Seafood Noms

Any seafood lovers out there?  Show of hands.  I see you over there, Florida! ;)
I wanted to share a recipe with you that I made up on the spot the other day.
This will make 8 - 10 servings.

Get 3 boxes of this:

Some of these (thawed).  They are the little ones; Mediterranean sea scallops, not bay scallops.
(I got the frozen bag and thawed and used about half- ish.  Maybe 2 cups worth?)

A package of this (chunk style):

And a box of this:

Prepare the pasta according to the directions.  While it's going, prepare the shrimp according to the directions.  When the shrimp is almost opaque, but not quite, add in the scallops and crab and cook another 5 or 6 minutes.  Drain the pasta, put it in a serving dish and mix in the seafood.  Be sure you get all of that lime sauce in!

This tastes good with cheddar biscuits, salad, and green beans as side dishes.
If you make it for yourself, let me know how you liked it! :)

He Who Would Pun...

I hadn't seen this in a while and a friend happened to share it on my social streams.  So now I'm sharing it with you.  *Raises glass* To Lord Nelson! (And Russell Crowe.  And Paul Bettany.)

ATTENTION PEN PALS!!!

I have horribly fallen off the letter writing wagon the last 2 or 3 months!  I loved doing the Month of Letters project in February and so many beautiful letters from all over the world have been pouring into my mailbox since.

I know I should have at least replied with a postcard, but when things really took off for Lucy Jane, I barely had time to breathe!  (The Hydrangea Festival was a success, by the way, and there will be a post on that when I have time to sort some photos and whatnot.)

So I am offering huge apologies to anyone who reads The Modest Peacock who has written me a letter and not received an answer yet.  This week I am taking a vacation and going to spend a few days with some good friends down in Savannah, GA.  I'll be on my own during the day, and am taking a bag full of my stationery along.  I'll be writing you while wiggling my toes in the sand and surf on Tybee island!  (I LOVE SUMMER TIME!!)  :D

Here is what I have to reply to: an even 30 in all!

Off I go, then!  Going to blare Steam Powered Giraffe's CDs as loudly as I want all the way down there.  It's around a 5 hour trip, so I will get plenty of mileage out of the albums.  (That was a PUN!) ;)
Much love to you all, my readers!

How Is Your Ship Doing?

Yesterday was a needed and welcome time of refuge and peace in the midst of some difficult circumstances that I have been trying to process.  We've been visiting a church just down the road that I feel the Lord is calling us to become involved in, and this is helping me navigate these uncertain times in ways I can't even express.  The people have been kind, accepting, and generally offering any and every manner of help and direction to get us acclimated.

Attending this new church helps, but it doesn't take away ALL the troubled times.  There are yet some valleys that will need to be walked through, and difficult choices that will need to be made, and even the positive decisions and changes that are coming in this season of my life are a little scary, but I know they must happen in order for me to live up to the fullest potential that God has created me for.

You know by now how I'm in love with the sea.  Yet, for all that it is beautiful and peaceful sometimes, a storm can transform the ocean into a dangerous and deadly force.  Isn't life like that?  There are some parts of it that are full of sunshine, squishy sand and relaxation, but other times life throws us around like a ship about to wreck.  The painful times come, and we feel as though we are soaking wet, being heaved up and down on mile high waves- nearly to the point of drowning- and that our ship is coming apart in splinters.

But it isn't!  If your ship (your soul and your faith) is anchored in and with the Lord Jesus, guess what??  The anchor HOLDS!  It's not going anywhere, and even though you might have to ride out the rough times, all will not be lost!  The ship is safe!

Sunday morning, even as I sat in Worship service in a landlocked town that hasn't seen rain for at least a week, I felt like this one was picked out and sung especially for me.  It was a male solo in Sunday's service, but as I was looking around YouTube for the song, I found this wonderful version.  Enjoy, and be uplifted and encouraged!

Frank Returns to Destin

Back in April, I took Frank to Destin, FL on vacation.  It was actually my very first Frank post, which led to the "Frank Friday" fun that is now a part of my regular (when I think about it and get it in on time) blogging schedule.  You're welcome.

As you probably know (although you can read this post if you didn't) I took another trip to Destin this past week with a friend and our daughters.  So, OF COURSE, Frank got to go with us! :)  You're welcome. (Again.)

Frank says "What are we waiting for?!  Let's go!!"

Wind was kicking up, so we have funky hairdos. :)

Marilyn and Frank

Marilyn offers Frank a sip of her Coke

Frank LOVES the Ocean. :)

I hope I can bring Frank back to the sea side again soon.  I hope one day to bring him to it permanently, as we make our home on a coast somewhere.  Hope, hope, hope!  In the meantime, Frank will keep traveling on Adventures!  :)

For Emily at the Seaside

For breakfast, it was Cheerios,
Then sunblock slathered on your nose,
Wear a swimsuit under your clothes,
Feel the sea breeze as it gently blows,
Hot summer sun upon you glows,
Walk the path as it winding goes,
Until the sand is between your toes.

Sit upon the sandy shore,
Dig holes, build castles and forts galore,
Find a shell or five or more,
Shells to collect, share and adore,
Watch the seagulls swoop and soar,
Higher and farther than before,
Listen to the ocean crash and roar.

Splash in the waves and end up wet,
As salty and sandy as you can get,
Play with your pail and shovel set,
With new friends whom you've just met,
Plead that it isn't time to go just yet,
You'll sleep deep and sound, I bet
Tonight after the sun has set.

Finally it's time to bid goodbye,
To gulls and shells and sea and sky,
All more loved by you than cherry pie,
Heave a quiet, wistful sigh,
As back home we now must fly,
In your own bed once again to lie,
Dreaming of the ocean's lullaby.

Posting 6 hours away from home...

We're in Destin, FL!  Once again, my wonderful friend Marilyn is hosting me and supporting my beach addiction.  This time I have my Emily-bug with me, and my friend Meg and her 2 year old daughter.  It was a long ride down, with 2 stops, but we made it safe and sound and finally crashed in bed super late.

This morning I got up at 7:30 local time and went for a run on the beach!  I've been looking forward to that for a long time.  Su over at Cheekyness has been a huge inspiration to me in my discovery of the fact that I LIKE to run.  I ran from the beach access in front of Marilyn's street down to the sign for the Henderson Beach State Park.  All told, I went about 1.8 miles.

I know I was supposed to post the 3 entries from last week that are overdue, but after that drive I was just too bushed.  Frank is along for this trip, of course, so there will be some great monkey hilarity come next Frank Friday.  Hopefully tonight after Emily is asleep, I can post the one from last week, which is titled "Banana?"  Look for it to show up very soon.  I'm also still formulating last week's Go Here Thursday.  It's harder to think of places and stuff to recommend (without repeating something) than you would think.  So I will be working on that tonight, too (hopefully).  Thanks for hanging in with me, and I hope you will enjoy the results forthcoming. :)

Now I'm about to grab a shower and get ready to tote the preschoolers to the BEACH!  We're going to slather them down in Avon Sunblock, put on their new beach hats (yes, there will be photos!) and start playing in the sand!  Wait... We have to get breakfast first.  They had Cheerios.  But I want.... the glorious thing that is featured in this edition of Music Monday!  By comedian Tim Hawkins, here is the Chick-fil-a song.  Enjoy!

Frank's Further Adventures in St. Simons

August 7, 2009
Mine and Jake's 5th wedding anniversary.  We went down to St. Simons again, this time taking Frank and our good friends Charles and Marilyn.

Frank at the SSI Historic Lighthouse

While we were there we ate at 4th of May Cafe.  Be sure to read my past Go Here Thursday post about it here.  Frank enjoyed cuddles from Marilyn and myself while we waited for our food (which was not long.)

While we were there, we saw the 6th Harry Potter movie, which had just come out.

And spent some time at the beach.  I don't have any photos of him under the canopy that day, but I saw these sail boats and I think the next beach trip, I will see if we can rent one and Frank can have a new adventure!

After a long, happy day at the beach, we ate dinner at the Whataburger.

While I was retrieving these photos, I found some from the last Frank Friday that I had missed, so here they are:
July 24-25, 2009

Frank hangs out in the sculpture thingie outside the Glynn Art Gallery

Outside the SSI Lighthouse

In front of the SSI Pier

Playing on the swings at the Pier playground

Frank with one of the SSI Tree Spirits

The whale on the SSI Pier playground thought Frank looked like a good snack.
Don't worry, we rescued him! :)

On our way home, we saw this. :)

Frank's First Visit to St. Simons Island

July 24 & 25, 2009
Not long after we acquired Frank TAA (The Adventurous Ape) in 2009, we took him along with us on vacation to St Simons Island.  Before we left Atlanta, though, a true welcoming to the family was in order. Nowhere in Atlanta says that like The Varsity.  The Georgia Holy Grail of fast food, The Varsity takes the most unhealthy food ever (hamburgers and hot dogs) and transforms it into further artery-choking goodness by dipping it in giant vats of grease.  If you've been to Atlanta, but haven't eaten at the Varsity, then you haven't really been to Atlanta at all!  Here then, is Frank at the Varsity. :)

Once we arrived in south GA, we stayed with my dear friends, Mars and Alan.  Frank wasn't shy:

Alan is a firefighter in Glynn County.  On our way to the beach, we stopped by the station to see him, and he graciously allowed us (and Frank) a tour of one of the trucks!

Do you have a license to drive that, Frank?!

After awhile, we said goodbye to Alan and headed for the beach.  Frank loved the way the sea breeze rippled through his fur, and although he preferred to hang out (quite literally) under our canopy most of the time (salt water being hard to get out of his stuffing), he smiled the whole day.  Me too, Frank.  Me too.

Just hangin' out at the beach. :)

Pining for the Seaside

After last nights storms, I wish more than ever that I lived by the ocean so that this morning I could go see what washed up on the shore.  I need the beach.  No, not "a place to get away from it all".  I NEED to eventually make my home there.  I am physically better when I have spent a few days breathing the sea air.  When I come back, I feel my sinuses closing up again about the time we get to Macon.  When I visited Marilyn in Destin, FL, I found myself gulping great quantities of air, as though I could somehow store it in my lungs to live off of when I get back home. :(

So for today's "Go Here Thursday", I give you:

Jekyll Island is situated just below St. Simons Island (whose praises you have heard me sing before, and will hear again.)  From Brunswick, you simply take Glynn Ave. south until you cross over to the island and Jekyll Island Road.

View Larger Map

Jekyll is best seen by bicycle tour.  It has a million and one things to do, all on the one tiny island, but my two favorite places are The GA Sea Turtle Center and Jekyll Books at The Old Infirmary.

Sea turtles are my favorite ocean animal.  The Sea Turtle Center helps rehabilitate injured or ill turtles and releases them back into the wild.  It is an AMAZING place.  I told my Gran about it, and she said she would like to see it, so there may be a trip to Jekyll in my summer plans soon, after all. :)
The admission is only $6 for adults, and the proceeds go right back into the center to help with the operational costs.  I can't wait to go back!  Here are a couple of sneak peeks:

*****
Jekyll books has absolutely everything in the way of books, magazines, gifts, and beach decor.  It's fantastic.  I need at least 2 hours to browse through everything in its 14 themed rooms when I visit!  There is even a pirate themed room!

I'm ready to go pack my beach bag now.  Towel, sunscreen, swimsuit, blanket, lounge chair and a purchase from Jekyll Books before I find my spot in the sand and I'll be all set! :)

Fabulous Frank

This is Frank:

Frank Churchill came to us several years ago, in a box of cast off nursery toys that my mom brought home to the kids.  They each found something they liked, but none of them particularly wanted the tawny haired ape with the ripped arm.  So I took him to my sewing room, mended his hurts and kept him for myself.  

At home he sits on my bookcase, keeping watch over my treasured copies of Austen, Dickens, Barrie, Twain and Bronte.  But as I was packing us for a trip in '09, I happened to glance up at my bookcase, thinking what tome I should bring along for the car ride, and he caught my eye.  For all the world he looked as though he were bored of sitting at home playing sentry guard to my literary collection and would like to come along with us on our travels.  So I took him with us.  He's been Frank the Adventurous Ape ever since.

I take him everywhere, and I take pictures of him doing the things we're doing.  The kids think it's a hoot and total strangers can't help but smile at the stuffed primate affably chilling out at the beach, or browsing shops at a tourist attraction.

Frank has been to St. Simon's Island a couple of times, the Glynn County, GA Fire Department to visit a friend and tour the trucks, The Varsity in Atlanta, and now to Destin, Fla.

I'll post more of Frank's past adventures in other posts, but here's his most recent trip.

On Monday we arrived in Destin around noon and settled into Marilyn's guest room:

A storm was rolling in and it was too cold to go to the beach, so we hung out at the house and when Marilyn got home we made a wonderful dinner of polynesian pork chops, white cheddar shells and cheese and baby peas, with chocolate chip cookies for dessert:

On Tuesday we got up bright and early and headed out to the beach, even though it was windy.  Frank had a marvelous time just chilling out and watching the waves:

A day at the beach will tire anyone out, so after a pizza dinner and some TV, we crashed in bed.

On Wednesday, we headed out to do some shopping.  We visited the Silver Sands Outlet Mall where we  had gelato for the first time at San Gelato Cafe.

I was really good at the outlets and only bought a couple of things.  A mini scone pan and scone mix from Harry & David's; a new pink leather wallet from the Wilson's Leather outlet ($90 marked down to $15); and clip on sunglasses and a suitcase/rolling duffel bag thingy from the Totes/Isotoner outlet ($12 and $23, respectively).  There's a story to go with buying the suitcase, but I'll save that for another post.

After shopping, we were hungry so we had lunch at the Whataburger across the street.  Frank had been to the Brunswick GA Whataburger on a previous adventure, and seemed pleased to hang out at one again.

When Marilyn came home, she took us to the Harbor Walk Village to see the boats and visit the shops.  We went in this one shop called Del Sol that makes products which are white in indoor light and turn colors in the sunlight.  Pretty cool.  Frank tried out a pair of sunglasses.

There were all manner of shops, including a kite shop and lots of jewelry and clothing stores.  There was a shop who had this character out front:

Frank also likes lighthouses, so we got a shot of him with this one:

We headed back to Marilyn's and made tasty tomato soup and fillet mignon steaks for dinner.

Today, Frank and I headed back out to the beach, but it was very windy again.  We read Monk mystery books by Lee Goldburg, flew my mini kite and then came on back to Marilyn's where we are about to make dinner (meatloaf) and play on the Wii.