The finished Turkey

Well the turkey is done and in more ways that one.  Just finished eating it was great.

Southern Fried Turkey at our house today! EASY, EASY!

We're getting the turkey ready for his fryer bath shortly in our Butterball turkey fryer.  We bought this last year and with no open flame there's no fire danger.  I LOVE IT!

I remember the first year I made a turkey for my then boyfriend, no husband and friends.  I forgot to take the giblet bag out and when we cut into it, so embarrassing. Everyone has disasters but even with that mistake, which I never will make again, it still was a great turnkey.

Today our turkey is being fried so I didn't want to put any butter under the skin so I went to the garden and got fresh rosemary and garlic and pureed it and put it under the skin.

 

 

 

 

 

I like to use Billy Bones rub for the outside to give it lots of great flavor too.  Just pour it and rub on.

 

Then the heart and gizzards, Scottie's favorite

Don't forget to rub those as well as they make a great snack for the chef.

 

 

Then into the great fryer basket.  Our 19 pound turkey fits great but this is the maximum that the Butterball Fryer can handle.  This was the smallest I could find this year.  Must have been a bonanza year for turkeys!

 Then into the Butterball Fryer for 80 minutes.  Just sit back and relax and let the fryer do it's thing.

 

Can't wait to have the first bite.  I better get back in the kitchen and get sides finished.

Happy Feasting!

 

 

 

 

Remember tomorrow for After Thanksgiving Shopping; NO FIGHTING!

Being a retired police officer I've seen lots of things happen during the holiday shopping specials.  Remember NO Fighting!   It's just a sale.  If you have a confrontation with a fellow shopper it's better to walk away.  Nothing is worth going to jail. 

Here is South Carolina law enforcement has taken a hard line when it comes to commotion in the store.  If you're involved you're going to jail.  No passing go, no collecting $200.

Safe shopping and hope you find great bargains.  Black Friday is coming!

Here is a Walmart Black Friday gone bad from previous year.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyYleFb425U&feature=player_embedded

Fast night before Thanksgiving dinner with what you have in the frig

I know everyone is hurrying and wondering what to have for dinner tonight.  Well I have a Fast, easy dinner that you're family will love.
Lasagna rolls.  These were the result of seeing the rolls at Olive Garden but mine aren't fried.

You cook lasagna noodle and cool.  Then fry lean hamburger in a non stick pan and drain on paper towel.

Mix shredded cheese, mozzarella in a bowl and add sauce and hamburger in the bowl.  Don't put too much sauce, about 1/2 jar of prepared sauce to pound and a half of hamburger and about 3 cups of mozzarella.

Mix and fill rolls and stand on end in oven safe dish.  Top with rest of sauce and cheese.  Bake till hot and bubbly.  You can be working on the pies and stuffing for tomorrow while this bakes for about half an hour. 

I hope this has lessened your holiday stress and given you a great idea for dinner tonight.  You'll be a rock star with this dish.

SALTED - The latest and greatest sea salted candle- we've exceeded all expectations in our first 10 months-We hand collect our sea salt.

My daughter Angie and I started Salted less than a year ago and we've exceeded all expectations.  We're now in 8 shops throughout the country and one in London.  We're growing quicker than we ever expected so looks like family meeting is in order to plan our next baby step.  We hope you'll be part of our anticipated, continued growth.

We've been producing our sea salt candles in very limited quantities.  The production is limited by the amount of hand collected sea salt that I collect.  It takes 10 gallons of South Carolina Sea water to produce just 5 cups of salt.  It is a labor intensive process but adds so much to our hand crafted soy candles that are in repurposed glass.  Nothing goes to waste.  We are in the process of doing all future pouring with wooden crackle wicks that are also made from driftwood.

 

We're so proud of our strides to improve on our original 2012 design.  If you want to place your order for Christmas delivery we will only produce 40 more for delivery.  We have almost exhausted our supply and our returning customers have placed their 2013 Christmas orders.

I would love to hear from you and hope you enjoy our vanilla scented candle offering.
If you're interested in carrying our candles we would love to partner with our fellow followers.  Just drop me a note.  Go to travelingskinny.com, our web site and drop me an email.

We also made a wonderful bell out of the old bottle tops and put it on our bottle tree this morning.  An announcement to the neighborhood that Christmas is near.

My New WEB PAGE in up and LIVE! Check it out

The design and going live has finally happened with my new website thanks to Angie.  It's been a long process but it's now available for all my followers.

Get ready for a great adventure!"

I've lived an exciting life but have struggled with my weight all my life.  I've lost 83 pounds and kept it off for sixteen months.  I'm a Lifetime Weight Watcher member after achieving my goal weight.   I want to be with you on your weight loss journey and share my passion for traveling and living large doing it.  Lets go together on the adventure of life.  I'll share my thoughts, a former large woman that's now living skinny.  We'll travel together to great out of the way places, explore great travel destinations, travel accessories and share ideas that will keep you excited about your health and life.

Thanks for visiting me at travelingskinny.com   

1,600 page views this week and it isn't over for three more days! THANKS FOLLOWERS

I've gone over 1,600 views for the week and still have three more days.  Thanks to all my followers and viewers.  YOU are AMAZING!

Saturday morning so where are you going today?

The weekend is the time to take a daycation or if you're so motivated check out places close to your home to go for an overnighter.

We're fortunate that we live in Charleston South Carolina so daycations are a regular for us.

Those in other parts of the country that are facing holiday storms I feel for you.  Don't get me wrong it gets cold here in Charleston, occasionally but yesterday it was a balmy 77 degree but tonight it's going to get cold here, maybe even freezing overnight.   The good thing is it will be warm again in the daytime.

Charleston has so many exciting places to visit and restaurants, well you could put on ten pounds in a weekend without even trying.  Hyman's Seafood Restaurant on Meeting Street is my favorite and it's just steps away from the Historic market.  Should be a must on anyone's list.  Say hi to Eli and Brad, they'll love to visit with you.




If you're in the area and want to go paddleboarding, I hope you'll enjoy it as much as our family does.  Picture below was one of our first outings but we were able to get the hang of it quickly. This is my daughter Angie and I.  The water temperature right now is only 61 degrees so if you're going to venture out you'll need your wet suit for sure. 

 

Slightly North of Broad is another restaurant favorite here in Charleston

 

You might want to venture out to Shem Creek to watch the Shrimp boats as they come in to the creek with their bounty.  Stop by Wando Seafood adjacent to the creek for fresh shrimp just off the boat or a stop at GeeChee Seafood for fresh fish and you can get shrimp off their boat too.  You might even see the manatee that visits occasionally for his drink of fresh water from the hose.

Or you can take a walk through the historic district along the Battery.  There are so many gorgeous homes, and bed and Breakfast stops too.  This is one of my favorite;

 

 

Or just take your friends to the beach like we did last night and it's butts up!

Well mark Key West off our bucket list

We had visiting Key West on our bucket list and we finally made it.  We couldn't believe how beautiful the water was and the beaches were spectacular too.




Everything moves slowly in the Florida keys including the ice in your glass.?  I am a type A person and need to go, go, go.  I would never survive just sittin in a beach chair watching the world go by but it seems like a lot of folks do.

Key West is known as the “Winter White House”.  It has been a favorite spot for visiting U.S. presidents, and the island has been home to literary favorites like Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams.

We love to snorkel  and it's a diving paradise too.  Get out to the reefs,.This is where the best snorkeling is. We've always wanted to swim with the dolphins but we've never had them come near us.  If you want to do this you'll have to got to Discover Cove at Sea World in Orlando or find a tour that can accommodate.  There are several places in the Keys to do this too.  The water have so so many beautiful species of fish and we saw such great expansions of coral just off shore.




This is such a beautiful  little village  lined with vacation cottages with gingerbread cutouts to define each as an individual piece of art.  There were tiny shops  around every corner. for those with shopping fever.  Definitely worth the drive.  It's 7 hour drive from Miami and the speed limit is  35-55 MPH so it takes time to go through each small town on the way.  Oh an the trip wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Southern most point in the continental U.S.

 

If you don't want to take the drive you can also take the ferry from Ft. Myers Beach that departs at 8:30 am and arrives in Key West at 12:30 pm.  Definitely put it on your bucket list.

 

 

Carnival Cruise lines out of Charleston South Carolina

Carnival Cruise lines has been offering cruises departing from Historic Charleston, South Carolina.  We have traveled twice during the past year and it is such a convenient location for us.

There are many residents in the downtown Charleston area that want to put end to the cruise ships coming into the harbor stating they are ruining the environment and ambiance in the area.
I don't understand, just yards away, each and every day container ships come past the downtown area and into port but nothing has been said about them.

The historic area in Charleston is very important to everyone that lives here but trying to stop Carnival rather than working to make it a good relationship between the two isn't benefiting the city or its residents.

When we were on the ship they advised that they would have a silent departure with no announcements when we came into port so that the residents of the area wouldn't' be disturbed.
It was a fast and efficient debarkation and from what I observed there wasn't a huge traffic problem.

Its true that when cruisers are arriving there are a lot of cars parked adjacent to the ship but this is a vacant area that isn't interfering with the Market area or residents parking.

We had a great time and its wonderful to be able to embark less than thirty minutes from our home and have the kids drop us off at the ship and pick us up the following week. 

 

Our ship in port

My husband waiting to pull out of port

 

The tug waiting to push us out into the harbor

I've lost 83 pounds and keeping it off!

Today it has been Sixteen months that I've lost 83 pounds and I'm keeping it off.
I've battled my weight all my life and after 45 years of trying every diet on the planet I finally found that when I worked the system, Weight Watcher, this time it worked and it's sticking.

The program had changed and when fruit was a no point food,  this was my salvation.  I'm still a work in progress, working each day to maintain and trying to change my thinking about food.  It isn't easy.  I'm still a fat person in my mind and still a sweet-a-holic but I've learned not to eat the whole dessert table just take a portion.

The weight loss has improved my health, but the down side is fat fat fat left over everywhere.  You can't exercise it off.  I have bat flaps that I can waive hello and goodbye with, but still going from a size 22 to a size 14 is a great improvement.

If you're struggling with your weight know that there are so many other's that are too.  You're not alone.  Let me know the weight loss journey your on.  I would love to hear from you.

Watch for my great holiday recipes for Thanksgiving and the holidays.  I'll share my recipes that I've taken the calories out of and left in all the flavor. 


                                                   Here are my before and after pictures

                                                 

Blogger Butt

This morning I checked my Activelink, my Weight Watcher accessory that allows  me to track my activity throughout the day.  You wear it around your neck, can carry it in your pocket or even wear it on your belt.  Well I checked my weekly progress for last week and was shocked to see I only had 8 activity points when I usually have 22-24 for a week.  So far this week and I've only earned 7   I've been sitting blogging way too much. 

I'm glad I have my Activelink to let me know I'm falling in a hole and need to MOVE IT!  It's like having a personal trainer.  I would have let it go and not realized I had been so inactive had it not been for this great tool.

Today I'm going to walk and ride my stationary bike to get more activity points that I can exchange for food items.  Holidays are coming so I'm going to need em!

Everyone take the challenge today and get out and walk.  Make it a healthy day.

                                                                           

                                                                    The Activelink

Cutting bottles with 7" wet saw

I have researched this subject to death and watched every video possible.  One guy even had a bandana over his entire head with only his eyes showing.  REALLY!
I put on my big girl safety glasses and took my husband outside to his workshop for support and I DID IT successfully the first time.  It's easy, easy, easy and the possibilities are endless.  I'll post some finished projects soon.  Here are photos of the challenge today. 

I didn't know if I was going to enjoy retirement but it's starting to fit me better and better each day with every new adventure.

Watch for more to come.

Travel treat-My Great Coconut Granola-Great for gift giving too

This morning I need to make my traveling buddy, my homemade Coconut Granola.  I also need to get some off to my friend Kathy for her birthday next week.  I promised her a stash of it.   It also makes a great Christmas gift for close friends.

If you've even been stuck on a plane, had a flight delayed or stuck in New York City Traffic at 5:10 p.m. trying to get out of the City this can be a life saver.  It's a handy treat, no refrigeration required.  It has lots of fiber and will keep you full for the duration.

Granola is personal.  It's a matter of taste.  You should only use ingredients you adore.  If you don't like raisins like I do you might want to put in dried apricots or apples, but make it something worth eating, something you truly enjoy.   When I eat it I only put 2 Tablespoons on my morning yogurt, but I make sure it's two Tablespoons of sheer pleasure.  I don't sit down and eat a bowl full with milk, but I could.  I would eat 1/4 cup with milk but that's my limit.  Remember I just lost 83 pounds so I have my Weight Watcher Tracker to be accountable to as well as myself.

                                                            Ingredients I used

I use Frudtkt 45% from Ikea.  This is a Muesli with banana, papaya and coconut.  I have a wheat allergy and this does have wheat flakes but it doesn't seem to bother me.  This is a great base mix and you just add all your favorites.  If you don't live close to an Ikea, we don't,  you can  use regular oats but would have to add all the fruit yourself.  This is definitely a money save; everything is already mixed for you. 



                         Frudtkt 45% from Ikea


You've got your base and now let the creativity begin.  You are only limited by your imagination.  I like Craisins in mine.  I rinse them prior to putting in the granola mix and dry them to remove the preservatives on them.  I like a mix of great nuts so used Simply Almonds, Cashews & Cranberries Trek Mix from Trader Joes.  You can use any mix of nuts you like.  This is convenient and my family likes almonds even though I think they are too big for granola, but I accommodate them and just pick around them.  I also use Jumbo Raisin Medley from Trader Joes and rinse them as well.  I like the high quality ingredients from Trader Joes and the great prices, but if you don't have one near you use whatever your local grocer carries.    I also can't make it without 100% organic Coconut Flakes from Whole Foods.  This is the best and largest whole flake, unsweetened coconut I have found to date.

 Put all this in a large bowl and add about 8 ounces of raw honey, not the processed stuff unless that's all you can find.  Raw honey has so many valuable health ingredients that haven't been processed out with pasteurizing but read the warning on the bottle not to give to children under the age of 1.  Mix all in a bowl and spread on a baking sheet.  Mix in 1/2 cup brown sugar and mix thoroughly.

Spread it on a baking sheet.  You can use a Silpat, a baking pad that makes cleanup a snap.  If you don't have one just spray your baking sheet with a cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 24 minutes stirring every 10 minutes and a final stir when you take it out to cool.  If you want hard, hard granola you can bake it longer but I like a little crunch and not stone hard. 

Great for holiday giving too.  I try to find great packages for this simple treat

I keep a pouch of it in my purse when traveling and it's a great sweet treat with fiber.  If you've got an ice cream stand close by buy a cup of ice cream and sprinkle this sweet treat on top.  You can't buy that anywhere!

Kathy watch for your birthday package, It'll be in the mail in the morning.  Happy Birthday!
I would love to hear from you as granola is a wonderful traveling companion and I'm always open for new recipes.  A great adventure in cooking.

Our son has arrived at his new duty station-Afghanistan

We just heard from our son after six days of traveling to his new duty station in Afghanistan. Talk about a trip!  We've traveled a lot but never have had to travel for six days to arrive.

We went online this morning and noticed  he finally had a WIFI connection and was on Facebook. Thank God for the internet.  I never thought I would say that.

It was good to know that he was somewhere civilized enough to at least have that.
He's going to dinner tonight with the Italians!  Chow Bello!

Thanks all for your thoughts and prayers.
Please don't forget our troops this holiday season

What Every Woman Wants for Christmas

Hi guys:
  My Husband asks the same questions he has for the past 38 years; What do you want for Christmas?  At our age I don't know that there is anything we need, but maybe something we would want.  I thought and thought and thought for the last two days about this and all I could come up with was some great, high quality socks!   YES SOCKS guys.  Not diamonds, not a  new car, I got one a few months ago, yes just some really great socks like the ones they sell at Dillard's Department Store, Saks Fifth Avenue or J.L. Hudson's in Detroit.  I would even love to fly to London and walk in to Harrods and buy all the socks they have to offer but my passport expires in the next few months so need to get it renewed before we can do that. Harrods had an interesting beginning in 1849it started out as a humble grocery store.  It now boasts that it  is illuminated by 11,500 light bulbs at night.  During our last trip to long we checked Harrods out and would you believe a bra that cost $850; I was shocked!  It was fun to browse through all their offerings and also to see the Diana Exhibit that they had as well and then we were off to the basement to buy budget friendly souvenirs for everyone.  I don't know how much the socks will be but I bet $100 a pair.  I better only ask for 5 pair for Christmas just in case Santa's on a budget.

Well ladies what is it every woman wants for Christmas?  A Louis Vitton purse, a Dooney, a new sport's car, maybe a fur coat?    At 63 I've had it all and really this is all I can think.  That is as long as I get good health, love and family to go along with my socks.

Lets hear what it is you ladies are wishing for this season.  Happy holidays to all

What to do with your pets when you travel. Boarding is an expensive option

When we travel finding a caregiver for our puppies, all four of them is a challenge when our daughter and her husband are traveling with us.  The best option, if you can manage this, is have a trusted, mature family member, someone you know care for your kids.  Our daughter and son-in-law are the first line for us but when we want to travel together it becomes a harder challenge as she has three dogs as well.  We usually exchange caretaking but sometimes that isn’t possible.
Before we retired and moved I had a very very dear friend and we would also care for her pups when they were vacationing and they would do the same for us.  Now that we live 2900 miles away we don’t have the luxury of this great arrangement.
Family first, friends if it’s someone you know very well and know how they will interact with your pets.  When we had exhausted these two options we would seek out lodging that allowed us to bring our pets.  At Disney World they have great care options and we could visit the kids everyday.  Not all facilities are this Fantastic so be careful when you use a boarding kennel or vet for caregiving.  In the past the vet would be a last resort.
Maddie and Zoe the black sheep.
 The three Yorkies

Military Mom and Dad tourist in our own town

It’s always fun to see what you might have missed in your own town.  We spent the week traveling around Charleston and discovering things that we miss in our day to day activities.
Charleston is the most visited city in the country and a favorite destination wedding city.  There’s lots to do here and bargains to be had.
No matter the city always research discounts online and also check out Restaurants.com before traveling.  Groupon is also a great place to help stretch your travel dollars.
Come along with Scott, my retired sailor and I on our adventure.  We know all the great hidden places to take you on this adventure.  The settings for Army Wives filming, the old Navy Base, home of the Hunley,  The Civil War Submarine that was recovered, the Breach Inlet on Isle of Palms, an old cemetery Muster grounds near St. George, South Carolina, hidden church yard cemetery’s that are missed as people walk down King Street or through downtown missing 99% of what Charleston has to offer.  Let us take you on a tour of our town week by week we’ll take you to a new gem that most tourists will never find.  We live here so have plenty of time to Explore.
One of the best kept secrets is Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, home to Fort Moultrie and even Poe’s, named after Edgar Allen Poe who was stationed on the Island many, many years ago.

Breach Inlet where the Hunley was recovered.


Fort Moultrie looking with steeple of Stella Maris in the background.


A special look at the landing of Dewees Island.  Many folks will never be allowed to see.
These two Islands are  many times passed by as tourists rush to downtown and forget we have some beautiful barrier islands to explore.  Many pass right by too on the way to Hilton Head Island but don’t miss these two gems.  Island Realty, the largest vacation rental company on the two islands can help with lodging and should you decide you want to stay for the winter and become a snowbird they can even arrange an inexpensive extended stay for you.  They are still family owned and operated and manage more than 400 vacation rentals on the two islands and even have getaways on Dewees Island, a place you can only go to by boat and you have to be a guest or renter to even travel there.  Should you be fortunate enough to travel there look for the two mascots that live at the boat landing, McNugget the chicken and his best friend Top Cat, a beautiful black and white cat that accompanies McNugget as she strolls the landing.
We’ve got lots for you to see so don’t miss it.  Please follow us and check as we continue your travel adventure and share money saving ideas for you getaways.
Hope to see you soon.

Traveling smart in Charleston South Carolina

Being a retired Military Mom it is imperative to be smart when it comes to traveling.  Finding value is important as well as rewarding those that provide the service.  I think when you travel and receive exceptional service that it’s important to recognize those that made it happen.
Charleston being our home base it is always a great find when Groupon or Restaurants.com reward folks with specials at great establishments.  Check out their $5 million in Groupon Bucks.  Eat well when traveling and enjoy!
Our son is on his way to Afphaghanstan and has found himself in some uninviting places during his four day journey from San Fran to Manas AB today.  Tonight he will be in the dreaded big “A”.  Prayers go out to all those that serve.  Families sacrifice a lot for us to enjoy our way of life and hats off to all.  Check out social media for more bargains.
Having lost 83 pounds this past year and a half it’s important to remember to search for healthy food options but enjoy the adventure.  You can have an unreasonable treat but make it small, don’t make a whole buffet of bad choices.   I always try to find fresh, local veggies and seafood and try to search out of the way gems.  Check out the side streets and less worn paths.  Who knows what you’ll find.
Today while in downtown Charleston we found a great little bakery, Saffrons.  The owner is from Iran and his mom is French.  What a great place this was for a cappuccino and Chocolate Croissant.  The mocha in the espresso had an oaky hint as well as a hint of cherry.  I thought maybe it had been aged in an oak barrel that had a cherry liquor but wasn’t quite sure of the source of the layers of flavor. Located at Calhoun and East Bay.
Another great find is Magnola’s Restaurant in Downtown Charleston, Great Southern Fried Chicken and Fried Green Tomatoes.  To die for!

Happy Traveling.

Saving Money with Coupons; Don't Grunt!

During the past few months I have been clipping coupons and trying many prepared meals only to find out that my family won’t eat them.  Being as expensive as they are, some $10.00 or more for a dinner for two, my family appreciates my efforts each evening when I cook a meal from scratch.  A hard concept for many, yes, but not being one to buy bagged or boxed meals I had to see what the other side was like.
When our kids were growing up and I was working dinner would come from a box, Stove Top Stuffing, Hamburger Helper, and everyone’s favorite to this day, Kraft Mac and Cheese.  The first, the original, not the fancy new ones with sauce packets.
That was fine for the younger years but after figuring out that I can make  a much healthier and better tasting meal for 1/10th the cost of the packaged ones and guess what?  NO Preservatives in mine and no ingredients you  can’t even pronounce.  I know you’re all saying that there isn’t time, but there is.  MAKE IT.  Enlist help from the family, precook parts of the meal and it will take you 20 minutes or less to put a wonderful meal on the table that you can’t get out of any box.  GO FOR IT!
Don’t get me wrong.  I like short cuts but when I can make pasta in less than 10 minutes and have a stroganoff on the table by using a little cornstarch and bouillon and other spices from the cabinet,  my family now wouldn’t let me get away with anything less. So do it from scratch, not from a box.
Tonight is pizza night at my house.  It was either that or a frozen, prepackaged P.J. Chang’s that I got on sale and had coupons for.  We’re going to give it a try when I don’t have time to cook, but for tonight it is homemade.
Hope your dinner tonight is memorable for all the right reasons.