Sitting majestically at the top of the hill is the Island Inn on Monhegan, Maine. It is such a wonderful place to stay. The people are fabulous, the food… divine, and the views… well, “out of this world” doesn’t even begin to cover it!
I would like to thank the Island Inn for a job well done. Every stay has been amazing, but this year everything seemed just a bit better. I am so grateful for our same friends that we met on the island years ago, for returning at the same time each year. How cool is that? (We need to come up with a name for ourselves!) We keep up with each other throughout the year, it’s quite amazing.
Monhegan is a place to forge strong bonds… I guess without TV, and places to go other than the church Jamboree, you spend time talking, sharing your life stories with others and become connected in a way far deeper than being home allows. Without work, and our day to day schedules to take away our attention, all of our attention is focused on the island, the people (and the food!)!
I am so grateful to have met a friend that will be in my life forever and ever… Fred and I met her through her brother who is no longer with us. While that is still hard to comprehend at times, the fact that she is there is just the coolest thing in the world and I am so grateful!
We were also able to spend a little time with a couple (and their adorable daughter) who works at the Island Inn and lives near us here in Charleston during the off season. They don’t get much spare time, so the fact that they shared it with us meant a lot! Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!
Charlie looks a bit like he’s ready to hop in the pool and float around… Dogs need cones for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s after an injury, sometimes it’s when they have skin allergies that cause them to bite, chew or scratch causing more harm than good. We took Charlie to our local vets office… we have to stop the chewing/biting… It truly only takes a very short time and the results aren’t good. Our vet recommended the ProCollar. My heart sunk, when he mentioned it, I was thinking the old timey plastic hard cone that fits around their neck, but blocks their view entirely. This ProCollar is amazing. It’s almost as if it makes him more comfortable. He’s happy with it on, he rests well (easy to take a nap when you have a pillow ready at all times!). There is fabric around a sturdy blow up ring, so you can inflate it however you like. It’s not perfect, but nothing is. At times he can still reach something, but only occasionally does he even try when the collar is on. We call it his “Mikimoto’s” hee hee… and when we put it on, he gets a carrot. He’s thrilled with that.
When we go to bed we take off the ProCollar, but if he wakes us up scratching or biting, the collar goes back on and he immediately falls asleep. The collar is made by Contech, you can purchase it from your vet, Petco, Amazon, etc. If you have a dog or cat that needs a collar for whatever reason, this one works well for us! We just ordered a spare. Can’t be without this! He won’t always need it… soon (I HOPE!) it should cool off and the allergies lessen. We’re looking forward to that!
As you can see below, it doesn’t stop him from doing what he loves… watching for the kitty cats!
I received the most beautiful orchid for my birthday… what a surprise! And, may I say, what an awesome gift! I am trying hard to make it live forever! If you have tips on how to make that happen, let me know!!
[Art] Top painting is Ride Down Powell by Darrell Hill. Bottom painting is Bowens Island by Ken DeWaard. Wooden Bowl by Joe Fidler (Thanks dad!!)
Bright orange key chain… made by me, hee hee… why did I hang it there?
You may see this quite a bit. You see the big cable and telecom companies want to divide the Internet, making some areas fast speeds, and other sites very slow… so slow that you would see this loading wheel more often than not. I signed a letter to stop this from happening – I hope you do too.It only takes a few seconds!
Sometimes we have to take a stand for things we believe in. This is your chance to let your voice be heard. Will you send an email to let your voice be heard?
If you see the actual loading symbol somewhere on this blog (not the image above, but the real one, where it’s moving), click on it and it will also take you to the www.battleforthenet.com website where they have lots of great information!
Fred and I went to a local Mexican restaurant after work one night. We ordered the rice bowl with chicken, which was out of this world. While eating… it occurred to me, this recipe isn’t rocket science. While it IS really nice when its made for you, it’s not difficult to make yourself… a little time consuming perhaps, but not too bad! And the taste? Ohhhh, Mmmmmm, Geeeeee!
Here’s what you do! Click HERE to print only the recipe!
RICE BOWL WITH BLACK BEANS, PICO, GUACAMOLE, CILANTRO, QUESO FRESCA and JACK CHEESE
2 servings
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts (or a rotisserie chicken equivalent amount)
1 can of black beans seasoned (and I add minced red onion) or unseasoned and add, cumin, coriander, jalapeño and red onion
1 large very ripe avocado
1/4 cup red onion, minced – divided between beans and guacamole.
Lime
Brown Rice – Can use 1 packet of frozen brown rice (Trader Joe’s) or you can cook brown rice, just start earlier!
Pico de Gallo Salsa (again… Trader Joe’s!)
Queso fresco (I had to ask where the “crumbled queso” was located at Whole Foods, I couldn’t find it anywhere else?)
Jack cheese just a small amount. I use a microplane and grate maybe 1-2 Tablespoons for each bowl.
Here are the steps:
1. Poach the chicken 2. Heat the black beans and season 3. Make the rice 4. Make the guacamole 5. DISH. IT. UP.
Step 1: Poach the chicken. Super easy! This step can be done ahead of time, which comes in handy! You can also use a rotisserie chicken if you like… But I like to poach 2 chicken breasts, it really is so easy. Start by putting the chicken in a large pan. Add water so that you’re about 2″ above the chicken. Turn the pot on high until it starts to boil. Once it starts to boil set the timer for 15 minutes and TURN IT DOWN AND COVER IT so that you only see a little bubble here and there! If you used very large chicken breasts it may take 20 minutes. I set the timer for 15, pull it out, make a slice in the thickest part and check to see if its done, if not, back it goes for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Heat the black beans and season. I buy black beans from Whole Foods in the carton instead of the can (no BPA!) rinse them good and place in a saucepan. I add chopped red onion, jalapeño, some cumin and coriander (to taste). OR you can buy a can of SEASONED BLACK BEANS, that will work great too!
Step 3: Make the rice. Brown rice is perfect for this recipe. I cheat a little on this step and use a package of frozen brown rice from Trader Joe’s, you just zap it in the microwave for three minutes and POOF, you’re done! One packet of frozen rice is perfect for two people with a little to spare! (Or you can make brown rice the regular way, according to package directions, just start about the same time as the chicken!).
Step 4: Make the guacamole. You can buy this made at Whole Foods and that’s fine, or you can spend less than a minute and make it yourself for a fraction of the price. Select one good soft avocado. I cut it in half, then make cut marks and scoop it out and smash with a fork, squeeze lime juice from a nice side wedge of lime. Add some minced red onion. Stir it up good.
Step 5: DISH. IT. UP. Get out 2 bowls, take a wedge of lime and give a little squeeze in each bowl (not a lot). Spoon however much rice you would like, then add the poached chicken, black beans, Jack cheese (I use a microplane and grate very finely), fresh cilantro if you like it, the pico de gallo (super fresh, I buy the Trader Joe’s brand, it’s wonderful). Then crumble some queso fresco on top! Is there anything better than queso? Healthier than feta! Oh, and put a few tortilla chips on top, they’re pretty and the crunch is so nice!
Happy Labor Day! It’s officially the “end” of beach season, not that there isn’t plenty of sun to be had on the beaches for the next several months. But things will slow down a bit with kids back in school. Enjoy your day off if you have one! One more beach day, a nice BBQ in the evening… sounds perfect, doesn’t it?
Personally I would like to be on Monhegan Island (Maine) right now. Just look at this vast ocean view… so peaceful! For those of you who ARE there, enjoy!
Last week, Fred took the day off for my birthday. We had a great time as well as a fabulous lunch! We headed to Slightly North of Broad (S.N.O.B.) – We both ordered their wonderful meatballs served on top of polenta with a side of green beans. I opted for a side salad, and Fred ordered a white bean soup. Both were fabulous!
Slightly North of Broad (SNOB) Meatballs over polenta!
This was kind of like spaghetti and meatballs on polenta instead of spaghetti. It was out of this world good! I wasn’t sure how it was going to be. But SNOB’s polenta is wicked creamy (I just know there can’t be cream involved, right? Probably skim milk ;) ha ha)… It was tremendous!
Where do you like to eat when you’re in Charleston? We have so many wonderful options! Where? What do you order? I love to know the scoop! hee hee…
Hmmm, this would be HOW NOT TO SEND A GIFT, don’t you think? Ha ha… No, this watch wasn’t stolen… it was sent from a department store… I ordered it (I love this Timex Ironman watch for walking as well as so I know what time it is when I wake up in the dark)! The band on my old one is shot and this arrived just in the nick of time, but… we called the store to see if we could cut the “safety device” off. They said NO… drive it to Columbia, SC and a store employee would remove it… over 2 hours? Hmmmm, not happening…. OK, then drive it to Savannah…. another 2 hours?? Yep, not happening… We finally just reordered it and returned this one. So much drama, ha ha…
So if you’re ever going to give a gift, make sure one of these aren’t attached ;) hahahahahahaha!
Botany Bay (Edisto), South Carolina. Stunning beauty everywhere you look! Winding paths, wildlife, birds, water, gorgeous old oaks, palm trees, unspoiled beach. You just can’t beat it!
Summer is so good for fresh food, isn’t it? Do you take advantage of your local farmer’s market, or do you have a garden? Oooh, there is just nothing like fresh produce! This was a fabulous dinner, grilled chicken topped with a mango salsa, some great cucs and scrumptious tomatoes bedazzled with a little olive oil and vinegar… and some home made slaw… with vinegar instead of mayo, and for dessert… corn on the cob! Pretty isn’t it? Enjoy your summer time meals while you can!
Me and Fred… got married 22 years ago today… best day ever!
This is a photo from our last visit to San Fran in 2005 (need to get back there!) on the ferry to Sausalito to check out the art and grab a burger. I’m a tad wind blown, ha ha. Good times right from the beginning. I’m super blessed and I know it… I don’t take this man for granted. It’s rare to find the love of your life I think. And he… is mine!
A short post today… taking my birthday off, woohoo!
It’s funny, the older you get, the older “OLD” is! Hey, it’s true!
When I was young I thought “old” was around 30, and then 40, then 50, now it’s 99+++! I imagine that number will keep going up as long as I’m alive. I still don’t feel my age, and for that I am thankful!
Celebrate the good times! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Hee hee… I love weather. I love a good storm or at least cloudy skies during the hot summer months. While I know that cloudy skies make some people sad they put a smile on my face!
Everything in moderation… sun included ;)
Have a great Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
As I sit at my desk writing this blog day after day, I have someone who cracks the whip… someone who makes sure I finish what I start… that would be Charlie! Look at how he sits. I look at him and laugh. This dog cracks me up!
Enjoy your weekend and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
You’ve done it, you know you have… pulled into the gas station and can’t remember which side the gas tank is on… I know I’m not the only one! What I didn’t realize is that there is an indicator by your gas gauge. Did you know that? In the example above it shows a little gas tank on the right, which means that your gas tank is on the right hand side! I just thought they placed that symbol there for whatever reason! I had no idea there was a reason behind it, ha ha…
I’m sure cars do it all different ways, this one shows a gas tank and an arrow indicating the tank is on the right.
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