Traveling Tuesday ~ For Real

I have taken on a new position at Samford University as the Graduate Clinical Coordinator for the School of Nursing . . . lots of computer time and responsibilities.
Once of the 'perks' (in my opinion) is that I have to travel.

I have never minded packing my bags.

Especially if I can put my toes in the sand on occasion

If I have to make a visit . . . the gulf coast will be well covered.
Who can blame me?

I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~WET

The PhotoHunt for this weekend is 'WET'
Some of my most favorite moments at the beach are where I don't even get wet.

I think I need some beach time. . .

Check for all the other Wet Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~Sheer

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Sheer'

I have lot's of little scraps of  'Sheer' fabric lying around . . .

I use them to make my little Wedding Cake Toppers . .  . you can find (and order) them on ETSY: Gimme Some Sugar Y'all

I never know what little scraps I might be using . . .

This one was a special Wedding Cake topper for my daughter a few years ago ~ for her wedding in the sand with the fancy blue shoes.

Check for all the other Sheer Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Back in Time ~ Civita

This was not the best weather for 'day-tripping'. . . but we headed out with GianMarco our driver, across Tuscany and Umbria to the town of Civita di Bagnoregio

Civita is a mid-evil city built high above the valley on the tufu rock. The only way to get there is a high footbridge that leads across the valley.
Not the easiest walk on a windy and rainy day.

One you pass through the walls, it is like a step back in time. The village is much as it has been for centuries . . . except for the constant erosion of the volcanic rock.  The fronts of some homes lead to nothing but cliff.
Every corner of the village is a postcard (If Walt Disney was to build Italy... this is what it would look like) As the church bells rang, the skies began to clear. . .

The views are breathtaking. Rick Steves wrote this great article about Civita . . . worth a bit of arm-chair traveling .

The skies did clear and we all had a wonderful time . . . this is one of my favorite photos of our 'Spirit of Tuscany' group.

I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~Rest

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Rest' ~
This one is pretty easy for me. . .

Positano is built on the side of cliffs ~ Straight UP.

Steps, Steps and more Steps.

We were always looking for a place to REST.

Check for all the other Restful Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

New Curtains ~ and a Blue Monday

I haven't posted on a blue monday in a while . . . Not because I haven't been to some 'Blue' Places. I've been traveling.
Now that I'm home . . . there are a few projects that are calling my name.

I decided that our screened in porch needs some new curtains.
(check Buddy on his doggy perch that allows him access to the back yard AND a place to bark at everyone in the neighborhood)

I digress. I am replacing the curtains that have been there for years, It was beyond time.
I measured and cut out strips of fabric (good deal thanks to my JoAnn's coupon... I am done with the politics of Hobby Lobby).

The process is really simple, especially if you are using those hammer in grommets. . . The only sewing I had to do was the hem. It does take time. . . and a good hammer.

The end result gives us a shaded spot . . . where we can look at the BLUE pool and watch the hummingbirds at sunset.

Glad to be back ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.
Y'all enjoy ~

Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Sunset

The PhotoHunt for this Saturday is Sunset ~

The hardest part of this was trying to pick just a few . . . This is my favorite time of day.
You can usually find us with a glass of wine, enjoying God's display.

All of these came from one download of my camera . . . Of course I will admit that I have been in some extraordinary spots in the past couple of months.

Each sunset has a memory, and brings a smile.

How can I not share all of these?

Check for all the other Spectacular Sunset  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt

Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club ~It's a Picnic

For the month of July, the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club has decided to have a Beach Blanket Picnic. I am in charge of dessert . . . so I found This Recipe for a light summery cake. Perfect for any picnic.

Lemon Polenta Cake

Cooking spray

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 1/2 ounces)

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup reduced-fat buttermilk

1/4 cup extravirgin olive oil

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons grated lemon

 

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare cake, coat an 8-inch round cake pan with cooking spray; line bottom of pan with parchment paper. Coat paper with cooking spray. Set aside.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Make a well in center of mixture. Combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and rind, stirring well with a whisk. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring until moist. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in the pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. 

Rather than the apple compote that this recipe called for. . . I thought fresh Strawberries would be better. I sliced them with a spoonful of sugar and some fresh mint.

Serve with a drizzle of Strawberries and Mint.

 
Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our Picnic.
Jerry has a light side dish of Zucchini Ribbons with Lemon and Pecorino
Val is bringing a pitcher of  Cherry Peach Sangria
Susan is bringing Lemon Ginger Fried Chicken
Sara has the appetizers with Bruschetta of Peach Salsa and melted Brie
Shelby is bringing Farro with Cherries and Walnuts

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

A funny story ~ lost in Translation

Another story that is funny . . . Only because it was Lost in Translation.
We are sitting at a restaurant with a view of the beach and I comment that the dock is missing.

The waiter is eager to try out his english (which is still better than my Italian) and says "SiSiSi, the dog ate the dock."
Hmmm?? The dock?
"Oh SiSiSi, finito!"
"e stato Terrible"

The Dog ate the Dock?
With many more questions . . . it turns out that the dog ate the DUCK.

Of course . . . I was curious as to which of the Positano dogs it might be.

Likely suspect?
Or maybe not so much ~

Could be a yellow lab that hangs out at the beach ~

Perhaps this jaunty fellow with the scarf ~

Some are easily ruled out . . . this is Ciandolo ~ the charmer of Chez Black.

What we do know . . . The DUCK was 'finito'

The funny things that happen when you become a part of the community ~

I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi