Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

What better way to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new year than to go birding?  We ended the year by heading over to the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and became card-carrying members of the Audubon Society.  The storks have not yet begun to nest, and we didn't see any while we were in the sanctuary, but we saw many in the area.  The great folks at the sanctuary are expecting the storks to start nesting sometime in February.

So what did we see as we wandered the 2.25 mile boardwalk?  Before we even left the Visitor Center, we spotted a Painted Bunting at the feeder!  This was an exciting viewing, even if the photo that we managed to get was not the best!

But there were other things to see as well . . .

The Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary has some great deals for those of us who want to be repeat visitors!  When you join the Audubon Society on your visit to Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, you are given free admission.  One person can get an annual membership for $20 and then save the $10 entrance fee.  A couple can join for $25 and save the $20 entrance fee.  A family (parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren) can join for $50--this was more than we needed, so I can't even begin to tell you how much that could have saved.  As long as you present your membership card, you will enjoy 50% off the entrance fee to any Audubon Sanctuary during your membership! 

If you are not a member of the Audubon Society, Adults cost $10, full time College Students with photo ID cost $6, Children aged 6-18 cost $4, and Children under 6 are free.

The park is open October 1 through April 10 from 7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M and April 11 through September 30 from 7:00 A.M. to 7:30 P.M.

We will see you there!

Shark Valley has Bird Life Too!

To celebrate the New Year, we took a ride out to Shark Valley in Everglades National Park and had a overdose on the alligators.  But while most people were overjoyed at seeing the alligators, I enjoyed photographing the birds! 

Alligators Galore

Can you ever see too many alligators?  I think that I came pretty close to my limit today at Shark Valley, part of the Everglades National Park.  There were young and old, big and small.  Alligator after alligator.  If you enjoy seeing alligators in south Florida and want to know where you will see some, be sure to check out Shark Valley!

The pelican has always been one of my favorite birds . . .

A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His mouth can hold more than his belly can,
He can hold in his beak,
Enough food for a week.
I'm damned if I know how the hell he can!

 ~ Dixon Lanier Merritt

Bonita Beach Dog Park - The Beach Where Dogs are the Boss

If you have a dog who loves the beach and you want to treat him to a fabulous day of frolicking, check out the Bonita Beach Dog Park!  This beach is part of the Lee County Parks and Recreation, and dogs may run free in a wonderful beach setting.  Parking is free.  This park does not have restrooms or running water.  Please read the rules. You are responsible for yourself, your dog, and your dog's behavior.  The future of this dog beach depends upon your ability to self-monitor.

Just another day at the beach . . .

Young or old, big or small - Dogs love Bonita Beach Dog Park!

If your home is one of the 8,000 that has Chinese drywall, you will want to know read the following post by Nestor and Katerina Gasset, Realtors in Wellington Florida.  If you have Knauf drywall, you need to act now . . .

A White Christmas in Florida

At 82 degrees today, you won't find much snow on the ground, but on the Naples beaches, we find a way to enjoy the white that we are given!  Hope you enjoyed your Christmas Day, no matter what temperature it was!

Secret Recipe Revealed - Santa's Favorite Cookies

At the special request of Roy Kelley, a Montgomery County, Maryland, Broker and fabulous photographer, I am revealing the recipe that brings Santa to our house first on Christmas--he just can't resist the taste of these delicacies that are really miniature cakes disguised as cookies!  This is very important this year as we just moved, so Santa is checking his radar for our house at this moment!

You cut these cookies with cookie cutters into your favorite shapes, and then when they are nice and cool you frost them with butter cream frosting and sprinkle them with "Decorating Decors" (nonpareils).  They look very pretty the first day you make them, but then the nonpareils soak up some moisture from the frosting and they don't look quite as nice, but they taste even better!! 

Santa's Favorite Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup sour milk (put 2 tsp. of vinegar in 1/2 measure before adding milk)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

5 cups flour

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.  Chill (this is NOT an important step--my wife usually skips it).  Roll 1/4" thick.  Cut into desired shapes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.  When completely cooled, frost and decorate.

Butter Cream Frosting

1 cup butter (room temperature)

1/2 Tbsp. vanilla

5 cups confectioner's sugar

Milk to make of spreading consistency.

Cream butter and vanilla until smooth,  Add sugar one cup at a time beating well after each addition.  Add milk in small amounts until desired consistency.

Secret Recipe Revealed - Rita's Chocolate Cake

This recipe is a favorite of the extended Canfield family.  My cousins in Virginia refer to it as RCC.  When my cousin got married, a woman named Rita was attended the gathering, and she quickly found out that she was a celebrity.  "Not THE Rita?!" was the typical greeting.  She thought it quite funny that all these years we had been dedicating this cake to her as she got the recipe from a neighbor!  So this recipe reveal is dedicated to Rita's memory, as she passed away a number of years ago . . .

This recipe is all about the frosting, so don't make changes to that part!  : )

Rita's Chocolate Cake

1 cup hot coffee

3 cups sifted flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cooking oil

2 tsp. baking soda

pinch of salt

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup milk

2 egg yolks

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted

Combine ingredients and beat thoroughly.  This is a very thin batter.  Pour into 12 x 18 inch cake pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Frosting

1 lb. confectioner's sugar

1/2 lb. butter (yes, two sticks!)

1 tsp. vanilla

warm milk to make of spreading consistency

Hats off to Rita!

Secret Recipe Revealed - Key Lime Cake

I have to be honest.  This is my favorite cake.  I always hope that whenever a birthday comes along, it will be the cake chosen.  I always know it will be MY birthday cake.  It can be done as a bundt cake, but as I love my butter cream frosting, my wife always makes this as a layer cake.  Yes, it is a modification of a cake mix, but I have never tasted a key lime cake any better that was done from scratch!  Hope you like it as much as I do!

Key Lime Cake

1 box Duncan Hines Lemon Cake Mix (don't get a brand with pudding already in the mix!)

4 oz. instant lemon pudding mix

4 eggs

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup key lime juice (found next to the lemon juice in the grocery store)

Mix all ingredients and beat on high speed for two minutes.  Pour into greased and floured pan(s) bake at 350 degrees:

Pan Size/Baking Time:

2, 9 inch round pans - 25-30 minutes

13 x 9 inch pan - 30-40 minutes

Bundt pan* - 35-45 minutes

*Cool for 20 minutes before removing from pan.