Barb and Butch's Big Adventure: 3/3/13

Saturday, March 9

It is 5:32 AM as I begin this blog entry. It is warm outside and I have the window open. The wind is blowing and most likely will all day. I started to say I have nothing on my agenda today but then I thought of half a dozen things I want to do and/or need to do. Butch is playing in a pool tournament outside the park and if things go well could be gone the better part of the day and if he stays relaxed and focused they will.
Peggy and I plan to go to the flea market today and will ask Kay if she wants to go too.

I like sitting here at my computer in the early morning without distraction.

My yesterday was a satisfying day. Computer class went well. We discussed setting up more than one email address and the reasons you may want to do that and then we followed through with the steps to do so. We also looked at the Google Calendar, setting it up for your personal use and the benefits of such. We have been on a discovery and discussion of Google Chrome. Most likely this will continue into next week and beyond. I love it when I can help people maximize the benefits of their computer and the Internet.

Windows 8 has come up for discussion quite a bit lately. It was not a good idea and once again Microsoft screwed up and once again they are beginning to see the light. They are working on Windows Blue and thinking it will be released in August. It may not have that name because that name is just the working name of the project. It will be offered free to current Windows 8 users. I translate this to mean,"We screwed up once again and now we will try to fix it." They do not learn easy. My friend Brother Leo would say, "Buy Apple" and many people are but there is a large part of the population who cannot or choose not to lay out the big bucks for Apple products. I would advise to wait and see if you can. If not, then go with your heart.

My friend Ambrose sent me a picture from the Ropa Style Show. Thanks, Ambrose. Do I like the way I look in this picture? Hmmm "No" but that isn't Ambroses fault.

Friday, March 8

Spicy Cabbage Salad

South Beach Friendly

Spicy Cabbage Salad with Tomatoes, Radishes, and Celery (Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad)
(Makes about 6 servings, recipe adapted from Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad at Champaign Taste.)

5-6 cups finely chopped green cabbage (about 1/2 large head of cabbage)
1 cup diced tomatoes (I used diced grape tomatoes)
1/2 cup celery, sliced (or if the celery is large, I would cut in half before slicing)
1/2 cup chopped celery leaves (optional, but good)
6 radishes, stem and root cut off and cut into half-moon slices (optional, but good)
1/4 cup sliced green onions (dark green part)

Dressing:
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4-1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce (I used Sriracha sauce; use any hot sauce that has a good flavor. If you have some type of Carribean hot sauce it would be perfect in this.)
3 T grapeseed oil (or other neutral-flavored oil such as canola will work)

Chop cabbage, tomatoes, and celery leaves, and slice celery, radishes, and green onions. Toss all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl. (If making ahead use a plastic bowl with a tight-fitting lid.)

In a small bowl, mix together the apple cider vinegar, fresh lime juice, salt, and hot sauce to taste. (I would start with a smaller amount of hot sauce, because you can always add more.) Whisk in the oil, one tablespoon at a time. Taste to see if you want to add more hot sauce

Toss salad with desired amount of dressing. (You may not need all the dressing if you omit some of the optional ingredients.) Salad can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for a few hours, and is even surprising good when it's been refrigerated overnight.

This printable recipe from KalynsKitchen.com.
Posted by Kalyn Denny at 8:06 AM

Thursday, March 7

Building a Hy-Vee in Jefferson

Building a Hy-Vee in Jefferson
Whoo Hoo! This is big news for us! And it will be located 2 1/2 blocks from our house.

Dolphins near South Padre

Today there were 8 of us who went to South Padre to get onto a boat for a tour of the Port of Brownsville.
Butch and myself
Marlene and Bernard Kelley
Donn and Peggy Gordon
Kay and Bill Stilson

One of the highlights of the trip were the Dolphin escort. Here is short Youtube video of the dolphins.
http://youtu.be/OC4f8VVbkEs They were very close to the boat. It was most definitely a day of surprises and the dolphins were the first surprise. The second surprise was some very tasty shrimp while on the boat. Some friends of our captain, Steve Murphy, had brought in a fresh load of shrimp and they then cooked some up for us and we pulled alongside for the transfer. All of us were able to get our fill and it was a mighty tasty treat!

Pictures while in the Port of Brownsville were not permitted for security reasons but I did get plenty of pictures.

After the boat trip we received a meal at Padreritaville and that too was a pleasant surprise. When I booked the trip I knew a lunch was included but did not know it would be a full and tasty meal. We had our choice of one...

Shrimp PoBoy and fries

Fish PoBoy and fries

Shrimp scampi

Chicken scampi

Cup of soup and salad bar

And this included dessert.

And the final surprise was a wonderful birthday gift of all my favorite things from my friends Peggy and Kay.