About Liz

Liz is an adventurous midwestern mom gone southern (accent in transition). She lives in North Carolina and loves cooking, baking, traveling, movies, crafts, wine, pizza and the occasional nap. She's also a cat lady in the making. Email her at liz@eatmovemake.com

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Kebabs with Apricot Ginger Glaze

May 28, 2017 By Liz 10 Comments

This grilled pork tenderloin kebabs with apricot ginger glaze recipe post was sponsored by Smithfield as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

This will be the first sunny Memorial Day weekend we’ve had in two years, and we’re planning on doing plenty of grilling to celebrate the sunshine and the fact that the long lazy days of summer are here. My boyfriend and I grill out a lot during the summer months, and we host regular backyard BBQs for family and friends.

We have pork for dinner at least once a week, but most of the time it’s prepared in the oven or slow-cooker, so for the holiday weekend, my boyfriend and I were inspired to take one of our favorite indoor recipes out to the grill. It’s summer, y’all!

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Kebabs with Apricot Ginger Glaze

In the summertime, I like to spend less time preparing and more time relaxing, so when I was shopping for the weekend at Food Lion, I picked up Smithfield® Roasted Garlic & Herb Marinated Fresh Pork Tenderloin because it’s already slow-marinated and perfectly seasoned in the bag. That means no prep work for me before it hits the grill, and since it’s made from 100% fresh pork with no artificial ingredients, I’m confident I’m serving a great meal to my family and friends.

Making kebabs is super easy, but they can often disappoint in the flavor department. That’s why I love using Smithfield marinated pork – the flavor is already taken care of before I even start.

So get your veggies and pineapple all chopped in big chunks, and then slice the tenderloin lengthwise before cutting that into good-sized chunks as well. (Ideally, everything should be around the same size for even cooking.) When everything is chopped, place the veggies, fresh pineapple chunks and pork on the skewers.

Tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them beforehand (at least 30 minutes) to prevent them from burning up. You can also use stainless steel skewers, but scrubbing them clean does not make for a relaxing summer day, so do yourself a favor and get the disposable bamboo skewers.

When the grill is ready, place the skewers on the grates over direct heat. Gently turn them every couple of minutes, and if the veggies start to char on the edges, move the skewers to indirect heat to let the pork finish cooking. With a properly heated grill, the kebabs will be ready in less than 30 minutes!

During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the apricot ginger glaze over the kebabs.

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Kebabs with Apricot Ginger Glaze

Author: Liz Mays

Serves: 8 skewers

Ingredients

1 Smithfield Roasted Garlic & Herb Marinated Fresh Pork Tenderloin
1 Vidalia onion, cut into chunks
1 red pepper, cut into chunks
1 green pepper, cut into chunks
1 fresh pineapple, cut into chunks

Apricot Ginger Glaze!

1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup apricot preserves
2 Tbsp honey
3 Tbsp soy sauce
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions

Heat outdoor grill.
Cut tenderloin in half lengthwise, then cut into 1½-inch cubes. Meat and veggies should be uniformly sized.
Thread pork, veggies and pineapple on skewers.
Cook over direct heat on grill, turning frequently to prevent burning. If kebabs are charring or burning too much, move to indirect heat and let pork finish cooking. Brush kebabs with Apricot Ginger Glaze during last 5 minutes of grilling.

Enjoy a skewer full of summer flavor!

Visit the Food Lion website for a $1.00 coupon on Marinated Fresh Pork, and enter the “What Can You Do with 30?” sweepstakes at http://www.SmithfieldRealFlavorRealFast.com by sharing a tip for getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes or less. You could win a trip to Napa Valley!

Beachcombing for Petoskey Stones in Michigan

May 25, 2017 By Liz 39 Comments

I’m Michigan born and raised (right on the lake), so I know firsthand the beauty of the state. There’s nothing like a summer in Petoskey! I remember carrying colorful plastic pails out to the water’s edge with my siblings and spending hours beachcombing for Petoskey stones, the ultimate Michigan souvenir.

If you’ve been to the Petoskey area, you know exactly what kind of treat it is to find Petoskey stones, but if not, you have to go and experience the treasure hunt for yourself. Put it on your travel bucket list!

Beachcombing for Petoskey Stones

Petoskey stones aren’t actually stones, but rather the fossilized remains of an ancient colony coral in existence over 350 million years ago. The Petoskey stone with its signature gray color and honeycomb circle pattern is actually a collection of tubes where individual animals lived. The circles were their mouths, and the lines surrounding the circles were tentacles.

In more recent ancient history when glaciers covered the land, the ice broke off chunks of the coral and scattered them throughout Michigan. And now beachcombing for Petoskey stones is a favorite “Pure Michigan” activity.

The best places to hunt for Petoskey stones are on the beaches of Lake Michigan in the Petoskey area, so try Petoskey State Park, Magnus City Park Beach and the Petoskey Breakwall. Look along the Bear River and on the Little Traverse Wheelway too.

Another tip is to dig around a little bit in the shallows and in the sand at the surf’s edge. Not everyone thinks to do that, so you may find a few there.

Two especially good times to find Petoskey stones are in early spring after the ice melts on the lake and right after a storm when the waves have kicked things up. You can still find Petoskey stones from spring through early winter though, so don’t give up. They’re just a bit easier to spot at certain times.

Speaking of spotting them, when Petoskey stones are dry, the distinctive hexagon design is hard to see, and the stones appear a solid gray color. If you’re unsure of your find, dip the stone into water to see if any circles appear. It’s a fun treasure hunt!

For more outdoor fun in the Petoskey area, you’ll find everything you need at the Petoskey area visitor center website and if you’re looking for a uniquely Petoskey place to stay, look no further than the Elvyn Lea Lodge near Walloon Lake.

8 Must Do’s in Wicomico County, Maryland

May 24, 2017 By Liz 45 Comments

While visiting Maryland’s Eastern Shore last fall on a hosted media trip, I had the chance to explore the heart of the Delmarva Peninsula with its distinctly unique culture and history. Just a short ride away from Ocean City, this laid-back getaway will leave you refreshed and happy, so check out this list of things to do in Wicomico County, MD and enjoy this very special part of Maryland.

Things to Do in Wicomico County, MD

Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

(Website)
The best museums are the ones you never expect to enjoy, so set aside any preconceived notions you may have about visiting the world’s largest collection of duck decoys. The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is a delight for all ages.

Although you’re free to walk through the museum galleries on your own, I highly recommend a docent-guided tour (available Wed-Sun) for the best experience, and you’ll start with a walk through the Decoy in Time Gallery where you’ll learn about the earliest use of decoys and how that has changed through the years. Before the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 was enacted, market hunters would often use sinkbox hunting blinds, which were partially submerged. They would spread decoys around their floating enclosures and when ducks neared, they would shoot them. That’s a no-no these days.

Head into the Ward Brothers Workshop where you’ll learn about the museum’s namesakes Steve and Lem Ward. The brothers made a living as barbers, but they also carved and painted duck decoys using any wood available, including telephone poles. Steve did most of the carving, and Len did most of the painting. In hunting season, neighboring watermen would purchase their decoys for $1.40 each. They created more than 25,000 duck decoys over the years.

If you’re lucky, there will be a decorative duck carving demonstration taking place, so be sure to spend some time watching a master at work. It’s fascinating! Designs are drawn onto blocks of wood, roughly cut with a band saw and then hand carved. The feather details are either burned into the wood or painted on.

Wood is whittled toward the carver’s thumb (Unless you’re an expert, wear a thumb guard.)

Everything comes together when you wander through the Decoy Study Gallery and the World Championship Gallery. What were once working tools for watermen have become stunning works of art.

The museum sits on the edge of Schumaker Pond and the nature trails offer superb wildlife viewing, so if weather permits, spend some time outdoors before you leave.

Stop for lunch at Riverwalk Cafe in Salisbury

(Website)
This casual eatery in a historic downtown building serves up espresso drinks, smoothies and uniquely Greek twists on salads and sammies. I had a ciabatta bread panini with thinly sliced turkey, a triple cheese blend, and roasted red pepper. Well worth a visit!

Sip some Maryland wine at Bordeleau Winery

(Website)
The Bordeleau Vineyards & Winery (Bordeleau means edge of the water) lies on the banks of the Wicomico Creek, and it’s the enchanting view that initially captivates you. However, the red wines and wine slushies make the visit complete.

Ride the Whitehaven Ferry

The oldest continuously operating ferry in the U.S. crosses the Wicomico River from Whitehaven to Upper Ferry. It can carry three vehicles and six people, and although the crossing takes just minutes, it saves about 45 minutes of driving time.

Stay at the Whitehaven Hotel

This historic Bed & Breakfast which once offered lodging for steamship passengers and horse and buggy travelers has been beautifully restored and has seven guest rooms with outstanding views of the river and marshes. Breakfast is served daily in the dining room overlooking the water, and wine, cheese and crackers are served in the late afternoon. A must-stay!

Stroll through historic Whitehaven

Before or after you have breakfast at the Whitehaven Hotel, go for a walk through historic Whitehaven. In just a 1/4-mile loop you’ll pass the Whitehaven Church, Whitehaven Schoolhouse, historic homes and the old marine railway.

Whitehaven Church

Unique shipbuilding style herringbone paneling pattern for ceiling and walls

Built as a one-room schoolhouse and later expanded, this bit of history still sits in its original location.

Shipbuilding and repair were once a vital part of Whitehaven’s economy, and the remains of the old marine railway with its giant cogs and slipway leading to the water is still visible.

Visit Pemberton Historical Park

(Website)
This 1749 brick gambrel-roofed plantation home was built as a display of wealth by one of Salisbury’s founders, Isaac Handy, and is the only original 18th-century house open to the public on Maryland’s lower Eastern Shore. Along with the main house, visitors can explore the kitchen, milk house, well and well sweep. Plans to recreate additional outbuildings are in the works. Also at the site are several forest, wetlands and waterfront trails visitors can explore by foot or bicycle.

Split-rail or snake fencing was common in Early American history

All you can eat blue crabs at The Red Roost

(Website)
The pounding of wooden mallets is background music for happy patrons as they get down and dirty with heaping piles of freshly steamed Maryland blue crab, fried chicken and hush puppies at this long-standing local restaurant favorite. The Red Roost is out in what feels like the middle of nowhere, but nearly every family-style picnic table was full on the day I visited.

On certain nights, you may be lucky enough to enjoy live music. (And they take requests.) A really fun restaurant!

For more information on things to do in Wicomico County, visit wicomicotourism.org and be sure to check out my post on the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in nearby Dorchester County.

5 Silly Things Tourists Do (Inspired by Penguins of America)

May 16, 2017 By Liz 131 Comments

This post about silly things tourists do is in partnership with Little, Brown & Co. for the humorous new book, Penguins of America. The lavish illustrations of how ~~people~~ penguins act will have you laughing at human ridiculousness.

The book was written by #1 bestselling author James Patterson & his son Jack Patterson, and with every turn of the page, you’ll giggle a little bit more as you realize humans and penguins really aren’t that different after all.

My favorite illustration (and the one that inspired this post) shows tourists being… well, tourists, and I think we can all agree there’s quite a bit to laugh about with that!

So without any further ado, let’s dive into the silliness of traveling humans.

5 Silly Things Tourists Do

Take photos with every landmark or sign

This may or may not involve photographer contortions, but it will most likely include massive amounts of discussion in order to get the perfect shot. And yes, I do this.

Use selfie sticks

On the subject of tourists taking photos, it’s impossible to overlook the selfie stick. In theory, it should be a good idea, but in practice… it’s just ridiculous. And no, I do not do this. I’m bitter after being smacked with one a couple times.

Break the rules

It says no climbing, no smoking, no entering, no littering, no touching, no taking things…, yet there you are with your heavy, dirty soul doing all the things you shouldn’t be doing because the rules don’t apply to you. Come on now.

Dramatic reenactment of a rule breaker

Travel Aimlessly

Have some self-awareness of where you are and what you’re doing relative to the people around you. Do NOT stop in the middle of the walkway. I repeat, do NOT stop there. Pull over to the side and get yourself together, man. It’s a wonder we all get to where we’re going because some people seriously don’t seem to have a clue.

Stage corny poses with inanimate objects

Harmless silliness. I encourage this. Carry on.

My daughter listens to raptor secrets

Except for breaking the rules, most of the silly things tourists do are just that: silly, and I love that Penguins of America gently lets us poke fun at ourselves. In a world where we tend to take things far too seriously, this humorous book serves as the perfect reminder to chill out.

About the Book

PENGUINS OF AMERICA is James Patterson’s first book with his son, Jack. His son’s love of penguins was the original inspiration for the book. When Jack was 5 years old, he told his father he should write a book about penguins. Twelve years later, we have PENGUINS OF AMERICA, a collaborative creation between father and son.

Penguins – our lovable, cute, flightless friends who are constantly dressed for a formal occasion – have always fascinated humans. As we shuffle through life one day at a time, it’s easy to take things far too seriously, but when we see penguins taking a walk in our shoes it’s impossible not to recognize how silly we can actually be. Featuring humorous illustrations with captions that show penguins in the day-to-day situations that we’ve all experienced – from a relaxing day at the beach to a stressful morning commute – PENGUINS OF AMERICA is a hilarious and charming send-up of daily life.

About the Author

James Patterson received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community at the 2015 National Book Awards. His other awards include two Emmys, the Edgar Award, and the Children’s Choice Award for Author of the Year. He is a tireless champion of the power of books and reading, exemplified by his new children’s book imprint, JIMMY Patterson, whose mission is simple: We want every kid who finishes a JIMMY Book to say: “PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER BOOK.” He has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers and has over four hundred Teacher Education Scholarships at 24 colleges and universities. He has also donated millions to independent bookstores and school libraries. Patterson will be investing proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books in pro-reading initiatives.

Visit the official site, and pick up a copy of Penguins of America for yourself or as a gift.

GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a copy of Penguins of America and a $100 Hotels.com gift card to put towards your next touristy adventure!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prizing provided by Little, Brown & Co. Opinions are my own.

RULES: Giveaway ends 11:59 pm ET, May 30, 2017. No purchase necessary. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States. Void where prohibited by law. One lucky winner will be chosen using random.org. One entry per household and IP address. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Cheating will not be tolerated, and entries will be verified for accuracy. I will email the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email, or a new winner will be chosen. Entering this giveaway means you are in agreement with this blog’s Privacy/Rules/Terms of Use policy.

Huntsville Alabama Ghost Walk + Ghost Tour Tips

May 15, 2017 By Liz 34 Comments

Huntsville Ghost Walk

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories you hear during ghost walks are typically full of historical tidbits and entertaining lore. I’ve enjoyed many of them, so I was happy to go on the Huntsville ghost walk as part of the TBEX conference in Alabama this year.

It was different than other ghost walks I’ve taken because the stories come by way of a medium who visited the various “haunted” buildings in Huntsville. What you’ll hear are the medium’s experiences and follow-up research by the tour company. Unusual, but still entertaining.

Our Huntsville ghost walk guide was Jacque Reeves, and although she didn’t mention it, I found out she’s the author of numerous historical books. Ghost tour cred.

Most of our walk took place in the historic Twickenham district of downtown Huntsville, so seeing the beautiful Antebellum homes was nearly as fun as listening to the ghost stories. (Side note, the guide wears a microphone and speaker so everyone in the group will be able to hear.)

But let’s talk ghosts…

Weeden House

The Weeden House, now a museum, had one of the most interesting stories, and by the reactions of the two dogs along on the tour, it was the most haunted of the bunch. Maria Howard Weeden, a renowned watercolor artist under the name of Howard Weeden, painted portraits of formerly enslaved people. Her family home was confiscated by the Union during the Civil War, and when they returned, it had been ravaged and their finances were in disarray. She began to sell her artwork to help make ends meet, including 5-cent postcards (which are worth a fortune now). She died of tuberculosis in the same room in which she had been born.

At the Weeden House Museum, the dogs on the tour were clearly agitated and uncomfortable.

People have seen a woman walking and have heard a grandfather clock (without any working parts) chiming. It’s also said to be a “weeping” house because there are areas where they can’t get the paint to stick on the walls, either inside or out. Our guide told us the house is sad because of what happened during the Civil War.

Helion Lodge #1

Helion Lodge #1, the oldest Masonic lodge in Alabama is said to be surrounded by death. Members of The Knights Templar (the originating faction) took a vow of poverty, so the organization itself became very wealthy. The King of France and the Pope wanted the money themselves and tricked The Knights Templar into going to France under the guise of making peace. It was on Friday the 13th when they were arrested and tortured to death. When Grand Master Jacques de Molay was burned at the stake, he issued a prediction that the king and Pope would both be dead before the year was out. That proved itself true.

The original building extended to the left, but a tornado wiped it out, and all that remains are the staircase and doorway. People have seen ghosts of men in the building, and a ghost has been seen walking through that doorway from/to nothing. Spooky!

The stone wall in front of the lodge is largely made of cemetery headstones.

There were lots of other stories as well, but those two stood out to me. Whether any of the ghost tales are true or not, I have no idea, but it’s more fun to believe them, right?

Ghost Tour Tips

Take two photos of everything. Use one as a benchmark and one to see if anything is different. You may spot a ghost or an orb, but don’t expect it. Most people never see a thing, myself included.

If your camera stops working, that’s the ghost’s energy interfering. It will start working again when you move to a new location. I saw this happen to a friend of mine.

Ask in advance if pets are allowed. The Huntsville Ghost Walk is dog-friendly, and dogs are very sensitive to the paranormal, so bring yours along. The two dogs on my tour both reacted strangely at the same spot on the tour. Eerie!

Wear comfortable shoes made for walking, and keep a watchful eye out for sidewalk tripping hazards.

Research the tour options and make a reservation in advance. There are three walking tour routes from which to choose: Old Town Historic District, Twickenham Historic District, and Haunted Downtown. Also available seasonally is a Haunted Trolley Tour.

Be on time for the tour. Not only is it rude to keep other guests waiting, but tours often operate under strict city-arranged timelines as to when they’ll be in certain places.

Tip your tour guide; it’s common courtesy. Thank them for a job well done.

Have fun!

For more information on the Huntsville Ghost Walk, visit the Avalon Tours website.

Carrot Raisin Salad

May 7, 2017 By Liz 24 Comments

This carrot raisin salad brings back so many potluck memories for me. My parents must have been members of a potluck club because it seemed like we were constantly headed to yet another one when I was little.

The best part of potlucks is that you pick and choose what you want to eat, and I loved the summer salads like grape salad and taffy apple salad. I always wanted the carrot raisin salad too because it was pretty, but it had mayonnaise in it, and mayonnaise is of the devil. It IS.

So now that I’m in charge of my own destiny, I can make my carrot raisin salad without mayonnaise. So there. Granted, you can totally make this recipe with mayo if you must (and if you like the devil).

Carrot Raisin Salad

Another thing I’ve changed about my recipe is that I like the carrots grated finely. You know why? Carrots are tough little rascals to chew, and those thickly grated strands are just a bit much to handle imo. Therefore, grate them thinly, so they’re not so obnoxious.

Or do what you want.

Carrot Raisin Salad

Author: Liz Mays

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained
2 cups finely grated carrots
½ cup raisins
½ cup plain Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise) or more if desired.

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Chill in refrigerator.

It wouldn’t be a picnic or a potluck or summer itself without carrot raisin salad. Enjoy!

The Inn at Ragged Edge in Franklin County, Pennsylvania

May 2, 2017 By Liz 44 Comments

As part of a hosted media trip, I had the pleasure of staying at The Inn at Ragged Edge, located in rural Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and it’s an absolutely stunning mansion turned bed and breakfast.

Once the summer home of Colonel Moorehead Cowell Kennedy, a Pennsylvania railroad bigwig, the early 20th century Frank Furness-designed residence features rich chestnut woodwork throughout and enormous picture windows which overlook a garden and backyard stream.

When you enter the inn, you’ll immediately notice the magnificent Steinway Grand piano in the front room. Built in 1901 for Harrod’s of London, owner Ken Kipe purchased it as a gift for his wife, Barb, who lovingly plays it if you ask. In fact, music is a large part of the inn’s appeal, as they host regular parlour concerts and jam sessions.

I had the pleasure of staying there during the weekend jam session of some extremely talented musicians, and I fell asleep each night to their musical serenade. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed having the soft music playing throughout my visit.

A delicious homemade breakfast is served communally each day in the dining room. On my first morning, I awoke to fresh cinnamon rolls, a fruit and granola parfait and blueberry stuffed French toast.

Guest rooms are beautifully appointed and the beds are luscious and oh, so comfortable. Apparently, there was a huge thunderstorm overnight, but I slept so soundly that I never heard a thing. Rooms have private bathrooms attached, and mine had a shower with jacuzzi tub.

Owners Ken and Barb Kipe purchased the inn on a whim two years ago. Having never stayed in a B&B and with absolutely no idea of how to run one, they relied on the book Running a Bed and Breakfast for Dummies, and off they went. They’re thoroughly enjoying the journey, and it seems to me they’ve hit their stride. Between the architectural appeal of the inn itself, the music, the hospitality and the delicious food, The Inn at Ragged Edge has become a much sought after getaway.

I’m not normally a fan of B&B’s, but I can honestly say that my stay at The Inn at Ragged Edge was completely delightful, and I wouldn’t hesitate to return for a future escape.

For more information on The Inn at Ragged Edge and Franklin County, PA, visit the inn’s website and ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com

Netflix Kids Shows With Positive Values

April 29, 2017 By Liz 44 Comments

This post about Netflix kids shows with positive values was inspired by my participation in the Netflix #StreamTeam program for which I receive perks. All opinions are my own.

I’ve never been one to plop my kids in front of the TV for hours on end. I’d rather they play, create, imagine and learn, so carefully curating the shows or movies they watch is really important to me. This is easier when they’re younger of course, but it’s so important to expose our growing children to characters and stories that will help shape their emotional well-being and encourage the development of positive values.

It’s a tough world out there, as we all know, but instilling a good foundation for them at home will stick with them for a lifetime, and there are so many wonderful life lessons they can learn through thoughtfully designed programming. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the array of Netflix kids shows with positive values for all ages, so I thought I’d point out a few stand-outs you may or may not have heard of yet.

Netflix Kids Shows With Positive Values

Teamwork: Octonauts and Project Mc2

Self-esteem and confidence: Julie Andrews teaches a group of puppets about the performing arts in Julie’s Greenroom with a combination of performing and taking them behind the scenes and learning about the different jobs.

Empathy, Kindness, Friendship: The Care Bears is an endearing series, long loved by parents everywhere for the sweetness, love and cheer it spreads.

Loyalty, friendship: Curious George Curiousity gets the better of George in every instance, but his faithful friend, the man in the yellow hat, is always there to rescue him.

Friendship: My Little Pony:Friendship is Magic and Mighty Med.

Love, Friendship, Empathy: The Wonder Years

Feel free to pin or print the following parents’ guide to kids shows on Netflix too!

Watching the same shows your kids watch is a fantastic way to find common ground and start conversations. Keep in mind teenagers may not want you in the room watching with them, and that’s ok! For instance, 13 Reasons Why deals with some very personal and emotional issues, and not every teen is going to be comfortable viewing it with adults nearby.

I can respect that, and the truth is you don’t have to watch the shows with your kids at the same time or in the same room, but if you’re both watching the same program, you can discuss it at the dinner table, at bedtime, in the car or whenever. There’s also a 13 Reasons Why: Beyond the Reasons program to help aid discussion.

The above list of kids shows with positive values is just the tip of the iceberg, and Netflix is constantly creating new series worth watching. They like to keep things fresh and interesting over there!

And speaking of fresh, they’ve refreshed the Netflix rating system to make it even easier for subscribers. Gone is the 5-star method of rating in favor of a simple thumbs up, thumbs down. I highly suggest creating a separate viewing profile for each family member. Based on your ratings, Netflix curates suggestions, and if you have your own profile, those viewing suggestions are perfectly individualized.

Strawberry Watermelon-Lime Summer Slush

April 27, 2017 By Liz 18 Comments

This strawberry watermelon lime slush was created in partnership with Born Sweet Zing™ Organic Stevia Sweetener – Zero Calories. I’m the kind of person who needs to be sipping on something all day long. Whether I’m working at my desk, watching TV or traveling, I like to have a beverage nearby.

Fortunately, it’s fresh fruit season again, so I’ve been infusing my water and making fresh fruit smoothies almost every day. When I spotted a seedless watermelon at the farmer’s market last weekend, I used it to make this strawberry watermelon-lime slush recipe, and it was fantastic!

It’s easy to make, no matter how busy you are, so you can enjoy this beverage regularly. The perfect way to ensure a delicious, clean sweet taste you can feel good about is to use the sweetness from Mother Nature’s stevia leaves with Born Sweet Zing™ Organic Stevia Sweetener – Zero Calories. It’s certified organic (grown in accordance with USDA organic practices), and it’s perfect for mixing into your favorite hot or cold drinks since it dissolves so quickly. Oh, it’s great sprinkled over fruit too, which is probably why it’s so perfect in this slushy recipe.

Sooooo, let’s make it!

Strawberry Watermelon Lime Slush

Start with some chopped watermelon, fresh lime juice, and Born Sweet Zing™ Organic Stevia Sweetener – Zero Calories. Add everything to a blender, and process until smooth. Then add frozen strawberries, and blend again until it’s a smooth slush mixture.

Now pour it into glasses; it’s ready! Told ya it was easy!

What a refreshing summer drink, and a fabulous way to enjoy the goodness of fresh fruit.

Strawberry Watermelon-Lime Summer Slush

Author: Liz Mays

Serves: 2 drinks

Ingredients

2 cups watermelon, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
4 packets Born Sweet Zing™ Organic Stevia Sweetener - Zero Calories
2 cups frozen strawberries

Instructions

Put watermelon chunks, lime juice and Born Sweet Zing into blender. Pulse until smooth.
Add strawberries; pulse until blended. Serve immediately.

Born Sweet Zing™ Organic Stevia Sweetener – Zero Calories comes in single-serve packets (each packet has the sweetness of 2 teaspoons of sugar) and is available in 40-count or 80-count cartons. It’s perfect for sweetening your life on-the-go too.

If you love this strawberry watermelon-lime slush, you’ve probably just discovered a new favorite way to enjoy the sweet things in life with Born Sweet Zing Organic Stevia Sweetener. Try some of their recipes too — all made with fewer calories.

Want a free sample? Get one here, and be sure to enter for a chance to win some Born Sweet Zing™ and get a free sample just for entering!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Born Sweet™ Zing Organic Stevia Sweetener. The opinions and text are all mine.

Fifty Shades Darker Cocktail for Girls Night In

April 27, 2017 By Liz 34 Comments

This post is in partnership with Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

Just in time for you to gather the girls for the home entertainment release of Fifty Shades Darker Unrated, we’ve got the perfect girls night in cocktail. So stay in and slip into something darker this weekend!

The ‘Masked After Dark’ cocktail takes things Fifty Shades Darker because we used a sultry dark rum in place of light rum, and it’s just what a girls night in movie party needs.

Are you excited about seeing Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in the second tantalizing installment of the darkly alluring tale that captivated the world? Based on E.L. James’ best-selling book trilogy, this second chapter, Fifty Shades Darker Unrated, has deleted and extended scenes and an all-new sneak peek of Fifty Shades Freed.

Get Fifty Shades Darker on iTunes and Blu-ray and DVD May 9, and then mix up some of these ‘Masked After Dark’ drinks. They’re sipping cocktails, so they should last a good while.

Masked After Dark Cocktail

Author: Liz Mays

Recipe type: Cocktail

Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients

2 oz dark rum
¾ oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
¼ oz simple syrup
½ oz maraschino liqueur
Lime slice for garnish

Instructions

Fill a cocktail shaker about ½ full of ice. Add all ingredients except for garnish; shake well.
Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with lime slice.

In addition to both the original theatrical version and a steamy new unrated version with over 13 minutes of footage not seen in theatres, Fifty Shades Darker Unrated Edition comes with over 30 minutes of never-before- seen bonus content, including cast interviews, behind-the- scenes features, and a peek at what lies ahead in the upcoming Fifty Shades Freed!

Stay in and slip into something darker this weekend. Find more ways to plan your Fifty Shades Darker Girls Night In at FiftyShadesNightIn.com

L’Auberge Casino Resort – The Epitome of Southern Comfort

April 25, 2017 By Liz 38 Comments

I was lucky enough to celebrate Mardi Gras in Lake Charles, Louisiana this year as part of a media trip, and we stayed at what has to be one of the best hotels in Lake Charles — L’Auberge Casino Resort. It has everything one could possibly want and more.

What looks like a castle on the outside is modern rustic on the inside… Texas Hill Country, to be exact. The rich, warm wood furnishings are accented by big stone fireplaces with cozy lounge seating.

L’Auberge has 1000 rooms, including luxury suites and private villas. Since I’m hardly a high-roller, I enjoyed a standard guest room, which was absolutely lovely with an ultra plush and comfy pillow-top bed. Dreamy!

Hungry? There are multiple dining options at L’Auberge, including Favorites Southern Kitchen where I savored this delightful breakfast parfait.

If you love fine dining, try Ember Grille & Wine Bar where the chef is doing amazing things with food and flavor.

The newest addition to the L’Auberge family is The L-Bar, where I sipped a specialty cocktail called “Bite Your Tongue”. Ask the bartender about the rosemary cocktail too… it smells heavenly!

Bite Your Tongue cocktail at The L-Bar - L'Auberge

The L’Bar’s ‘Bite Your Tongue’ specialty cocktail is deliciously spicy.

And for those in-between meal must-haves, the 24-hour Modern Pantry is a life-saver. Try the gelato!

Forget something at home or just feel like shopping? L’Auberge has you covered there too with a nice selection of boutiques and beyond.

Shops and restaurants line the perimeter of the casino, so guests can always find what they need.

Oh, and did I mention there’s an amazing spa? And pool and lazy river? My room had a view of everything and although I never made it down there, it certainly looked incredible!

I know I’m forgetting some key elements to the property, like the golf course and the casino. I never visited either one, and that’s the thing… there’s so much to do in the resort, you may or may not do everything. What I do know is that you’ll enjoy impeccable service and true southern hospitality at L’Auberge — it’s an amazing place!

For details or to book a stay, visit the L’Auberge website. Check out my other Lake Charles posts for ideas on things to do, and you’ll find all the info you could possibly need at the visitlakecharles.org tourism website.

Visit Lejeune Memorial Gardens – Jacksonville NC’s Tribute to Military Heritage

April 23, 2017 By Liz 42 Comments

Jacksonville, North Carolina is home to Camp Lejeune (the East Coast’s largest marine corp base), and it’s a town that celebrates and welcomes its military with wide open arms. One wonderful example is Lejeune Memorial Gardens, which honors generations of military heritage through a series of memorials.

Whether you have ties to the military or not (I don’t), you can’t help but be moved by these beautifully designed tributes, and any visit to Jacksonville should include a stop here.

Lejeune Memorial Gardens

I’ve included some of the background information and symbology in the following overview of the various memorials, and Visit Jacksonville has a printable guide here. You’ll also find informational placards near the memorials when you arrive.

Beirut Memorial

“They came in peace.”

It was just to be a peacekeeping mission when military forces were sent to Beirut, Lebanon in 1983, but two hundred forty-three servicemen lost their lives because a truck bomb exploded and destroyed the Marine barracks. Many now consider the Beirut bombing to be the opening salvo in the War on Terrorism.

The memorial began with the planting of trees (one for each lost serviceman) and when donations continued to roll in after the tree dedication ceremony, the memorial was expanded to what you see now. A marine stands guard in between the two broken walls. One side of the wall bears the inscription “THEY CAME IN PEACE”, and the other side lists 273 names — those who died immediately or from injuries sustained in the bombing along with three Jacksonville Marine pilots killed in Grenada.

The Beirut Memorial is the largest military memorial ever to be funded completely by public donations, and it’s a perfect example of how Jacksonville embraces its military roots.

Vietnam Memorial

This is the second largest Vietnam Veteran memorial in the nation, and it’s particularly moving since it’s one of the few to list all the names of the fallen. The 58,229 names are etched alphabetically in glass walls which encircle a dome and a fountain. The fountain has five jets to represent each of the military branches, and inscribed on the dome are the words to Taps.

It’s really a beautiful place to reflect on those we’ve loved and lost.

Montford Point Marine Memorial

This memorial honors the first African Americans to become Marines. These courageous men enlisted in the Marine Corps after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s executive order allowing it in spite of the fact they were not wanted by the very corps they pledged to serve. They were segregated to Montford Point (now called Camp Johnson) for eight years, and they served with great valor despite the bigotry, harassment and deplorable treatment they received.

The 15-foot tall bronze statue honoring the Montford Point Marines stands near an anti-aircraft gun, the primary weapon used by the battalions to which most of the Montford Point Marines were assigned. The stars on the wall number around 20,000 and represent the number of Montford Point Marines that served during WWII. The use of stars rather than names symbolizes the sad fact nobody kept a complete roster of the Montford Point Marines.

9/11 Memorial

This beam from the World Trade Center was the first beam to leave New York City, and it was presented in appreciation of the fact that the Marines were the first into Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attack on the Twin Towers. It was carried to Jacksonville on a New York City fire engine.

Eagle, Globe and Anchor Sculpture

Located at the entryway of the future Museum of the Marine atop a reflecting pool and adjacent to the Lejeune Memorial Gardens is the largest eagle, globe, and anchor statue in the world. The eagle, globe, and anchor make up the official United States Marine Corps emblem, and this statue retains the insignia’s basic elements interpreted with artistic creativity. The stars on the globe represent the major battles and deployments of Carolina Marines.

Freedom Fountain

Freedom Fountain is located at the gateway to downtown Jacksonville (near Lejeune Memorial Gardens), and it’s a must-see. The medallions of each of the five branches of the military are suspended in arches behind the fountain, and flags fly for each of them as well. The largest of the fountains stands for freedom, the other three represent federal, state, and local governments and the water jets represent the 50 United States.

Most nights the lights shine red, white and blue at the Freedom Fountain, but they were lit in green for St. Patrick’s Day when I was there.

The Lejeune Memorial Gardens are located just outside the gates of Camp Johnson in a publicly accessible park. It beautifully honors the legacy of our nation’s armed services and Carolina’s own Marines in this quiet, peaceful place for reflection, and the significance of each of the memorials will be equally appreciated by residents, military and visitors alike.

Lejeune Memorial Gardens: Montford Landing Rd, Jacksonville, NC 28541
For more information: VisitJacksonvilleNC.com

Date Bite Crispies

April 18, 2017 By Liz 43 Comments

Date Bite Crispies are tiny bits of happiness, and since they’re bite-sized, there’s little to no guilt involved in having them for a snack or dessert.

Dates are delightfully and naturally sweet, and bonus… they’re nutritious. I think they taste kind of caramel-y, so it’s no wonder figs are often called nature’s candy.

One of these days I hope to try fresh dates, but to this point, I’ve only ever had them as dried fruit purchased in a pouch. I’m not mad about that though because they’re wonderful, and I love using them in baking. Exhibit A: this date bite crispies recipe.

Date Bite Crispies

You might be able to find chopped dates at your grocery store, but mine doesn’t carry them, so I chop them myself. No problem.

Next, you’ll cook the chopped dates along with butter, sugar, and egg in a saucepan on the stove. The dates will kinda melt and break down. It’s important to keep a watchful eye on the pot and keep stirring as it cooks, so it won’t burn.

Once the “sauce” has reached a consistency you’re happy with, mix in some crisped rice cereal until thoroughly combined. It’s quite hot at this stage, but you don’t want the mixture to cool, so as soon as you can tolerate it, roll the mixture into balls, and then roll the balls in coconut (if desired). Set on waxed paper to cool completely.

Crisped Rice Date Bites

Author: Liz Mays

Serves: 36

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
½ cup butter (1 stick)
1 egg, beaten
1 8oz pkg dates, chopped
3 cups Rice Krispies
Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts
Optional: Coconut

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, cook sugar, butter, egg and dates until dates melt or break down (about 20 minutes). Stir continuously or mixture may burn.
Stir in crisped rice cereal (and walnuts, if adding).
When cool enough to touch but still very warm, pinch off mixture and shape into balls. Roll in coconut, if desired. Let cool completely. Store in airtight container.

Enjoy!

Lucchese Boot Factory Tour – El Paso, TX

April 17, 2017 By Liz 52 Comments

I’d always heard Lucchese made some of the very best cowboy boots, but when I took a Lucchese factory tour and saw the boot making process from start to finish, it became very clear why their boots are held in such high esteem.

We spent about 1 1/2 hours in the factory, and to say I gained an appreciation for the art of handcrafted boots would be an understatement. I was blown away by the attention to detail and quality. The company readily admits they sell an expensive product, but they can back it up.

Lucchese takes no shortcuts, that’s for sure.

Lucchese Factory Tour

Lucchese History

Although you probably think of Lucchese and cowboy boots synonymously, Sam Lucchese actually began the company over 130 years ago by making cavalry boots for the U.S. Army.

In the 1940’s, he was commissioned by the government to make a pair of boots representing every state in the country. Many of them are back with Lucchese, some are in museums and some are being held for ransom. <~~~ That’s a joke. Kinda.

When the company began, customers would stand on “fit books” and have their feet traced. Sam would take measurements of those drawings and create a wooden last which he’d use to make a pair of boots.

Lyndon B. Johnson’s fit book – they have his measurements as senator, vice president and president

Lucchese has a huge celebrity clientele, and they also make the official uniform boots for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The largest pair of boots they’ve ever made was a size 25 for Andre the Giant.

Andre the Giant’s size 25 Lucchese boots

It Begins with the Leather

At any given moment, you’ll find two or three million dollars of skins in the Lucchese leather room, but 88-89% of that raw material is a secondary by-product of meat processing. In other words, the animals have already been skinned for another purpose.

They only accept top grade leathers, and it’s all aniline-dyed (meaning the dye penetrates the entire skin, not just the outer layer). They work with cow, goat, ostrich, alligator, crocodile and many unusual skins like stingray, Indonesian python, sea bass, shark skin and once, even beaver tail.

Stingray is extremely durable, and because it’s a very strong hide, the needles break a lot.

Indonesian python skin

sea bass skin

cobra skins

One of the stranger requests (imo) – cobra heads at the boot toe

beaver tail skin

The Making of a Boot

After an order is placed, they have to pull skins and match scales, size of scales, texture, pattern etc. and find two skins that resemble each other. The skins are then die cut punched into the 9 or 10 pieces needed for a boot, and Lucchese saves 100% of the scraps.

Once the leather is cut, the pieces enter the sewing area where a pattern is stitched onto the leather.

Fernando, a 3rd generation Lucchese bootmaker, works on a 100-year old sewing machine (by choice).

I was captivated by the assembly process. From attaching the hung liner (which allows toes to move freely without affecting the exterior boot), to smoothing the seams, forming leather around the lasts, adding steel shanks, using lemonwood pegging to hold insoles and outsoles together, stamping Lucchese on the sole and “ironing” the boots… every step was fascinating.

Attaching a boot pull

Lemonwood pegs are used to attach insole and outsole together

Cleaning any remaining residue from boot

Ironing the boots helps them stand up nice and sturdy, and a flame is used to burn off any remaining threads.

Master Boot Making

If the custom boot order requires complex stitch work, it will all be handcrafted by Fidel, a master boot maker, who has been at Lucchese for over 40 years. He’ll hand place the paper patterns and hand-cut everything. On such intricate and detailed orders, Lucchese doesn’t want to rush the process, so they won’t estimate a completion date.

While a normal pair of boots takes about 6-8 weeks, there’s no prediction on time with Fidel’s highly skilled custom work.

master boot maker custom work at Lucchese

A pair of boots made by the master boot maker involves intricate, highly skilled work all done by hand

Finishing Area

It’s in the finishing area where the leather tonal values can be adjusted with lightening, darkening, buffing or adding a high gloss finish. Lucchese’s signature color is black cherry, and we watched them deepen the red color to the customer’s specifications.

Boots before and after finishing at Lucchese. Beautiful both ways, right?

What makes Lucchese boots so expensive?

They’re Texas-made (USA made), they pay an honest wage, and they don’t try to rush the process of boot making. Lucchese is more concerned with quality over quantity, so employees have no quotas, no minimums and aren’t paid by the piece. They get a full day’s wage regardless of the number of boots they make. They also have strict quality controls in place. If any defect is spotted, it’s flagged and sent to the department to see if it can be fixed. If not, the boot needs to be remade. When I asked about the defect rate, he said it’s about 18-19%, but they pride themselves on that fact.

I guess it’s true that you get what you pay for, and Lucchese can stand proud that they’re absolutely worth every penny.

PS. These boots were made for walkin’ right on home to North Carolina with me. And so they did. I’m so grateful for the amazing behind-the-scenes Lucchese factory tour and for my first (but not last) pair of Lucchese boots.

For more destination info, check out http://visitelpaso.com/ and you may enjoy my other El Paso, TX posts as well:

El Paso Mission Trail – A 9 Mile Reason to Visit the Sun City

Franklin Mountains State Park – Exploring the Chihuahuan Desert

What part of the Lucchese factory tour would be most fascinating to you? Do you have any Lucchese boots?

Deviled Egg Pudding Cake

April 16, 2017 By Liz 43 Comments

This deviled egg pudding cake was my boyfriend’s dream. Sometimes he comes up with these visions in his head, and he’s determined to see if he can make it happen. I had planned on making deviled eggs for Easter, so that’s probably what kicked off his crazy notion of a cake that looks like a deviled egg.

Well, I gotta hand it to him. He nailed it. Or darn close.

And his finished deviled egg cake is made of cake, pudding and frosting. Easy.

Deviled Egg Pudding Cake

As mentioned, his number one goal was to make a cake that looks like a deviled egg. He didn’t care if it looked like a dessert, or appetizing, or anything else. (Good thing he’s not a food blogger.)

So you know how deviled egg filling is sometimes a bit chunky… yeah, that’s what he was going for. It’s a combination of cake and pudding, but you could fill it with just pudding if you wanted it to be smooth.

Tastes good either way, y’all. I mean, it’s cake. And pudding. And frosting.

So here’s the 411 on how to make this deviled egg pudding cake.

Get yourself an Easter Egg cake pan or a football cake pan, and bake a yellow cake inside it. We only had a football cake pan, and you can’t even tell, can you?

Let it cool completely, then using a cake leveler, remove the curved top so you have a flat cake. If using a football pan, you’ll want to slightly round the edges to make it perfectly egg-shaped. Then scoop out some of the cake, so it resembles the shape of a hard-boiled egg with yolk removed.

Now you frost the sides and flat top of the “egg” with white icing.

Then mix those scooped out cake crumbs (waste not, want not) into some lemon pudding, and fill the deviled egg cake with it.

Sprinkle on some cinnamon to look like paprika.

Deviled Egg Pudding Cake

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

35 mins

Author: Liz Mays

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 8-10 servings

Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup water
⅓ cup oil
3 eggs
1 3.4-ounce box lemon pudding
1½ cups milk
1 tub white frosting

Instructions

Spray cake mold, and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake batter according to package directions, and pour into mold. Bake about 35 minutes or until springs back and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Prepare pudding mix using 1½ cups milk. Refrigerate.
When cake has cooled, carefully remove from mold to a tray. Use a cake leveler to flatten out the cake top. and then scoop out some of the cake insides to resemble a hard-boiled egg with yolk removed. Reserve cake crumbs.
Add cake crumbs to refrigerated pudding; mix together well. Spoon into hollowed out cake middle.
Sprinkle cinnamon on top to resemble paprika.
Store in refrigerator.

And there you have it – the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever put on my blog, but it’s delicious. And my boyfriend is happy.

About Liz

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Kebabs with Apricot Ginger Glaze

Beachcombing for Petoskey Stones

Things to Do in Wicomico County, MD

Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art

Stop for lunch at Riverwalk Cafe in Salisbury

Sip some Maryland wine at Bordeleau Winery

Ride the Whitehaven Ferry

Stay at the Whitehaven Hotel

Stroll through historic Whitehaven

Visit Pemberton Historical Park

All you can eat blue crabs at The Red Roost

5 Silly Things Tourists Do

Take photos with every landmark or sign

Use selfie sticks

Break the rules

Travel Aimlessly

Stage corny poses with inanimate objects

Huntsville Ghost Walk

Weeden House

Helion Lodge #1

Ghost Tour Tips

Carrot Raisin Salad

Netflix Kids Shows With Positive Values

Strawberry Watermelon Lime Slush

Lejeune Memorial Gardens

Beirut Memorial

Vietnam Memorial

Montford Point Marine Memorial

9/11 Memorial

Eagle, Globe and Anchor Sculpture

Freedom Fountain

Date Bite Crispies

Lucchese Factory Tour

Deviled Egg Pudding Cake

Buy Chanelle’s eBook!