| The Shewbridges of Central Florida

Friday, July 8, 2011

Color Carnival ~ Summertime

Reminder: Voting is now open ~

head over to Maria's Space and vote for your favorite photo.

I am joining my friend Maria over at Maria's Space who hosts this fabulous photography meme called Color Carnival where you post a photo you have taken of something colorful and link up to her blog. Then return on Thursday to vote for your favorite photo.

Here is my submission for the week, it is my idea of what summer really looks like. This is the Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World. We had the privilege of staying there for the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. The cast members there were fabulous as well as the accommodations. I would LOVE to go stay there again some day.

Congratulations to Jama who won last weeks Color Carnival with her lovely photo. Now, let's see your best colorful photo, I know you all are wonderful photographers, and then link up to Maria's Space, then return on Thursday to vote for your favorite.

Have a terrific weekend and don't forget to keep your camera at the ready!

.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Thursday's Recipe Swap Meet ~ Sauteed Pork Chops with Olives

Sorry I'm late... I forgot today was Thursday. Darn Monday holiday. =)

OK... we know you have all these recipes that you love to make. You got them from your mother, your grandmother, a magazine, or maybe you made it up, perhaps you don't even remember where the recipe came from. Well, how about sharing them with all of us? We are going to share ours with you every Thursday!

My good friend and (according to her husband) excellent cook, Dolly over at XmasDolly and I are now doing a recipe swap; we want to share ours with you and wold LOVE to get some of your favorites as well... So, Welcome to Thursday's Recipe Swap Meet, here is all you have to do:

Post a recipe on your blog, sign the linky on either blog (they will be linked), grab our new button - isn't she cute - hubby says she looks like me... TeeHee? (above, on my sidebar and on my Co-Chef Dolly's blog) and check out the recipes. Don't forget that each week you actually will be getting at least TWO for the price of ONE because both Dolly and I will post a recipe on each of our blogs. How simple is that??

Sauteed Pork Chops with Olives

4 boneless pork loin chops
unflavored breadcrumbs

seasonings (I used Pampered Chef citrus and basil rub)
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
can of sliced olives
1/2 cup beef stock
1/4 cup white wine
2 Tbls. flour
2 Tbls. EVOO

Mix your seasonings into the breadcrumbs in shallow bowl; beat eggs in shallow bowl; put milk in another shallow bowl and then dredge chops first in milk, then eggs, then cover in bread crumb mixture. Saute the chops in the EVOO for 4 minutes on each side until browned.

Deglaze the pan with the wine;

then add the flour to thicken the sauce, add a little stock if needed. Once thick, add the rest of the broth and the olives.

Cover pan and cook for 20-30 min. (depending on thickness) until no longer pink inside and internal temp is 160 degrees.

This received 6 out of 6 puppy tail wags, of course... they LOVE meat!! Hubby liked it, too!

So now all you have to do is sign our linky so we all can find your recipes. You check out all ours and we will check out all yours. If you don't want to write it all down and you know of one on line just post a link to it on your blog or leave it in a comment if you prefer!

For more recipes, head on over to Ms.BiBi at Daily Organized Chaos.

Let's get cooking..... Bon Appetit!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: July 6, 2011 ~ You Lookin' at Me???

WORDLESS

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday..... I'm looking forward to to seeing all of your photos, so if you leave a comment, please leave your email address so I can come on over and take a look.

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head over to the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!

And don't forget about our recipe sharing meme tomorrow: "Recipe Swap Meet Thursday" - have you got your recipe ready??? Don't forget to grab our button and play along... Happy cooking.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

OH NO Some of the Walmartians have Gotten Loose!!

Have you ever seen the photos on the website People of Walmart? I love seeing those photos and have to admit that I swear some of those Walmartians are shoppers at my local Walmart. I was SHOCKED to find that a couple of them had escaped from Walmart yesterday and showed up at our Fourth of July festivities downtown... they scared the heck out of my poor puppies.

Hope you had a great holiday... I'll post our actual festivities soon, we really had a great time. Celebration does a terrific Fourth of July celebration, I just wanted to share a smile with you all.

Have a great week.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Monday's Music Moves Me - A Salute to America

Welcome to a Monday's Music Moves Me, the fantabulistic music meme hosted by me, Dolly from XmasDolly, Larry from Cakeblast and Callie from Jamerican Spice and our wonderful newest co-host Stacy from Stacy Uncorked. This week's theme is FREEBIE WEEK!!

Since today is Independence day, I decided to dedicate today's music to America, I hope you like my choices. Let's get moving first with the rousing sounds of.....

Stars and Stripes Forever ~ John P. Sousa by the NY Philharmonic conductor Leonard Bernstein (the best, IMO)

America the Beautiful ~ Elvis (of course)

God Bless America ~ Celine Dion

and finally (gave me goosebumps).....

U.S. National Anthem ~ The Academy Choirs

So what's moving you today? Write up a post and let us know... Here is all you need to do to play along:

First step: Head on over to You Tube, or anywhere you get your music videos and post them on your blog! Upcoming themes are to you LOWER RIGHT of XmasDolly's blog.

Second Step: Grab our "Monday's Music Moves Me" Button, mine is on my right sidebar, or off of any of the hosts' sites.

Third step: SIGN THE LINKY - Follow your hosts, grab their buttons too when you visit them and show them some love by leaving a comment.. (mine is on my right sidebar above the 4M button)

Final step: Go visit the other Rockers on our Linky and PLEASE show them some love by leaving them a comment, you know you like comments, they do too!

Once you write up your post, link up with us (on any of the host's blog - they are all connected) and you may be chosen as our SPOTLIGHT DANCERS like this week's lucky couple in our #1 and #2 linky spots.....

Chloe of Mama's Musings ~~ and ~~ Mrs. Sherman of Mom's Bookshelf and More

CONGRATULATIONS!!

if you are one of the lucky ones who is chosen for our spotlight dance, don't forget to grab the Spotlight Dancer Button from Dolly's right sidebar and proudly display it on your blog... WooHoo!

Now, don't forget to sign the linky, visit the participants, and leave a comment - you know you like them, so does everyone else. For more Monday music fun, visit Amanda, Lady Estrogen, and my friend Denise at Run DMT.

Rock on, my friends!!
Happy Independence Day!

We're very sorry to say there has been some people not playing along, and just signing our linky so other people will stop by their blogs for giveaways or whatever! Unfortunately, these bloggers will be justifiably deleted without prejudice or notice. Leave a comment, grab our button, or follow us. If you don't want to post a video, you can post a link to a video, or post some lyrics, but please - at least attempt to make it music related. Thank you for your understanding.

*** Just one thing to note... We are family friendly blogs and while we don't want to censor anyone, we do ask that you keep your songs rated PG13 or less.

Thank you very much!***

Happy Independence Day ~ Let Freedom Ring!!

Hope you all have a wonderful Fourth of July... wishing you time with the ones you love, have fun, be safe, and as always, please keep in mind those who have fought and died and are still serving our country so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy.

God bless America ~ The land of the free because of the brave!

,

Friday, July 1, 2011

The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award

My wonderful friend Tami over at Misc. Ramblings has been so kind as to pass along to me The Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. I thank her SO much because I happen to think she is one of the sweetest people I know, she definitely deserved receiving this award. Love you girlfriend!!

The rules: Give 7 random facts about yourself and then pass this award on to 10 deserving bloggers and let them know they have been awarded. So, here goes:

Seven random facts about myself:

1. I didn't get braces until I was 28 years old and had to wear them until I was 32.
2. I have two titanium rods in my spine and 8 screws - it's fun going through an airport.
3. My favorite thing to drink in the whole world is ice water... really!
4. My son's "gave me away" at my wedding to Bill - they looked SO cute.
5. I have kissed the Blarney stone in Ireland.
6. Cinderella's Carousel and It's a Small World are my favorite rides at Walt Disney World.
7. Bill is 24 years older than me... I'm his "trophy wife" and I am a "kept woman!" TeeHee!!

Here are the 10 absolutely sweet bloggers I want to pass this award on to:

1. Noelle of Jumpin Beans
2. Marie of XmasDolly
3. Maria of Maria's Space
4. Alexis of Running Away? I'll Help You Pack!
5. Grace of Sandier Pastures
6. Tricia of The Night Owl Mama
7. Amanda of Confessions from Householdsix
8. Krystyn of Really, Are You Serious?
9. Tanya of Mommy Goggles
10. Kathleen of Life with 4 Boys

So, thank you again, my dear friend Tami... and to all those I passed this on to... please display it with pride, you deserve it!

HUGGLES!!

.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Thursday Recipe Swap Meet ~ Cinnamon Swirl Bread

I usually like to make things from scratch, but this box mix is just SO good that it's not worth the effort to make it from scratch. All the ingredients are in separate packages and all you need to add are eggs, water and oil.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; spray 8" or 9" loaf pan with cooking spray.

Add the oil, water, and eggs to the bread mix and mix well (I used whisk first to break up any lumps); then sprinkle Cinnabon cinnamon mixture on top of bread mix and stir into bread mixture about 7 times until swirled into bread mixture - DO NOT MIX COMPLETELY.

Spread mixture into prepared pan.

Sprinkle brown sugar crumb mixture on top of bread. Bake in oven for 50 - 60 minutes until toothpick inserted into center of bread comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 15 min. the remove and let cool on rack for at least 30 minutes; after massaging glaze packet 15-30 seconds, cut the corner off and drizzle over top of cake.

Slice and serve warm... I couldn't believe that this got 6 out of 6 puppy tail wags - they all loved everything about it, especially the glaze on top. Bill and I loved it, too, it was gone in two days.

For more recipes, head on over to Ms.BiBi at Daily Organized Chaos.

Let's get cooking..... Bon Appetit!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: What? I Didn't Do Anything!

WEDNESDAY

Welcome to Wordless Wednesday..... I'm looking forward to to seeing all of your photos, so if you leave a comment, please leave your email address so I can come on over and take a look.

For more Wordless Wednesday posts, head over to the WW Hub, leave your link, check out the other participants, and don't forget to leave a nice comment - you know you like comments, they do too!!

And don't forget about our recipe sharing meme tomorrow: "Recipe Swap Meet Thursday" - have you got your recipe ready??? Don't forget to grab our button and play along... Happy cooking.

Monday Mingle: June 27th ~ All About the Fair

“Mingling with you since August 2009!”

"Welcome to Monday Mingle! Each week three questions are asked, and you can answer via a written post, or a vlog post. If you have always wanted to try vlogging, Monday Mingle vlog meme is a fun way to try vlogging. If you’d like to join in the fun, answer the 3 weekly questions in short vlog on your blog, or a written blog post, then link up over on Eighty MPH Mom in the linky. Please post the above button within your post and link to Eighty MPH Mom, so readers can easily find other participants. Visit the other participants, learn about them and have fun! It’s not too late you can link up anytime during the week."

Questions for the week of June 27, 2011:

1. Do you like going to the county fair? Are you going this year?
2. What is your guilty pleasure food at fairs or amusement parks?
3. Finish this sentence… “It never fails – every time I go to the grocery store, _________________”.

Well, that's it for this week, hope you all had a great weekend and you got to spend lots of time with the ones you love.

Now it's your turn - come on, want to get to know you better.... we won't bite. :) Don't forget to link up with Jen at Eighty MPH Mom. Please at least visit some of the other participants and leave a comment - we all love comments... :)

Plus, help us get more players... Tweet the meme by either hitting the retweet button or tweeting this phrase:

"Join Eighty MPH Mom for #mondaymingle- a fun meme to learn about you! http://eightymphmom.com"

Have a great week everyone!!

.