Renaissance for modern times

On the 9th day of February in the year 2020, we used our 2020 or hindsight vision and traveled back to the Renaissance Festival in Quiet Waters Park. We parked at the edge of the 18th century and we walked back to the 16th century for the entrance.
We then saw some acts which made our day:

From left to right: Moonie, Kamizake Fireflies, Judas & Magnolia
Kelly Irish Dancers, Masala Gypsy Dancers, Blackenshear
Bard & Minstrel, Joust, The Parade

Quiet Waters Park has a lot of activities but this is my favorite at this time of year.  Do you have a favorite activity at a park near you?

Reflections on Strasbourg

I had framed my travel pictures and reminisce about my time in Strasbourg. 

Strasbourg:
Countries collided now act in concert
To limit CO2 emissions
To increase energy efficiency
To protect their citizens in the digital age
This is the seat of the European Parliament
Where the culture blends German and French influences
In Strasbourg.

The Treats of St. Augustine

January was full of adventure as I traveled to Atlanta and also to St. Augustine.  St. Augustine had some interesting sights and some culinary treats.  I had some macarons and dragonfruit popsicle while exploring the historic downtown but here is the highlight reel of my trip:

The sign didn't lie: whether it was a fish dinner, broccoli bites or a hot dog. The taste was delivered.
	In January, St Augustine has a festival of lights. I personally believe that it is an excuse to have the lights up until January 31st. Why take them down after Three Kings day? Let's party until the end of January. Let's party with the St. Augustine Film Festival!
Did I mention that the DeLeon Grille in The Ponce of St. Augustine was like a pearl? Yes, I did in my last post because it is that good. I usually hear that hotel restaurants are okay because there are convenient but for this hotel restaurant, I left downtown to come back here to eat.
	Colonial Quarters - Strange music venue but a whole lot of fun,  like a backyard BBQ with a band. St. Augustine Film Festival had their centerpiece party here and it was so fun!

In your recent travels, what treats did you discover?

The Ponce of St. Augustine

In January, St Augustine has a festival of lights. I personally believe that it is an excuse to have the lights up until January 31st. Why take them down after Three Kings day? Let's party until the end of January. However, St Augustine has other events like the St Augustine Film Festival (SAFF).  We stayed at the Ponce which inspired me to write a poem:




Have you ever been inspired by your travels?

Atlanta and My Least Favorite Airline

I have been traveling lately: second weekend of January, I visited Georgia and saw my brother, his wife, their children and his mother-in-law then the next day I saw my old college friend and her children. That was the best moments of my trip seeing the family and friends. The worst times were the plane trips.

From the onset, the ordeal was jarring. The airline had open seating and I had group B. I could board after the people with strollers, people with wheelchairs, people with young children and after group A. By the time I was on board, I saw empty middle seat after middle seat, the aisle and window seats were taken while walking down the narrow aisle. Past the wing, I finally saw an open aisle seat. I had a similar experience on the way back. That was an experience I don't care to repeat.

If I could rank the airlines, this airline would still be above the airline that charges for carry-on bag!

How do you rank the airlines?

Apple Pie

There is nothing more American than apple pie! So I had to find a recipe for the air fryer. After a search, I found one at https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/air-fried-apple-pies?utm_sourc

Making the filling

Cutting the pie crust

Pie cutter and crimper

Formed apple pie

My apple pie

My main issue was the temperature setting as I had a hard time reading the dial. Otherwise, it was as apple pie!

New Year's Day Impulse Buy

I like fried foods. I like chicken wings, French fries, sweet potato fries.  Unfortunately, this like for fried foods does not help my goal of losing weight or avoiding heartburn. Recently, I have been seeing commercials for air fryers and how much healthier the food prepared in an air fryer than deep fried foods. On New Year’s Day, I was in Kohl's and starting looking at the appliance section. My eyes caught several air fryers then I saw the Bella Air Fryer.

It seemed simple enough so I bought an air fryer and tried recipes the very next day. I put a couple pieces of seasoned chicken in the air fryer and a couple pieces in the oven. The air fried chicken was so much better and was cooked before the chicken pieces that were placed in the oven.

In the user manual, they had some tips for using the air fryer such as any recipe for deep fryer can be done in an air fryer. I wanted to do sweet potato fries. I bought sweet potatoes, even a device to cut it into fries. Then I made two batches. One batch tossed with 1 tsp garlic salt and two tablespoon oil. The second batch was done following a recipe that I found online but was a bit wary as it included baking soda. I tossed that batch with baking soda, paprika, salt and oil then followed the times suggested in the user manual for sweet potatoes. The first batch was delicious. The second batch looked mushy and muddy so I added it to my compost instead.

I tried zucchini in the air fryer. That manual cutter was way easier to use for the zucchini. 

 

  

String beans are a breeze in the air fryer so crunchy. I even cooked frozen salmon patties in the air fryer.

Salmon with string beans and zucchini

It was an impulse buy on New Year’s Day but I think I love it.

Have you ever impulse shopped? If yes, tell me your adventure!