Whether the weather is fine or icky, a quick meal is always nice. It is also very affordable. It’s especially nice when it can be done in less than 25 minutes, start to finish at home!
It’s super easy:
Put all the next items in a slightly deeper skillet:
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 pieces of frozen tilapia fillets
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tablespoon dried dill
Salt and Pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice (bottled is okay)
1 bag of frozen vegetable mix (I used the one that has broccoli, carrots, sugar snap peas and water chestnuts in it!)
Put the fish and oil on the bottom of the skillet and just dump everything else on top. Simmer for 15-20 minutes on medium-low heat until fish is cooked through and the vegetables are hot. Serve and Enjoy!
Side Tip: Jasmine tea, served hot, pairs very nicely with the meal.
Who doesn’t like an easy meal that is reminiscent of Sunday Supper at Grandma’s house?
My cousin brought me two semi-thick ribeye steaks this weekend,
I don’t own a grill. I am not a huge fan of skillet fried steak–so whats a girl to do? I grabbed a 9×13 glass baking dish and got to work.
Ingredients
2 ribeye steaks (or roast or whatever beef you got)
1 medium onion, chopped into big chunks
4 medium to large carrots, peeled and course cut into chunks
4 medium/large red potatoes, washed and quartered (no need to peel)
Seasoning to preference (I used salt pepper and Montreal steak seasoning)
1/3 cup of water.
Put the meat on the bottom of the baking dish, layer the veggies on top, sprinking the seasoning in between stuff, pour water into the dish.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. pop in oven and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 70-80 minutes until meat is cooked and veggies are tender. I set the timer and just “forget about it” and go get other things done in the meantime.
The name itself is rather funny but it’s appropriate–it’s a great place to dine.
My cousin Amy and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and the great food while we were there. It was a different restaurant all together the last time I ate at the location a couple of years ago. The change is well worth visiting!
The food is prepared fresh with amazing ingredients and the service is wonderful, which is so important!
Amy loved the decor and design of the business that she even purchased a Wake and Bake coffee mug as a souvenir for herself, a fun way to remember our lovely outing!
Amy being silly with the name of the CafeAmy got the breakfast bowlI got the club on Rye with tater tots, I loved itSweet cheeks signFunny sign in the cafe The outside of the cafe, which hosts ample parking
A lovely visitor came to see me for the weekend from North Carolina. I couldn’t have asked for a better adventure buddy than my cousin, Amy Reid. We enjoyed a lovely afternoon in the outskirts of Walhalla, South Carolina.
Going to the waterfall at Station Cove was enjoyable. The whole walking trail, from where we parked at the trail head to the waterfall and back, was 1 mile. It was super easy terrain. The natural flora and fauna is outstanding. There are ferns, mushrooms of all sorts, and song birds in multitude. Plus, there are lots of trees and so much more. The walking trail and park is free!
We donned our comfy sneakers and off we went, bottled water in hands–the trail head information sign states that it takes about 30-40 minutes to go round trip from parking area to waterfall and back. Amy and I, though, took our time and spent a total of about 2-2.5 hours as we chilled on the flat table rocks on the edge of the waterfall pool and did what we do best, talked, looked at the waterfall, splashed our feet, and talked a whole lot more!
The trail is super easy for walking. At one point, it splits off into another trail that leads to another site 2.7 miles away.We weren’t brave enough to trek through that today! The trail is easy, as stated, and allows bicycles (non motorized). The trail is also very family and pet friendly. However, I don’t believe it’s accessible or usable for mobility aids like wheelchairs.
Amy is hitting the trailAmy is super stoked to find the waterfall and enjoy the spray off mistHurrican Helen fell trees on the trail–and mushrooms are feasting on the falling timberYes, I am wearing a Bob Ross Hoodie as the drizzle made it a bit cold–Amy was nice enough to lend me her hoodie. Amy can’t get enough of the beauty. I was enjoying the fallsAmy noticing the fallen timber and the lovely music of the water splashing over the rocksFirst Cousins hanging out like champs Amy splashing in the pool at the bottomI made it!
My lovely cousin, Amy, drove down from North Carolina to spend the weekend with me in Upstate, South Carolina. We kicked things off with a wonderful and spectacular lunch at Mocha Mountain in downtown Walhalla, South Carolina. It is just a few blocks up the street from the historical St. Johns Lutheran Church (worth checking out!)
While we waited for our lunch to be served, Amy shopped the boutique within. It hosted a lovely assortment of handmade goods. These ranged from goat milk soaps to yeti items and more. Amy purchased a little souvenir treat for herself while there and I snapped some photos. I found Yeti–a mural of him anyway! Why is that we assume Yeti is a dude and the Loch Ness Monster a cool chick? Wonders never cease but I digress!
I ordered the Mountain Club. I had avocado added. I chose rye bread with homemade potato salad on the side. It was absolutely delicious. If my stomach would have allowed, I would have eaten two of them, it was that good! Amy also chose the club. She enjoyed it on white bread with mayo added. She scarfed it down with a side of chips. She ordered a caramel latte and I had the London Fog, both amazing beverages. You can choose a real, ceramic mug or a to-go mug. This is a great feature because I prefer a real mug. Mocha Mountain is the only place in this region that serves a London Fog. It is one of my absolute most favorite hot beverages. It really added the dazzle in our dining adventures!
After lunch, we felt full. We headed to Station Cove Waterfalls, which is about a 10-minute drive up Highway 11. The adventures continue!
Beautiful Outdoor art, Welcoming us to Walhalla, SCWe played a large game board of tic-tac-toeA wall mural inside Mocha Mountain. We found yeti!Mocha Mountain hosts a small shopping area of an assorted amount of handmade goodiesDrinking a London Fog at Mocha MountainOur specialty lunch–I had the mountain club, add avocado on rye!
There are many paintings, all crafted and painted by me, Anna Potthoff. I am selling 21 of them as an assorted lot–make me an offer! I am Spring Cleaning my Studio and need to make some room! Free shipping to the United States but can ship them world wide for a small additional shipping fee. Here are the 21 original, one of a kind paintings included in the lot–various sizes from 8″x10″ to 24×30″—some are framed, other are not but all are ready to hang and be on display in a gallery, library, office, home or given as gifts!
I am an American Artist currently living in upstate South Carolina and am seeking to create more beauty in the world and help clear out some of my studio. The dream is help promote my small business and other small business–neighbors supporting neighbors.
So many stories to tell in each painting–everyone comes with free shipping the addresses in the USA–but can be shipped world wide with nominal shipping fee.
Each painting is hand-painted and ready to hang–some are framed, others are not but can be hung unframed–and have the ability to be framed if you choose!
Travel, or any interaction for that matter, manners truly do matter. There isn’t a language or cultural barrier that being polite and mannerly doesn’t help.It even aids in the work place. While manners won’t be a cure-all for every situation,manners and a smile can truly go a long way.
Why do manners matter? For starters, being a sour-puss or abrasive is a turn off and off putting. Most don’t want to being around a person or group that is obnoxious or nasty–it is the personification of rancid body odor and poor reflection of the person. Rudeness or lack of manners always portrays the person isn’t giving a dickers damn about anything, which is not conducive to much.
While “polite society”, as my grandmother would say, would kindly over look such ill-behavior. Most won’t likely hang around long and few might even bring it to light (in a discreet setting).
What are the perks of being mannerly and polite?
It allows for a better experience, crossing barriers that may exist (language, cultural, diversity, etc)
It aids the traveler in getting what they may need, help finding a specific location, a recommendation for dinner, a cool place to jive or enjoy some local delicacy and so much more.
Helps in a pinch if one gets lost.
Assists in business transactions, especially in making new deals or keeping repeat business.
Manners can introduce new, happy experiences. A simple but genuine smile is universally accepted as nice!
Smile and be patient
Use a pleasant tone
Ask openly
Make eye contact and listen
Be curious, respectfully
Here is a link to give some tips if you like to know more!
Let’s kick of the New Year with a healthy homemade meal–with flavor and fiber!
4 pieces of flounder filets (I use frozen, super easy!)
1/2 cup of quinoa
1 bag of frozen carrot-broccoli-cauliflower mix
2 tsp of Roasted Garlic and herb mix
Honey
2 tsp of Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons of butter
dash of olive oil
1 cup of water
Cook Quinoa in the water on medium low until done-add the butter while cooking
Simmer Flounder fillets in the olive oil with the lemon
Steam the vegetable blend with the herb mix until aldente
Layer up bowls with quinoa on the bottom, vegetable mix in the middle, and the fish on top, drizzle with just a hint of honey, serve hot. Serves 4
https://www.amazon.com/reg…/gl/guest-view/1UJX66V7NGWFI… The weather is frightful during the winter but the food bank still needs help helping others to get food!! Their Amazon list below allows you to give without getting out in the snow! Items can be purchased and will be sent directly to the food bank to help those in need and those whom are hungry! Many items under $2, every item helps! Thank you so much!
Christmas is just around the corner and Santa could always use more elves to help him out!
There are over 100 items on my eBay, 99% of them handmade, all with free shipping! Happy Shopping!
Here is the link to my eBay store where all can be found (the images are just a few of the items available!)
Hand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfHand Knitted scarfPotraits of ancient man at Rosemarkie Firth Original art, hand paintd canvas of autumn, halloween/withes Flower cake painting with original art by Anna Potthoff
My Travels 