Tuesday’s Tidbits

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Hi everyone!  I hope you’re all having a terrific Tuesday!

Today we have two bloggers whose food I adore.  Why you ask?  Because it’s fresh, easy, healthy and fabulous!  Who would have guessed 😉

First up, we have Liz from love grows wild.  Liz does it all from crafting to amazing DIY projects to cooking and teaching herself to sew in her spare time -whew! -what spare time?  She’s a mom to two adorable young boys who, along with her handsome husband, shine in the pictures she takes – awesome photography, Liz!

When I came across her recipe for Pico de Gallo last week, I knew I had to ask her to share.  With margarita season approaching, this dish will be a regular in many homes.

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Pico de Gallo – love grows wild

Don’t you just want to chomp into that juicy tomato?!  This would be perfect with tortilla chips.  Liz suggests doing a few taste tests with the addition of salt and if it’s too hot, add a few more tomatoes.  These fresh ingredients will definitely be a crowd pleaser.  Visit here to get the recipe.

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Next we have Jennifer from the inspirational blog, Mommy Hiker.  This beautiful site ‘is a place where families can gather around the “online” campfire and discuss their love for Mother Nature, inspire others to get out and explore the beauty of the world around us and share ideas for using the Outdoors as a tool for learning and discovering.’  

Being a nature lover myself, I was drawn to Jennifer’s blog when I discovered her on Twitter.  Besides being a Mommy Hiker, she has many hats that she wears – screenwriting, acting and film producing being just some of the talents that keep this creative lady super active. 

This dish caught my eye last week and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since.  And the photography – whoa!  It seems like the plate is sitting right in front of you.  I love the simple, complimentary flavours that enhance the tuna and I can see myself eating this every day of the week!  Visit  here for heaven on a plate. Thanks, Jennifer!

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Maria from Healthy Ideas Place is sharing some Summer Food Safety Tips (here) with us and now that we’re outdoors so much, I think we can all use the reminders.  Whether you are camping, picnicking or hiking for the day, it’s important to keep our food safe for consumption.

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Marie has been featured here in the past with her tasty recipes for homemade vinaigrettes  and I always look forward to visiting her blog because I know I’ll always find something to take away.

Thank you to the authors of Not Quite Amish for sharing Maria’s guest post!

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Japanese Garden In Portland

Since we’re all about the outdoors today, may I suggest you check out this website on StumbleUpon that features some of world’s most beautiful trees.  I love this site and if you subscribe to them, you will get spectacular photos in your inbox every day – and I mean SPECTACULAR!

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I have a bit of a conundrum in my backyard.  It seems a robin has built her nest, laid her eggs and now is patiently waiting for them to hatch.  The only problem is that it is very close to the backdoor and each time I go outside she gets quite annoyed!  It’s been a real joy watching her build her nest and she’s very close to the house so I can see her from inside very clearly.  I have a feeling if I spend too much time out there she’s going to abandon it but so far she seems to be getting used to me even if she does tweet rather harshly at me.

My problem – what do I do once the chicks are born?  Will she abandon them if I’m out there?  Or will she start dive-bombing me? lol.  I don’t want to frighten her but I don’t really want to be prohibited from the backyard.  Any advice?

Here she is – I had to take these quick because she’s so skittish so they’re not all that clear.

PicMonkey Collage

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Lastly, this photo really made me smile. I hope it does the same for you.  Have a great day!

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The Happiest Mouse in the World  – Photographer – Andrea Zampatti

Just a reminder – if you are pinning, please do so from the original post, not from here.  Thanks!

15 Comments

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    May 13, 2014 at 5:34 am

    Oh Robyn, this is the most darling post! First of all, I am of Mexican decent, and your feature today is very special to me. Thank you for honoring my heritage with this most fresh and healthy feature! I love the taste of lime and onions and tomato; my husband who is of Puerto-Rican decent is not too keen on limes, but loves coconut, which is NOT part of my culinary heritage and my cousins also do not like the taste of coconut water! AND…..that robin. teeehee….we too have had several robins build their nests in our garden and talk about OVER-PROTECTIVE! They are swift to come down on your head to warn you to stay out! But as soon as the babies are out of the nest, she will not be back, so you are safe. We still have the little nest that MRS. ROBINSON (teehee) built on a beam that extends out from our front door entrance. We have a little speak-easy window at the door so we were able to watch her build the nest. My husband kept saying, “She is building it in the wrong place. The wind is going to knock that thing over.” Well she showed him! She came back the next day with MUD to secure that nest and five years later, wind or snow, it is still there. It’s as if she said, “TAKE THAT, MR. MAN! I know what I’m doing…been doing it for years!” teehee

    So, as soon as the chicks are gone, you can go out freely in your yard. Isn’t she cute, all nestled in her little nest?

    • Reply
      Robyn
      May 13, 2014 at 1:53 pm

      LOL, you always make me laugh, Anita, and the name Mrs. Robinson is too cute! I just googled nesting times and it seems that after they are hatched they’ll be here another 2-3 weeks. By that time some of my flower baskets will have died if I don’t water them but oh, well! lol.
      I’m loving both of the dishes today! Such outstanding recipes and photography. Love that we have so many talented blogging folks.
      Hope you’re having a marvelous day, friend. xoxo
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday’s TidbitsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Marie
    May 13, 2014 at 7:50 am

    Robyn , thanks so much for sharing. I love the picture of the mouse. You can help but smile and chuckle at it. Have a great week!
    Marie recently posted…Mediterranean Salad with Grilled Chicken and Creamy Pesto VinaigretteMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      May 13, 2014 at 1:56 pm

      My pleasure, Marie, thanks for providing us with helpful reminders!
      The mouse cracks me up but I’ll admit to being terrified of them if they’re in the house, lol.
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday’s TidbitsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Linda
    May 13, 2014 at 10:18 am

    Robyn, I do love a good Pico de Gallo or salsa. Fresh ingredients are always a must! As you know I recently had a Mexican dinner party and I also made my own Pico de Gallo and Guacamole. Her recipe is the same as mine, all depending on taste per person. Love the robin nest by your door. How sweet to be able to watch daily. I know they are protective. Hopefully the babies will hatch and be on their way to their own life. Love the photo of the Japanese garden, so vibrant and unreal. The little mouse makes me smile. Have a fantastic week Robyn. Lots of love from WW. xoxo
    Linda recently posted…Pink and Calla Lilies for MomMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      May 13, 2014 at 1:57 pm

      You’ve been a busy lady, Linda, and I loved your Mother’s Day post! Hope to catch you at home soon for a chat, Buddy. xoox
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday’s TidbitsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Nina
    May 13, 2014 at 11:09 am

    Dear Robyn, thank you for sharing such a lovely post. Little mouse did make me smile for sure.

    About chorizo … no thank you! I don’t eat it, although here it´s a typical meal cooked with fava beans.

    Have a nice Tuesday, my dear!
    Beijinhos
    Nina recently posted…1107 – Dá-me favas com chouriço …My Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      May 13, 2014 at 2:08 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it, Nina!
      I don’t eat chorizo either but I used to and found it incredibly delicious, lol. I imagine it would taste wonderful with fava beans though.
      Take care. xoxo
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday’s TidbitsMy Profile

  • Reply
    GiGi Eats Celebrities
    May 13, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    That tuna looks absolutely divine! I would eat the WHOLE THING and then some…. 🙂 I don’t care about mercury! LOL!
    GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted…Exclusive Invite to the Party of the SummerMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      May 14, 2014 at 7:19 am

      LOL, tuna is the best! And that salad – divine is the perfect word. From what I’m reading these days, once every couple of weeks and you’re good so enjoy!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday’s TidbitsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Debbie Harris
    May 13, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    Robyn, your post is lovely! I love that precious little mouse, full of joy! Makes me think of the joy one can share with others just by having laughter all over their face. A joyful heart is so much sweeter than a sour face. 🙂
    Your bird nest is awesome!! Enjoy it. Not everyone is privileged with a nest so close for the enjoyment. Soon they will fly the coop, and it will seem lonely in your back yard.
    I will be having a Senior Mexican Fiesta in June for my senior group, and I will have to make that PICO de GALLO, YUM!!!
    As always, sure enjoyed my visit 🙂
    Joy! Debbie

    • Reply
      Robyn
      May 14, 2014 at 7:24 am

      So glad you enjoyed it, Debbie. I am really having fun with the robin and when she has babies hopefully I can get so me pics to share if it’s not too disruptive for her. Yesterday a couple of crows tried to steal the eggs and the male robin and I fought them off, lol. He was very brave!
      Oh, I would love to hear about your Mexican Fiesta and I know Liz will be thrilled that you are using her recipe.
      Always a joy to have you here, Debbie. Have a great day!
      Robyn recently posted…Tuesday’s TidbitsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Bam's Kitchen
    May 14, 2014 at 8:40 am

    Great Post Robyn! Now what do do with the robin situation? So happy she is happy with her little house but this really does cramp your outdoor style. I think it will be okay if you are out in your backyard, just never touch the eggs or nest or she will leave it. Thanks for introducing us to some great new bloggers. Just stumbled ….and tweeted… sounds funny or maybe more like a bird problem.. but you know what I am talking about.
    Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Tofu Veggie PancakesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mindy
    May 18, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    Love your Tuesday posts friend – always such a great collection! Those bird pictures are precious. I have been watching two birds build a nest under the eaves of our shop roof. My husband won’t be too pleased to find it there but they have worked so hard that it will just have to stay up until the eggs are laid and hatched : )
    Mindy recently posted…Giving Thanks FridayMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tuesday Tidbits - simply fresh dinners
    January 13, 2015 at 6:01 am

    […] of our very early Tidbits features was Jennifer Fontaine and she is one of the founders of this magazine!  Jennifer has the beautiful […]

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