Football and Chili season...

Fall is in the air and football season is in full action. My daughter and I love to cook special meals, snacks, drinks, etc., that are not only fun but full of great flavor for my husband and her boyfriend while relaxing and watching those games. When one thinks of chili, they think of the "typical" chili that everyone makes, but with their own flair. This chili recipe is from my beautiful step-mother, born and raised in Mexico and came to this country about 28 years ago. She is an unbelievable cook, and puts so much love into everything she makes. Once you try this chili, trust me, you will want it throughout the fall and winter season. Also included is a corn tortilla dish that we make as a side, instead of tortilla chips or warm flour tortillas...Y-U-M-M-Y!!! Wish I had a photo to share, but the men got to the chili before I could get my camera out.

~Chili ~

1 package (6-8) of lean pork chops (on the bone)
1 lg can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes - you can substitute with fresh tomatoes, boil and blend thoroughly in food processor
2 cloves of garlic - diced small
1 medium red onion or sweet Vidalia - sliced medium thickness
1 tsp Lawry's season salt (or to taste)
1 tsp Adobo (found in any ethnic area of your supermarket)
1 large jalapeno - whole
2 Serrano chili peppers - whole
1 TBS of ground cumin (I always add a little more)
3 TBS cooking oil
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Saute onions in oil until golden and tender, add garlic and reduce heat to medium. At this point, place pork chops in skillet and cover, turning occasional as not to burn and until fork tender. I will then remove the bone, place back into skillet add the can of tomatoes, 3 chilies and seasoning, covering the pork chops, may require a 1/2 cup of water. Cook on medium heat for approximately 30-40 minutes until all seasoning and chilies have marinated through the chili. The chilies will remain fairly in tack, but be sure not to eat whole; they are just in there for the rich flavor and a little heat.

Top with Oaxaca, Monterey, or Queso Fresco Cheese.

Can serve with corn bread, long grain and cilantro rice or yellow rice.

Our favorite side is the fried tortillas.

8-10 corn tortillas from - leave out in open air for about an hour, or place in microwave for 40 seconds to take out some of the moisture, it makes them crunchier. Cut into triangle shapes, approximately 9 from one tortilla

2 fresh tomatoes of your choice, I use Roma, they are sweeter
2 TBS cooking oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 -2 TBS ground chili flakes
2-3 oz Monterey Jack Cheese - grated
2 oz Colby Cheese - grated

Boil tomatoes until tender, remove skin and set aside.

In non-stick frying pan, add oil an cook tortillas until golden brown and crispy, add the tomatoes, mix them in the tortillas. Finish by adding salt, pepper and chili flakes, stir until mixed thoroughly. Top with grated cheese and mix well.

Serve hot.
Simple to prepare, but absolutely great!

Enjoy!!!!

Decorating for Fall...

Fall is in the air, even here in Florida, though the temperatures are still in the 90's during the day, you can see a change in the sky, the evenings are a bit cooler and the colors are more fall like, and sunsets are spectacular. I normally do not decorate a lot for the Fall Season, I save that for Christmas, I wanted to do something very simple this year since I am hosting Thanksgiving at my home this year again. It is quite apparent I am addicted to Home Goods, try to go there at least once a week. They are full of beautiful fall decorations, and I picked up just a few things. The cafe table was also purchased there, loved the wood tones, but have not found the perfect chairs yet, I still had to add a few little decorations. The chairs, I hope will be found this week...I'm determined! The tile in my dinning room is white washed saltillo (Mexican tile), and the chandelier was in the home when we purchased it. I love the style but hated the brass finish. My husband and I picked out a really pretty brown with copper undertone spray paint with the hammered effects and re-finished it last weekend. I now am in love with it and am so pleased that we didn't replace it. Though washing over 300 crystals, and placing them in the holes for them, became quite challenging as not to drop or break any...I did it. Yeah, sadly I still have the textured ceiling in our dinning room and great-room, that is one of our next to do projects! Happy fall to everyone!!!

A long couple of months...

I've been out of reading or writing on my new blog for some time now. A lot of things have been going on, some not so good, but all is great right now. Been taking care of some personal family issues with my family out of State. I found out that my Grandmother passed away a few weeks ago. God Bless her she was 94 years old and just a little sweetie. Though I had only met her twice in my life, she was still family and I am deeply sadden with the news. I am so very grateful for my wonderful husband of 34 years and daughter, and my three little fur-babies, they make everything right in the world. With the Labor Day Holiday just about over with, I must admit, I have been getting ready for the Holiday Season. I am just a crazy nut when it comes to decorating for Christmas. Yes, I know it's a little too early to think about that, but not for me. I'm already compiling my list of things for cooking, baking, decorating and entertaining. I have a file on my desktop just full of decorating ideas and recipes. Though I am Hispanic and I try to stick to many of those traditions, such as tamales, flan, etc. when preparing the entertaining part, when it comes to decorating, I love anything that sparkles and is unique. Just having a little trouble waiting for Home Goods to start getting in their Christmas stock...excited!!! But, in Clearwater, there is a Christmas store that I have been going to for about 27 years, and they are fully stocked and ready for me!!! So, during the last couple of months, my husband and I try to get to one of the local beaches each weekend and take long walks so I can do my photography thing. I've added some here, we are so lucky to have these beautiful beaches at our doorstep and it's a nice memory of summer. Thank you for allowing me to rattle on, I really missed this blogging thing, and missed reading all the great women bloggers, and their inspirational writings. Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day and God Bless!!!

What a beautiful weekend....

After the rain...no access to the beach this way, except through the water

I have a "thing" for palm trees...

and...beautiful sea birds...

The island in the background, is called "bird island"...thousands of birds

After five long days of heavy rain, the last two have been perfect. Not too hot or humid. Yesterday evening, my husband and I took a long walk at our local park here on the Boca Ciega Bay...then I, decided it wasn't enough and asked if he would like to go to the beach. Since he has been fishing since he was a young boy, and due to the fact that he plays golf every other day, and doesn't fish as much as he would like, he jumped at the chance to go to the beach on such a wonderful July evening. Though I have lived here for over 28 years, there is always something new to see at the beach. With all the recent rain, the sky and air was so clean and crisp...there were still little areas of water that were standing and couldn't get access completely to some areas of the beach unless you wanted to walk through it, which I did. The birds were playing in the water and singing...there were so many beautiful sea birds, the water was such a gorgeous color of teal. I've added a few of the pictures I took along our walk. Though I only live 5 minutes from the beach, I don't take advantage of it enough, that is going to change - today...going back down for a nice sunset and just relax in the warm sand and thank God, the oil hasn't reached our beautiful beaches yet.

Happy 4th of July

Jesus on the 4th of July

We gather 'round to celebrate
On Independence Day
Pay homage to our country
As the children run and play.

With barbecues and picnics
And fireworks in the air
The flag we own is proudly flown
To show how much we care.

The stars and stripes spell freedom
She waves upon the breeze
While bursts of colors can be seen
Above the towering trees.

This is all quite wonderful
We revel in delight
But God above in divine love
Has brought this day to light.

With just a stroke of liberty
A touch of His great hand
He gave democracy to us
And helped this country stand.

The stripes upon our stately flag
Were touched by His sweet grace
Each star of white that shines so bright
Reflects His loving face.

So as you turn to face the flag
For battles that were fought
Be filled with pride for those who died
And Freedoms that were bought.

Bud don't forget to thank the One
That gives the bright display
The reason why we paint the sky
On Independence Day

Home Spa Evening....

Tomorrow, my daughter and I will be having a "home-spa" evening. We try to get to local day spas every other month for facials, and bi-weekly for manicures and pedicures. From time-to-time, we just enjoy staying in and pampering ourselves. I am so grateful that my sweet daughter still lives at home, she is still in school studying to become a Child Psychologist, and so our time together is really special. One of our favorite things to do together is, of course, shopping...just like most girls. We often go to Sephora for cosmetics, fragrances, and skin-care products, but we also love making homemade spa treatments. Living so close to the beaches, we have some natural ingredients right from Mother Nature and access to some of the fresh's fruits and vegetables. I've included a wonderful website http://www.spaindex.com/ that has some great recipes and locations of spas that I've shared with some family and friends. I've also included, some beautiful relaxing pictures of spa's from around the world and spa accessories...time to sit back, relax and get ready for a long holiday weekend.

The 4th of July

Galvanized Metal Party & Ice Bucket

Globe Paper Laterns

Glass Display Hurricanes

Agua Fresca Jug with Ladle

Hammock & Marine Flags

Mojito Bar Tools

Stained Glass Sea-Life Napkin Rings

Baja Recycled Glass Goblets

Mezze Chip & Dip & Triple Condiment Set

Glass Drink Dispenser

Bristol Lantern

Casa Recycled Glass Pitcher

Marine Flags

Talavera Dishes...so beautiful

This Coke cooler is so adorable...brings back a lot of childhood memories.

Mezze Appetizer Plates

Beautiful table setting ~ Pottery Barn

The Forth of July is my favorite summer holiday...love to create a new table setting each year, try new recipes along with those traditional ones. I found some beautiful and fun pieces at Pottery Barn that would make for a great backyard BBQ with family and friends. It's inevitable that it will be hot here, so to serve a variety of cool tropical drinks with fresh fruit is going to be on my list this year. Just light the sparklers, sit back, relax, take a lot of pictures, create new memories and remember the old, and have a wonderful holiday!

photos edited with Picnik