Alamo

One year this month hubby and I went to San Antonio, Texas. One place that I was aching to visit is the historical place Alamo. So we went to the place one afternoon and it was pouring hard but it did not stopped me from taking photos. People were in their jackets but what the heck I am from Michigan it is only rain not snow hehehehe. Anyway, though it was raining hard I took a lot of photos and one of it is this shot. Spot the blue and red?

And we were not able to get inside because of the rain. I am still thinking of this place and when I get back to San Antonio, Texas next time I see to it I will be there early in the morning so we could roam the place and enjoy.

                                            Linking to BLUE MONDAY, RUBY TUESDAY 2

Cantaloupe

 We harvest plenty of cantaloupe in our garden. In order not to get wasted I make it a refreshing drink. I did not blend the cantaloupe meat to a blender instead I scrape it with a scraper. If you do not have a scraper you can use a fork. After all the meat is in the pitcher you add sugar and evaporated milk. I put lots of ice cubes and a little of water. Put it inside the refrigerator after about an hour take it out and voila it's a refreshing drink!

                                                   Linking to YUMMY SUNDAY & RUBY TUESDAY 2

Canning and Freezing

I had a small garden this year but I harvested plenty of tomatoes this year that I decided to do some canning and freezing. I did not make tomato sauce instead I made salsa and it is yummy! ^_^ Did you make some canning or freezing?

                                         I freeze bell peppers and tomatoes. I diced them.

                                                                      This is my salsa mixture.

                                                 I made five I want to make more. Last year I made tomato sauce and I still have some left.

                             Even the banana pepper I freeze them. ^_^ It's good for my fish soup ^_^

 I was at the grocery store yesterday and I saw this woman and other people buying tomatoes. I thought to myself I will not accept for myself buying tomatoes in summer. What the heck it's the easiest fruit to plant and it will bear fruit as many as you can bear, lol! Hubby said there are many people who do that. But I told him they can plant one tomato plant in a pot and it will grow. He said, well some do not bother. But then I ended up buying lettuce. I call my hubby and asked him why we did not plant lettuce? The price is high and in this time buying vegetables is not practical, lol! When I get home I told hubby I am going to plan my garden next year. I have to plant every vegetables that is available and do a lot of canning and freezing. We have a huge backyard with a 10 acres of land and I can't accept the fact that I am buying tremendous high price for the veggies that I can plant in our yard, ^_^ After tomorrow labor day I am going to a farm to pick more tomatoes and hope peaches and pears are ready to pick. Hubby bought me an upright freezer, woohoo! That means a lot of freezing to do. But I do not mind really. If we can save a penny I will save it! Just a matter of hard work and the love of doing it. Happy Labor Day to all!

                                                             Linking to RUBY TUESDAY 2

Mussels and Tomatoes

     I was in Wal-mart yesterday and discovered that they have a 2 pounds of mussels pre-cooked . I love mussels so our dinner that day is mussels. We have plenty of tomatoes this time so what I did I saute tomatoes , onions, garlic, and green pepper to butter. When it is translucent I put the mussels and let it simmer. I did not put any salt for my taste it is already salty. When all the mussels are open it is time to serve. Serve it while it is hot. Hubby loves to dip his toasted bread to the sauce while me, I love it with my rice! ^_^ A dinner cost only $3.99 (2 lbs of mussels) ^_^ 

                                                    Linking to RUBY TUESDAY 2

Creeping

When I spotted this plant on the ground it feels creepy. Tingling sensation creeps in my skin I do not like the looks of it. But I did manage to take photos of this plant. I noticed it looks like an Octopus tentacles because  it is long, reddish and it has some kind of a round "thing" that looks like the suction cups of an octopus, ewwwwww! 

                                                          Linking to RUBY TUESDAY 2

My Cake

Well last Good Friday was my birthday. I am not officially 46-ish years old! And because my birthday was on Good Friday a bunch of friends agreed to meet for lunch on Thursday. Here are some of our photos.

The cake hubby gave to me.

                                       
                                            And a pot of roses not a bunch of roses ^_^ I choose potted  flowers over cut flowers as a gift so I could plant the flowers. ^_^

                                       Linking to BLUE MONDAY and RUBY TUESDAY 2

Wrapped in Bacon

The other day we were eating shrimp this time it is cooked with bacon. The shrimp and jalapeno is wrapped in bacon and it is so delish. See it here. Growing up in the Philippines we always have fresh fish and shrimp or crabs. I remember when my Uncle got home from a long night fishing, him and his buddies eat fresh fish and shrimp dipped with vinegar. The clams or oyster we put it on top of a hot coal and the shell would open and we ate the clams and oyster. It is way too different in taste with a seafood is fresh then cook compare to a seafood that is frozen then cook after. My teach me, that if I cook shrimp or crabs I have to see to it, it is well cook and it should be reddish in color or else we might end up having a tummy ache. So far I haven't had any problem with sea foods yet!

                                                                      Linking to RUBY TUESDAY 2

Crab Apple

I have not known crab apple until I came here in the US. Well what I know about apple is the sweet and juicy one. I came here in the US in the middle of fall and what I saw for the very first time was all brown and trees are naked ^_^ Since here in Michigan it took at least six months for fall and winter to warm up I don't have any idea that we have several apple trees and pears but to my dismay they are sour! But because I do not care I try to eat it but it's just too sour no matter I eat it with salt can't eat more than two. When every flowers and trees are blooming the fruits started to show their beauty I had a good time taking photos of the so called "crab apples". What about you bloggers what you call this sour apple at your area is it also "crab apple"?

Reminiscing the time when hubby was busy baling hay. The day is beautiful I took photos of him. I think the other photo here is a rose hip and here is one side of our barn. At the end of the busy day a beautiful sunset is captured too.

Linking to MOSAIC MONDAY and RUBY TUESDAY 2

Informal Dinner or Luncheon

Informal Dinner or Luncheon

Simply start with a basic setting and add to it.

1. If salad is to be served, the salad fork is placed to the left of the dinner fork. Eliminate the salad fork if no salad is served or place it to the right of the dinner fork to use as a dessert fork if appropriate. (The dessert fork can also be brought to the table when dessert is served.)
2. If soup is served, set the bowl on the plate and a soup spoon to the right of the beverage spoon.
3. Salad or bread and butter plates go to the left of the forks. Position butter plates above the forks with the butter spreader placed across the plate.
4. Cup and saucer go above the spoons with the handle toward the right. Wine or water glasses handle toward the right. Wine or water glasses can be positioned to the left of the coffee cup. source:The Taste of Home Cookbook

This time I go for the blue color. Thanks to a friend she gave all her candles to me. Thanks Ms L. 

Linking to Tablescape Thursday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Blue Monday, Ruby Tuesday 2

Table Top Tuesday