Broccoli Salad

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While this broccoli salad's taste does not rival the more common version that features cheddar, mayo, and bacon, it is healthier. The next time that I make it, I think I will add more peppers, and leave out the broccoli. Chickpea and pepper salad with feta dressing would be perfect. We just aren't big fans of raw broccoli, unless it is disguised better. The rest of this was delicious, so if you do like raw broccoli, give this recipe a whirl.


Broccoli Salad with Feta Dressing

1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt (I used Greek)
2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoon lemon juice
2 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
6 cups broccoli florets
1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
1 red bell pepper, chopped

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing Ingredients Cont.

Broccoli Salad with Creamy Feta DressingMix feta, yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and pepper in a medium bowl until combined.
Add broccoli, chickpeas and bell pepper; toss to coat. Serve chilled.

Yummy!

One of the foods that SH and I have always wanted to try, made its way into our mouths, when we spotted a sign at the Saint John's Flea Market. We had just arrived when we saw the stand. This set the tone for our day--new food, new place to explore, new people to meet.

We had a fun time exploring the flea market, and then stopped on our way out to buy two bags of peanuts. We chose the spicy variety, although plain, and garlic were also very tasty.
While SH and I were delighted with the boiled peanuts, BG was more than happy to stick with a bag of the regular variety.

I found the history behind the official snack food of South Carolina here.

This one's for YOU

You know when you see something and it makes you think of someone, you just want to share. Well, that happens to me often. I won't single out anyone, but I know they will know whom I mean. You will too, because one of these two things, just might apply to you.

Chips or Chocolate
Keeping Women Happy for years!

Call them chips or call them crisps.
They now can be found in vending machines.

This might not be a new idea, but we had never seen it.


Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake

This recipe from Kraft, appeared in my email this morning.
It reminded me of a certain sweetie who likes her chocolate gooey.
In this heat, warm and chocolatey might not be the ticket.
I am thinkin' winter, you know, the season that I love so dearly.

Note to everyone who listened to my complaining for 45 years:

I LOVE it HERE!!!!!!!

Father's Day

The World Golf Hall of Fame was where we could found last Sunday.

We walked around, while SH oohed and aahed at the exhibits.
He was very, very happy.
Four hours was not enough time for SH,
so he will return on his own to study everything in great detail.

They sell OKA b shoes in the gift shop.
"Look honey, aren't those the shoes that you like?" SH asked.
He offered to buy me a pair. I declined the offer, because it was supposed to be his day.

I found a recipe!
(click to read)

Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory is a special exhibit which features over 400 artifacts, 300 images, a special audio tour, and nearly 2 hours of video shown on monitors throughout the display which celebrates Hope's career in entertainment, his relationships with U.S. Presidents, his devotion to the men and women of the military, and his love of golf.

The putting course was very pretty.

SH was excited to give this a try.

You stand here

And hit the ball

to here.

Your daughter takes pictures, while your extremely myopic wife
knows that you have done well by listening to the other men murmur praise.

A photographer from a newspaper took SH's photo.
After they talked, SH forgot the name of the paper.
If anyone sees my hubby's picture in a Saint Augustine or Jacksonville paper,
please let me know.

Couscous with Shrimp

Visit Tasty Tuesday and Tempt My Tummy Tuesday to gather more ideas for tummy pleasing goodies!

Shrimp has always been a favorite of mine. As a young girl, I always ordered either shrimp, or ham when we went out to dinner. When SH and I married, we served a giant bowl of chilled shrimp to our guests. I have a picture. I was taking food pix back in 1986, knowing I would one day need them for blogging. Too bad the album is in one of the many moving boxes, or you could feast your eyes on my trifle bowl filled with shrimp.

A few days ago while grocery shopping, I couldn't resist the large shrimp as they called to me from the case. "Buy us, buy us. You will save two bucks on a pound. You know you want to."

And so I did.

Once home, to a box of cooked couscous, I added two chopped tomatoes, a package of basil and tomato reduced fat feta, lemon juice, and olive oil. Then I remembered that I had used up the garlic powder prior to our move.

Yes, I use powdered garlic.
It tastes just fine to us.

I pulled off the tails, because presentation is not everything to me. Powdered garlic, and messily chopped shrimp, what next? Oh, wait, there wasn't any garlic. I thought this was a tasty treat. BG ate it, but told me the next day that she prefers shrimp scampi. SH ate it, but said it "needed something".

Yes, it needed garlic.

Well, it was still good, and even better for lunch the next day.

Here is another couscous recipe, in case you want one with measurements. In the one above, I used a pound of jumbo shrimp, two tomatoes, a 10 oz box of couscous, the small plastic box of feta, and the olive oil and lemon juice were not measured. I believe that is called "to taste". To my taste, it was a success.

Couscous with Nectarines

1 medium onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 can (16 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
3 nectarines, diced, about 1 1/2 cups
1 box (10 ounces) couscous
Nectarine slices for garnish, optional

Combine onion and 1/4 cup of the chicken stock in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the remaining chicken stock, coriander, cumin and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Add the diced nectarines and couscous and mix well. Cover tightly and remove from the heat. Allow to stand for 5 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Garnish each serving with nectarine slices, if desired.

Serve hot or cold

Makes 8 servings.

The Emperor's China Closet

Our lovely dining area.

Try not to covet my china.

Life in the land o' boxes became much homier, thanks to this pretty gift from
Lindsay, Tim, and Jessica.

Thank you so much for sending us the perfect addition to our home o' boxes. (hetero boxes?) When we are in our house, the sign will have a place of honor. I originally hung it on the knob as place to take the picture. I quite like it there, though. I am thinking it will look sweet when the china closet is in the new kitchen, and it will remind me of you all...I mean y'all (workin' on it), every time I enter the kitchen, which from the looks of my thighs, is way too often.

BG received an equally wonderful gift. I will allow her the pleasure of sharing it on her blog.

Tag!

I've been TAGGED!! Tagged by Lisa at Cranberry Flats to list 6 unimportant things that make me happy.

I don't know about this. EVERYTHING is important to me.
I am the original mountain out of molehill woman. I will give it a shot, though.

1. The arrival of a magazine in the mail.
2. Fat Free Half and Half- a wonderful invention.
3. Thrift Stores
4. The three weeks of a month where PMS isn't in full force.
5. Disney World
6. Indian Food

Now I get to tag 6 people to list 6 UNIMPORTANT things that make THEM happy!!

BG@Me and my life
Fiona@FeeBeeKay- Baby Kay
Sheila@The Quintessential Magpie
Lindsay@The Cross-Stitch House
Heidi@Bargain-Hunting in the Corn
Jennifer@A Sample of Jennifer's Thoughts
Pam@Mom's Mutterings

Seven! That way if you don't want to participate, we have a spare, or something like that.

Lindsay@The Cross-Stitch House, also tagged me.
I am to post the 10th picture in the 1st folder on my computer.

The tenth picture is dripped balsamic vinegar.
I dripped the vinegar, as BG snapped the picture.
We were making bean salad on a home from school snow day.
I tag the seven people named above, if they would like to play.

Glowing, not Perspiring

With the help of two very sweet women, I can report that I now have completed a Walgreens purchase, which resulted in a $10 register reward coupon.

Pam graciously sent me a stack of Dove antiperspirant coupons, and under Heidi's tutelage, I believe I used them well.

I purchased a Sunday paper, used additional coupons for Dove products,
and came home with all of these goodies.

I forgot to buy a Sunday paper this week. Yes, I definitely need more guidance in this bargain hunting/couponing. I do have that Register Rewards coupon in my wallet, and I promise that I won't allow it to expire. I will catch onto all of this...I really will.

Pie Throwing

BG was delighted to throw two "pies" at the Publix manager's face.
This was such a cute fundraising idea.
The poor man was covered in goo, which was melting everywhere in the heat.
What a nice gesture to benefit The Children's Miracle Network.

Say What!

We couldn't find the pizza cutter to slice our dinner tonight. The location of many important items remains a mystery. My priorities were clearly skewed when I did a bit of unpacking. There has been a large plastic bin under the sink, filling with recyclables, since day one, but no pizza cutter in the kitchen drawer. No need for the bin, I found out earlier today.

There is NO RECYCLING at least for anyone who lives in these condos.

Do I dare venture to the neighborhood where we will be moving, to ask if they also don't recycle, or should I let the answer be a surprise?

Silly me, I thought everyone recycled. I ask you, what are the rules for your community?

On a happier note, I now know the gate code, so I won't look like the crazy fool that I am, as I run towards the gate with the opener. You know, because the two people whom I know in the entire state, PG, and Mrs. Magpie, will be visiting every day.

Three Or More Tuesday- PEZ

It's time for Three Or More Tuesday! Have fun checking out the myriad of multiples over at The Gypsy's Corner.

What, you may ask, could I possibly share? Well, boxes, of course.
Everywhere I turn, I spy a stack of boxes. This could become the next decor trend, right?

Three boxes Up on Top
Brings to mind
Oh, how I loved when my mom read me Dr. Seuss!

Charlie Brown wants to share the contents of box number two
Three or more of his PEZy Pals

Be careful, Charlie, those Popsicles will melt

Get to know your neighbors
Mingle!

Come on, Kitties, the Bratz girls may look a tad slutty,
but one must never judge a book by its cover

The Peanuts gang (for Heidi)

Bet you didn't realize the ubiquity of PEZ

The Island of Lesbos-PEZ style

The princesses playing hard to get

The Island of Misfit PEZ?
Whistleblowers?
You decide.

Forced familiarity
Sometimes, it's the only way

O. Lisa

Two stories that I first read when I was in junior high school, have haunted me for my entire life. Yes, haunted me. One is The Lottery. It could be the real reason that I do not gamble, and people sort of scare me. If you are not familiar, have a read. Maybe you won't be as terrified as I was.

I will let you guess at the other title. Suffice it to say, I once gave a lighter to a boyfriend, only to find out that he had quit smoking. In my defense, he was in the Navy, so I had a reason for not knowing his day to day doings.

With no further ado, I bring you

The Gift of the Magpie

Hark! I spot a gift from the (Mrs.) Magpie
My silly mommy waited all day to be able to use that wordplay.

We'd think Mrs. Magpie was special, even if she didn't bring us goodies.
Mommy waited until 8:45 PM to slowly savor the chocolate, while
I enjoyed a cupcake in the presence of Mrs. Magpie.

Before there was Cake

PG and Huey came to visit.
Not much to do in an empty abode.

Our First Piece of Mail

Lindsay and Jessica welcomed us to our new home with this lovely card.

We missed their visit to Florida, but eagerly await their return.
My apologies for not posting the postcard when it arrived. In the midst of packing, it became misplaced, only to surface last night. I had saved it with our bills! It makes sense now.

Where we are Living

The first items from the moving truck

And then a few more

Can you spot the Purell?


Yep, this will be conducive for eating meals.

Much better, even if two of the chairs are being housed in BG's room.

The coatrack, next to the armoire, was a new find for BG.
It stood next to the garage door her entire life.
Easy to spot now!


My favorite piece of furniture, a server passed down from my grandma.
It is now covered with boxes.
BG can admire it as she brushes her teeth.

You want me to cook in there!
I did just that, last night.

I bought a knife, along with the produce.
The box marked kitchen essentials held spices!
Yes, in my mind cumin outranked knives, when I was packing.
Somewhere in the mountain of boxes is a vegetable peeler.
One night of pesticide-laden cucumber skin was fine.
The tomatoes were organic. See, it isn't that bad!



Yeah, I bought some Publix bags.
They made me very happy.

Reading pleases me as much as reusable bags.

For O. Henry's brilliance, go here.

The book that I finished this moring, Sue Miller's The World Below, left me with an unsettled feeling. It was nothing that a breakfast of a rice cake spread with peanut butter could not erase.

Carpet Camping

There will be furniture in two more days, but we do have one computer, a deck of cards, and a pile of novels. When I can get BG to let me use the computer, I will catch up on blog reading, which I sorely miss.

BG relaxing after a hard day of swimming.