PhotoHunt ~Deluxe~

The PhotoHunt today is Deluxe

Which makes me think that I am in need of a Deluxe Pedicure. . . But maybe Not in the toe-scum eating fish tanks.

Instead I will just flip-flop over to 'Deluxe Nails'
Check for all the other Deluxe Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

A Snowcation

It is not often that we get snow in Alabama . . . and when we do it is pretty. This last snowpocalypse was a surprise, we weren't supposed to get any.
James Spann, the weather mann, didn't have his sleeves rolled up for this one.
So neither did we.

It came down fast and furious. . .
Beautiful ~
Everyone likes a snow day

Until . . . the ice shuts every thing down and hundreds of people and their cars are stranded. What is normally a 5 mintue drive took hours.
We spent the evening watching redneck trucks slide backwards down the hill by our house. Check the US Mail truck... your thank-you card might be a little bit late.

We are just going to stay at home and enjoy a pot of Brunswick Stew and a fire in the fireplace.

Who doesn't love a Snowcation?

Y'all enjoy,
Sandi

Southern Pecan Pie

This is the 'new' Southern Pecan Pie from the pages of Southern Living. (I had to go all the way to Boston to see a copy of Southern Living) 

This pie is really different ~ and really yummy.
The sweet and salty topping that is poured over a chocolatey brownie filling is rich and filling . . . this ain't your grandma's pecan pie.

Salted Caramel-Chocolate Pecan Pie
Chocolate filling
1 1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweeteded cocoa
1 Tbs corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1 9inch piecrust
Salted Caramel Topping
3/4 cup sugar
1tbs lemon juice
1/3 cup heaby cream
4 Tbs butter
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups toasted pecan halves
corse sea salt
Preheat oven to 350

Stir first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Incorporate eggs, stirring until well blended. Fold in chopped pecans.

Pour into pie shell. Bake for 35 minutes. The brownie filling will be soft. 
For the topping: Bring sugar, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water to a boil over high heat.
Do Not Stir. Bring to a boil, gently swirling for about 7 minutes until it becomes the perfect caramel color. Remove from heat, add butter and then cream and salt, stirring until it stops bubbling and is smooth.

Arrange pecan halves on the top of the baked pie.
Top with warm caramel.
Cool and top with sea salt.

Like I said. . . this ain't your Grandma's pecan pie.  It is still a hit!
Maybe even a New Holiday Tradition.


I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Travel Tuesday ~ countdown to Boston

Do y'all have plans for Thanksgiving?
I am headed up to Boston with my bag full of real grits and pecans.

I should get there just in time for a New England style Southern Turkey dinner . . . and most importantly, time with family.

I just hope the weather holds out . . .  I'm packing my long johns for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ We hope that each of you are surrounded by love and cornbread dressing. Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Plant

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Plant'

These are not just any little pots of basil . . . They are at the plant sale in Florence.

 

Where else could you buy pots of basilico ~
and this is enough to remind me of home . . .
Yep ~ Spanish moss. (which grows on the trees here in Alabama)

 

They just look so much prettier when they are spread on the porticos in Firenze.

 

Check for all the other Plant Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Traveling Tuesday ~ It's Fall Y'all

The weather has started to turn cooler here in Alabama . . . which would mean this is the perfect time for a road trip to the lake ~

We have some beautiful lakes near us . . .
Where you could enjoy a rocking chair on the porch.

I'm not so sure about this mode of transportation . . .

I am also joining Our World Tuesday
Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Traveling Tuesday ~ Right Here at Home

Today I'm posting pictures of our downtown Birmingham ~
Where they are really trying to make things Beautiful.

and Birmingham is beautiful . . . if you look around.

A sunny day at Railroad Park is perfect as the weather is turning cooler.

I love fall y'all ~


I am also joining Our World Tuesday
  Sandi

I'm Blue

I have to admit that I am a little Blue ~ on this blue monday

It's time for me to part with 'Bugalu'.
I've had her for 11 years and we have some special memories together.

We called in the experts to get her cleaned up and ready to go.
These guys are awesome! The Auto Medic came to our driveway with a van full of touch up tools . . . if you are in the Birmignham area
205-907-6060

She is 'spit shined' as we say in the south.
Now, she is ready for a new girl with a cute hat (and some sunscreen)

Of course . . . I've traded up.
Don't ya Know ~

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues.
Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

The Origami Cranes

This is a display in Birmingham ~ 15,000 origami cranes that have been hung in RailRoad Park.

These cranes have been made by individuals all over the world and sent here to be hung. Imagine how much time was spent in making thousands of paper cranes. Here are Instructions For Origami Cranes  (in case you want to get started)

The display was inspired by the paper crane display at Ground Zero in New York city.

The Birmingham Art Peace Project is in memory of the four girls who were killed in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in September, 1963 . . . Just blocks from where RailRoad Park now stands.

I am glad to see that something positive is being done in the city . . . We seem to have been the focus of so much bad press.

Birmingham is a beautiful mix of old and new. People working together to turn a dark history into something new.

I couldn't stop snapping photos of the colorful cranes . . . and the beautiful blues.
What a masterpiece.

I have a friend who did this for her daughter's wedding . . . I knew that Barb would especially appreciate these photos!

Don't forget to check in at Smiling Sally for more blues and Boogie Board Cottage for her Masterpiece Monday.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Fave

Our PhotoHunt this week is 'Fave'

I decided to post photos of my 'fave' past-time.

Watching my Hummingbirds

This is the view from our patio in the early morning.

That is a favorite way to spend the morning with a cup of coffee.

Check for all the other Fave  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ Humble

The PhotoHunt for this weekend is 'Humble'
Do y'all remember the Country song ~

Lord it's hard to be humble,
When you're perfect in every way . . .

That's how I feel when we are hanging out on the 'Redneck Riviera' ~
It's perfect in Every Way.
(but very humble when it comes to fancy resorts and uppity people)

Check for all the other Humble Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi