Life or Something Like It: June 2010

Monday, June 14, 2010

Back At The Ranch

The Newly weds are home from their honeymoon and while we were gone the yard took over.

My lamb's ear got really scary looking and the grass grew about 2 feet.

It was crazy how bad it looked.

And when we got back my wonderful husband built me a raised garden bed.

Building!

I worked on weeding and edging while the hubster built the garden.

We borrowed our friends truck and got a load of manure

We didn't finish until almost 9pm.

I now have tomatoes growing. Pictures to come.

I also restarted my cooking project. This week was:

Guinea

Poulet Yassa

Ingredients

Chicken, cut into serving pieces -- 2-3 pounds

Onions, thinly sliced -- 4-6

Hot chile pepper, minced -- 1-3

Lemons, juice only -- 4-5

Dijon mustard (optional) -- 2 tablespoons

Peanut or vegetable oil -- 1/4 cup

Salt and pepper -- to season

Oil -- 2-3 tablespoon

Method

Add all the ingredients except for the oil to a large bowl and mix together. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. I put mine in a pyrex dish overnight.

Remove the chicken pieces, wipe dry, and brown them. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium flame. Remove the onions from the marinade and add them to the pot. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until they are well wilted and starting to brown.

Add the rest of the marinade and the browned chicken pieces to the onions, reduce heat to medium-low heat and simmer until cooked through and tender, about 30-40 minutes.

Adjust seasoning and serve with rice, fufu or couscous. I chose to to serve it with a asparagus and pea risotto and some naan.

The First Vacation as Mr. and Mrs. Part 2 Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk...plus Marc's 30th bday!

Here is the second group of our fabulous vacation pics! These first ones are from the Island Of
Half Moon Cay Bahama's:

The area where the cruise dropped us off.

Check out that view. That's our boat!

Cute little paths covered the island.

We took a kyack tour of the lagoon at Half Moon Cay! Marc and I don't paddle well together but I love him to death!!!

Hey the water comes up to my knees. Better wear my safety vest!

One Size does NOT fit all.

The beautiful lagoon.

Isn't it neat out here!

This is Melman! I caught him all by myself!

Isn't he neat! I released him!

Sometimes you just get a little grumpy but it fades fast!

These grew all over the Island

Another shot of the boat!

The Beach area was really fun!

Walking away from Marc. He was spending too much time taking pictures.

The Meekers!

So Very HAPPY!!!

Marc in the water!

View from our beach chairs.

Toes in the sand! Best thing in the world!

Got myself a beer and proudly displaying my SC heritage.

Gotta head back to the boat. Half Moon Cay you were fun!!!

Grand Turk, Turks and Caiscos, BWI

Here we got off of the boat and went on a bike and snorkel tour of the Island. It was a little disappointing since they are still rebuilding from the Hurricane damage in 2008. Here are some pics from the bike tour.