Muscovy ducks are unusual Florida residents. They hiss instead of quack, they fly clumsily, and they somehow flourish in Florida’s urban environment. Native to Central and South America, they have lived in Florida for many years and can be found near lakes and canals statewide. These birds were illegally released primarily by private individuals for ornamental purposes or as pets. Muscovy ducks can be extremely prolific and local populations can increase dramatically in a short time. As a result, controversies frequently arise between residents who enjoy the birds and residents who consider them a nuisance. When you have a large number of ducklings multiple times a year, a duck mother is kept busy herding.
Read More
How to Have a More Minimalist Style
What is minimalist fashion style?
You’ve probably heard of minimalist interior design, but how about minimalist fashion? Minimalist fashion is defined by one major principle: keep it simple! Streamlined shapes, a small selection of colors, eco friendly materials, and even a bare minimum amount of clothing in your closet are key to this style. Remember my favorite approach to almost everything, the KISS principle: Keep It Simple Stupid.
Read More
Heat Wave Safety
This summer has been incredibly hot world-wide. When I read of the weather-related illness and deaths, it greatly saddens me. The last week in July the world’s first named heat wave hit Seville, Spain. ‘Zoe’ pushed temperatures past 110 degrees Fahrenheit and earned the most severe tier in the city’s new heat wave ranking system. If you don’t know what to do to protect yourself in extreme heat, let’s talk.
Read More
Fresh Zucchini & Corn Sauté
It’s August with all its summer heat. Today’s recipe is a simple sauté of two of the season’s most bountiful crops, fresh corn kernels and zucchini. Nothing beats the fresh taste of vegetables. The classic sauté begins with butter. I am using 1/2 butter and 1/2 olive oil. For vegan, use vegan butter and/or olive oil. Olive oil adds a rich flavor to the buttery veggies.
Read More
August Orchid Mania
Photos are courtesy of my friend Beverly in South Florida. I personally can not grow orchids. They always die. I do love orchids and enjoy flowers grown by friends.
Today I’m sharing four more photos from my friend Beverly. It is a blessing to see beautiful orchids growing in tropical Florida . One began to flower at the end of July and several others joined in in the last week. Beverly calls it her orchid mania. She has so many beautiful orchids. I hope you enjoy the exotic flowers.
Read More
Sunset in Florida
My weather has been filled with rain and storms for the last few weeks. We are in the wettest part of our wet season. August is always nearly daily rain. I haven’t seen a great sunrise or sunset lately, and I’m re-sharing this post from 2019. That evening the skies were like fire.
Read More
Small Home Changes Can Make a Big Impact
We all have a wish list for our homes. Last week I shared my search for inspiration for small changes in my living room. I find that I do best by planning changes over months to even a year or two. I have to plan and budget for big ticket items. Sometimes I see a small need and try to find a solution in a shorter time line. I think of it as part of home maintenance. Below the addition of the bar adds so much storage space to the kitchen.
Read More
Tropical Chicken, Avocado, & Mango Salad
Today’s recipe is a colorful and very tasty mix of chicken, mango, and avocado in a spicy lime dressing. It’s a hearty, filling summer meal with amazing flavors. Start with a bed of mixed baby lettuce or baby spinach. Mix cooked chicken whether it was grilled, sauteed, or cooked on a rotisserie at the supermarket with avocado and mango. I strongly suggest you make just what you can eat today as it does not store well. Both avocados and mangos should be ripe without being mushy for best results. Top it with the spicy lime dressing and enjoy the mix of flavors.
Read More