Wednesday, June 30, 2010

A laid-back family fish fry


Last night we had an old-fashioned fish fry. It wasn't really that old-fashioned but the concept of having a fish fry is old fashioned. You could say it was also our second annual fish fry because we had a very similar one last year about this time and we were all looking forward to it.

It was so nice. I think it would make a wonderful July 4th event -- a nice departure from grilled burgers.

My husband and sister caught all the fish. We used vegetables from our garden to make it extra tasty and we just had so much fun.

I think the thing I really enjoyed was that we really didn't even try to make it fancy. We just got everything together, cooked it and spent most of our time savoring the food and enjoying each others company.

This was our menu:


Fish, of course. Ours was mostly bass, and fried up golden brown in a fish fryer.


We also had grilled fish. That wasn't exactly old fashioned but sometimes my mom has problems with her digestive tract and fried fish can cause problems. My husband, "the family griller," put down tin foil, sprayed it with PAM and then grilled the fish on top of the foil. He then added salt and pepper. It was quick and easy.


Hush puppies are a must. My sister mixes this up and uses slaw in the batter to give it a great flavor.


We made oven fries. Always good, less fat. Pan fried okra was also a big hit. It is one of the best treats of summer, in my opinion.


And of course, corn, the first corn from our garden this year. We grilled it and it was very tasty.


Perhaps the best thing was the slaw.


We used cabbage, carrots and onions from our garden and used my sister's special ingredients: Duke's mayonnaise, vinegar, sweetener, salt and pepper. She makes the best slaw.

I also served sliced tomatoes and onions and forgot to get out the cucumbers, but no one complained.

We had ice cream and lemon bars for dessert but who could eat dessert with so much good food around.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Germany Hotels

Germany has a habit of rubbing people one way or another. Always has; always will. This is not a casual laid-back country of sheep and pastures. This is a precision-oriented economic powerhouse with a lot of deep-rooted cultural merriment thrown in for good measure. Where else can you witness the spectacle of rosy-cheeked accordion players decked out in leather shorts and perky little green felt hats, inciting large crowds to get silly? Where else can you witness engineering works of art that compel worldwide acclaim? These hackneyed stereotypes are already etched into the collective international psyche. So what does Germany really hold of interest for the visitor?

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Germany Hotels

Germany has a habit of rubbing people one way or another. Always has; always will. This is not a casual laid-back country of sheep and pastures. This is a precision-oriented economic powerhouse with a lot of deep-rooted cultural merriment thrown in for good measure. Where else can you witness the spectacle of rosy-cheeked accordion players decked out in leather shorts and perky little green felt hats, inciting large crowds to get silly? Where else can you witness engineering works of art that compel worldwide acclaim? These hackneyed stereotypes are already etched into the collective international psyche. So what does Germany really hold of interest for the visitor?

germany hotels
germany hotels
germany hotels
germany hotels
germany hotels

Dubai Top Hotels

Dubai has been termed as the second largest emirate that is located between two continents, Europe and Asia. And Africa is making the outline for Dubai.

The geographical feature for this part of the world is making Dubai so much popular because tourists coming here for a vacation can opt for other places easily, as transportation is not a big deal with Dubai. Dubai is having an ancient expertise in trading and the oil resources here are making this place so much renowned. Dubai is the place that is supplying great percentage of oil for the entire world. This place is having a superb business environment and the telecommunication sector is too good here. With the implementation of latest infrastructure and a liberal tax system Dubai is drawing enough attention from tourism viewpoint.

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Dubai Top Hotels

Dubai has been termed as the second largest emirate that is located between two continents, Europe and Asia. And Africa is making the outline for Dubai.

The geographical feature for this part of the world is making Dubai so much popular because tourists coming here for a vacation can opt for other places easily, as transportation is not a big deal with Dubai. Dubai is having an ancient expertise in trading and the oil resources here are making this place so much renowned. Dubai is the place that is supplying great percentage of oil for the entire world. This place is having a superb business environment and the telecommunication sector is too good here. With the implementation of latest infrastructure and a liberal tax system Dubai is drawing enough attention from tourism viewpoint.

dubai hotel
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dubai hotel

Digging new potatoes


Before we could plant our new squash seeds, we had to do a little housecleaning in our garden. One of those chores was digging up some of our potatoes. The vines have all but completely died down on our red potatoes and digging them up to make room for the squash seeds was the logical step to free up space that wasn't begin utilized for something else. The hot weather caused the potato vines to wilt pretty quickly.

Don't you just love how the potatoes cluster around the plant's roots? I don't see many plants that have that feature.

We have been digging potatoes, one vine at a time, to cook the with our vegetables. Digging them up isn't a hard thing to do. Just dig straight down around the potato "hills" and use the shovel as a lever to "pry" the potatoes out of the ground. You can then come behind and pick up the potatoes. If you dig too close, you will probably dig right into a tender potato.


It's not hard to do and I think it is nice to gather your potatoes, wash them and store them in a nice cool place.


I don't know exactly how many potatoes we grew. We kept around thirty pounds, my sister kept some and we gave some away, too.  Potatoes store well in a dark, dry environment. Mine are still sitting in the bucket waiting for me to clean them. That is one thing I like about growing potatoes. They need attention, but not immediately. You can leave them in the ground for awhile and dig them up as you need them. If you dig them, they are easily stored.

Our first meal with the new potatoes -- delicious oven fries, but they are good baked or boiled on food, like green beans. Looks like I might have to come up with a few more recipes for red potatoes, though.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Squash and pests


Last week was quite a week in the garden. Besides not getting any rain, we have had a fungus on our squash and an invasion of squash vine borers. I guess problems of this kind seem to creep up on you. The fungus we found we could handle pretty easily. The squash vine borers have really taken their toll.

We sprayed for the fungus with Organicide and the fungus is much better. It became a problem because of the hot and humid weather and that seemed to be getting better. Then we noticed a different problem. Some of the vines seemed to be just turning over and wilting.



At first, we decided it was just the fungus but as we read more about the problem, we realized that while the fungus was a problem, the real problem was squash vine borers. Many of the vines had small holes, cracks and sometimes a brown crusty substance that I later found was the waste of the vine borer as they traveled through the hollow stems. It was kind of horrible, and fascinating, at the same time. I felt like it was invasion of the body snatchers, but in the insect world.

So, my sister and I sat in the garden slitting the vines with a sharp knife and pulling out the invading worms. I will tell you that every worm I pulled from the vines didn't make it out alive. I wasn't about to give them the opportunity to go back to the vines or form a cocoon to come back and attack my next year's crop.

It took me hours, and some of the plants look pretty good, and then others look almost dead.


I think so many people get discouraged when something like this happens and just give up. I am disappointed, but I think planting more squash and watching them more carefully and washing with insecticidal soap. I know we need more squash so I have no choice but to keep on trying.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Barcelona Hotels 2010

The only hotel in Barcelona right on the beach, yet within a short stroll of the historic city centre, this stunning 44-story property offers panoramic sea or city views from each of its 482 rooms, suites and and duplex luxury Apartments. Enoteca restaurant has a wine cellar of over 400 wines. The sommelier can guide you to an appropriate selection to match the Mediterranean cuisine. Arola is an informal bar and restaurant featuring the cuisine of Michelin starred Chef Sergi Arola. Arola has become the place to meet and eat in the city. Bites is a chic new restaurant open throughout the day; the ideal place to enjoy a quick snack or meal in a stylish relaxed atmosphere. A spa by Six Senses Spas has a stunning location on the 42nd floor, with separate ladies and gentlemen wet areas including Sauna, steam bath, ice-fountains and vitality pools. The outdoor pool and whirlpool set in terrace gardens together with the Fitness Centre complete the range of leisure facilities.

Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels

Barcelona Hotels 2010

The only hotel in Barcelona right on the beach, yet within a short stroll of the historic city centre, this stunning 44-story property offers panoramic sea or city views from each of its 482 rooms, suites and and duplex luxury Apartments. Enoteca restaurant has a wine cellar of over 400 wines. The sommelier can guide you to an appropriate selection to match the Mediterranean cuisine. Arola is an informal bar and restaurant featuring the cuisine of Michelin starred Chef Sergi Arola. Arola has become the place to meet and eat in the city. Bites is a chic new restaurant open throughout the day; the ideal place to enjoy a quick snack or meal in a stylish relaxed atmosphere. A spa by Six Senses Spas has a stunning location on the 42nd floor, with separate ladies and gentlemen wet areas including Sauna, steam bath, ice-fountains and vitality pools. The outdoor pool and whirlpool set in terrace gardens together with the Fitness Centre complete the range of leisure facilities.

Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels
Barcelona Hotels

Hotwire Hotels 2010

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Hotwire Hotels 2010

Hotwire.com is Easy to Use
It takes only a few seconds to find low rates. After the destination and arrival and departure dates are entered, the website presents your options. Details presented about each hotel include the price per night, amenities included, and the star-rating.



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