Here are a few shots from our annual Main Street Festival ...
Don't forget a big funnel cake for dessert! ...
See you over at Friday "My Town" Shoot-Out!
Friday Shoot-Out - Outdoor Food!
Our Friday "My Town" Shoot-Out topic this week was chosen by Girlichef. Great topic! I don't know why but outdoor food is always so yummy!
Here are a few shots from our annual Main Street Festival ...
Don't forget a big funnel cake for dessert! ...
See you over at Friday "My Town" Shoot-Out!
Here are a few shots from our annual Main Street Festival ...
Don't forget a big funnel cake for dessert! ...
See you over at Friday "My Town" Shoot-Out!
The blues ...
This will be the scene I see Monday morning - empty halls of a high school with rows of empty blue lockers lining those hallways - and lots of hard and tedious work to be done in the office to prepare for the opening of another school year.
Yep, my 5 weeks of summer break are over already. I just can't believe how fast it flew by this year! I didn't get 1/10 of what I had planned done, never had a chance to get away, not even for a couple days.
One nice thing, I return to work tomorrow but then have a 3 day weekend before really getting down to business and 10 hour work days next week. I think it's really silly the way they have us scheduled, but then again it really is a nice way to ease back into the swing of things. Tomorrow will be more of a social catch up day between office staff more than anything else and then a long weekend - but still! I don't wanna! ::stomping feet and ready to throw a tantrum::
To top it off I just looked outside to witness a beautiful sun shower. The rain is coming down, yet the sun is shining bright. I knew there would be a rainbow. I ran out with my camera and there it was, a big beautiful rainbow and then to top it off was the melodic sounds of the Wednesday night drum circle echoing from the beach - beautiful, perfect moment in time - if it wasn't a work night. It was one of those moments where I definitely would have called hubby and the kids to jump in the car and head to the beach for the drum circle and sunset, but no - its a work night, no time for simple pleasures. Ack!
Anyway, this is my whiny entry for the Midweek Blues - now adding a link to Carly's Monday Photo Shoot more than a week later - I've made it through the first week back to work already and all is well :-)
I'm officially back to being a weekend blogger. Be sure to come over every Friday night for my blog party! See ya!
B is for Budweiser
It's time for ABC Wednesday already! This week is the letter B.
The old Budweiser wagon ...
Photo taken at Busch Gardens in Tampa this summer.
Hope to see you over at ABC Wednesday!
The old Budweiser wagon ...
Photo taken at Busch Gardens in Tampa this summer.Hope to see you over at ABC Wednesday!
EMPS - Landmarks
The topic this week for Carly's EMPS #48 is Landmarks. The first thing that came to mind was the giant statue in Sarasota. This is where the photographers met for our area Worldwide Photo Walk ...
The statue is know as "Unconditional Surrender" or simply "The Kiss." it is a depiction of the famous Life magazine photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt. It's one of the most famous photographs ever published by Life, V–J day in Times Square was shot in Times Square on August 14, 1945.
The 25-foot tall statue was placed in Times Square to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
This snapshot gives you a view of just how large the statue really is!
The statue was here in Sarasota Florida in 2005, moved 3,000 miles away to San Diego in 2006, and then returned to Sarasota in October 2008 where it will stay permanently.
Hope to see you over at EMPS!
The statue is know as "Unconditional Surrender" or simply "The Kiss." it is a depiction of the famous Life magazine photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt. It's one of the most famous photographs ever published by Life, V–J day in Times Square was shot in Times Square on August 14, 1945.
The 25-foot tall statue was placed in Times Square to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
This snapshot gives you a view of just how large the statue really is!
The statue was here in Sarasota Florida in 2005, moved 3,000 miles away to San Diego in 2006, and then returned to Sarasota in October 2008 where it will stay permanently.
Hope to see you over at EMPS!
Summer in Florida
I just couldn't resist posting this after the last few weeks here in Florida. I prefer the heat over the cold so I won't complain, but after the heat index being in the triple digits for weeks it gets a little old. I can totally relate to popcorn guy, LOL!
MYM #29
It's time for Mellow Yellow Monday where the theme is always yellow - a little bit of yellow or a lot, that's up to you.
You guessed it, more shots from the photo walk last weekend!
Head over to Mellow Yellow Monday to play along! :-)
You guessed it, more shots from the photo walk last weekend!
Head over to Mellow Yellow Monday to play along! :-)
Shadow Shot
It's time for Shadow Shot Sunday over at Hey Harriet!
This is simple shot of a dock cleat. I don't know why but I love this shot! It was another one taken while on the photo walk.
Shadow Shot Sunday is always such a fun photo meme. Play along once and I promise you'll become addicted!
This is simple shot of a dock cleat. I don't know why but I love this shot! It was another one taken while on the photo walk.
Shadow Shot Sunday is always such a fun photo meme. Play along once and I promise you'll become addicted!
Ack!
I completely forgot to post here to remind you this morning to go check out my Simple Supper Saturday meme that I host over at the Krazy Kitchen! Hurry on over now and bring along your simple recipes! :-)
Round Robin
The Round Robin Photo Challenge this week is Vehicle of Choice.
Now if I really had my choice I would probably chose one of these babies...
I had never really been a Ford fan until these throw back models showed up. But of course they aren't a "sensible" vehicle these days - and darn it, I've become one of those sensible people (I don't know when that happened!).
It would be fun to have one of each of these too! ...
It would be even more fun if we all had one of these ...
And finally here is my little car ...
Her name is PJ Zippy. PJ stands for Plain Jane but don't tell her! We usually just call her Zippy. It's a little Hyundai Accent. It's tiny, cute, comfortable, versatile with the hatch back and fold down rear seats. It's fun to drive, great on gas mileage, has a 10 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and only runs me $200 a month! I love my sensible little Zippy :-)
See you over at The Round Robin Photo Challenge!
Now if I really had my choice I would probably chose one of these babies...
I had never really been a Ford fan until these throw back models showed up. But of course they aren't a "sensible" vehicle these days - and darn it, I've become one of those sensible people (I don't know when that happened!).
It would be fun to have one of each of these too! ...
It would be even more fun if we all had one of these ...
And finally here is my little car ...
Her name is PJ Zippy. PJ stands for Plain Jane but don't tell her! We usually just call her Zippy. It's a little Hyundai Accent. It's tiny, cute, comfortable, versatile with the hatch back and fold down rear seats. It's fun to drive, great on gas mileage, has a 10 year 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and only runs me $200 a month! I love my sensible little Zippy :-)
See you over at The Round Robin Photo Challenge!
Friday Shoot-Out
This week's My Town Friday Shoot-Out topic is Reflections chosen by Audrey. Great topic idea Audrey! :-)
First up in my town is a statue and it's reflection in the pond ...
Puffy clouds, blue sky and buildings reflected in the bay ...
My cute little kitty's reflection playing in the mirror ...
The reflection of the sun at sunset on a clear day at the beach ...
I hope you'll head over to play along too. I love seeing everyone's towns!
First up in my town is a statue and it's reflection in the pond ...
Puffy clouds, blue sky and buildings reflected in the bay ...
My cute little kitty's reflection playing in the mirror ...
The reflection of the sun at sunset on a clear day at the beach ...
I hope you'll head over to play along too. I love seeing everyone's towns!
ABC Wednesday
~A is for Apples~
I'm playing along for an all new round at ABC Wednesday!
You want to play too don't you?
Award time!
My sweet friend Pacey has honored me with an award! Pacey has six terrific blogs! If you don't already know Pacey please be sure to stop by! Go to her main blog When you were sleeping and be sure to check out all her other great blogs which are listed at the top. Pacey hosts the fun photo meme This WAY THURS-Way and is also one of our Contributors at The Krazy Kitchen hosting Cultural Connections. Be sure to check out her wonderful recipes there too!
The Neno Award is given to those who love blogging, love to encourage friendships through blogging, and who help others seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
Thank you so much Pacey! As always I'm offering this to all my friends here who also love blogging and encourage friendships through blogging! You know who you are :-)
Pacey, here's a special one from me to you!
The Neno Award is given to those who love blogging, love to encourage friendships through blogging, and who help others seek the reasons why we all love blogging.
Thank you so much Pacey! As always I'm offering this to all my friends here who also love blogging and encourage friendships through blogging! You know who you are :-)
Pacey, here's a special one from me to you!
Flying Kitty!
Choochie loves playing monkey in the middle when the boys toss her little pink toy back and forth. She's a strange one - and she can fly! She also loves playing fetch just like a dog, but it has to be something pink or she won't play.
Play along with Katney at Odd Shots! :-)
Feelin' blue
No not that kind of blue - blue as in Midweek Blues (a little early) with our host Rebecca.
This is yet another shot taken just as we were leaving the Worldwide Photo Walk last weekend.
Award time!
My friend Audrey over at Stage 3! Who, me? has honored me today with not just one, but two lovely awards! Thanks you so much Audrey!
Audrey is a new friend I've found here in the land of blogs since I've been on my summer break. Audrey is a wonderful lady! I feel so lucky to have met her, and honored to be her friend. I sure hope you will all stop over to visit her if you aren't already a follower of hers.
Here are the lovely awards ...
"The Stroke of the Brush Award recognizes and celebrates the willingness to take risks, speak honestly, act with integrity, and in the process create and share colors and/or words that stroke our curiosity, and brush aside our differences."
"These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers, photographers, poets, humorists and smart a**es!"
You all know how I am when it comes to awards. As much as I really love getting them, I just can't ever bring myself to follow the rules when it comes to presenting them to others. I would never want any of my friends here to feel badly or left out if they weren't chosen. So in my usual style I offer these two wonderful awards to all my true friends out here - You know who you are!
Audrey this one is especially from me to you ...
Thank you again for the awards. I so appreciate them! :-)
Audrey is a new friend I've found here in the land of blogs since I've been on my summer break. Audrey is a wonderful lady! I feel so lucky to have met her, and honored to be her friend. I sure hope you will all stop over to visit her if you aren't already a follower of hers.
Here are the lovely awards ...
"The Stroke of the Brush Award recognizes and celebrates the willingness to take risks, speak honestly, act with integrity, and in the process create and share colors and/or words that stroke our curiosity, and brush aside our differences."
"These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers, photographers, poets, humorists and smart a**es!"You all know how I am when it comes to awards. As much as I really love getting them, I just can't ever bring myself to follow the rules when it comes to presenting them to others. I would never want any of my friends here to feel badly or left out if they weren't chosen. So in my usual style I offer these two wonderful awards to all my true friends out here - You know who you are!
Audrey this one is especially from me to you ...
Thank you again for the awards. I so appreciate them! :-)
More from the Photo Walk
Robin over at Around the Island hosts the weekly Summer Stock Sunday photo meme. Robin lives in Tel Aviv and also participated in the Worldwide Photo Walk this past weekend. She showed some of the shots from her photo walk so what better place to play along and show some of my photos from the Sarasota Florida walk too!
This last shot is the same shot I posted in Monochrome. Which way do you like it better? I can't decide!
This last shot is the same shot I posted in Monochrome. Which way do you like it better? I can't decide!
Mellow Yellow Monday
I couldn't believe the find while on the Photo Walk Saturday afternoon! I know it's not spelled the same but still cool! ...
Head over to play along on Mellow Yellow Monday!
Shadow Shot Time
Texting - what a teenager does while sitting in the shadows on a hot day while his mom runs around taking photos :-)
Play along on Shadow Shot Sunday over at Hey Harriet!
Monochrome
Here's a shot I was lucky to catch yesterday at Bayfront Park in Sarasota Florida. I was there participating in the second annual Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photo Walk. I'm thinking about entering this one in the photo contest for the Photo Walk. What do you think?
Play along with the Monochrome Maniacs at The Monochrome Weekly!
Pink Saturday
Another shot from the circus mural in Venice Florida.
Play along with our host Beverly - Pink Saturday!
Award time!
I'd like to thank my wonderful friend Vicky from Beauty For Ashes for honoring me with this really lovely award! I had to look up the meaning - basically it means you are the best of the best! :-)These are the rules associated with this award:
- Display the award in your blog
- Link back to the blog who gave it to you
- Pass the award on to other blogs
- Inform the recipients of the award
- Make rules visible
I'm offering this award to all my regular readers who are here for me no matter what it is I'm posting about here at my menagerie of craziness - I know I'm guilty of getting hooked on certain blogging aspects and then when you least expect it I change my focus, LOL! Why do you think I named my blog Menagerie?!
Blogging buddies come and go just like acquaintances in our daily lives. This is for those who are my true friends out here in the land of blogs. You know who you are - please accept this special award! :-)
Easy Cheesy
I don't think it can get more American than macaroni and cheese - especially made by Kraft, LOL! Anyone following along on my recipes already knows I'm into quick and easy most days in the kitchen due to lack of time. Many of my inventions came out of the need to be very frugal as well. Here's one that I have previously posted, but it was way back in the AOL days.
This creation happened one day years ago when my husband arrived home from Sam's Club with a huge bulk package of individual boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese. I didn't know what the heck I was going to do with it, always thought it was some pretty icky stuff. I knew I'd have to add some special touches to make it edible - instead of just edible I turned it into a very easy and inexpensive family favorite!
Cook 3 boxes of Kraft mac and cheese almost according to package direction - with the exception of under cooking the macaroni by about 2 minutes and cutting the margarine in half. Once prepared add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, mix well. Add one small container of ricotta cheese, mix lightly. Turn into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, top with another 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and another 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, then top with crumbled bacon. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until bubbling hot.
This is definitely not a dieters delight, but it is a real kid pleaser and crowd pleaser as well. It's a nice homey comfort food, and it's one of those dishes that guests always ask for the recipe - and they never believe me when I tell them it's made with Kraft mac and cheese!
Alternatives
1. Sliced Italian sausage or chunks of ham can be added to the macaroni mixture in place of the bacon on top.
2. Mexican blend shredded cheese can be used in place of the cheddar and mozzarella along with cooked ground beef added in the macaroni mixture with slices of jalapeno peppers on top.
3. Omit all meats and the cheese topping, top with toasted breadcrumbs instead.
Serve as a main dish with a salad and use the leftovers as a side dish another night.
Bring your favorite recipe over to The Krazy Kitchen to play along with Pacey's Cultural Connections!
This creation happened one day years ago when my husband arrived home from Sam's Club with a huge bulk package of individual boxes of Kraft Mac and Cheese. I didn't know what the heck I was going to do with it, always thought it was some pretty icky stuff. I knew I'd have to add some special touches to make it edible - instead of just edible I turned it into a very easy and inexpensive family favorite!Cook 3 boxes of Kraft mac and cheese almost according to package direction - with the exception of under cooking the macaroni by about 2 minutes and cutting the margarine in half. Once prepared add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, mix well. Add one small container of ricotta cheese, mix lightly. Turn into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, top with another 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar and another 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, then top with crumbled bacon. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until bubbling hot.
This is definitely not a dieters delight, but it is a real kid pleaser and crowd pleaser as well. It's a nice homey comfort food, and it's one of those dishes that guests always ask for the recipe - and they never believe me when I tell them it's made with Kraft mac and cheese!Alternatives
1. Sliced Italian sausage or chunks of ham can be added to the macaroni mixture in place of the bacon on top.
2. Mexican blend shredded cheese can be used in place of the cheddar and mozzarella along with cooked ground beef added in the macaroni mixture with slices of jalapeno peppers on top.
3. Omit all meats and the cheese topping, top with toasted breadcrumbs instead.
Serve as a main dish with a salad and use the leftovers as a side dish another night.
Bring your favorite recipe over to The Krazy Kitchen to play along with Pacey's Cultural Connections!
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