{ Little Red Corvette }

I can't ever seem to pass a red corvette without busting out in my acapella version of Prince's song, Little Red Corvette. Lucky for everyone else and their ears that I don't see red corvettes on a daily basis. Same thing happens with berets. Anytime I see anyone wearing a beret (I love pretty Frenchy looking berets), I start singing Prince's song, "She wore a raspberry beret. The kind you find in a second hand store...."

While out and about this weekend with my husband and daughter, I passed this little red corvette and guess what?!?!---I had my camera. Typical moi.

Sealed with a RED Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

{ Country Fair }

Being a Texas Gal, the annual rodeo was always one of my favorite events to attend; favorite jeans, studded rhinestone belt, fancy buckle, cowgirl hat, and awesome boots.

 Moving to Florida means I now have a serious flip-flop sandal collection instead of a boot collection. The smell of tanned leather has been swapped for the smell of tropical scented suntan lotion. It isn't a bad trade off. Although I miss the rodeo, the annual local country fair here in Clay County, Florida is really nice. It has it's own small town charm feel to it especially on a beautiful Spring Day....and nothing says local country charm like a frog jumping contest and pig races, right? It reminds me of the fair in the book/movie, Charlotte's Web.

I picked up my daughter from school last Friday, had her change out of her uniform and into comfy clothes in the car, and told her we were off to the fair. She didn't believe me at first because it also happened to be April Fool's Day. But, I wasn't April Foolin' which gave me uber Best Mom in the World points.

While looking at cows and other farm animals, my daughter made an observation when she saw the bull and asked, "Mom, why do some cows only have one utter?"

Okay, is the cow in the above photo not the most cutest, sweetest, angelic cow ever? What a darling! And what about the grin on that goat?--- An under bite only a mother could love and yet still so cute!

Of course, no fair is complete without cotton candy, lemonade, and candy apples. There is also a bonafide cake and pie contest.

This being the south, you could be sure there were bags of fried pork skins, sweet tea, and fried green tomatoes. And since this is Florida, there were even alligators eggs for any one hungry enough.

The day turned into night. My daughter and I had a great time. My husband came and met us after his day of playing golf and we ended this really nice Spring day together, the 3 of us......and then I saw this totally cute propane tank as we headed toward our vehicles.

I am not by any means ever in a billion years interested in propane tanks. Propane is my husband's cup of tea, so to speak. Whenever we need propane for the grill, he is in charge of it. THIS tank, however, was adorable with the pink and the pig. If more propane tanks looked like this, I would totally take a bigger interest in tank selection. CUTE!

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

{ Mean Mean Mommy }

"Honey, Be sure to use mouthwash after you brush your teeth."

"But, Mommm! I can stand the new mouthwash!"

"I got you a kid one. Bubble Gum flavor. It's pink. Why don't you like it?"

"It's the grossest thing ever. It doesn't taste like bubble gum at all. It taste like rotten bubble gum. It's soooooo gross!!!" (Note: It does NOT taste like rotten bubble gum. It taste like bubble gum medicine. I tried it.)

"You need to use mouthwash. It's not a choice. You can either use the one I got you or you can use Mommy's and Daddy's. It doesn't have any alcohol in it, so it'll be fine for you to try." (The entire time I am telling her this, she is making dramatic fake gagging and dry heave motions with her throat, face, and whole body...and yet she refuses to try out for a role in the class play.)

(with slow moves, quivering and whimpering, as if she is about to get a whopper of a flu shot, she takes a sip of our mouthwash and swishes it around in her mouth and then violently spits it into the sink) "That is HORRIBLE!!!!! Agh! It burns my tongue! It burns! It burns!" (Like a vampire who just ate garlic)

"Look at it this way; If you keep using that one, then soon you will be able to enjoy the spicy salsa when we go to Mexican restaurants."

"That's not funny, Mom." (She starts giggling at my salsa/mouthwash correlation, then stops, and goes back to rolling her eyes to demonstrate just how un-funny I am)

"Okay, I will go look for a milder one for kids. I will check the organic store and see what I find. I'll either go sometime this week or next week. BUT, until then, you'll just have to use the bubble gum mouthwash even if you don't like the way it tastes." (She sulks and makes more fake gagging noises)

----- Fast forward a few hours to when my husband gets home from work and walks in the door---- with a PLEASE SAVE ME NOW tone she says,  "Guess what, Daddy? Mom said she is going to make me use the gross mouthwash forrrreverrrr." 

Sealed with a minty fresh Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

{ Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos With Artichoke and Other Goodness }

I love fish tacos. This recipe is great because it takes the typical fish taco and creates an interesting blend with artichoke, spinach, and black olives. Plus, tilapia is nice because it is a mild tasting fish which accepts a great deal of flavors.

This recipe serves four.

NEED

* 4 Tilapia Fillets which is about 1 1/2 pounds

* Juice of 1 Lime

* 1 small/regular size bag of shredded cabbage (you'll only need 

   about 1/2 of the bag)

* 1 bundle of fresh cilantro

* 1/2 cup Artichoke and Spinach Dip (can be found pre-made at 

   grocery store)

* 1/4 cup sliced black olives (drained)

* Adobo (Goya Brand) Seasoning for seasoning the fish fillets

* 8-10 corn tortillas

* Vegetable or Canola oil for toasting the tortillas on a skillet

Preparation

---- Heat Grill

---- Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lime over fillets and sprinkle both sides with Adobo seasoning. Let marinate for 10 minutes.

---- While fillets are marinating, heat artichoke and spinach dip in microwave to warm.

---- In a mixing bowl, mix shredded cabbage, olives, and juice from the other half of the lime. Add the warmed artichoke and spinach dip and toss. Set aside.

---- Remove cilantro leaves from sprigs. These will be used to garnish tacos when serving

---- Place fish on grill (or skillet w/ olive oil if no grill) and cook until fish is done and flakes easily.

----In a medium to large skillet over medium heat, heat small amount of vegetable or canola oil. Place corn tortilla on skillet (I can usually fit 3 tortillas on my skillet), and allow to toast slightly. Before fully toasted, fold one-half of tortilla over to form a taco shell. Continue to toast until you have a crispy taco shell. Remove from skillet and allow to drain excess oil on plate with paper towel or place in a tortilla warmer lined with a paper towel.

Dig In

On the table, set out the bowl with cabbage/artichoke/spinach blend, a small bowl of  fresh cilantro leaves, the tortillas, and the fish. Allow everyone to make their own tacos. Sit back and smile as everyone compliments you and your yummy fish tacos.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

{ Milking a Rainy Day }

I like the rain. Always have. Especially storms. The best way to enjoy a stormy Spring day is at home. Today was such a day and I milked it for all it was worth....after dropping my daughter off at school.

How to Milk a Rainy Day For All It's Worth

Comfort Food is necessary such as tomato soup with Fritos floating on top. If the lightning is really bad, then add a grilled cheese sandwich b/c if the electricity goes out, at least your tummy will be comforted.

Take time to catch up on a good book. This is better than flipping through magazines which will only make you feel inferior and create a great false need for many superficial things. Save the magazines for non-rainy days. Besides, if the storms spawn a tornado, you'll feel plenty inferior while seaking shelter in a small space. Remember, rainy days are for comfort via a good book.

Make a cup of tea and talk like the Queen. You'll relax and feel fancy at the same time. Watch the rain out the window while you're waiting for the kettle to whistle and try to ignore the window reflection of your frizzed out humidity-induced rainy day hair.

And then, MOST important thing for milking a rainy day.....I cannot stress the importance of this enough---You should be imagining that serious scene from Star Wars when Yoda is telling Luke all about the Force---that is how serious I want you to take this next thing. Okay, the MOST important thing about milking a rainy day is the ultimate cat nap. Be sure to take one. No rainy day is complete without a catnap.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.



{ Hello, Scott McCreery. Orrrrr, Should I Call You Alfred, Alfred? }

Did yall know the cover character from Mad Magazine, Alfred E. Neuman, is on this season's American Idol? Yup. He is performing under the name of Scott McCreery. I like his vocal range. He can sing! Way to go Scott..Umm, I mean, Alfred...I mean, Scott.

The resemblence is amazing. But, you can't fool me! Teehee.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.



{ Ursula Jolie Louise }

Meet Ursula Jolie Louise---the cat who chose us...or at least that is how I like to tell the story. We moved to northeast Florida almost 5 years ago. We bought a house here, sold our old house in our hometown of Houston, TX. and settled into our new surroundings. About a month into it, Ursula arrived at our door...except at the time her name was Dixie (she didn't look anything like a Dixie). I asked a few neighbors if she belonged to them. They recognized her immediately as Dixie,  the cat of the previous owner of our house. The former home owners had moved about a mile away which means this kitty had walked a mile to what she considered her "real" home. I notified her owners. They came and got her. Two weeks later, Ursula is back at our front door. I called her owners. They come and get her and say that as soon as she can make an escape, she leaves their home and heads straight for our house. This same scenario of Ursula reappearing at our front door repeats itself over and over and over.

I had also started to notice things. I have always had cats and dogs in my life. Ursula seemed timid, but, not in the usual timid shy cat sort of way (cat lovers know what I mean), she was timid in a fearful non-trusting way. She seemed more trusting with my daughter and other children than with adults which is very
weird for a cat.

Each time she arrived at our front door after her mile long trek, it would take longer and longer for her owners to come get her. I'd call them and rather than coming to get her that same day like in the beginning, it would take a few days, which turned into weeks which turned into months. In the mean time, she was learning to trust us and actually started liking us.

About 6 months into it, the previous owners stopped coming for her altogether and would not return my messages or the notes left in their mailbox politely saying, "Please come get your cat." My husband suggested we welcome her into the family. My cat, Custard, liked the idea immediately. But, Ursula, almost 5 years later, still isn't very fond of him. Custard assumes everyone is a friend and a playmate. Whereas, Ursula assumes everyone is to be snubbed and regarded as insignificant.

With Ursula joining the family, a name change was a must. She needed a name which suited her better. I chose Ursula after the famed actress Ursula Andrews. She is Ursula Jolie Louise....sometimes called Ursula Purrrsula, Miss Prissy Priss Priss, or Ursie Purrrsy.

I'd like to think she prefered our family instead of prefering the house. I hope that with her cat instincts she sensed that our family was gentle, kind-hearted, and would spoil her rotten.

And so here we are today and she is a true member of our family. She is asleep on a blanket, on the sofa, contented and softly purring.

Mi Casa es su Casa, Ursula. ---or maybe it's the other way around.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

{ Bloomiful }

Spring is like a lady who isn't afraid to wear the bold-colored dress when everyone else is secure with grey. Spring is a show-off and justifiably so.

Spring doesn't believe that less is best. Spring purposely puts on too much perfume and makes no apologies about it.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.

{ Historic Gardens }

The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens is one of my favorite places to visit.  Luckily, my daughter loves it too and even at the age of 9, she enjoys learning about the various works of art and has her favorites which she likes to see and re-see every time we go.

But, the TRUE jewel of the Cummer is the historic garden dating back over 100 years originally started on the property of a prominent Jacksonville, Florida family.

This time of year it is in full bloom. During Spring Break, my daughter and I went to the Cummer and my charming prince of a husband met us there when he left the office.

I have a new camera and couldn't wait to try it out in the garden. My daughter also brought her camera and we referred to our museum visit as a photography field trip. She took it very seriously.

Sealed with a Kiss, Kirsten

S.W.A.K.