Travel Channel Sand Wars Airing Again April 1st

In December of last year, the Travel Channel's SAND WARS competition was filmed over a period of 3 or 4 days on the beach where we were vacationing.  (That's yours truly posing in her bare feet on the beautiful white sand used by the sand sculptors to create their works of art).

 Previously here on my blog, I posted several photos that I took during our many visits to the public beach to observe the Sand Wars activities on Crescent Beach, Siesta Key, Florida.  You can see them if you go to my blog archives listed on the left of this page.  Scroll down and click on "January."  Scroll down the blog archive list on that page and click on "Sand Wars on Siesta Key."  You'll see 24 close-up shots of the artists at work.    

The initial presentation of the Travel Channel Sand Wars episodes was aired yesterday, March 29th. They will air again on Sunday, April 1st at 7:00PM, CDT. 

(We watched last night's two-hour presentation.   I spotted Lon and myself among a group of spectators in the final minutes of the show.  That was fun!)

       

Ground Venison Burritos



Thanks to my son, I have several packages of ground venison in my freezer.  I browned one package of it and added my own combination of ingredients including:  ketchup, worcestershire sauce, a bit of taco seasoning, some chunky salsa and, of course, a splash of Major Peters Hot & Spicy Bloody Mary Mix!  (I withheld the vodka).  

We wrapped the spiced up ground venison in these tortillas.

We added a generous sprinkling of these four shredded cheeses as a topping inside our burritos.

Finally, a dollop of sour cream completed the filling inside the tortillas.  In my opinion, no burrito is worth eating without sour cream.

With refried beans on the side, we had a satisfying and very enjoyable dinner.

Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of our ready-to-eat burritos.  When dinner was ready, I was hungry and this blog post slipped down a notch on my priority list.  I apologize. 

In case you're wondering, ground venison tastes exactly like ground beef but is lower in fat.  I've also used it in spaghetti sauce and my chili recipe.

Have you used venison in any of your favorite dishes?    

I Like Brie, Do You?

I'm in the mood to try different cheeses rather than limiting myself to the mundane kinds I normally buy.

A dear friend of mine, Sarie, used brie in one of her recipes recently.  It reminded me that the one time I bought myself some many, many years ago, I'd liked it.

Sarie recommended a brand with the Eiffel Tower on it but I haven't found that one yet.  I bought some in Florida earlier this month (I can't remember the brand name) and then this package today here in town.

I know it has a lot of fat (9 grams in a one inch cube) so I plan to eat only a small amount at a time, perhaps with a cracker in a lawn chair on the deck or screen porch.

Do you like the white rind that surrounds the block of cheese?  I know it's edible, but sometimes I remove it.  Does it have its own taste or is it my imagination?

I plan to try gouda next. 

Is It March or Is It May?

If I didn't know better, I'd swear it was May.  We returned to southern Wisconsin from Florida a week ago to find our grass needed mowing and trees, bushes and plants were at least budding with many far beyond that stage.

I am rather put out that all this growing has gone on without our supervision.  Lots of laundry is normally my major project after a vacation.  This year, our yard called for immediate attention as well.

We were amazed to find:     

day lilies well on their way

our coneflowers in fine form

 peonies coming along beautifully

grasses growing tall and looking forward to swaying and rustling with the slightest breeze

'Plum Pudding' Coral Bells already clothed in deep purple

this hydrangea looking healthy and eager to bloom

Vinca vine with its cute blue flowers 

more vinca vine

this Black-Eyed Susan just barely above ground

Lily-of-the Valley up pretty high

hearty Hostas hardy as ever

Flame Grass coming up amongst the dead shoots


Are you as astonished as I am with the abnormally warm temperatures and unheard of early Spring this year?   

A Quote Put In My Own Words

What I mean by an educated taste is someone who has the same tastes as I have.

--Edward Albee

You don't see it my way?  Well, for Pete's sake.  What's the matter with you!!??

(That's my stance and those are my words).

How many times a day do you feel like that?

Good Eating Here

Captain Curt's isn't a fancy restaurant but it has the best clam chowder and King Crab.

This sign hangs above the bar.

Like I said before, the place isn't fancy; it's just plain fun.

On our way back to our rental car, we spotted this critter climbing up a pole along the street.  We'd never seen one exactly like this before.  It was about five inches long although it looks much bigger in this photo.   

Need I Say More?

Views From My Beach Chair

All photos above are views from left to right on Crescent Beach.

I took these last two pictures on the beach, facing the condo complex.

We're Eating Good

...for instance, this plateful of good stuff. 

Look What's Blooming on Midnight Pass Road