A Sunny day....

Gosh it is great what sun does. ... I just need the Sunshine. I spent the day cleaning up the pumpkins from Thanksgiving. Since I was gone for the month of December..they were still here. I am going to have pumkin vines all over in the spring.


But the sun was shinning .......that makes life good.

December on Sanibel

Beaches were alive on Sanibel last December. I do not know if it was the colder than normal weather or the "oil spill" or just the tides, but everyday brought new live shells. I think that is one of the greatest things about Sanibel, the beaches are different everyday. In fact I am now reading the book "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The beach is a wonderful garden designed everyday by the tides.....I LOVE IT

Beautiful Nature Photos

Last night I journeyed with two good friends to a lecture on the art of wildflower photography.

It was sponsored by the Jefferson Co. Master Gardeners and was at a beautiful historic home, Whitehall,which happens to be where my daughter's wedding reception was held about 4 years ago.

It was wonderful. I love that this Professor at the University of Kentucky looks at nature from not only the textbook nerd put it in a category aspect..but as a true art form. His photography is breathtaking.

Please look him up and notice that his book is now on my bed night stand.

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forestry/TBarnes/Web%20pages/photography.htm
http://www.edisonhouse.org/Whitehall/WhitehallHistory/TheWhitehallMansion/tabid/1334/

Sunday Cooking...

I love a lazy Sunday, when I spend the whole day cooking and blogging. My husband is into the playoff games so I have made some "manfood" for him. About 2 weeks ago we had a great ham and I still had the bone, so I have made him "12 Bean Soup". I am not so into Bean Soup so I am making a pork chop recipe from Giada and Steamed Lemon Custard, green beans and a great salad.

Today is my son's Birthday. He is at Vero Beach on a Babymoon. We love Vero Beach..there are great restaurants there. I thought it would be good for him and his wife to go away for a nice relaxed weekend before the big event.

It is about 8 degrees here..but the sun is shinning.

Here is the recipe for the Man Soup...

2 cups beans from Bob's Red Mill 13 Bean Soup Mix
which I soaked overnight..

Then I added the great Ham Hock I had form the ham I had cooked two weeks ago.

2 1/2 qts water brought this all to a boil and then let it simmer for 4 hours.

I then added 1 can of tomatoes crushed. ! tbsp chili powder and two garlics minced

It is simmering until there is a break in the action and Randy is ready to eat.

I will let you know if it is...great!!!!

Sanibel Farmers Market

One of the greatest things about being on Sanibel for the month of December was the Farmer's Market. It is so much more than a trip to buy groceries, it is a Sunday Morning Social. Locals,tourists,and many four legged friends join in on the festivities. We would ride our bikes to the Market and spend time eating, browsing and planning the week's good eats. I love clean eating so this market is just my cup of tea! The results of a Sunday morning thoroughly enjoyed continued all week long while we feasted on whole fresh food!






Information from the Sanibel Farmers Market Facebook Page
The Sanibel Island Farmers Market is held at City Hall.
Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This open air market features 30 vendors including baked goods, live plants, honey, pasta, cheese, sausages, fresh fish, and fresh organic produceInformation
About:
The Sanibel Island Farmers Market is held at City Hall.
Sundays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

New Beginning......

When is it that we realise that perhaps what we thought was the "best" for all..is just not the way it is going to be.... That perhaps your grown kids do know what they are doing..and that is it is time for you to let it go and move on to your dreams and goals.


Well I think the time is now....Welcome back to a new and improved BasilBecky. I am going to focus on travel,food,gardens,family,and aging in a new age. I will be 58 in May and I feel my whole new life is in front of me. We are a new generation.

Perhaps a month on Sanibel, inspired me..perhaps a grand baby on the way has inspired me...perhaps me trying desperately to find a way to escape the KY gray and cold has inspired me.... perhaps it was letting go of my best dog friend Tasha or perhaps being in the construction business has inspired me...I do not know but I am ready.

Let's Go