Let's Take A Dip!

It's the Fall Season, although you could not tell that here in Key West, and time for one of my favorite Sunday pastimes - Football! We have football games on our TV from noon on Sunday till 10 pm Sunday night. I do not necessarily sit in front of the TV for all of it, but I do keep my eye on the games. So every Sunday I try to think of a good football meal. Sometimes we have chili or BBQ ribs, but one of the fun things is the appetizer before the big football meal. I want to share one of my favorite "crowd pleaser" dips that I whipped up yesterday. This dip is so good and only takes about 10 minutes to assemble. It holds well in the fridge so you can make it way ahead of serving.

Mexican Layer Dip

I use a pie plate to serve this in as it is easy to pass since it has handles on the sides and it seems to be just the right size!

Just layer

1 half a can of refried beans

About 3/4 cup of guacamole

About 3/4 cup of salsa

About 3/4 cup of sour cream

Sprinkle over this about 1/4 cup of sliced black olives

Sprinkle over this about 3/4 cup of shredded cheese

Then sprinkle one or two chopped tomatoes

And lastly I put about 4-6 chopped green onions on top

Serve with your favorite tortilla chips

Notice I say "about". It is up to you to decide how much you would like your layers to hold. If you need more dip, use a bigger dish and increase the quantities of layers. Also for your fans who like it "hot", you could add some hot chili peppers into one of the layers and also sprinkle some hot sauce over the dip. See how versatile this dip can be. Best of all it is fast and flavorful!

Cheers!

Tis' The Season - Soon!

OK, maybe I am rushing the season a bit, but so are the stores. Could not resist this peal and stick on your window snowman at Home Depot the other day. They were getting ready for Christmas so I thought I might as well also!

Speaking of seasons...winter is not far off and that is tomato season here in Key West. This beauty is "off and running"! I usually do not put in my tomatoes until November, but maybe this year I will get a head start on my crop.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Cheers!

Key West Afternoon

Off the back deck on a Key West afternoon!

Waterspout in its glory!

Cheers!

New Addition

Hi Everyone! Yep it's me. Sorry I have not been much of a blogger lately as I still am suffering Blog Block. I do want you to know that I visit all of you every week and you guys still rock with all that wonderful food you are preparing! Hopefully I will get back into the food groove again soon!

Meanwhile, we have had a busy storm season so far with Fay, Gustov and last week Ike. Needless to say, I just keep cleaning up. You would think after Fay and Gustov there would not be much else to come off of the trees, but not so. Ike did a number on my little side garden as he took my two big shade ficus trees down. So now my little shady retreat has turned into a sauna. Time for a "redo" of the side garden. I have also been spending quite a bit of time at the garden club I belong to as the storms have done a number there also.

Yes, another abandoned cat has found a new home. Guess where!!!
When they look through the door, as you can see below, I cannot resist!
So our new stray tenant is called Ollie and Ollie loves to EAT! We lost both of our cats, Fang and Hobo last year so Ollie is a very welcome new addition.

Hope all is well with everyone and I will be back soon!

Cheers!

Green Hat Lady In Key West

Paul Klee said that he knew when a painting was finished - when he stopped looking at it, and it started looking back...

Hope all is well in your world!

Cheers!

Back Into The Creative Mode

Hello to all! Well the "creative juices" have leaped into action, but not in the food department. I am into being creative with my paint brush instead of a spatula. After almost 2 years, I picked up my brushes, paint, and canvases and I am back painting. The lady with the green hat has been the focus of my attention this past week and is taking shape. Hopefully I will be finished with her within the next week or so and will gladly introduce you to her at that time.

The garden is surviving our summer sun so far with 88 degree days and nights getting down to 82. That sun is HOT! Some of the herbs and peppers are loving the bright, hot and long days of summer, but not much else in the veggie department. I am sure though that the rest of you up north are starting to reap the rewards of your gardens about now. Would like to hear what is ready in your garden!

Speaking of gardens, I must go for now as I think I hear quite a few of my residents shouting for a bit of water!

Cheers!

Jake In The Key West Garden

Just in case you all do not remember, this is my best pal in the garden, Jake. Jake disappeared during hurricane Wilma a fews years ago. I was extremely upset when I went out after the storm to clean up to find that Jake was gone! Mysteriously, while cleaning out a closet in the hall a while back, I found Jake in a computer box in the closet! Not sure how he got there, but I guess he headed for safety some way or another during the storm. Jake is my magical man!

Jake cannot decide whether he wants to get all the way into the rosemary pot or not.

He does finally makes up his mind and starts to make the climb.

Jake is now thrilled that he decided to get all the way into the pot of rosemary, as he can view the whole garden from this vantage point!

Learning some lessons from Jake.

Still regrouping...back to you all soon!

Cheers!