Spring break and birthdays

It seems that every year my birthday falls during Andrew's spring break which is rather nice because it means that I usually take off some time to be with him.   This year was no different, I took off 12 days in a row (Yay!).  We took a trip to Charleston to see my brother and his family.   Andrew thrives on spending time with his cousin Nic (who is 20 now) playing games, having nerf wars and all those other fun things they do.  


This year, we opted to stay in a hotel since Andrew's foot is still not completely healed.   We had my mother with us too.   Just remind me never to have a crippled 11 year old and a 75-year old grandmother on the same trip again.   Neither of them could help me load and unload the vehicle -- and both of the them had many varying needs --- none of which were even remotely similar.   Thankfully, my niece and sister-in-law helped me get our things into the hotel.  


Because of Andrew's foot, our activities were limited --- but we did get the opportunity to eat at The Early Bird Cafe in Charleston.   This restaurant was featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.   The food was truly Amazing.  So good, in fact, we made the trip twice during the five days we were there.    We also had a great trip to Patriots Point to see the aircraft carriers and all the planes. 


When I returned home, my dearly beloved husband surprised me with a Kindle Fire for my birthday!  YAY....I love to read, and this makes it super easy to tote a book around....But the BEST thing about it is that you can actually enlarge the font enough to be able to read when you forget your reading glasses (am I showing my age here)?    Of course, any Kindle Fire requires a hand-made cover, which I made in about 2 hours.   My sister provided some patterns she had found; I used them as a guide for measurements and ideas --- then I was able to produce this really cute Kindle cover.   The pattern suggested making the seam allowance a little wider so that the fit would be tighter, but when I make my next cover for the Fire, I will use the 1/4 inch seam allowance because I think this may be a little too tight.  The jury is still out on that one.  (P.S.  I took the photos before I trimmed seams, etc., because I was so excited...so please don't be too critical of my work :-)

I'd like to give credit where credit is due, and I did get most of my ideas for making this from a pattern called 'padded e-reader cover with kobo'.   Unfortunately, I don't know where my sister got this from, but I am assuming Etsy, but I'm sure if you google the phrase as written,  you will be able to find the pattern easily.    Happy Spring (although, in Florida, Spring is really over at this point...)

Spring Break and Salmon

So it's Andrew's spring break and I'm taking off some time from work to be with him.  This will be the first time in 2 years that he hasn't had to go to some sort of "camp" for spring break so he's pretty excited.  I will admit, so am I.  It will be nice to spend time with him!    We are headed to Charleston for the first part of our adventure, and then we will come back home so he can spend time with some friends.   During his spring break, The Hunger Games movie be released and I have purchased tickets for us to be at the first showing at 12:01 on March 23rd.   I think it will be fun; the books were awesome if you haven't read them.   Actually, it was one of those "there is no way I can sleep 'til I finish" kind of books.

We are leaving for Charleston Friday (today) because it is Field Day at school --- and since Andrew is still in his walking cast and cannot participate, I thought it would be very frustrating for him to have to go watch his classmates from afar.    

George is not coming with us to Charleston, and I didn't want him to feel neglected so I made him one of his favorite meals last night --- Salmon Plaki.  Publix has fresh salmon on sale this week .... so it was nice to be able to not have to use frozen filets.   I love this recipe because it is oh-so-very-easy, very healthy and full of flavor.  And, my dear Presvytera Elena, this can be easily adapted for Lent :-)

Salmon Plaki
(note:  you can do this with most any sturdy fish --- cod, swordfish, tilapia, mahi)
About 6 oz of salmon filet per person
Feta cheese crumbles (just a couple of tablespoons)
olive oil for the pan
1 can seasoned diced tomatoes (I use the basil & oregon seasoned)
Jane's crazy mixed up salt
freshly ground (a little coarse) pepper

Heat the pan to medium high heat with just a touch of olive oil (or use pam if you prefer)
Season the fish with salt and liberally coat one side with the coarsely ground pepper
Sear both sides of the fish (about 1 minute on each side) to form a "crust" on the salmon
Add the canned tomatoes.  When the tomatoes are bubbly, reduce the heat to low-medium (about 4 on my stove) sprinkle on the feta cheese, and cook for an additional 6 - 10 minutes (until the fish is cooked through).   

NOTE:  If I am not using salmon, I do not use as much pepper.  The lighter fish can become overwhelmed with the peppercorn crust.

I cannot tell you how blessed I feel to be able to spend time with my son and cook regular meals for my family.   Returning to the hospital to work on the floor has been one of the best decisions.   I am truly fulfilled providing direct care and am a much nicer, happier person at home.   I still haven't made it into my sewing room...but I'm hoping that next week will provide time for that!  

Happy Spring!

Spring is here

What a beautiful day in Tallahassee.  Not only is the weather nice, but the azaleas and dogwoods are full of blooms.  Springtime in Tallahassee truly is splendid.

I got to play visiting nurse to one of my friends who recently had surgery.  She was desperately wanting her JP drain out, so I went and did a little makeshift nursing and pulled it for her.   But it was just so nice to go to a friend's house and have true adult conversation.   She is an amazing seamstress so I was able to see one of her magnificent creations.   She's not quite up to crafting/sewing yet, but I'm sure that very soon she'll be back to creating up a storm.  Her work inspired me --- I may make it up to my sewing room yet today.  I have lots of unfinished projections (UFOs) in my sewing room and I need to get motivated now that I have time.   Maybe tomorrow.

I made the absolute greatest meatballs the other day --- seriously, the best meatballs I have ever eaten.  I just modified my normal recipe slightly but oh....what a difference.....I think it was the fact that i used the shredded cheese, added the milk and turned the temp way down after they were browned.   The milk suggestion came from my culinary hero, Ina Garten.   The rest was just the way I learned to make meatballs.  I think it would also make an amazing meatloaf.

Meatballs ala Anna

A little over 1 lb of ground round
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 finely chopped onion
1/4 cup DiGiorno Three Cheese shredded cheese (in the specialty cheese section at Publix)
About 1 cup of 4 Seasons Italian Bread Crumbs
1/4 cup skim milk
Salt, pepper and my secret spice -- Alessi dipping spices.

Put all ingredients  in a medium mixing bowl.  Take off your rings, wash your hand and then sink your hands to mix all the ingredients well.  Form into 2  inch balls and place into a heated, nonstick pan that has been coated lightly with olive oil.   I used med heat (a six on my stove) to heat the pan.  I let the meat balls brown on one side and then turned them all to brown on the opposite side.    I then turned the heat down to 3 and let them cook slowly, turning them once or twice.  They cooked for about 15 - 20 minutes.   And Voila, the perfect meatball was born :-)   Makes about 15 - 20 meatballs.

Enjoy.  Even if you have a favorite meatball recipe, I would certainly use the Ina Garten milk trick --- and the use of the fresher, more coarsely grated cheese really added a great deal to the flavor.