etsybloggers August 1, 2011 Blog Carnival by Pruitt Handcrafts

August 1
Pruitthandcrafts
blog: http://pruitthandcrafts.blogspot.com
etsy: http://pruitthandcrafts.etsy.com
http://pruittdesign.etsy.com
http://pruittsupply.etsy.com
This etsyBloggers Carnival is hosted by our very own Linda Pruitt!  Linda has three etsy shops:  

Pruitt Handcrafts 
Pruitt Supply
Pruitt Design

Our choice of topic's:

Topic #1: August! Summer in full swing. Write about your favorite day this season, maybe a vacation day, or a favorite BBQ party. Any activity that you have had this summer.

Topic# 2: As Summer begins to wind down, write about what you are thinking about for Fall. We would like to hear how you arrived at or how you were inspired to make these plans.
Living in Florida with the high heat, heat index factors, and sloppy humidity, I have two favorite places to be.  In the air conditioning and in the water.  We have the most beautiful beaches, including Siesta Key that was recently named this Nations Best Beach!  The waters are truly like those from photographs.

In my opinion, the best time to enjoy our summer at the beach is at the end of July and the beginning of August.  The sun is higher in the sky, the air can feel drier, but the tides can get incredibly low and sandbars abound! 

It is nice to stroll while tanning, stop for a dunk to cool down, gulp icy cold water carried from home, and maybe an ice cream cone from the pavillion.  Afterall, if you get messy, just jump into the Gulf.

What is your favorite summertime activity?

6WS ~ 6 WORD SATURDAY

HAVE YOU SEEN A MANGO PIT?

Fresh Picked Mango (from neighbors tree)

Man~go

Man~go

Man~go ing (that fuzzy looking thing is the pit)

Man~go ne

O is for Outing!

Alphabe Thursday!

OUTING

South Lido Park is one of my favorite places to become one with myself again.  Here you have a beach, a simple park with a few picnic tables and charcoal grills.  Where you can drive to or arrive by boat.  Ski, snorkel, jet ski, sunbathe, eat, drink, and be merry.  Sand, dirt, and wooden walkways throughout the woods.

It is the perfect place to create sweet memories.  In the winter, we love to pack up the tabletop grill, food, blankets, towels, food, wine, and the picnic gear for a wonderfilled dinner at sunset.

Pulling a picnic table or two out of the tree covered picnic area and out onto the beach, we see sand, sky, trees, wildlife, sea oats, and the Gulf of Mexico.  Strolling, people watching, and wondering about all of the condos up the way that are directly on the beach.  Why are there so few enjoying the treasures at their doorstep?

Knew they did this, but had never seen them.  When the sun goes down, these rascals appear like ghosts from the trees.  Quietly sneaking upon us for people food.  Easy marks we can be, but they will climb right up onto the table!

At some point, the population of raccoons exploded.  It really was awful.  We think that they were/we hope that they were relocated.

We have been coming here for years. 

One of those times, my husband and I, his father and his wife, sister with her babydaddy boyfriend, brother-in-law and his partner gathered for an evening of fun, relaxation, food and drink. 

Kite flying high into the blue sky, sun waning, the guys set out to open the fresh raw oysters while the rest of us set the table with newspaper, candles, lemon wedges, cups, homemade cocktail sauce, and all of the necessities for an awesome meal and evening together.

Roseate Spoonbills

Serene, quiet.  A hidden cove to cool the spirit.

We watched the sun set, the moon rise, the lights of the hotels, motels, and condos in the close distance. The strangers disappear.

Well fed, relaxed, and fulfilled we made our way home for a good nights sleep.

Simple pleasures, life's treasures

Watery Wednesday & Outdoor Wednesday

6WS ~ 6 WORD SATURDAY

Wonderful Visit With Daughter And Goose

Show and Tell Friday

Many years ago, and about two hours north of where I live now, a friend and I were hiking through some woods scouting good deer hunting grounds. 

The silence was peacefully noisy as we were engulfed in our own senses.  Peace and Quiet

With careful intent, seeking the perfect position ... 

... I kicked a rock

This piece now resides in my curio cabinet, to cherish always.

Alphabe Thursday! This Weeks Letter is "N"

Nesting

A beautiful pair of nesting Osprey overlooking the salt water bay, ebb & flow with the Gulf of Mexico.  These awesome birds are very protective of their young, and share the responsibility for feeding.


If you would like to join us, click on the link in the left column.

Watery Wednesday

PhotographRe = People Watching


Do you enjoy people watching too?

If you are interested in joining Watery Wednesday, click the link in the left column of this blog

I SAW SUNDAY July 10, 2011

The Three C's ~ Coffee Caving Chilling

76 Degree's In The Shade  100% Humidity  Cold Fresh Salad With Sweet Cherries

Reaching for 100 degrees  Frozen Yogurt  Swimming Pool

I Saw Sunday ~ Always cherished the savory days with hubby.

This exercise helped me to see just how fulfilling A Day Can Be!

Favorite Photo of the Week Contest

Cowlick

6WS ~ 6 WORD SATURDAY

We are going to the beach

6WS

Tagged!

1. Do you think you're hot?

 

I know that I am hot!  It is almost 100 degrees outside, with 100% humidity.  Have you ever seen condensation on a human being?

 

2. Upload a picture of wallpaper that you are using at the moment.

 

 

 

3. When was the last time that you ate chicken?

 

Last week (I think)

 

4. What was the last song that you listened to?

 

Can't remember

 

Do you have any nicknames?  What are they?

 

Hubby calls me Edith, Honey, WifeyPoo

 

In case you are wondering about "Edith", or maybe just because I want to tell you ... Do you remember the sitcom All In The Family?  Do you remember when Edith would run from the kitchen, across the living room, to the front door when Archie would come home?  She ran with her arms outstretched saying "oh Archie, you're home".  She would wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him, or he would stop her short with some snide remark... well one day I did that to my husband in Edith's voice and the rest is history!

 

Tagged by Donna, from The House On The Corner

 

Here are the questions for ease of cut & paste:

 

1. Do you think you're hot?

2. Upload a picture or wallpaper that you are using at the moment.

3. When was the last time that you ate chicken?

4. What was the last song you listened to?

5. What were you thinking while doing this?

6. Do you have any nicknames?  What are they?

 

Please pass this along to eight of your bloggy friends!

Alphabe Thursday! This Weeks Letter is "M"

M is for

Macaroni & Mushrooms ...

 For this batch I used two boxes of 100% whole grain Penne pasta, two cans of solid white Albacore Tuna packed in water, one large onion, three large stalks of celery, black pepper & mayo to taste.

Allow the cooked (according to the directions) macaroni to cool before adding your ingredients.   

 I like to use all of the celery stalk (after cutting back the bottom) including the leaves.

Enough for lunches through the weekend, and to bring to some friends who are packing for a three week Alaskan cruise, while their air conditioner is broken.  Did I mention we live in sweltering Florida?

 Mmmm, baby portabello mushrooms!

Drawing a blank after learning of todays Alphabe, I spent the morning seeking inspiration.  Now, if this continues, the refrigerator will be full once again with homemade goodness. 

The other day, I had taken some photographs of a lovely mushroom that had popped up in the yard.  However, the mushroom was growing within the bottom of the jasmine vine, and very close to the ground.  I did not feel that the pictures were good enough, but thinking about it inspired me to search for one of my old, favorite cookbooks.  "The Garlic Lovers Cookbook" from Gilroy.  Garlic Capital of the World.

Finding a recipe titled Garlic Mushroom Casserole was the basis for these savory stuffed mushroom. 

Off to the fresh market in our local Mennonite village, about a mile and a half from home, I found large & small baby portabello mushrooms, sweet vadilia onions, and fresh garlic.  To the grocery for almonds, ground turkey (use your favorite ground meat or soy paste), swiss & mozzarella cheeses.  Home to the seasoned bread crumbs, handmade butter, cookie sheet, olive oil Pam, and food processor, I altered the recipe to include black pepper, poultry seasoning (my favorite next to fresh rosemary), the sweet onion, one large sweet red pepper, and one half cup of worcestershire sauce.

Thank you Jenny.  If it were not for you, none of this delicisousness would have happened!

Outdoor Wednesday

Seeing through the eye of the camera has been a lifelong joy. 
It sees the beauty in things otherwise unseen.

Nuances of early morning. 
Soft sunlight.  Bright sunlight.  Shade.  Outlines.
Reflections.  Color variations.  Temperatures.

To see more and to participate, click on the icon in the left column, "Outdoor Wednesday"

6WS ~ 6 WORD SATURDAY

Coming To Terms With Being Different

Different by the circumstances of my upbringing. 

Thinking back to elementary school, realizing that my piece of the childhood puzzle did not fit into the "norm", I would embellish who I was.  Had imaginary people and pets in my life, and was often to others like I was treated at home.

When I was an eight years old my cousin told me that the man I had known as my father was indeed, not. 

In my forties, finding the man I had been told was my biological father and later through DNA testing, it was proven that the man who had married my mother because she was with child, was in fact not remotely related to me by blood.  Legally because he was on my birth certificate, I was to discover something he and my mother already knew! 

The divide grows wider.

Mother is a largely dysfunctional human being, abusive, unfaithful, alcoholic.  Singling me out and culling me from the family after my two half-sisters were born.  A daily reminder of her past discretion's, to this day there is no normal family for me.

Revelation rushing through my childhood being.  Daily emotional and physical abuse.  It is no wonder that I developed a safe place to land and began a lifetime of "knowing" that if I found the man she told me was my biological father that he would love me and hate her too.  Both turned out to be true, he did love me and passionately hated her for what she had done to his young life.  But he was not my father, never had children, and a few years later would die in his sleep. 

In my late forties I would send a copy of the DNA results to "her".  Choosing not to respond to me, she told my sisters that it was almost fifty years ago and she could not remember anyone else.  Later she would say that the DNA results could have been doctored. 

Oh the story is so long and unbelievable, one hesitates to continue.  Suffice to say that we have not spoken going on twenty years in the not too distant future.  She will never be the mother to idealize, my sisters are lost to me now.

Today and with therapy, I continue to work on self-healing.  Today I have grown children of my own. Today I declare out loud that I am, "Coming To Terms With Being Different"!



Cherries Are In Season! This is what I made myself for lunch ...

Romaine lettuce, sweet cherry tomato, baby cucumber, Vidalia onion, fresh ripe Bing cherries (pitted), salad dressing of your choice.

See my cherry pitter there? Put the cherry in stem side up (stem removed), squeeze. The pit pops right out!

What is your favorite or most unusual kitchen tool?

Feeling on Friday ...

Dear Janice,

I have left a few messages for you and sent some mail but have not heard from you.  Don't know why we can't talk, to help to put the past in the past so that we can move forward together as sisters. 

I think that there is oodles of things unsaid that if we could be together for some serious conversation, could really help.  There could be a lot of things fixed between us during this healing time, however, I do not know what you are going through or how you are spending each day.  There is no direct contact to you. 

I love you, think of you everyday, pray, and know you are a champion to all that you put your mind to ...  Big hugs, call or write baby sister. 

Alphabe Thursday! This Weeks Letter is "L"

L is for Lunch

Ringling Museum of Art 2011 Triviso Restaurant Sarasota, Florida

More Alphabe?  Click on the link over in the <left column

Salt Water, Healing Powers ...

Took the long weekend off from the internet, enjoying 3 full days with my DH home all day. Yesterday, we went to the beach to soak in the warm, salty water of the Gulf. The current was very strong, never been to this beach when it was this way. Had to dig in my toes, and could let my body relax full forward toward the current, which held me up and often caused a loss of balance.

Let my arm totally relax and float and bob in the water, getting the gentle, soothing exercise of the waves and current. Incisions soaking up some extra healing. At one point, we had a downpour while in the gulf and it was sooo much fun! Face level with the warm, salty water, while the heavy raindrops danced on the surface, cold on our heads and faces. Ahhh, the joy of time spent together, relaxing...

6WS ~ 6 WORD SATURDAY

GRILLED PORK CHOPS

BRUSSEL SPROUTS

SALAD

"6WS"

Etsybloggers July 4th, 2011 Blog Carnival by Little Andalucia

Erika
blog: http://artfulrising.com
etsy shop: http://littleandalucia.etsy.com

*How do you celebrate July 4th? Any fun traditions or favorite foods?

We do not have any traditions except relaxing and enjoying a long weekend together.  As the holiday falls on a work night this year, it is not likely that we will see the festivities.  However, a long weekend of breathing and kicking back will be most welcome!

Here are some etsyBlogger Teammates creations for your celebration weekend:

Summer Sky by Beaded Tail

Beaded Dangle Earrings by Random Creative 

Strawberry Rose Ruffle Dress and Pant Set by Little Andalucia

RUFFLE DRESS by Splendid Little Stars

Kids not included!

Wednesday Weekend ~ Recipe of the Week

Blueberry Blue Cheese Salad

2 quarts mixed salad greens

1 large red tomato, cut into wedges

1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
½ cup red onion, thinly sliced 

1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime or lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup fresh blueberries, divided

1/4 cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons olive
 

a few grinds of black pepper

In a medium bowl, mix together lemon juice, honey and salt. Mash ½ cup blueberries into the juice and honey mixture. Stir in the yogurt. Pepper and oil. Seasonings to taste.
Place the greens on a large platter. Arrange the blueberries, tomato wedges, pepper and onions. Evenly crumble the blue cheese over the salad. Drizzle the dressing, then sprinkle with the sliced almonds.

Tuesdays Top Tips ~ Going Green

Did you hear about the "No Child Left Inside" (NCLI) act and movement?  We were watching a news program Saturday morning where we learned of the NCLI.  Catching my attention, I pulled out and started my laptop for a search.  In a nutshell, this is what I have learned so far. 

The NCLI Coalition staff spent a day on Capital Hill recently.  "Our ultimate goal is to convince Congress to embed the NCLI Act into the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) which we expect Congress to move on this summer!"

This week, members of the MCLI traveled from as far as Hawaii, New Mexico, and Kentucky to educate their Members of Congress about the NCLI Act and evnironmental education's role in strengthening America's competitiveness in the global economy.

There were traning sessions by the National Wildlife Federation’s National Advocacy Center in Washington, D.C., with policy experts from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Earth Day Network, North American Association for Environmental Education, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, National Wildlife Federation and others.

The NCLI's website states that, "The inclusion of NCLI in ESEA will substantially strengthe Anerica's education systems by:

• Incentivizing states to develop State Environmental Literacy Plans to ensure that every student is prepared to understand the environmental challenges of the future;
• Funding professional development for teachers to deliver high quality environmental education and utilize the local environment as an extension of the classroom;
• Improving systems and critical thinking through environmental education which aids in boosting student achievement; and
• Encouraging teachers, administrators, and school leadership to make time and resources available for environmental education for all students.

More: US Department of Education  The Administration's proposal for improving No Child Left Behind (the Elementary and Secondary Education  Act).

What do you think about the NCLI?