Turkey Sliders

This is SO easy- you only need these ingredients to add to some ground turkey meat:


2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 cup finely chopped red, green and yellow bell pepper




Mix together with 1 to 1.25 lb ground beef; form into small patties and place in pan or on grill (I didn't have time to clean the grill, so I did mine on the stove). Right before removing from pan, add a little teriyaki marinade/sauce to the top of each slider.



I served with sweet potato fries, and veggies (yellow carrots, navy beans and spinach).

The Peaceful Transition of Power

With such a historical moment as yesterday's presidential inauguration, the phrase that continued to resonate with me from all the commentary and discussion was that of "the peaceful transition of power."

As I focused on that phrase throughout the day, and even in the days leading up to the inauguration, I reminded myself how truly special inaugurations are in the regard of peacefully handing official power over to the successor. I reminded myself that blessings abound simply because of this fact; ours is not a country where one militant group or ideological sect overtakes the government every few years by violence. Ours is not a country where rocket grenades and bomb explosions announce the arrival of a new "administration." Praise God for His sovereignty and providential hand that was in the midst of the design of our government over 200 years ago that allows the peaceful process of election and then transition.

However, what most impacted me by this phrase is the reflection on how I choose, or don't choose, to cast my cares on the Lord daily. Do I peacefully release all things into His hand? Or do I grudgingly say "okay, Lord- I'm giving you the wheel because I'm out of my own ideas right now." Or, what about the days where I flat out refuse Him? Where I say, "No thanks- I've got this- and I'm going to fight you every step of the way." The Jesus-Christ Administration deserves my unfettered cooperation, every day, as He was "sworn-in" as my Commander-in-Chief 25 years ago. It is my responsibility, and my privilege, to participate in the "peaceful transition of power" each and every day of my life so that the "other party (aka Satan)" does not attempt to stage the the over-throwing of the Administration I freely elected.

Turning Over a New Leaf?

I don't know if it is because I'm 30 now, or if it is because it's a new year, and a fresh start perhaps. But I've been less reluctant to begin or go back to some things that previously were just passing thoughts or I didn't see the importance in, or I just lacked the desire to complete (read: laziness).

1. I took a BIG step WAY out of my comfort zone and committed to attending RefresHer on Tuesday mornings. I am so glad that God has continually put it on my heart, slowly preparing me for when His timing was perfect. I am excited for what God has in store during the time of this study, and am already very encouraged by it.

2. This is where I am most afraid of failure: any kind of physical exercise. I love to exercise, though you wouldn't know it to look at me! I always feel so good during and afterwards. However, I have a list over a mile long (longer than any distance I could ever run) of reasons why I haven't been faithful in this area. So I found this: The Couch to 5K Running Plan. I am hoping and praying that I can shed some of this extra weight and be in better overall health by following this plan.

I hope to post more 'new things' in the near future, but these are two big things for me to get me started. Please, please - no nay-sayers. Encouraging words only!

Bonita Springs National Art Festival

Drew and I visited the Art Show in Bonita today. My words will in no way come close to doing it justice, but it was a stunning show.

Some of my favorites include:

• Lynn Ferris Watercolors (everything on display at her booth that I liked so much is not on her website- she featured portraits of the older generation doing things like sitting outside the barber shop, tending to a horse and sitting in a chair thinking)
• Bob Copeland Photography (my favorite photo was a view of a cabin with a shed in the foreground and the Grand Tetons in the background, all covered in snow; I did not find this on the website either, but I might have missed it)
• Laurie Snow Hein (my favorites of hers were paintings of native Florida vegetation, and some beach scenes; again, my favorites from today are not on her website. Another interesting fact is that she has illustrated a few books, one of them authored by Elisa Morgan of MOPS International)
• Karin Connolly Photography (the one that took my breath away is located in the Digital Gallery, fourth over from the right, on the top row, labeled Maestro D711m. Unbelievable in person. If I had the money, I would have grabbed that one right away!).

I miss the art community; I used to be such a culture vulture. Dave was working, and even though I knew it would be a stretch for Andrew to go to this with me, it was something I was starving for and 'needed' for me. The thing that this festival impressed upon me the most (among Other Things, see below) was that I let some of my dreams die. Not because of being a mom or a wife. I let my artistic dreams die long before motherhood came along. I regret it. I want to allow myself to dream that way again.

Other Things (see reference above)
1. People aren't that considerate to someone with a stroller who wants to get close enough to view artwork.
2. WAY too many retired folk push their dogs in strollers.
3. Why did I dress us this way? I planned on it being a little cooler out, given the morning temperature at our house (52 degrees).
4. Most artists are happy to talk to you at length, even when they can tell you can't or won't buy anything.
5. The Promenade at Bonita Bay has very little parking.
6. The Promenade at Bonita Bay is a lovely place to sit by a waterfall and have coffee, water, tea, soda (insert your favorite beverage here). I had never previously even walked into the place. To me, it looks like Waterside used to, before it went all Naples on us. Beautiful vegetation, lots of water, shade and sunlight, beautiful walkways.

Drew and I took a little trip to a BIG store tonight... Whole Foods Market. Yes, I know it's been there for months, but this is the first time I've made it.

My reason for visiting is different- my son is allergic to everything. I went just to scope things out (not spend much money) and see what they had to offer. WOW... as the mother of someone whose non-allergy list is shorter than the actual allergy list, this place was a vision.

Of course Drew loved the 'car' part of the cart. I could not believe some of the things I came across. I was OVERWHELMED, but in a good way. It made my head spin! SO, SO many things that would help me get a better balance of things into him while still keeping the allergens out of his food. I think the section I found most surprising as it relates to us was the baking aisle. There were so many ingredients and mixes that would be Drew-friendly, I could hardly speak.

UN-related to us, I could not believe the ready-made food available at this place! And, no surprise, expensive. I did find quite a few things on sale, and the way I shop, you can be sure I know a good deal when I see one, especially on groceries.

We did buy two bags of Veggie Pirate's Booty (the kind with no cheese or milk ingredients), and I found a bottle of the Whole Foods Store Brand gummy vitamins for Drew for which I just happened to have a coupon (no shopping trip is complete if I don't have my coupons!). We spent $11, which I'm certain is no small achievement! So, as if I don't have enough incentive already, I can feel better about all my coupon craziness when I know it will perhaps allow me to buy Andrew a few things now and then at Whole Foods.

Got Figs? Put 'Em in Your Chicken!

I modified this recipe by cooking it in my crockpot and using six chicken thighs. I also used preserved figs in syrup instead of the dried variety. I did not have store bought gnocchi, so I made my own from this recipe. It tasted fine, but looked different than I expected.

Ingredients (all stuff I had on hand):


My sweet little sous chef adding the salt!


The gnocchi dough once kneaded and then cut into bite size.


Finished products:


Both were a hit with my guys, and me. My only 'critique' is that I would have like for the chicken dish to be a little less on the sweet side. No prob- nothing a little extra salt on my plate couldn't fix!

Dinner: Hillbilly Style

So most of you know I am a Florida Cracker, and so is my husband, Dave. We were both born and raised in Florida, and have lived in Florida our whole lives thus far. David's side of the family is Cuban, so not many 'cracker' recipes going on there. But, I love cracker-style food. So it should be no surprise that one of my favorite no-fuss, easy, cheap dinners to make is Pinto Beans with Hoecakes. I made these last night because we were outside late, and time was getting away from me. I forgot to take pictures for you, but here are the recipes, the way I made them.

Hoecakes

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal (I used white)
2 egg yolks (Drew is allergic to the whites)
1 tbsp. sugar
3/4 cup rice milk (you can use reg. milk if you want- allergy issue here, too) with a couple drops of lemon juice mixed in
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup bacon grease
Vegetable oil for frying

Mix all ingredients except frying oil. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls into hot skillet. Use approx. 2 tbsp batter per hoecake. Brown until crisp; turn and brown on other side. Drain on paper towels. Makes about 16 hoecakes.

Pinto Beans

1 can pinto beans
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 diced red onion
3/4 cup collard greens and liquid (I had these leftover from New Year's Day)

Cook all ingredients in saucepan until thoroughly heated.

The hoecakes are good to soak up the good pot liquor from the beans/collard greens. You can also dip them in syrup. Yummy! I also served sliced peaches to round out our meal. I know, I'm a simpleton, but this meal was so good, especially last night.