Amaryllis on the Balcony

 

After the red amaryllis finished blooming by my front door last month, I moved the pots back to the balcony.  The white one is going dormant, but I was surprised when the red one grew another bud or two on the balcony.  

 

 

 

 

Last weekend a red flower opened.  

 

 

The next day another flower opened.

 

 

 

 I've been enjoying the flowers all week and they're still blooming. More buds have appeared. I guess the plant didn't need to be in full sun to bloom. This is like a new season of flowers from the same plant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  We're still in a drought in Florida despite several light rains. You'll notice lots of blue skies from the balcony.  

 

 

 

 Happy June to everyone wherever you are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ideas for a Backyard Shady Spot

 

  

 

It gets really hot here in Florida; not like regular summer up north. Summer here is a hot, steam tent. When I lived in my house, I enjoyed listening to my neighbor’s children at play in the backyard. I like the sound. Then I started thinking, are they wearing sunscreen? Are they going to burn? As a fair-skinned child, I sunburned easily and had freckles on my face.

Do you make shade for your children’s play – a little place for them to read and get away? I’m a natural-born collector, here are a few ideas I’ve found to help make a shady spot.

 

A. Put A Sheet On A Clothesline

I remember when I was a little girl in Tennessee, we had a clothesline for drying clothes. I used to help hang them up and bring them in.  An old sheet and a few rocks made a tent over the clothesline. 

 

 

  Photo via Crooked Brain

 

 

B.   If You Don’t Have a Clothesline

  

If you don’t have a clothesline, hang up a cord, rope, or long string for an easy teepee.

 

 

 Photo via Mommyish

 

 

C. Have Hula Hoops?

Turn the top seam of a sheet over the hula hoop and tie or tack it down. Check dollar stores for hula hoops. If you can’t find them, use pool noodles made into a circle from the dollar store. 

 

 Photo Alanna George

 

 

Now, more ideas for fabric tents and sun shades for children to play under and a place for pets to get some shade.

D. Use Big Trees

 

On Facebook, I found a lovely idea for yards with big trees. Again, original source is gone.  Grab some rocks and make a special place.

 

 

 Photo via Facebook

 

 

E. Use an Umbrella

 

Insert an umbrella into a large cable reel for a shady spot.

 

 

 Photo via Habanabel

 

 

F. Make A Little Shaded Beach 

 

 I love this idea for little ones. Make a little shaded beach with a tarp & sandbox. Use 4 poles with the tarp. This beach scene comes complete with chair and little pool.  

  

 

Photo via Better Together 

 Photo via Better Together

G. Use a Swing Set or Frame

 Use a swing set or swing frame and a tarp or sheet to make a kid friendly shady spot.

  

 

 

 Photia Terry’s Fabrics 

Photo via Terry’s Fabrics

  

I. Use Plastic Plumbing Pipes With Fabric

 

This idea could be used to make a large temporary structure for family dining or play. Use plastic pluming pipes to make a house shape and drape with fabric. The size totally depends on the size of the plastic structure. It could be used for glamping.

 

 

 

Photo via Sew 4 Home

 

Let’s think of a beautiful place for parents and the whole family. If you have a tent or yurt, just set it up. Otherwise…..

 

 

J. Make an adult special spot complete with recliners

 

  

Photo via Les P’tit Mos Dits

 

K. Hang Saris From A Tree For A Beautiful Tent or Yurt 

 

 

Photo via Pinterest

 

L. Buy a Tent on Etsy

 

 

Etsy 

 

 

Tent For Glamping on Etsy

 

 

Vintage Cotton Patchwork Canopy on Etsy

M. Create a Family Social & Dining Area

 

Put up a tent with lights, pillows for a family social & dining area – think Glamping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Photo Instagram

 

N.  Build A Wooden Frame & Add Sailcloth For Backyard Glamping

 

This is a perfect Staycation in the backyard

   

 

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 Photo via Traveling Inspiration

 I loved sharing these beautiful ideas. Happy Almost Summer!

 

 

 

 

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Astro Knights Mural, Lakeland, Florida

 

 

Lakeland, Florida, is home to a number of meaningful murals and street art pieces. Today, I'm sharing a bright, colorful mural called Astro Knights by C. Stanley Creative. The mural is on the exterior walls of South Florida Gun & Pawn Shop at 844 South Florida Avenue. The owner of the Gun & Pawn Shop requested a bright, fantasy themed piece featuring a knight of some sort.

 

 

 

The mural consists of two astronaut-knights reaching towards a black hole. The design takes into account the mid-wall interruption (the door and awning). These elements were incorporated into the painting, giving visitors the experience of walking into a swirling black hole as they enter the building. The wall was completed with exterior acrylic and spray paint. Size: 88 x 17 feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Slow Cooker Roast Beef With Apples & Onions

 

 

When I think of fall, I think of a new crop of luscious apples.  I like all apples, but my favorite all around apple is the Gala.  They are crisp and sweet and one of the best for apple sauce, pressing for cider, salads, and just eating it for a small dessert. Today we’re making slow cooker roast beef with sweet-tart apples and the spicy tang of red onions. The result is meat that is marinated throughout with incredible flavor.

Slow Cooker Roast Beef With Apples & Onions

Use organic when available. Serves 6.

 

Ingredients

• 3 lb roast beef
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 2 large apples, cored and cut into chunks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large fresh sprig of rosemary, plus some for garnish
•  salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 2 tbsp cold water

Instructions

• Add half of chopped onion on bottom of slow cooker
• Add half of apple slices to bottom
• Rub olive oil on top and bottom of roast
• Brown roast in pan over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes
• Remove from pan and add salt and pepper to taste
• Place in slow cooker
• Add the rest of the apples and onions
• Add beef stock to pan on stove to deglaze
• Pour stock and red wine over roast in crock pot
• Top with rosemary sprig
• Cover and cook on high for 6 hours
• Remove roast from slow cooker and place on platter
• Cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes
• Remove cooked apples-onions from pot with slotted spoon and serve as a side like apple sauce
• Carefully remove insert from cooker and pour liquid through a strainer
• Place liquid back in slow cooker and continue to heat with lid off
• In small bowl, mix corn starch and water until smooth and no lumps
• Whisk corn starch into liquid until it thickens into gravy 
• Pour gravy over roast and garnish with fresh rosemary
• Serve warm with vegetables and apple-onion mix

 

 

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Pork Chops in Garlic Mushroom Sauce

  

Happy Memorial Day to those who lives in the USA! Let's time to remember all those who gave their lives for our country while serving in the armed forces.

  

Now, let's talk food.

 

 

This is a tasty entrée that is a 30-minute meal and fancy enough for company. The mushroom sauce is wonderful not only for the pork but also for your side dish, mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta. Make sure to adjust cooking times based on the thickness of your pork chops. I prefer bone-in chops for more flavor, they will also take a bit longer to cook. Using a digital thermometer, the internal temperature should be 145F. Choose your favorite mushrooms, like Bella or button. 

Pork Chops in Garlic Mushroom Sauce

Use organic when available. Serves 4

 

Ingredients

• 2 lb pork chops (about 4 or 5)
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup olive oil or butter divided
• 8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms (Bella, button, or choice)
• 4 clove garlic minced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups beef broth or chicken

Instructions

• Season both sides of meat with salt, pepper, and paprika
• Heat large skillet on medium-high heat, I like cast iron
• Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or butter
• Sear pork chops until golden brown and no longer pink in the center, 2 to 4 minutes per side
• Remove chops and set aside
• Use same skillet over medium high heat and add rest of oil or butter
• Add mushrooms and cook until golden and excess moisture evaporates, about 5 minutes
• Add garlic and mustard
• Cook until garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute
• Add flour to the skillet, stirring to remove any lumps
• Slowly add the broth, whisking until smooth
• Season with salt and pepper
• Reduce heat to medium & cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes
• Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper if needed
• Add pork chops back to pan and heat about a minute until they are fully cooked through & center temperature is 145 F
• Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta  

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Trees & Sky at The Condo

 

 

Today’s photos are more from the condominium grounds, with a viewpoint on the building next door. The grounds are kept beautifully, with grass cutting weekly. Grass grows year round in Florida, although very slowly in the winter. Between my building and the next is a nice walkway and lots of trees. Florida’s blue skies are really the norm. I hope you enjoy the photos. 

 

 

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