Happy Friday

This says summer to me..........

See you at the beach,

Susan

picture via pinterest 

Aunt Evelyn's Southern Slaw

Our family's favorite coleslaw. Buttermilk is the secret ingredient!

Aunt Evelyn's Southern Slaw

active time: 5 minutes

total time: 2 hours

makes: 8-10 servings

2       (10 ounce) bags shredded cabbage

1       carrot shredded

1/2    cup sugar

1/2    teaspoon salt

1/4    teaspoon pepper

1/2    cup mayonnaise

1/2    cup buttermilk

2 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 1/2 Tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar

1. Combine cabbage and carrot in a large bowl.

2. Whisk together sugar and the next 6 ingredients and toss with the cabbage and carrot. 

3. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

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The word coleslaw is derived from the Dutch words for cabbage ("kool") and salad ("sla") 

Photo via www.marthastewart.com

Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum

15 minutes down the road from Good Haven House is the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum.

It has withstood the Civil War and several natural disasters, including hurricanes, lightning strikes, an earthquake and our family's many visits.

Featured on the Travel Channel and Syfy’s Ghost Hunters, it is claimed to be haunted by the ghosts of its past keepers.  

Fun and educational (with a stunning view) to visit during the day but even MORE fun at night!

Ghost Hunt – Embark on a spooky adventure with Rocky and the Ghost Seekers of Texas at “One of America’s Most Haunted Lighthouses”… if you dare. Tour times are at 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 10 p.m., and tickets are $40 per person.
Light of the Moon – Take a family-friendly tour to the top of Pensacola Lighthouse, enjoy an incredible moonlit view of Pensacola Bay. Ghost stories passed from keeper to keeper are also shared on this tour. Tour times are at 7:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 10 p.m., and tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for kids.
Blue Angels Practice – Climb to the top of Pensacola Lighthouse for an exclusive vantage point of the Blue Angels spectacular practice show. Space is limited for this view, so call ahead for reservations. Tickets are $15 per person.
Scenic Climbing Tours, daily – For a breathtaking view of Pensacola Bay, Pensacola Lighthouse offers tours Monday through Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $5 and $3 for kids and seniors.

Lighthouse Calendar of Events

Make your reservations online or call (850) 393-1561.

Day Lighthouse photo via visitpensacola.blogspot.com
Night Lighthouse photo via Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum web site

Happy Friday - Night Swimming

The full moon tonight

 makes me want to go night swimming.

July's full moon is called the thunder moon by Native American people, 

for the month's many summer storms.

 See you at the beach,

Susan

Summer Flavors - Dilly Beans

Just like my Grama used to make.

Crazy good in Bloody Mary's!

Dilly Snap Beans

active time: 15 minutes

total time: 20 minutes plus chilling

makes: 6 pints

12   small chile peppers

12   sprigs fresh dill

12   garlic cloves, smashed

12   whole cloves

1/4  cup dill seeds

1/4  cup mustard seeds

1/4  cup kosher salt

3     pounds green beans, ends trimmed to leave 1/2 inch head space in jars

5     cups apple cider vinegar

1. In each of 6 sterilized pint-size canning jars, add 2 chile peppers, 2 dill sprigs, 2 garlic cloves, 2 whole cloves, 2 teaspoons dill seeds, 2 teaspoons mustard seeds and 2 teaspoons salt. Tightly pack beans in jars.

2. In a large saucepan over high heat, bring vinegar and 5 cups water to a boil. Pour hot liquid over beans, seal jars tightly, and refrigerate for 2 weeks to allow flavors to develop. Beans will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 month. 

from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen Cookbook

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A little folklore:
I don't mean to be indelicate but my southern Grama swore by these at a gal's
"that time of the month".
Maybe it was just the Bloody Mary's?!

Happy Friday

 Can I come home for the summer? / I could slow down for a little while /
Get back to loving each other / Leave all those long and lonesome miles behind.......
-Ray LaMontagne

from "For the Summer" by Ray LaMontagne 

'Road to Fort Pickens, Pensacola Beach' photo by k. bastow via Flickr

I Am White / An Experts Tips On Sunscreen

I am white. Extraordinarily white - scary white - blindingly white - alien white - glow in the dark white - my family uses my legs to find me on dark nights white. This happens occasionally when Scots, Irish and Welsh genes mix. If I’m out in the sun 12 hours every day for a month, my freckles sometimes connect and make me look like I’m sort of tan, but not. Now you understand why I’m somewhat interested in a good sunscreen. 

Below is a compilation of the latest research and tips I’ve picked up over the years on how to keep those burning rays away.

 There are so many sunscreens available nowadays that it gets a bit confusing, trying to decide which one is best. 

These tips may help:

-The SPF, or sunburn protection factor, measures protection against ultraviolet radiation B, UVB, which causes burning. Once you go over an SPF of 30, the increase in sun protection is incremental. For example, an SPF of 30 filters about 97% of UVB rays, where SPF 50 filters about 98%. But the SPF level doesn't measure protection against ultraviolet radiation A, UVA, which causes aging of the skin, says the American Cancer Society. Both types of UV rays cause cancer. Experts say consumers should look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA and UVB rays, they should say "broad spectrum" or “full spectrum” protection on the bottle. 

Coppertone UltraGuard Sunscreen Lotion SPF 90+ covers UVA/UVB, and has non-greasy moisturizers and Vitamin E. $10; drugstore.com

- The SPF testing system may not accurately measure anything above SPF 50, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The Skin Cancer Foundation, which promotes sun protection, says that in most cases, "SPFs beyond 50 are unnecessary."

- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends both adults and children use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. 

- Babies under 6 months shouldn't get any direct sunlight, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

- It may be even more important to use enough sunscreen. Most people get much less sunburn protection than the product is marked simply because they don't use enough. The average person needs about 1 ounce of sunscreen — enough to fill a shot glass — to cover the body.

- Don't be fooled by the product stating it's waterproof. You MUST reapply after water exposure or sweating or every 2 hours while outdoors.  

- Did you know you can actually get a sunburn through fabric?  Oh yes, you too can be a red mess even after wearing a wet, clinging, dripping, really attractive t-shirt on the beach all day.

I’d post a picture but you really don’t want that stuck in your head.

- Wear light colored long sleeves, long pants, a hat with a brim of at least 4” all the way around and sun glasses. Sunscreens can rub off or wash away over time. Most cloth has a SPF of 4 (when wet 0), but clothing labeled UPF 50, or ultraviolet protection factor 50, offers long-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays.

- Rather than search for and buy special clothing (hard to find and can be expensive) you can have the convenience of washing some SPF 30 protection right into your own clothes. There’s a product called Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant. You simply add a single packet of it into your washer along with your regular laundry detergent and the clothing is coated with the SPF 30 that will last through 20 additional washings!

  

- You still need sunscreen and/or protective clothing but seek shade whenever you can under umbrellas or shade trees. Remember, shade protects people only from direct sunlight, not the ultraviolet rays reflected up from the sand or pavement.

- Sunscreens can be an issue in sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs. A portion of sales from eco-friendly Reef Safe sunscreens goes to the Ocean Futures Society.

Reef Safe Sunblocks and Sprayables are biodegradeable and nontoxic to sea life. $6-$10; reefsafesuncare.com

- If you have sensitive skin, the minerals titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are often less irritating than other blocking ingredients. Also pick a sunscreen without potential irritants like fragrances or oils.

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 50 Sensitive Skin is fragrance-free, with 100 percent naturally derived ingredients. $14; neutrogena.com and is one good choice.

- For more choices check out http://www.dermadoctor.com/dermawizard.asp, which can help you find the best product for you if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or are taking medications that might make you so.

I wish you a safe, healthy, golden glow and may you not look or feel like a large, overdone lobster when you come home from the beach 

(something else I have vast experience with).

 -Susan

I researched most of the information in this blog post from the web sites and articles below:

        coastalliving.com

http://www.skincancer.org/

http://www.dermadoctor.com/article_Sunburn-Prevention-and-Treatment_157.html

http://www.dermadoctor.com/article_Sunscreen-Savvy_97.html