Exploring the simple pleasures in life.
After many years of effort, I have found that the key to true happiness comes with learning to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. It’s in the awesome feeling that you have when the garden is full of beautiful banana peppers. It comes from spending time with the people you love and sharing fantastic adventures with them. This Uncomplicated Life is my way of sharing my journey into finding and enjoying the simple pleasures.
Fresh Berry Scones
I made Fresh Berry Scones with the abundance of blueberries we picked. Despite some issues with the recipe, the scones were delicious.
Galley Grill Review
We found an amazing breakfast at Galley Grill in Summerland Key. The food was so good, we were happy to eat the leftovers for a snack later.
Butterflies, Flamingos, and Sea Creatures in Key West
We spent our anniversary exploring Key West. We couldn't believe the amazing encounter Chris had with the flamingos at the butterfly conservatory.
Tonio’s Seafood Shack & Tiki Bar Review
Tonio's Seafood Shack & Tiki Bar in Summerland Key had fantastic seafood. While we weren't comfortable with the crowded patio, we were happy to order take out.
Garbo’s Grill Review
Our first meal in Key West was at Garbo's Grill, a food truck behind Hank's Saloon. Great food and a great atmosphere were a great start to our day.
Driving Through the Florida Keys
We decided to visit Key West for our first anniversary. The drive through the Keys was amazing. I couldn't get over the color of the water.
The Square Grouper Bar and Grill Review
While The Square Grouper Bar and Grill was too crowded for dining in for our comfort level, the food we took home was amazing.
Pilot House Restaurant Review
We were excited to have lunch at Pilot House Restaurant for our first stop in the Florida Keys until our server didn't think we were worthy of his attention.
San Jose Mexican Restaurant Review
Our first dining-in experience in quite some time, at San Jose Mexican Restaurant, turned out to be a less than stellar experience. At least the show was good.
The Salvador Dali Museum
We wanted to visit the Salvador Dali Museum while we were in Florida. When we learned there was a special Van Gogh Alive exhibit, we knew it was time to go.
The Chattaway Review
The Chattaway has been one of our go-to eateries for years, with good food and a great atmosphere. Our less than stellar experience this time disappointed us.
The Chili Cook-Off
We entered our first cooking competition, a chili cook-off. Despite the cold, we had a marvelous weekend adventure, even learning a few things along the way.
Our Trip to the Strawberry Farm
We had a lovely visit to the strawberry farm. We used the beautiful berries and produce we picked to create several delicious dishes.
Shortbread Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
I decided to make ice cream sandwiches with the delicious strawberry ice cream I had made. Shortbread cookies seemed like a great direction to go.
Strawberry Shortcake
With the fresh, beautiful strawberries we picked, I decided to make strawberry shortcake from scratch. It was so delicious!