Sunset on The Balcony

 

 At the end of a busy day, there's nothing better than a restful view of a soft sundown. Here are views from my balcony on that day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sauteed Greens & Eggs

 

Many recipes call for sautéed greens – a little olive oil and garlic with spinach, kale, chard, collards. All the greens you can name taste good with olive oil and garlic.  If you want to really raise it a notch, add a couple of shallots, some onions, or leeks. A fine combination of flavors that can start your day with a warm dish, provide a tasty lunch, or even an easy dinner when paired with eggs. Wash the greens, remove the ribs, and chop or tear the leaves.

 

 

I like fried eggs myself, but if you want to cut calories and fat, try poaching eggs to nestle in your greens. Add a crusty slice of bread and your meal is complete.  To make a week of really fast breakfasts, sauté a huge amount of greens and keep in the refrigerator. Each morning, warm some greens and add poached eggs or a dollop of yogurt for a quick start to the day.

Sautéed Greens & Eggs

Use organic when available, makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups finely chopped greens like kale (chard)
• 2 shallots
• 2 clove garlic thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 to 8 eggs
• 4 cups water
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Add shallots and garlic to olive oil in pan over medium heat
• Cook for a minute
• Add greens
• Toss to coat and cook for 2 to 4 minutes until kale is wilted
• Season with salt and pepper
• Bring water and vinegar to simmer in large skillet
• Remove eggs from shell and add eggs one at a time
• Water in skillet should cover eggs
• Poach eggs until white is set about 5 minutes
• Remove from water with slotted spoon
• Nestle eggs in a plate of greens; serve with crusty bread  Enjoy! 

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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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