In Florida
Home and life in the Sunshine State
The Power of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint is a powerful source of healing. You can drink it as tea, chew it in gum, or pick it fresh off the stem and eat it! With so many soothing properties, including being antiviral and antifungal, peppermint continues to amaze me with its eclectic personality. Most recently, I discovered a small spider problem in my bedroom that turned into a larger issue throughout the house. Upon mixing peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle, I found that it helps keep them away. It’s also important to keep corner areas free of webs and spray periodically—they don’t like it.
I now clean with the minty mixture throughout the entire house. Wiping surfaces, windows, and mirrors sparkling clean. It also makes the house smell so fresh! I highly recommend trying this and even trying other essential oils along the way. ~BC
EVOO Saves the Day!
These Marvel stickers were placed on this window for good reason. Over time, I noticed how difficult they were to try to remove with just my fingernail, as I knew it would be a gritty job; they’re stuck like glue! I researched a few different options: rubbing alcohol, including nail polish remover, heat from a hair dryer, and soapy cleaners, but the one that finished the job? Olive oil. I even tried EVOO cooking spray, but the liquid gold worked best overall. Even though it was still a scrape of a job, the olive oil’s sultry texture made this little project a success!
Lettuce Lake Park
I’ve heard about Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa several times by word of mouth over the last few years. My boys and I finally checked it out one September afternoon. Tucked away by splash pines, the park is spread out like a campground and has a lovely spacious park with a playground.
We discovered all the outdoor vegetation that southern Florida normally presents, yet found it in the heart of Tampa. For example, the swamp, boardwalk, alligators, and bald cypress trees.
A couple of “east coast sequoias” were estimated to be over 5oo years old! It’s fun finding ancient trees that still live and breathe for us in our century. They have such a story to tell and a part of Florida’s history. We will definitely return.
Preserving nature starts from appreciating nature. —BC
Bald cypress
Florida gator
Loved making this! Mega Meatball Subs by British chef and author Jamie Oliver. Ever since I saw his first cooking show on PBS in the early 2000s, JO has been one of my favorite chefs for easy, go-to meals. When I studied in London, I made sure to dine at his now-closed Fifteen restaurant. I don’t remember what I ordered exactly, but it was a delectable meat and salad/vegetable dish.
With this meatball sub recipe, JO takes the ordinary marinara sub sandwich to a gourmet level. You’ve got minced pork, beef, rosemary, water cress, and porter beer. It’s simple and delicious! Click here for the full video recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_ndfEoQvpg Cheers!
Backyard Bamboo
I don’t grow bamboo in my backyard, but my neighbor does. It was planted a few years ago, as it appears like clumping bamboo. I love how lovely, tranquil, and strong they are, but I know, as do most people, that they are can be invasive if not taken care of properly. Recently, I’ve been getting nervous about its spreading capabilities since its height is now towering over to our side. We’ve had to cut back several stems; even a few shoots had come up on our side through the ground. We took care of them by pouring grass & weed killer, which seems to have worked. Coincidentally, I wrote a news article about How To Grow And Take Care Of Bamboo Plants for House Digest. I learned much more from this writing experience going forward. If you ever deal with invasive bamboo or growing it yourself, I hope my article may help you, too! See the photo below.
