This is so true. It is a small world.

Wednesday at yoga I casually overheard a couple (Clare and Marty Cole as I later found out) say they had graduated from UPEI.

What?

Were my ears deceiving me?

I just couldn’t stop myself.

I interrupted their conversation and asked if I had heard correctly. I’m sure they were equally surprised when I said I was from PEI. Plus her mother, Gerarda Corcoran, had been a teacher up west. Simply unbelievable.

We chatted again after yoga AND discovered we’re staying on the same street, only about five minutes away from each other. How bizarre is that.

I never thought that down here in Alabama I’d run into someone with such a strong PEI connection.

So tonight they came over for dinner.

As we had our next door neighbours for dinner a few days ago and since I had extra ingredients from those recipes I decided to again make the stuffed Mahjool dates, the goat cheese almond spread, a smaller version of the spinach salad, and the blueberry crisp. I’m getting great use out of my daughter’s recipes. Thanks Kathryn. (See Wednesday’s blog post for those recipes.)

They brought a pecan pie. Of course I had to relent and have a piece for dessert. It was delicious. Plus I didn’t realize at the time but they also brought two bottles of wine. So sweet of them.

For the tonight’s entree Richard made grilled chicken breasts and peaches served with basmati rice and broccoli.

I don’t have his recipe but I found this one that is similar to what he made. (He omitted the garlic and the jalapeños from this recipe and substituted apricot preserves for the peach preserves.)

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/grilled-chicken-breasts-with-spicy-peach-glaze-recipe-1922684.amp

What a great evening. And what a nice couple.

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

After the gym and yoga we headed off to The Wharf at Orange Beach.

https://alwharf.com/

for a little shopping and lunch at ginny lane.

http://ginnylanebargrill.com/

We ate there last year and our meal was so good we had to return.

This was my salad.

Pecan and Pear Salad

It was delicious. It was spring mix, goat cheese crumbles, candied pecans, fresh strawberries, and pear slices with a raspberry vinaigrette.

I’ll let you know what Richard had later.

From here we went to the store Shades Sunglasses.

https://alwharf.com/directory/shades%20sunglasses.html

It carries men’s and women’s casual wear as well as sunglasses. What we really love is they have dogs in the store – four of them. They just walk around or lie down and sleep. So cute.

I found this picture of them online.

As Richard was shopping I got offered a “free shot”. Yup. That’s right. So I chose a Margarita shot. Cool. Richard could have had a free bear.

These are the shot glasses.

These were my choices. They keep the cooler right next to the cash.

The only other time this has ever happened to me was at Chanel in New York City.

I was there with my wonderful daughter and son-in-law. As they were looking around I sat down on the couch and was immediately offered a glass of champagne. The joke we have is they made the big purchase but I’m the only one who got offered champagne. Guess I looked like I needed it.

Now for Richard’s lunch.

I have not seen this happen very often. He ordered a salad.

Asian Chicken Salad

It was made of grilled chicken, lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, green onion, mandarin oranges, and crispy wonton strips with a sesame vinaigrette.

He loved it and would have it again. He also loved the key lime pie he had for dessert. I passed on dessert so I could have ice cream.

Kilwins is where I got my delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream. They also had a $90 chocolate bar. I passed on it.

https://alwharf.com/directory/kilwins.html

Stopped for some groceries as we’re having company for dinner tomorrow. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post because you won’t believe it.

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

I should preface this by saying these salad posts are not the only time we eat salads. We do eat lots of salads but I only post those extra special ones.

Up early today to get everything done for tonight’s dinner with our next door neighbours.

Menu

Medjool Dates stuffed with goat cheese and topped with red pepper spread

Goat Cheese and Almond Spread served with a variety of crackers

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing and Oven Baked Chicken Breast

Oat and Pecan Blueberry Crisp

I did as much prep as possible (Richard cleaned) before heading off to yoga and the gym.

Here are the recipes for those interested. I have to thank my daughter for sharing the date, the spread, and the crisp recipes. She’s an amazing cook.

Stuffed Medjool Dates

Slice open the dates on the top enough to get the pit out. Take plain soft goat cheese and mix it with a little avocado oil (because it’s milder in flavour than olive oil) to make it softer and spreadable. Stuff each date with goat cheese and top with red pepper spread.

Goat Cheese and Almond Spread

Goat cheese

Avocado oil / olive oil

Sliced almonds

Balsamic vinegar and honey

Balsamic Glaze

Chopped basil

Mix cheese and a little oil to make spreadable.

Spread in the centre of the plate. Drizzle with balsamic and honey. Top with sliced almonds. Put chopped basil on top of almonds and then the rest of almonds on top. Drizzle with balsamic glaze

Serve with crackers.

Strawberry Spinach Pasta Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing

https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/strawberry-spinach-pasta-salad-orange-poppy-seed-dressing/

I added some blueberries as I already had some and I also doubled the amount of strawberries and spinach and used gluten free penne. The dressing recipe made way too much. It could be halved or even quartered.

Oven Baked Chicken Breast

https://iwashyoudry.com/oven-baked-chicken-breast-recipe/?fbclid=IwAR2iaYTJWQaMBYEIfbZcXXHuhxffV7SXdlkyzxJIU_B2eqxln_dbrKcVCtY

Oat and Blueberry Crisp

https://pinchofyum.com/simple-oat-pecan-blueberry-crisp

Dinner Pictures

Another lovely evening with Jean, Joanne, and Cindy. Great neighbours.

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

Busy as a bee today.

Up at 6:30, breakfast, and then off to gym/yoga. I did yoga and Richard did the gym and his Mount Everest steps.

The library was next and after a quick stop at Starbucks for take out a coffee and a latte we headed to another talk in the Author Series. Today we heard Daphne Simpkins discussing: “Alabama’s Own Nat King Cole, exploring the legacies and musical genius of the artist, performer, and businessman from Alabama.”

Hmmmm. For me it was ok. She talked from a lectern and that doesn’t allow for a lot of interaction but you could tell she was knowledgeable and loved the material. I felt that projections and recordings would have made a more engaging presentation. Richard was more positive about it. Good for him. I shouldn’t be so critical.

Next stop was the movie theatre. Richard’s choice this week. 1917

Now I know it’s won copious awards and rave reviews but—–not by me (or Richard). Yes, it was beautifully shot but for me it had a thin story line, no emotional connection, and parts that seemed a bit contrived. Take this for example – he finds milk in a bucket (and miraculously it’s still good) at an abandoned farm, fills his canteen, and later just happens upon a woman looking after a baby who needs milk. Really? I guess I’m not meant to watch these critically acclaimed movies. All I can say is I’m glad we went on the cheap day.

The best part was seeing this egret when we went for a walk before the movie.

Groceries and then home to put up my feet, have a cup of tea, and a little reading. For those interested I’m reading the Harry Bosch series of books by Michael Connelly. I’ve read some before but now decided to read them in chronological order. Four down and many to go. I do love crime/detective stories whether it books, movies, or tv shows.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post with what I serve our dinner guests. Fingers crossed the recipes all turn out ok.🤞🏼

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

Yes. It was.

Richard went for a 6:30 AM walk on the beach to enjoy the sunrise. Ashamed to say I didn’t join him. 😔

Plus he made a delicious breakfast. Oh my. Yummy.

After breakfast it was 18C so at 8:45 AM we were on the deck reading and enjoying the sun. Pure decadence. But so lovely. I do feel a tiny bit guilty posting about these nice days ☀️ as I know others are in the cold and snow. ⛄️ ❄️

Off to the gym and yoga and then back home for more sun.

We decided to head to the beach with our deck chairs to enjoy the sun 🌞 and sand amidst the serene sound of the surf. 🌊 Not a person on the beach in either direction.

There are two deck chairs but the way we positioned them it’s hard to tell unless you look at their shadows.

We read for a while and then took a beautiful beach stroll.

What a lovely afternoon.

Then for supper (I’m so spoiled) Richard made chili with homemade (well from a box 😉) Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuits.

But, we’re having company for supper again on Wednesday and I’ll be making the appetizers, the entree, and the dessert, so he’ll get spoiled then.

It was so balmy we sat on the deck after supper and enjoyed the sunset.

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

Imagine this.

At 9:15 AM I was reading on the deck in my bathing suit. Incredible. It was only 15C but I sat out of the wind and the sun was hot. ☀️😎 Lovin’ it. 🥰

Sat there all morning.

After lunch Richard went to the gym to do more steps towards his Mount Everest climb. 🗻

Me? I decided to take the day off. But I guess that’s ok as I’ve been there six days this week. 🧘🏼

I wasn’t giving up spending a beautiful day on the deck.

And what a day it was!

To top it off Richard made Chicken Mango 🥭 Curry for supper. Delicious. 😋

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

Today was the day to try Wahlburgers.

After the gym and yoga we headed out to Tanger Outlet Mall. Hit Starbucks, Kate Spade, and Richard picked up his new glasses. They look really nice. Next stop was Marshall’s and the fishing store.

Then off to our primary destination, Wahlburgers.

It’s located at OWA, an amusement park in Foley, Alabama.

https://visitowa.com/about-owa/

This picture isn’t very clear but it gives you a sense of the size of this place.

But more about Wahlburgers.

As it was 3:00 in the afternoon we had the place to ourselves. I didn’t realize that it really is kind of a fast food restaurant. But better. And the food was so much better than your regular fast food.

I ordered the BBQ Bacon Burger, top right hand corner of the menu, with lettuce and tomato and an order of fries.

My burger was delicious but was so juicy I had to keep eating it as I was afraid that once I put it down it might fall apart.

Foolish me. I forgot to order the gluten free bun and to order it well done. Oh well. Once won’t hurt me.

Richard ordered Jenn’s Chicken Sandwich and an order of fries. Second from the bottom right corner of the menu.

Hmmmm. I bet you’re thinking that those don’t look like fries. And you would be correct. The server brought onion rings. She apologized and explained that when she went back to place the order she forgot what he wanted so she guessed. That’s a first for us. She said she’d replace them but Richard loves onion rings so he said no problem and kept them. Sweet girl didn’t charge us for the onion rings.

He said his meal was ok. Nothing special. Might as well be honest.

Around the room they had framed posters of some of their movies/tv shows plus this on the ceiling.

How many do you recognize?

This sweet picture was on the wall.

We’ll probably never return but I’m glad we went. I enjoy their movies and the tv show Blue Bloods.

Plus I remember fondly my daughter’s years of being a crazy New Kids on the Block fan. I’m sure I even remember some of their songs. Lol

Nite y’all

Have a wonderful weekend.

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

This morning after yoga we went to our first Gulf Shores author series presentation. It was given by Dolores Hydock. Her talk was “Through the Back Door, tracing cajun music from its early presence in North America to its modern-day sound.”

Being from Prince Edward Island, having Acadian friends, having taught in a dual track school (English and French) and knowing the background I was interested in what she’d have to say.

She was a very animated and dynamic presenter, showing overhead projections, and playing old recording examples of Cajun and Zydeco music.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajun_music

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zydeco

Most of what she said I already knew but I learned a few new things.

Next week the presenter will be Daphne Simpkins, writer and writing teacher, speaking on “Alabama’s Own Nat King Cole”. She’s to explore the legacies and musical genius of the artist, performer, and business man from Alabama. Hoping to attend.

This beautiful sunny afternoon was enjoyed by reading on the deck. ❤️

On Sunday, as it was raining, I spent some time researching salads and found an interesting one. We quite often make a Cobb salad for supper so upon finding the recipe for Alabama Cobb Salad I thought, “How appropriate for down here.”. So that’s what was on tonight’s menu.

Alabama Cobb Salad

http://www.akitchenhoorsadventures.com/alabama-cobb-salad/

This was delicious but too much food. Next time I’d only cook one chicken breast and split it between us.

A few issues I had with the recipe’s listed ingredients. No biggies but I really wanted to follow it exactly.

She lists Colby cheese but in her picture it looks like Colby jack cheese. I didn’t realize this beforehand and bought Colby.

She says chopped tomatoes but her picture shows them cut in small wedges. I did notice this in time.

The white circles you see on the right of my picture are hominy grits.

Hominy grits are a type of grits made from hominy – corn that has been treated with an alkali in a process called nixtamalization with the pericarp removed. 

I loved them.

I guess I really should have prepared a Cajun salad for supper tonight after today’s presentation but I never thought of that till now. Isn’t hindsight great?

It certainly is a colourful salad.

Nite y’all

As always, thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below. 

How wonderful to have great neighbours.

Joanne and Jean had us over for dinner last night and it was another great evening. Their friend Cindy, who we met last year, was also there. Always nice to reconnect with people.

Another lovely meal, a little 🍷 (ok quite a bit of 🍷) and stimulating conversation. Hard to beat that.

Thanks ladies for a terrific time.

A visitor followed Richard home from fishing.

It walked behind Richard all the way home and then perched on our deck railing.

This was a first. It’s usually on the deck of the house next to us. How very exciting.

Nite y’all

Thanks for your interest and thank you for reading.

I invite you to click follow to receive timely updates, select like to show your love and support, share this post on your social media site, and /or comment in the box below.