"BEACHWARMING PARTY"

I am relatively new to blogging and I don't know Dave but my dear friend Martha @ Menagerie invited me to help celebrate Dave's new life as an Islander. I am going to bring Barbados Black Bean Cakes with Mango Salsa. This is a delicious and easy recipe I hope everyone enjoys it especially you Dave - Good Luck in your new "life".


BARBADOS BLACK BEAN CAKES
(Borrowed from Vegetarian Times Cookbook)

Two 15 oz cans black beans
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1 egg white, slightly beaten
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp groung allspice
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/3 cup bread crumbs
Nonstick cooking spray
1 Tbsp olive oil

Place beans in a large bowl and coarsely mash them until they stick together. Add the cilantro, onion, egg white, cumin, garlic, allspice, and cayenne. Mix until well blended. Divide the mixture into 8 equal parts. Shape in 1/2 inch thick patties. Coat the patties with bread crumbs. Spray both sides with nonstick cooking spray. Heat the oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Add the bean cakes and fry until golden brown on both sides, turing once, about 8 minutes total. Serve warm with the mango salsa. Garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.

MANGO SALSA

2 cups peeled, diced mango
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced (I omitted this pepper)
2 Tbsp coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 tsp minced fresh ginger root
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

ENJOY!!

Time sure is flying!

It is hard to believe that we are entering the third month of 2010 already - I thought this would be the perfect shadow shot for the beginning of a new month! Happy Shadow Shot Sunday :)

Lambie Pie

Lambie Pie is the nickname that my mom gave to my daughter Marissa when she was a baby the name has stuck over the years. A few Christmas's ago Marissa gave this adorable little lamb to Mom - on my last visit to Mom's in NJ I spotted the little cutie and snapped its picture - such a sweet gift from my girl to my mom.

Peace!

I think the bag says it all (-:

Vegetable Soup

Here is a simple basic vegetable soup that will warm you and fill you up. Of course you can add any other vegetables that you might have on hand but here is the basic recipe.

8 cups of water
1 and 1/2 lbs of frozen mixed vegetables
3 ribs of celery
1 large onion chopped
1 small head of cabbage chopped
1 small rutabega or turnip diced
1 large can of tomatos in juice
1 16 oz container of vegetable stock

*****For vegetable beef soup add beef stock instead of vegetable and 3/4 lb of stewing beef.


In a large stock pot add all ingredients bring to a boil - turn heat down and simmer for 1 hour or until all veggies are tender. YUM!

Bubble Bath for TWT

With all of this ridiculous cold weather we have STILL been having here in sunny SW Florida a hot bubble bath sounds just about right! Here's a sign I ran into while out shopping - I really like the "feel" of it!

Cool Shades - Mellow Yellow Monday

While trying to stay out of the cold but still keep moving we decided to take our walk inside for a few days. A local fleamarket is large enough to go inside and basically just do laps around the place. This funny "polar bear" was sitting by the front door greeting the customers as they came in - he just cracked me up with those yellow shades - how perfect Happy MYM everyone!

And Then There Were 2

"B" and I have continued our walks in hopes to be in better shape this spring. Mom has returned north now and so that just leaves the two of us to keep moving and getting into shape. Miss you mom - wish you were still here and not up there in all of that snow!!! Happy Valentine's Day and SSS Everyone!

Libby J in memoriam

This girl was one of the best friends I ever had. She came into my life 15 years ago when she was just around 2 years old - my kids and I went to the dog shelter and found her. Libby lived with us for 14 happy years - a year ago this week we lost her. This was one of the last pictures ever taken of her she was a beautiful girl and a wonderful companion and friend. We miss you Libby.

Cliche Color Carnival

I know this has probably been done a least 1000 x's but, the other day when I saw this gumball machine - first off I haven't really seen one in a very long time and secondly Color Carnival jumped to mind. So here it is in all it's glory - A Gumball Machine well just the gumballs (-: Happy CC!

Valentine's for Ruby Tuesday

These little painted pots with chocolate covered marshmellows were made with love by me to give to all of the awesome women who toil away with me every day at the high school. Happy Valentine's Day!!

A Little Late for Mellow Yellow...

I know this is a bit late for Mellow Yellow Monday but, I am so excited about this bloom that I just don't want to wait another week :) Yesterday (Sunday) while out in the yard with the puppies I was looking at my garden and assessing some of the damage done by all of the recent cold we have been experiencing here in SW Florida -- when low and behold I noticed something yellow over by where I keep a variety of my orchid plants. Now I was forgetful and left all of my orchids out in the elements over these past weeks - some are protected by trees and shrubs but, a few are just out there. Anyway, I saw this bit of yellow and when I got up to it - this is what I found!! Three beautiful blooms no less - mother nature sure does take care of things when we're not paying attention. Happy Mellow Yellow!