Big Z Charters 292 Capri Blvd, Naples, FL 34113 (904) 525-4112 Up and early on vacation usually isn't how our family wants to start our day. This was the exception to the rule. I have never had the kids jump out of bed and beat the designated time to gather in the lobby for our adventure of the day. This was the best day we've had on family vacation...EVER! Many of you are starting to plan your winter escapes. If you're in the Marco Island/Naples area of Florida, I highly suggest you contact Big Z Charters to plan the best family fishing experience. We decided to do the 1/2 day, inshore option because of the research we'd done on the fish that were being caught and the season on specific species being fished. We were visiting in late December. Grouper, Sheepshead and Triple Tail were in the majority of fish we caught during our day. Our son, Drew, reeled in a GIANT Triple Tail, weighing in at a whopping 12 pounds. It was a fun one to watch being landed and it was such a great fish to enjoy for lunch at Cocomo's Grill. After our trip ended, Big Z took us back to the dock, filleted the fish& packed them on ice. He sent us off with our catch & a recommendation to have lunch at Cocomo's Grill where they prepare your catch & IT WAS INCREDIBLE. Cocomo's Grill - Marco Island, FL Towne center plaza 1069 North Collier Blvd. #202 Right from the dock, we took our freshly filleted combo of Sheepshead & Triple Tail (on ice) to Cocomo's Grill. You simply walk in, hand your server your catch of the day & select how you'd like it prepared from their menu of options. I highly recommend you give Cocomo's a try, too! We chose the "locals favorite" option of fracaise style and jalapeño encrusted. It was perfection! From the menu: "U Hook It We Cook It" "Bring in your fresh catch and our chef will prepare it for you fried, grilled, blackened or Jamaican jerked. For an additional charge get it how the locals like it, pan-seared or blackened with key lime beurre blanc sauce, francaise or jalapeño encrusted. 10 oz per person and up to 4 cook styles……..Family style or individual." https://bigzcharters.com https://www.cocomosgrill.com

What is Cincinnati Chili? It's a classic, Midwestern favorite you may also know as "Skyline Chili" from a famous Cincinnati restaurant with that name. It is nothing like the chili you and I know from our everyday; it's loaded with savory spices, served over spaghetti noodles and loaded with toppings. It was first created in 1922 by Macedonian immigrant Tom Kiradjieff and his brother, John. They opened a small Greek restaurant called the Empress. The restaurant did poorly however, until Kiradjieff started offering this chili made with Middle Eastern spices, which could be served in a variety of ways. He called it his “spaghetti chili.” Kiradjieff’s “five way” was a concoction of a mound of spaghetti topped with chili, chopped onion, kidney beans, and shredded yellow cheese, served with oyster crackers and a side order of hot dogs topped with more shredded cheese. How to Serve Cincinnati Chili? Cincinnati Chili is unique in how it is served. You will hear Cincinnati Chili fans refer to the "way" they like their chili. Here is the run down - whether you're at home or in a restaurant, this is how you order your Cincinnati Chili: 2-Way : Chili + spaghetti 3-Way : Chili + spaghetti + shredded cheddar cheese 4-Way : Chili + spaghetti + diced onions + shredded cheddar cheese 5-Way : Chili + spaghetti + red kidney beans + diced onions + shredded cheddar cheese Now for the most important part of this blog :: How to Make Cincinnati Chili

It's the most wonderful time of the year!!! ANY and ALL of my friends would confirm I'm that person...THE CRAZY CHRISTMAS LADY! I'm basically Elf, but in female mid-40s form and not so great looking in the green tights running around NYC. I can't really say at what age I became obsessed (or possibly if it's peaked) but I hope our home is a cherished Christmas memory for our kids, just like I was lucky enough to have growing up. The two best places for Christmas are: 1.) Home "I'll Be Home For Christmas" was a song at our December wedding. It's a feeling and not really a place. 2.) New York City If you can fit three or four days in the city to experience the charm that is Christmastime in NYC, I highly encourage you to start planning! I thought today was the perfect time to review my last trip to New York City with my friends - Christmas in July gives you some time to throw together your itinerary! Overall, the biggest tip I can share with you for a trip to NYC at Christmastime is to PLAN! I've been blessed with a girlfriend who is the best in the itinerary game. Plan for some down time, too. It's a little like your first trip to Disney...you are exhausted - there's a lot of PEOPLE...WALKING...BUSY. Let me know your favorite things to do in NYC at Christmastime in the comments! We are planning a trip again in two years and can't wait to add your tips to our list of "must see". Cheers!!! & Merry Christmas (in 153 days) xoxo

We had a day!!! The celebration of our last high school graduate came together with a fun group of family and friends (and a lot of PINK) and just how Miss Reese envisioned it. I was VERY thankful for the help of a girl with ideas and a vision this time around. :) The boys' party was more of a "yes" - "sure" - "ok" type of an event. Here are a few of our favorite things from her day that we've been asked about and I wanted to share. I have provided links, too. APPLE CRISP (the undisputed favorite) This recipe makes a 9x13 pan but you can make individuals like we did for the graduation party! I used the linked ramekins and they were perfect! BALLOON WALL Let's talk about this wall! Jason built this awesome backdrop wall for the balloon garland in two pieces from shiplap so we could move it easily. It turned out SOOOO great! We had our new friends at Boji Balloon Bar create this balloon garland masterpiece for Reese's party. They're incredible to work with and so talented! Give them a try! https://shopbyouboutique.com/pages/boji-balloon-bar-1 TABLE DECOR Reese's theme was pink and it was everywhere. She wanted small bunches of succulent plants, a few small antique framed photos (fit wallet sized photos) and the cutest retro viewers customized with her favorite photos on her tables. It was a perfect combination. My good friend Lisa grows succulents so we dropped the empty pots with her a few weeks before the party and picked them up for the big day. They were PERFECTION. FLOWER CURTAINS We were a bit ambitious and wanted to make our own "flower curtains" for the garage walls. They turned out better than we could have imagined. Jason's patience was the key to these because I'm not the best in that department. We went in search of some longer and shorter birch tree branches and between our friends, family and walking the golf course we found a nice supply. We tied twine in even dimensions across the top and measured to the length we needed at each point in the garage. That was the easy part. Trying a few different ways to attach the flowers to the twine, we decided the best way was to use corsage pins. FOOD Reese's favorite meal is grilled cheese and tomato soup. We made it happen. Our local grilled cheese truck, "GIRL'D CHEESE", was the perfect way to take a little of the food stress off of my plate. We served Campbell's Tomato Soup out of our favorite soup crock (great for tailgates, too) along side the fun grilled cheese menu. It was such a unique food offering. Check out GIRL'D CHEESE if you're in our area and looking for a fun food truck for an event! https://www.facebook.com/girldcheeseokoboji/ Until next time, friends!! I'm working on a "Christmas in July" post for next week with highlights from my trip with girlfriends to NYC last December! Cheers!

They've done it and you have, too. Their first year away has come to an end and you unload that last bunch of "stuff" you don't even know how they fit into that little dorm room. Your mom heart is so full and they're HOME...but then they're outta there before the garage door can shut. They've started their re-entry into all they knew just a year ago. Their friends are waiting and you're standing over piles and piles of their stuff. Let's be honest, it's stuff you would really be fine with never seeing again. SO MUCH STUFF. This is where the battle begins. The battle of your new independent college kid and your house rules. The house that somehow kept running even when they were gone. The house that, more than likely, has a few other schedules to respect and other personalities to honor. Summer is here and let the "growing together again" battle begin. After a few weeks of butting heads, late nights texts and waiting up for them, we had to set a few rules we all could agree upon. How many nights at home are needed and how many nights with your friends are needed? You did your laundry in college so I think you could help out a little here, too. Let's not drop everything you have worn the last day in my kitchen as you run out the door to your tee time, ok? :) This isn't a bed and breakfast. Let them settle in and feel like it's home again, BUT then you need to have the talk. It's important to remind them the world (and your home) doesn't circle around one or two people. Your home still needs to have some structure to allow everyone to have their best summer. Have the talk and set some rules to allow for "growing back together" again.

My middle son wanted to give Bang Bang Shrimp a try for our rainy day Fourth of July party. We pulled a few recipes from online searches and came up with a mix of a few and added more heat to the sauce. The below version is what we ended up and they were so good! I linked the deep fryer we have and LOVE! It is the perfect size for snacks like these and is easy to store and clean up. Cheers!! We love this deep fryer! I highly recommend it!

Everyone has their favorite version of this pasta salad. I like to serve mine in a plastic cup with plastic silverware for ease :: on a boat, a picnic or poolside. Please add your own twists to it, too! It's so easy and versatile. Let's eat!

It's a big week across the pond in the UK. Coronation Day is Saturday! I have been quite intrigued by all things "Royal Family" thanks to growing up during the reign of Princess Diana and her unfortunate and suspicious death. I became even more interested after watching The Crown on Netflix. Here's a quick review, via Buckingham Palace, of what will take place during the coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III this weekend. Saturday, May 6th 2023 The Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey The Coronation Service will take place on the morning of Saturday May 6th at Westminster Abbey. The Coronation is a solemn religious service, as well as an occasion for celebration and pageantry. Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort will arrive at Westminster Abbey in procession from Buckingham Palace, known as ‘The King’s Procession’. After the Service, Their Majesties will return to Buckingham Palace in a larger ceremonial procession, known as ‘The Coronation Procession’. Their Majesties will be joined in this procession by other Members of the Royal Family. Insert the burning question...will Price Harry attend??? At Buckingham Palace, The King and The Queen Consort, accompanied by Members of the Royal Family, will appear on the balcony to conclude the day’s ceremonial events. Sunday, May 7th 2023 The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle On Sunday, a special Coronation Concert will take place at Windsor Castle. Produced, staged and broadcast live by the BBC and BBC Studios, the Coronation Concert will bring global music icons and contemporary stars together in celebration of the historic occasion. The centerpiece of the Coronation Concert, ‘Lighting up the Nation’, will see the country join together in celebration as iconic locations across the United Kingdom are lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations. The Coronation Big Lunch (we will circle back to this & the chicken salad) Neighbors and communities across the United Kingdom are invited to share food and fun together at Coronation Big Lunches on Sunday in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Monday, May 8th 2023 The Big Help Out The Big Help Out will be held on Monday and is being organized by The Together Coalition and a wide range of partners such as The Scouts, the Royal Voluntary Service and faith groups from across the United Kingdom. The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend. Coronation Chicken Let's circle back to Saturday's "Big Lunch". Coronation chicken, was first served at the celebratory luncheon, following Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. The honor of catering the luncheon was bestowed upon Rosemary Hume, a former student of Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and her students at L’Ecole du Petit Cordon Bleu in Marylebone, London, which she herself had opened in 1933. According to the Le Cordon Bleu London website, this invite from Sir David Eccles, the Minister of Works, to cater for the three hundred and fifty VIPs at the luncheon was what helped cement the then-20-year-old school’s success in the culinary world. The two people credited with inventing the chicken dish are Rosemary herself and her fellow school principal Constance Spry, a food writer and flower arranger. It was first known as Poulet Reine Elizabeth, and was originally made with ‘young roasting chickens, water and a little wine to cover carrot, a bouquet garni, salt, peppercorns and a cream of curry sauce.’ Rather than being eaten in bread for the Coronation Luncheon, it was served with a salad of rice, pimentos and green peas. The official menu for Saturday's coronation lunch is said to include roast lamb and shrimp (prawn) tacos, but if you want to honor the late Queen during your Saturday lunch, there are several versions of the original dish and I've included one, linked below. Curried Chicken Salad with Grapes and Cashews by As Noted By Me This is one of my favorite chicken salad recipes. I've made variations and versions of chicken salad as long as I can remember. This is one of my favorites! Let's eat!!

I tried a new spin on the sloppy joe - I hope you enjoy it! This will be at one of our tailgates this fall - I can guarantee that!

This week I'm sharing my Wilted Salad recipe. It's not the traditional "wilted salad" many foodies think of because it doesn't have bacon (or warm bacon grease). I first enjoyed this almost 20 years ago with my friend Renee. Over the years, I've made this in all seasons and I've changed a few things here and there. It is ALWAYS on our Easter Sunday table. The nut topping can be a little tricky, but it is worth it. Be careful to not burn yourself on the melted sugar goodness. You can always substitute candied nuts available in your favorite grocery store. This time saver wasn't an option 20 years ago, so we did the candy topping on the stove top. A special shout out to my friend Renee, and all of our Erie "resident-mates", who enjoyed this salad at our dinner parties together years ago. I cherish those days! Let's eat! Here is the link for the salad bowl from the Wilted Salad photo.

This week I'm sharing my Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe. I have made this so many times in the last 20 years, I swear I can make it in my sleep! It is full of flavor and it is a perfect mid-week meal for your family. It comes together quickly and is so easy. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the store if you're in a rush. If you don't like cilantro - just omit it from the dish. I like to serve this with honey cornbread. Let's eat! Here is the link to my wide rimmed soup bowl from the above photo. They are from a family owned ceramics company in Minnesota. Check out this awesome company!

This week, I'm sharing my recipe for Lobster Bisque. You'll find countless versions of lobster bisque recipes, and over the last 15 years I feel like I have tried almost 99% of them just trying to perfect this one. The biggest challenge I've faced is finding fresh lobster in our area. I have tried the frozen tails at the supermarket and they work, but the best flavor is using fresh. A key to taking this to the next level is to make your own lobster stock. Use the shells and "left-overs" from the cooked lobster (after you've removed the meat). Chicken stock will work, too, but homemade lobster stock is the best. I make a big batch of stock and freeze it. It's convenient for when I'm busy or can't find fresh lobster. It is a great way to enjoy this soup with frozen lobster and half of the work! I hope you enjoy one of my most treasured recipes. Let's eat! I love this ceramic collection from Mora Ceramics, a family owned ceramics company. They have some incredible tableware and much more! This is the link for the soup bowl and plate pictured in my Lobster Bisque photo.