well worth it. Sometimes I feel like I've robbed the place when I leave.

They must sell an enormous amount of products to keep the prices so low. For what I would pay for one tomato at Publix (which I LOVE by the way) I usually come home with four or five from the farmer's market.

We are fortunate to have a few farmer's markets less than a mile from our house. Check your local area for one near by. You can save a significant amount of money shopping at these gems.

I love you Amazon.com

2012-03-28T22:32:00.001-04:00

You had me at hello. They offered me free shipping and discounts when I joined their complimentary Amazon Mom program. They dealt me the drug and I became hooked. Now I pay for their Amazon Prime membership program and I can’t get enough. I order items and they arrive at my door two days later. Sundays? Not a problem. Someone still delivers and I’m never disappointed with their customer service.
I’m obsessed with reading products reviews. I’ve always been a researcher and Amazon.com stepped it up for me. I heart you Amazon.com

Tres Black Beauties

2012-03-28T22:29:00.003-04:00

Jamie, Reagan, and Skipper enjoying a run on the beach

Our three big black beautiful dogs running the beach in at the best beach we have ever visited…Davis Island dog beach in Tampa, Florida.

Picadilla ~ Cuban Style

2012-03-28T22:26:00.001-04:00

This is a simple, nutritious and delicious one pan meal your family and friends are sure to enjoy!

Picadilla ~ Cuban Style

1 pound of lean ground beef
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
4 cloves garlic
1 white onion
1 tomato
1 green pepper
1/2 cup beef stock
3/4 cup tomato sauce
3 or 4 small red potatoes
cilantro ~ finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine the ground beef, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Put aside for now.

2. Dice the onions, green peppers, and garlic. Cook over medium heat under tender.
3. Add the ground beef mixture, beef stock, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Cover and continue to cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
4. Chop the potatoes and cilantro. Add to the skillet, cover and continue to cook over medium heat for another 15 minutes.
5. Add the olives to the skillet and cook uncovered for yet another 15 minutes.
6. Serve over saffron yellow rice and add black beans on top.

Kauai Rocks!

2012-03-28T22:24:00.000-04:00

Kauai, Hawaii

This photograph was taken during a lovely vacation with my husband to Kauai, Hawaii. It is beautifully framed and displayed in our living room. I love to display meaningful photographs as artwork in our home.

Viva La Cocoa Beach

2012-03-28T22:04:00.001-04:00

The Pier at Cocoa Beach, Florida

Cocoa Beach, Florida is a great place to visit especially if you want to bring your children and dogs on vacation with you. They have a great dog park located near one of the public beaches.

We stay at the La Quinta Inn directly on the beach when we visit. They love dogs at this hotel and have a great area set up just for letting your dogs walk and take care of business. The hotel is next to the Pier for dining and family activities.

Our three big black dogs love Cocoa Beach!

An Ode To My Dishwasher

2012-03-28T21:14:00.001-04:00

I’ve dreamed and longed for you for many years
Losing some cabinets and some drawers were my main fears
Where to place all of that stuff
Two drawers and two cabinets just aren’t enough

Had I known it was so easy to stow
With an added sideboard, shelves both high and low
We have a place, a special home
So all of our kitchen items don’t need to show

You came with a friend
Who grinds to no end
Never complains, never whines
Just chops that food up super fine

I love you dishwasher sister
And I love your garbage disposal brother
You clean like a twister
And he composts like no other

You are smart, quiet and gentle as can be
You leave my dishes clean and my evenings free
Always a lady, you never leave a streak
A cleaner, a worker, you’re such a super freak

You let me go to sleep
Finish my dishes and just give me a beep
Aretha my friend, my new kitchen toy
You bring me happiness and such great joy

Aretha

About: My husband and I just recently added a dishwasher and garbage disposal to our 1928 Florida bungalow. We had to hire a contractor to install both because it was a first for this home. So our already small kitchen lost our two main drawers for silverware and utensils and the two main cabinets. We purchased a sideboard to take up the extra slack from losing these essential storage areas. We couldn’t be more pleased with the results.