salami and pepper ring roll-up appetizer

I made these for our Tuesday night Porch Sit and they were a hit.

Every Tuesday we gather with a group on friends 
on the lanai of our community activity building
to chat, share some snacks and sip a glass of wine.

For short we call it PST (porch sit Tuesdays)

Salami and Pepper Ring Roll-Up Appetizer

Ingredients:

1 package (10 oz) of thin sliced reduced fat Salami

1 package reduced fat cream cheese

1 jar (16 oz) mild pepper rings

Directions:

Lay salami slices on your work surface.

Spread cream cheese on half on each slice.

Put a pepper ring down the middle of each salami slice.

Roll the salami so that the pepper ring is in the middle.

The cream cheese will hold the salami roll closed.
Cut each one in half with a diagonal cut.

Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Salami and Pepper Ring Roll-Up Appetizer

Ingredients:

1 package (10 oz) of thin sliced reduced fat Salami

1 package reduced fat cream cheese

1 jar (16 oz) mild pepper rings

Directions:

Lay salami slices on your work surface

Spread cream cheese on half on each slice

Put a pepper ring down the middle of each salami slice

Roll the salami so that the pepper ring is in the middle

The cream cheese will hold the salami roll closed
Cut each one in half with a diagonal cut

Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Crochet Headband with Rosette Flower

I made these headbands for my daughter-in-laws

and have since made several more to

give away next fall.

I know with spring at hand you probably aren't 

thinking about crocheting warm headbands 

so I will post this again in September.

The directions can be found here:

Crochet Headband with Flower

Thank you Kris for the inspiration to make "ear-warmers".

microwave popcorn popper

In our recent quest to eat healthier
I was looking for an alternative to bagged microwave popcorn

So . . .  I bought a

Nordic Ware 12 Cup Microwave Popcorn Popper

from Target for $8.99

Best perk – no butter or oil needed

no BPA or melamine

safe up to 400 degrees

I sometimes make enough for just one serving (90 calories)

30 grams un-popped popcorn kernels.

only 3 "old maids"

Hmmm, seems like you can use this bowl for other things as well . . . 

And (!) . . .  I saw this bowl at Goodwill for $1 

{not labeled but I knew what it was}

So . . . I bought it and will take it north to our NY home.

Dr. Oz Reveals the Hidden Dangers of Microwave Popcorn

did I tell you ...

For my friends who kindly tolerate the 

"repetition" of my stories . . .

pickles free online by Brian Crane

seeking words of wisdom

Transfiguration Sunday - Preparing for Lent:

Our minister gave a very powerful sermon Sunday that I think

is well worth the 30 minutes you would spend listening to it.

{see link at end of this post}

Pastor Chris Romig, 03-02-14, God is Sovereign, Exodus 2:1-22

God is never early

God is never late

God is always right on time . . . 

We are not in charge, God is in charge.

With God there are no coincidences.

We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from his love. That’s our comfort in life, that behind us, beneath us, around us is the divine hand of God.

We cannot always recognize where God is present as we journey through the valleys but from a later perspective, we can see and sometimes the lessons that emerge are so powerfully touching and transforming.

Be patient . . .

God often does his most loving and tender work in our lives during times of pain.

Richard C. Halverson U.S. Senate Chaplain bendiction:

You go nowhere by accident.

Wherever you go, God is sending you there.

Wherever you are, God has put you there.

He has a purpose in your being there.

Christ, who indwells in you, has something

 He wants to do through you, wherever you are.

Believe this, and go in His grace, and love, and power. Amen!

Listen to the sermon:

Pastor Chris Romig, God is Sovereign March 3, 2014

Venice Presbyterian Church youtube channel

burrito bowl

Burrito Bowl

adapted from a recipe by Food Network’s Melissa d'Arabian

Yield: 6-8 servings

photo: Food Network's Ten Dollar Meals

Ingredients:

5 cups cooked brown rice

1 tablespoon orange zest

4 cups shredded pork, recipe follows

1 can black beans rinsed and drained

1 can shoepeg corn drained

1 jar Pico de Gallo or salsa

2 avocados cut into small cubes

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

2 green onions, chopped

Directions:

Toss the cooked rice with orange zest.

Divide the rice evenly among individual serving bowls. Add warm pork.

Let your guests top their own bowls with black beans, corn, pico de gallo, and avocado.

Sprinkle on cheese, and spoon a dollop of sour cream on top.

Finish with the chopped green onions.

Shredded Pork: (I make the shredded pork a day ahead)

3-4 pounds pork shoulder or Boston butt

2 tablespoon olive oil

coarse salt

coarsely ground black pepper

3 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 onion, coarsely chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeno, seeded and ribs removed, chopped

1 orange cut in half (zest removed and saved for the rice)

Place the pork shoulder/butt in a slow cooker.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle on salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.  Top with onion, garlic, and jalapeno. Squeeze the juice of one orange over the pork. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 hours.

Once the meat is tender, remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly before pulling apart with a fork. Strain and de-fat cooking liquid. Reserve the liquid to use when reheating.

If you cooked the pork earlier, reheat it in a large sauté pan with the reserved juice.

Original recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/burrito-bowl-recipe.html

where the magic happens

We recently discovered {thank you Jim and Cathy} that we qualify for 

Florida resident discounts on rooms and tickets at Disney World.

After a little help from AAA we will be off to Disney on Wednesday.

Wishing you could join us at . . . 

Epcot

Hollywood Studios

Animal Kingdom

I don't think it really is the"happiest place on earth"

but it sure will be a fun filled three days.

Mark your calendars for next year  and come along !

Sochi 2014

This week we headed to the Southwest Florida Figure Skating Club to see two Olympic skating pairs wrap-up training at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex.

Now we have a horse in the race – well actually a skater on the ice

Won’t that make watching the Olympic skating competition all the more fun?

Endurance, dedication, devotion and practice every day . . .

Felicia Zhang and Nate Bartholomay {USA}

Felicia Zhang and her partner Nathan Bartholomay have finished their training at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex and look forward to their trip overseas. The figure skaters’ flight leaves Saturday from Tampa International Airport. The couple was practicing in preparation for their Olympic in front of a packed house. Fridays are "simulations", meaning full costume with music.

Zhang will be accompanied by her dad, and Bartholomay will be joined by his mother, sister and two friends.

Zhang says the moment she looks forward to most…is not their own event. “The Opening Ceremonies; I mean, I have watched them every year. I am so excited to walk and be a part of it and be on TV wearing American gear.”

Stacey Kemp and David King {United Kingdom}

Stacey Kemp and David King now train in Ellenton Florida with their primary coach being former Worlds Bronze Medalist in Pairs, Lyndon Johnston. After last season ankle injuries and torn ligaments, club members Stacey Kemp and David King are competing for Olympic Gold in Sochi. They have won 10 consecutive British Pair titles, Novice and Junior then 8 senior. They were the first British Pair team in 16 years to qualify and compete at a Winter Olympic Games for Pairs back in 2010. Next big goal: the Sochi Olympics in 2014.

The Ellenton rink has trained 10 Olympic Pair Skaters from 3 countries
Good luck Felicia, Nate, Stacey, and David  – we’ll be watching

 

Also taking the ice that day were Cirinia Gillett and Maximiliano Fernandez

 {Novice Pairs Nationals Silver medalists winners}

{Article quotes from: mysuncoast.com / lambcoskating.co.uk / heraldtribune.com}

walk along the shore

The Soothing Power of the Ocean

{by the editors of Prevention magazine}

There is something magical that happens when we walk along the shore. Our cares lighten; our perspective lengthens. Scientists are trying to put their finger on exactly why that is . . .

A new study confirms that being outdoors, especially near water, helps us de-stress.

But do we really need proof?

Just head to the beach and let the sand and waves soothe body and soul.

cheese broccoli soup {lite version}

Cheese Broccoli Soup {lite version}

Serves 2

Simmer for 8-10 min

6 oz broccoli spears (steamed for 2 minutes - partially cooked)

13 oz chicken broth

10 oz Rotel Mild Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles,

Stir in until melted

4 oz Kraft Velveeta Pasteurized prepared cheese  

Amount Per Serving

WW PointsPlus 6

Calories 242

Total Fat 13

Total Carbohydrates 16

Dietary Fiber 3

Protein 18

Sugars 9g

Next time I may puree 1/2  the soup with an immersion blender and stir it back in for a smoother soup.